Meet the Captain and hopefully, a pictorial tour of R.M.S. Queen Mary 2 from Deck 2 to Deck 14.

I woke up far too early this morning and continued writing Blog 153.  It took around 3 hours, if not more, to complete and publish.  It still needs polishing up.  

The handshake with Captain Hall was the briefest of encounters, along with a couple of other senior officers whom I assured that I was enjoying this crossing immensely.  And I am!   I can’t believe that after all this time, the day after tomorrow, I will be united with my almost eleven year old Peugeot!   The Senior Officers’ reception felt a bit of a non-event.  I joined a table of three people while the string trio provided agreeable background music.  It was left to Neil Kelly to address the invitees.  But the usual stage introduction of the senior officers and head chefs, etc, didn’t happen.  I enjoyed the company of my temporary table companions.  All of a sudden, members of the Royal Shakespeare Company showed up for a kind of workshop.  The party was over, and the Captain would soon be giving his noon-day speech. 

I’m glad that I had a brief meeting with the future cruise consultant, who explained why I was not entitled to onboard credit.  My return sailing was part of a package including trains, a plane, hotels, and a private car!  Because of already applied discounts, I was not entitled to the regular “benefits,” which, as a Diamond World Club member, I take for granted.  While the explanation is clear enough, I don’t remember such sacrifices on previous packages unless discounts were not applied. 

I have been invited to join David and Diane for afternoon tea.  Campbell Simpson who has been the ship’s pianist since before QM2 entered service, will be tinkling the ivories in a few minutes from now.  Yesterday, I forewent lunch and had afternoon tea in lieu.  Today, I had a light lunch but will go easy on the sarnies – not the scones ‘though! 

Tonight is Roaring Twenties Gala Night. The black dinner jacket comes out for a second and final time.  My laundry has been returned beautifully folded and ready for packing. 

Tomorrow, I am invited to join a small group of people with important connections to Queen Mary 2. This has been arranged by Doug who like me, was on the maiden voyage twenty years ago. No doubt Cunard will mark the ships 21st birthday in January next year. 

My single stateroom, one of nine, is midships on deck 2 portside.

23.41 hrs, 28/8/24

It’s kind of all over.  Many people dressed up spectacularly for the Roaring Twenties Gala Night. I have never been a big fan of dressy-up nights. But there is something special about an evening where tuxedos and floor hugging ball gowns are the dress code.  The restaurant gradually emptied, I legged it to my favourite Cunard show Rhythm of the Night.  It must be popular, it has survived at least six years and I still want to see it again.  When that had finished, I returned to my stateroom where instructions for disembarkation were neatly placed on my bed, along with the final Daily Programme, a flyer for Cruise Maps (they are to perfection) and the final Cunard newspaper.  The hour adjusts one more hour at midday tomorrow to match British Summer Time.  And Roger will be on his way with my Peugeot! 

The 400th crossing has two lectures tomorrow, and I still hope to self-tour the ship.  It will be a very long time before I am on board again. 

29/8/24. 09.17 hrs

Needless to say, I photographed very little of QM2  during the day, apart from a bit of decks 2 and 3 very late last night.

Last full day today!

Many thanks for reading,

David, 09.20hrs, just getting out of bed!