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Blog 156 Days 29 and 30 of 30 part 2.

It’s now Sunday, 1st September 2024, my second full day at home. 

Here are further pictures taken during my last-minute tour of Queen Mary 2. 

Final party night in the Queens Room, aft, between the G32 nightclub/disco and the upper Britannia Restaurant, deck 3.

Before the final dinner and the show time, I ambled up to decks 12 – 14 and caught one of those understated but remarkable sunsets. 

On transatlantic crossings, passengers can bring their dogs and cats with them, only (I believe) on QM2.  It is rare that one may catch a dog walking/exercises, actually taking place.  Hard to believe, the immaculately presented white poodle is a rescue dog.  Deck 12.
The final day’s sunset.  Glorious weather would continue the following day before cooling slightly on Sunday.
Deck 12, looking forward. To the right-hand side, the glass-roofed Pavilion with a retractable roof, swimming pool, and table tennis area, bar, and stage, although, come to think of it,  I rarely see live music performed here.
Still looking forward, as well as down to the Boat/Promenade Deck, deck 7, the only deck with no passenger staterooms.  
The vast expanse of part of deck 13.  The stairs seen extreme top right in the picture lead to a short promenade area on deck 14. A similar flight is opposite on the port-side.  Immediately below and byond the deck-wide bulkhead are Club Balcony and Britannia Inside double occupancy cabin, installed in 2016.  Cabin (stateroom) 3023 has my name on it in 2026!
Rarely do I not photograph QM2’s funnel.  One whistle is on permanent loan from the original Queen Mary, moored permanently at Long Beach, California, since 1967.
Thursday’s setting sun reflects off and highlights the ship’s superstructure.  In the last two pictures, looking back at the glorious colours of a Cornwall sunset.  Decks 12, 13.
The Lookout, forward on deck 13.
The Pavilion, Deck 12.  The stairs lead to one of two jacuzzis

Continued late 3/9/24

Most voyages these days seek to raise funds for one of Cunard’s adopted charities, usually on the last full day of the cruise or crossing.  These views were taken from the higher Grand Lobby level, looking down to where the “action” was on deck 2 of the Grand Lobby.   Two items were being auctioned to raise funds for the Prince’s, soon to be King’s Trust.  A special 400th crossing commemorative pennant and chart of the voyage raised several thousand dollars each. 
Fresh flowers always decorate the centre point of the Grand Lobby.
Stairs, leading to/fom deck 3 where the shops are located.

Part two concludes with views of the deck 2 panels leading from the Grand Lobby aft towards the Britannia Restaurant.

Homer Simpson is very discreetly depicted on one of several bronze coloured panels in the wide corridors leading from the Britannia Restaurant to the Grand Lobby.
Here’s a puzzle. Try and locate Homer Simpson on this panel.  The previous illustration indicates what to look for!
A different style panel on deck 2. Similar panels on deck 3 are installed between the Britannia Restaurant (upper) and the Grand Lobby. 
Looking aft towards the Britannia Restaurant (lower)
Entering the Grand Lobby
Centre of the Grand Lobby.  To the right (out of sight), the Purser’s Office.  To the left, the Casino.  Deck 2.
Looking upwards, one sees the illuminated panel depicting North America on the left, Europe on the right, and a ship (presumably a Cunarder) connecting the two continents.  To each side of the panel are interior inside staterooms on decks 4, 5, and 6 with views of the Grand Lobby.  I had one of these cabins.  It is difficult to look down to the Grand Lobby’s lower level, but nevertheless, a window, rather than a solid wall, gives a feeling of spaciousness. 

Part 3 to follow.

Many thanks for reading,  David,  4/9/24  10.46 hrs, at home.

davidscruise

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