For some, perhaps many, this last full day at sea will start to bring the curtain down on an exciting tour of part of Europe and the U.K.  Around 320, including me, continue their travels on board.  Excitement grows as the 250th anniversary of U.S A. Independence looms towards the very near future.  I learn that there are events in New York on the Eve of July 4th, which may be visible from Queen Mary 2 while berthed at Brooklyn Cruise Terminal tomorrow.  Many will be up at the crack of dawn, crowding the upper open decks as Queen Mary 2 squeezes under the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge, and sails by Liberty Enlightening the World.  The gentle gaining of five hours during the crossing might just enable me to join the throngs on the upper decks at 05.00 hrs – ish.  But don’t hold your breath!  It’s 08.42 now, and I’m ready for this first of two final sea days, three if you count the second arrival in New York in just over a week’s time.

Unbelievably, the bulk of my packing for the move to my new cabin has taken place, and I can relax.  Despite almost six days at sea, my body hasn’t completely caught up with the ever changing time zones.  Having an extra hour for five days shouldn’t be a problem as we steam west at around 22 knots.  On this final sea day, I can report that the entire crossing has been nothing more than “ever so slightly bumpy.”  No swells crashing over Deck 7 then.  Today is the first warm day, with 23°C temperatures making it most pleasant outside.  However, I joined new people for lunch in the Britannia Restaurant this afternoon, and ended up spending the remainder of the afternoon having a gold old natter with a lady now living in Kent.  We joined two other U.S. travellers for….Afternoon Tea!  

Now, at 18.10 hrs, it’s time to complete the packing, apart from what I need over night and tomorrow.

06.28 hrs ARRIVAL

I intended to sleep through all of this…but I’m so glad that I didn’t.

Last night, I attended and enjoyed an early Showtime in the Royal Court Theatre. Jennifer Tierney shattered some more chandeliers especially with her powerful rendition of Tina Turner’s Simply the Best. 

I awoke at “silly o’clock” this morning and curiosity got the better of me. I could see from the T.V. this morning that I had missed sailing under the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge by about twenty minutes but was not too late for a spectacular sunrise and first views (this trip) of the New York skyline with the Staten Island Ferries already passing back and forth.  Today is going to be a long but interesting day.  I move cabins later, from one end of Deck 6 to the other. I was not permitted to stay in the same cabin.

It’s approaching midday back home.  Here, it’s still “silly o’clock!”  Time for an early breakfast.

More later.

Many thanks for reading,

David, 06.58 hrs, Carinthia Lounge, 3/7/24.