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The first of six sea days is bright, partly sunny with dream-like calm seas.  The stateroom T.V. indicates a disappointing 16°C  but we are nowhere near midday yet.

Dr. Stephen Payne, designer of Queen Mary 2 is on board and will soon be delivering his updated talk on the Titanic. This clashes nicely with The History of Faberge in Illuminations! 

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As ever, Dr Payne’s talk was interesting, informative and very well presented.  I was familiar with much, but certainly not all of the content despite having heard earlier versions of this talk on previous voyages.  Queen Mary 2 very much owes its existence to the harsh lessons learned from the Titanic, and also the James Cameron film of the same name, which created an unexpected demand for transatlantic crossings which renain to this day.  It’s only in recent times that I knew that, and that in the 1990s before the movie Titanic, Cunard was in fact struggling. I was unaware of this at the time.  My plan is to see his remaining three lectures as the homeward bound voyage continues.

Last night, I was again too heavy-eyed to contemplate doing any other than watching a very gradual sunset and choosing some mid evening food in the Kings Court. Thus, I didn’t see the comedian yesterday. The early night was most beneficial.

Today (around midday) is another beautiful and reasonably warm day, around 20°C.  Walking around, I find that the ship feels crowded, like I don’t really recall from previous QM2 voyages.  The age range seems to vary from three months right through to somewhere north of a century. 

Sailing ever eastwards towards Southampton, we gradually lose five hours over five separate days, to bring us in line with British Summer Time.  

I’m not quite sure why Captain Hashmi, in his noon-day address apologised for having to sound the ship’s siren during fog, every two minutes, in accordance with Maritime Law.  It’s only earpiercing outside on Decks 12-14, but I suppose those in the higher Grill suites might get cheesed off with a rumble every two minutes during a foggy night. Today has turned out beautifully with warm sunshine particularly at the stern of the ship, even at 5pm.  I hope that it’s like this all the way across.

It’s now 18.40 hrs.

This is how calm the ocean is right now.  Reluctantly, I shall have to move to allow the deck-stewards to put the remaining sunloungers away.  A little more walking before dinner maybe.  

More photos taken around the ship today

Tomorrow night is Tuxedo (Red and Gold Gala) Night. I will probably make the effort, and then start packing on Monday.  I hope the day is as gorgeous as it has been today.

Many thanks for reading,

David, 23.46 hrs in his room. It’s still 11/7/26, but not for long!