First Day of European Cruise on Queen Mary 2

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Ballroom Dancing on the Queen Mary When You Didn't Bring Your Guy

I went to the ball room for dancing last night. They hire older gentlemen to dance with the ladies. They are very respectful. I danced the Rumba, Fox Trot, Waltz, Quick Step, Cha Cha and Samba with 5 of them. I feel very comfortable with the whole idea now. I will dance at the Captain’s ball tonight!

Cherbourg, Normandie-France Reflections

I can’t believe this was my first visit to France since 1995. I felt moved (a bit to tears) as I was strolling about town. So many memories of life in France came rushing back. I even had a burning desire to buy a pack of cigarettes. I was craving a smoke!!! I discovered they no longer make des Gauloises Vertes Filtres which I used to smoke by the carton.

This was my first time using Euros. I miss the Franc. I suppose there’s a whole new generation that doesn’t know the Franc or Deutschmark or Peseta or Lira etc. I received 38 Euros back from $60US.

Cherbourg is the second largest city in Normandie; a major port city since it was invaded by the Vikings; and scene of the Battle of Cherbourg following the Normandie Invasion. Visits to the D-day cemeteries, the Bayeux tapestry (depicting the victory at the Battle of Hastings), and Mt Saint Michel, the stunning gothic monastery are nearby.

La Normandie is known for its Camembert, Cidre, tripes (A La Mode de Caen), and Calvados, a fiery, high alcohol apple brandy. In the past, every Normand household distilled their own brand of Calvados. When I lived here at L’Universite de Caen, we used to take Le Trou Normand, which is drinking a shot of chilled Calva while singing a famous song. This is done mid-meal to revitalize the appetite (a la sorbet)

Cherbourg has been restored since WWII, just like Caen, the city where I lived, since it was damaged in WWII.

Cherbourg was the first and last stop on Titanic’s maiden and only voyage.

300 passengers joined us on the Queen Mary in Cherbourg.

Until I return…………………………

Queen Mary Day 1

We had a fantastic 1st day on board the Queen Mary. The journey began with a spectacular sail away party complete with lively calypso band, cool beverages served by white-gloved waiters, and merry meeting and greeting of fellow travelers. We learned that many of them had sailed from England the previous week.

Leaving New York was made even more memorable because of the stunning views of New York’s spectacular skyline that waved good bye to us.

Our first day was activity packed offering choices for everyone from bookworms, to fitness buffs, to gourmands, to music lovers, to those who enjoy being pampered in the spa. I began my day with a guided tour of the ship, listened to a lecture about Hollywood moguls, took a cha-cha dance class, and saw a fascinating show in the only planetarium on a cruise ship. For lunch, we had 10 choices of restaurants. Next, I went shopping on board for Harrods and QM2 logo items and browsed the extensive bookstore.
We ended the day with a lavish formal black and white ball, captain’s welcome reception, and surf and turf for dinner. We are dining with a couple from England, a couple from Missouri, and a woman from England. Of note, more than half the passengers are British, about one third are from the US, and the rest mainly hail from Northern Europe.

Tonight’s entertainment was a performance by the QM dancers and a world famous violinist.

I look forward to what unfolds next!!

Overview of the Queen Mary 2 (QM2)-We embark tomorrow

With a passenger capacity of 2,620, QM2's size allows a great variety of passenger amenities. Almost everything you could want on a cruise ship can be found on the QM2. For those who want to be pampered and rejuvenated, the ship features the Canyon Ranch SpaClub®. Athletes can play basketball or virtual reality golf, and a state-of-the-art gym includes a separate weight room. The Cunard ConneXionsSM is almost like a college at sea, taking into account, of course, that you're on vacation. The QM2 even has some features new to cruising such as a planetarium and a look at marine history in the Maritime Quest Exhibit. QM2 even lets you bring your dog along and board him in an onboard kennel.

Nighttime on the QM2 is elegant, and the ship plays host to formal gatherings in the evenings. After dinner entertainment includes dancing in the largest ballroom at sea, jazz in the Commodore Club, a casino, caberet singing in the Chart Room, and West End-caliber shows in the Royal Court Theatre.

Some of the traditional Cunard hallmarks are found throughout the Queen Mary 2 -- sweeping staircases, soaring public rooms, a grand ballroom, and a 360° promenade deck. A space ratio of 57.25 makes her one of the roomiest vessels anywhere, and the ship has 14 decks of sports facilities, shops, bars, lounges, 5 pools and no fewer than 10 restaurants. With one staff member per couple, a very high level of service can be expected. For those who love verandas as I do, three-quarters of the QM2 staterooms have balconies. Some of the lavish two-story duplexes even have their own private exercise equipment.

Since it is often difficult to picture the size of such a large vessel, here are some comparisons:
• QM2 is five times longer than Cunard's first ship, Britannia (230 ft.)
• QM2 is 113 feet longer than the original Queen Mary
• QM2 is more than twice as long as the Washington Monument is tall (550 ft.)
• QM2 is 147 feet longer than the Eiffel Tower is tall (984 ft.)
• QM2 is more than 3 ½ times as long as Westminster Tower (Big Ben) is high (310 ft.)
• QM2 is only 117 feet shorter than the Empire State Building is tall (1248 ft.)
• QM2 is more than three times as long as St. Paul's Cathedral is tall (366 ft.)
• QM2 is as long as 41 double-decker London buses (31 ½ ft. each)
• QM2's whistle is audible for 10 miles

Queen Mary 2-July 6-20, 2009

Queen Mary 2 Description:
With sweeping staircases, domed public rooms, full-circle promenade deck and elegant appointments, Cunard's Queen Mary 2 melds the classic grace of yesteryear's ocean liners and the ultimate in modern features. Accommodations range from standard cabins to expansive, lavish suites with private elevator access. Three-quarters of all staterooms have balconies. Dining is first-rate onboard QM2, as seven galleys service 10 restaurants, including the renowned Todd English restaurant, which overlooks the pool terrace. Kings Court offers a variety of dining alternatives in the evening. A string quartet plays in the elegant Winter Garden as afternoon tea is served with white-glove service. The 20,000-square-foot Canyon Ranch SpaClub offers stress-relief treatments and wellness classes.

There is a stunning array of recreation, with unique venues such as Illuminations, a planetarium that serves as a lecture hall and cinema. Queens Room houses an elegant ballroom. Fourteen bars include Golden Lion Pub and G32, a disco. Decks 12 and 13 offer sporty fun: a putting green, shuffleboard, deck games, a giant chess board, two golf simulators, basketball and table tennis. Enjoy a performance at Royal Court Theatre or gaming in the Empire Casino. Throughout the cruise, Cunard Connexions offers enriching and educational workshops and seminars.

Queen Mary 2 This Summer!

I will take two (back-to-back) cruises on the Queen Mary 2, the most elegant oceanliner of all, this summer.

1) 6-night transatlantic crossing that departs New York on July 6 and arrives Southampton, England on July 12. I will be in balcony stateroom 4038.

We will remain on the ship for:

2) 8-night, roundtrip from Southampton that departs July 12. I will be in balcony stateroom 6081.

It will make stops in Cherbourg, France, Lisbon, Portugal, Vigo, Spain, Bilbao, Spain, LaRochelle and Brest in France. We will disembark day #5 (July 17) in Bilbao to visit my brother, his wife, and 2 sons. They live in Bilbao. We will spend July 17-20 at the Sheraton Bilbao.

On July 20, I will return to Miami (from Bilbao) via Madrid on American Airlines.

I am so excited!

Cunard.com