Thomson Destiny 2nd December 2011

THOMSON DESTINY
Friday 2nd December 2011

I was booked to travel for a Friday/Monday short cruise on THOMSON DESTINY, but had to set off for Gatwick Airport and a flight without a ticket. Thomson Cruises ticketing people had problems, and apparently hundreds of us had to have blind faith in our Confirmation of Payment and hope to board their flight to Tenerife to join the ship. It worked, I’m pleased to say!

Thomson Cruises have their own aircraft, with a hand luggage limit of just 5 lbs. so it was good to hand over small suitcases and know they would turn up on the quayside at Tenerife. As I got on the aircraft, I asked a flight attendant if we were flying south over the coast at Seaford, in Sussex, and she immediately led me into the flight deck to ask the Captain. I like that sort of welcome on board! He said we would be flying further east of that beacon and it was cloudy, so I might not see much, but I thought it kind of him to spare a few minutes to chat.

We arrived at Santa Cruz, Tenerife airport and were taken to a coach to travel along the coast to the port to join our ship.

Look at her waiting for us

Imagine our joy to see not just THOMSON DESTINY but other cruise ships and ferries in this eastern port;

Some others, viewed from the coach

we were also very pleased to feel the warm air temperature, and shed some winter woollies. We checked in at desks on the quayside and I was pleased to note that my ship card also told me my Lifeboat number. Despite having this card, I noted that each cabin still used a metal key to gain entry.

THOMSON DESTINY has a tonnage of 37,584, a cruising speed of 18 knots, and a maximum occupancy of 1,600 passengers. She was ordered by Royal Caribbean as their first new ship in ten years, as SONG OF AMERICA, and was delivered from Wartsila in Helsinki in 1982. Her cabin decks were stacked at the front of the ship, furthest from the engines, with public rooms further aft, which has remained an unusual layout to this day. Her Sky Lounge, which is now the Sky Bar, is distinctive. The ship originally did 7 day itineraries from Miami, and was almost the biggest Caribbean cruise ship in the world at the time, competing with TROPICALE. She was sold on to Airtours, becoming Sunbird in 1999, was then with My Travel, then sold on in 2004, becoming THOMSON DESTINY in May 2005.

I met my two other travelling companions for soft drinks in the Sky Bar, then went for buffet lunch, and out on deck for photos of our surroundings. We checked for timings of Lifeboat Drill, and it is to be tomorrow (Saturday) and no-one will be allowed off at the port until the Drill is complete. Needless to say we had all checked the back of our cabin doors to locate our Muster Stations.

Travelers tension (sic)

There are eleven public decks, with Decks B and A the lowest ones with cabins. Main Deck 4 has the full-width Seven Seas Restaurant at the stern half, with the rear tables set around what must be the base of the funnel; forward of this on the port side are the Shop and Internet Café, Library on the starboard side, and Gift Shops and Reception midships; cabins are forward of these.

Cabaret Deck 5 has the spacious and lovely Oklahoma Lounge at the stern, the Beauty Centre, Casino Royale, Clipper Bar and photo gallery midships, the Can Can Lounge forward of these, and then more cabins.

Upper Deck 6 is a small area with cabins forward. Promenade Deck 7 is the full wrap-around deck, which we all love, Blake’s Bar midships, and de-luxe cabins forward of that. Bridge Deck 8 has Saunas and Oceans Gym.

Sun Deck 9 at the stern has the access to the Sky Bar (Deck 12) Lido Bar and two Pools, with the Pool Grill at the forward end behind more cabins. Steps at the side of this Grill lead up to the Mast Bar on Compass Deck 10, with lots of open deck to walk around, above the pools.

The Sky Bar was on Deck 12 and well worth the climb or using the lift, with its fabulous view out over the ship. I suppose this style of bar is rather quirky to our eyes nowadays, but I do like the distinctive style on a ship like THOMSON DESTINY (built 1982), just as I did on SOVEREIGN (built 1987).

We spent the afternoon looking round and talking with other passengers, as well as watching other ship movements.

Two Costas and a Fred. Olsen

Bencomo Express

The Lido Cafe at night

I didn't...

Spacious stairways and landings

Detail on the front of some lifts

Dinner this evening is to be open seating between 18.30 and 22.30 so we could allow time to get to the Can Can Lounge for the evening’s show. The Pool Deck after that was the place to be, with more live music from the group on the little stage between the pools, and the chance to sit and enjoy the views. Sailaway was at 12.30 and celebrated with a sing-along or whatever one chose.

The Sailaway Party

Ships seen from the aircraft (this has to be a new category!): Volcan de Taburiente of Armas Line out at sea, and then approaching the airport

The Austral trimaran Benchijigua Express ready to go to La Gomera,

Ships seen on the coach to the ship: Volcan de Tauce built in Vigo, Niwaria (?)

Ships seen in port: Thomson Destiny, Thomson Dream, Boudicca, Costa Victoria, Costa Serena, MSC Fantasia, Volcan de Timafaya, Bencomo Express, Albaysan, the Acciona Trasmed freighter from Cadiz

Saturday 3rd December 2011
After sailing 74 nautical miles overnight we have arrived at Las Palmas in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, and this is rather nostalgic for me. When I was at sea with Union-Castle Line this would usually be the first port of call after leaving Southampton on the Mailship run to South Africa, and was on the itinerary for the Union-Castle Line Centenary Voyage in 1999/2000.

After breakfast Boat Drill was held on board and then we could leave the ship and head into the old town. It was alternately raining and then sunshine, but it was certainly warmer than December back at home. The mixture of old and new buildings was interesting to see, as was the tail end of a whale appearing to dive into a pond in a public garden.

Whale tail

Interesting drain cover

Thomson Destiny

Thor Supplier

Albayzin and Delta

Las Palmas

Lunch on board was followed by a rest, and then at 4 p.m. I joined a ship tour by a new member of staff. It was brief and I think I knew more about the ship than she did. I then had tea with an English lady who spent several winter months out in Tenerife, and was enjoying this short cruise as well. Our departure is not until 11 p.m. so I had time to take photographs;

Artwork on board

I was so pleased to find several of the jewel-coloured glass door handles that I have previously seen on Mediterranean ferries and which I think are beautiful.

Jewel-coloured glass door handles






































I also loved the central piece of glass artwork in the area near Reception.

Wonderful original artwork



Can Can Lounge



Later I joined my friends for a drink up in the Sky Bar, and I see from my diary that I visited the Ladies toilets at one point and noted that I had never ‘spent a penny’ in a funnel before. Dinner was at 8.30 p.m. at a fixed seating table tonight, and very enjoyable, before we went to see the comedian at the Evening Show. I think the standard of food is excellent, and that seems to be everyone’s impression.

I think it doesn’t do to compare cruise ships, or ferries for that matter, in a negative way, as they are all built at different times and star-rated accordingly. We all know what we enjoy, and what basic levels of comfort and cleanliness we need for our holidays or trips, but we all choose a ship and itinerary for different reasons and I am always happy to be able to travel on one. Whether I want to travel on a particular ship or with a particular company again is another matter! On this Thomson Cruises ship all the staff on board have a professional approach but are also very friendly and this creates a good atmosphere.

The Thomson logo

Volcan del Teide

On deck

Ships seen: Christian Radich, Albaysin, Delta Reefer, Thor Supplier, Atlantic Explorer, Volcan del Teide (Armas)

Sunday 4th December 2011
We rolled into the sheltered bay of Santa Cruz de la Palma, Canary Islands, at 8.30 a.m. today having sailed 154 nautical miles overnight. We are about 2,000 miles from the UK and it’s pouring with rain. Ah well, most of us are happy to get off our little roller for a while and stretch our legs and take advantage of the local market set up at the end of the quayside.

Thomson Destiny stern

This is a small volcanic island, although with the largest volcanic crater in the world apparently, and the capital has several elegant 16th and 17th century houses which we could see during our walk around town. The cobbles glistened in the rain, and we could see why the flowers and plants were so prolific. One of the churches played a long peal of bells and this made a pleasant background sound during a coffee break. The island’s economy is based on agriculture (bananas etc.) and tourism, and I discovered that many international observatories and telescopes have been built near the top of the volcano.

Oklahoma Lounge bar and murals

Oklahoma Lounge

Passion Fruit Vine artwork dated 1994

We left the island at 3 p.m. and could then enjoy the ship’s facilities with tea etc. before preparing for the Captain’s Cocktail Party this evening at 7.30 p.m.; this was followed by a formal dinner in the Seven Seas Restaurant, and then a choice of entertainment. The Sky Bar beckoned as usual and we could only obey…

Ships seen: Boudicca, Volkan de Tauce, Beatriz B of Boluda Lines, Volkan de Taburiente

Monday 5th December 2011
I can hardly believe we have to disembark today, but here we are arriving in Funchal, Madeira, well before sunrise.

Early morning Funchal

Boudicca

Above the mast bar

Wartsila 1982

An Aida ship(Sol?), Lobo Marinho and Boudicca

Lobo Marinho

Again, we used to call here on the Mailships to fulfil the contract requiring one of our ships to call once a month; my first visit here was on the TRANSVAAL CASTLE and we anchored in the bay and I remember all the ‘bum’ boats coming alongside and the traders hoisting their wares on a rope up to the deck. Some of the traders were allowed on board with their goods, but very few of them. I still have the beautiful Madeira thread-work cotton tablecloth that I bought on that first trip and it still looks delightful.

After breakfast we had to disembark, say goodbye to one friend, before two of us took the coach to the airport. We were soon checked in and taken to the Thomson aircraft, and in a short time were waiting at the end of the runway, parallel to the coastline. As we turned to get into position for take-off I was interested to see that the end of the runway ended in a straight drop down. Hmm, bet that concentrates the minds of pilots coming into Funchal airport. As with any volcanic island, finding flat land to build on is very difficult and this seems to have been another feat of engineering, and made me think about the proposed airport at St. Helena in the South Atlantic.

Ships seen: Aida Sol (we think), Lobo Marinho, Boudicca



Back at Gatwick we were greeted by December English winter weather and normal life resumed after collecting baggage. I had enjoyed a weekend break many miles from home and travelled with congenial company on a ship that I found interesting – perhaps I shall say ‘She was my Destiny’.

QUEEN ELIZABETH 5th January 2012 Part 2

Friday 6th January 2012
Part 2
Oops, I think I slept through my alarm clock telling me to get up, because we had arrived in Le Havre and I needed breakfast to start the day. This was in the Lido Restaurant, which I found a much more attractive area than that on QUEEN MARY 2. The seating was comfortable, and the various areas had sufficient soft furnishings to make it a very welcoming place to be. I saw that Sunrise was only at 8.57 a.m. so maybe my body clock was on GMT…

Outside it was extremely cold but sunny, so the free shuttle bus took passengers into the town, whilst others had taken excursions from the ship. The port and surrounding town buildings look very grey and I was amused to read that, after the war, the Le Havre rebuilding work was done by Auguste Perret, and he made much use of his favourite material, the sturdy (but not too scenic) reinforced concrete.

After a brisk walk around town (the Maritime Museum was closed) we returned to the ship

The Welcome Aboard mat

in time for a Golden Lion pub lunch. The fish and chips were lovely, and the day’s Special Dessert just had to be ordered – Volcano Pudding – chocolate and chocolate sauce, looking just like a little volcano indeed.

Volcano Pudding

Some time later it was time for Afternoon Tea, if only to be seated in the Queen’s Room being served Earl Grey tea.

Queens Room

Queens Room light

I was told that the table for two I was sitting at was the favourite of a particular member of the Ocean Liner Society, so that was fun to think about. The pianist entertained us, the light came through the stained glass windows high up on one side of the room, the glorious glass light fittings on the ceiling sparkled and looked wonderful, and everyone seemed happy to be on the ship in these lovely surroundings. I feel really comfortable on board and like the ship very much.

4 gantries being taken round to the container port

There was time for a rest and to prepare for pre-dinner drinks in the Carinthia Bar – it’s the night for a ‘posh frock’, or Elegant Casual as the Daily Programme told me – and watching us sail away from Le Havre.

Dinner was at another new table with my travelling companion and other congenial passengers, so nearly two hours passed easily with good food and conversation, before going to the Queen’s Room for a while to enjoy live music and dancing. Then it was time for the Royal Court Theatre, where tonight’s entertainment was a very skilled musician who amazed and amused us with ‘Music and Mayhem’.

Ships seen: Norman Voyager, Ottawa Express, CMA CGM Turquoise, Caroline in Le Havre town basin, Armorique far away on the horizon, Normandie far away on the horizon, VB Optiville, Leopard, VB Suprenzo 10, VB Yport 12, VB Barfleur 18, Le Havre Pilot boat 2, VB La Reve, Torm Saone, VB Sainte Adresse, and Zhen Hua 20 carrying 4 big blue container gantries on deck and accompanied by 5 tugs and which is registered in St. Vincent, Grenadines

Saturday 7th January 2012
We have a day at sea – what a treat. There was Restaurant breakfast to enjoy with the sunshine pouring through the windows, and most of us ignoring the big seas outside. Rough weather had been forecast and the ship was moving slightly, but our next appointment was in the Theatre for a lecture by Mr Peter Rushton, about Tall Ships – a Sail through the Century. When Peter was being introduced on stage by the Cruise Director, she mentioned that he had been at sea with Union-Castle Line. At this moment there was a small shout of ‘hooray’ from someone in the audience, which caused amusement all round including to those on stage. Yes, in my position as goodwill ambassador for Union-Castle, mine was the lone cheering voice.

After the talk I went to say hello to Peter, who remembered me through our various Union-Castle connections over the years.

Lunch was to be another treat – in The Verandah, the speciality Restaurant midships on Deck 2. This was fine dining in beautiful surroundings and with attentive service from staff who obviously enjoyed their work.

Our next appointment that had to be kept was a visit to the Bridge, thanks to the kindness and invitation of Captain Wells. He said he had been very pleased with the gift of a copy of my book (‘Union-Castle Line Purserette’) as it brought back many happy memories for him and his family, who had travelled on some of their liners.

Captain Wells on the Bridge

Flags on the Bridge

Living on the edge?

The Deck Officers on here obviously take their responsibilities very seriously, as we could see from the number of people on watch on the Bridge, and I find that very reassuring. We marvelled at all the equipment on the Bridge, including the device that enabled those of us at home to locate a particular ship in the waters of the world, find out its details and destination, often within moments of asking (http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/). I think this web site is such a wonderful free service to those of us interested in ships and ports.

Later we attended the Captain’s Cocktail Party in the Queen’s Room, Cunard style, with passengers standing and moving around on the dance floor and being able to chat so easily to each other. Captain Wells gave a humorous speech and I discovered I was one of 1965 British passengers on board, and that lots of us were disembarking in Hamburg and lots of German passengers were embarking in our place. It seems that many on board had already been on the ship for a month, including over Christmas, and some of those were continuing on the QUEEN ELIZABETH for her complete World Cruise. That’s something to wonder at, in these financially straitened times. Captain Wells also mentioned that the Hamburg Pilot had come on board at Le Havre because of the anticipated rough weather conditions during the night ahead, so that he could get us into port in Hamburg on time.

Gala Dinner followed, with all of us in our ‘posh frocks’ or dinner jackets, and I was quite amazed at the amount of ‘bling’ and bare flesh on display, but it was lovely to see and it made for a fun evening. The scheduled Theatre show had been postponed because of the rough sea conditions so we were entertained by a Beatles look-alike group instead. The Yacht Club was the final venue for the evening with disco music and dancing.

Ships seen: only some in the distance and not identifiable

Sunday 8th January 2012
We’ve arrived in Hamburg, and it’s cold, wet and dark, according to The View from the Bridge, but here I am again, Following in Father’s Footsteps.

Through a window, for Reuben

We are berthed at the new Altona Cruise Terminal which is probably a mile further down river than the Cap San Diego; the ferry pontoon is just alongside the terminal (but outside the ubiquitous ISPS fencing) so I shall be able to disembark QUEEN ELIZABETH and get straight on to another vessel!

After breakfast I said goodbye and thanked my cabin steward, and set off with pull-along suitcase and wearing lots of warm clothing down the gangway and into the terminal. There is a roof terrace on the top of it and already people were up there and walking around with cameras, taking pictures of the ship.

Another good viewing area, beside the Cruise Terminal

On the ferry landing stage I bought a day’s travel ticket for trains or ferries, including my trip to Hamburg Airport later in the day, and waited for the first ferry. It was called Reeperbahn – probably the nearest I shall get to that red-light district in my life – and took us further up the River Elbe.

Reeperbahn

Queen Elizabeth

We disembarked at the Fish Market stop,

I liked the weather-vane on top of the Fish Market building

a fun ship

Boudicca's boat No. 7

Rijnborg in dry dock

and took another ferry, just because we could, to our destination at Hafencity: Miniatur Wunderland. My travelling companion had told me about this amazing place but words just don’t do it justice. It is an old warehouse containing miniatures of several countries, their landscape and people, and if you like all forms of transport and working equipment, then you will be in heaven. It was wonderful. The leaflet gave some details and that it is at www.miniatur-wunderland.com.

We particularly enjoyed seeing BLACK PRINCE in dry dock, with a tiny man doing some welding, and thought of a particular maritime author and his love of Fred. Olsen ships; I just loved seeing the newest display, on the 4th floor, of Knuffingen Airport, which included aircraft landing and taking off! When the Space Shuttle landed, I could hardly believe my eyes, it was so beautifully done. I was brought up in a village called Harmondsworth, in Middlesex, which was (and still is) one of the Heathrow villages, so aircraft played a big part in my life for many years.

A few ferries later, it was time for a late lunch and another treat – the Hard Rock Café, Hamburg. Have to confess it’s my first visit to one, so I had to buy the T-shirt, which will be worn. The food was fresh and cooked to order, and the music was very enjoyable. Goodness, apparently I’m now a Rock Chick.



After all that excitement there was time for another ferry trip to the next stop down river to see the little vessel that was now a café, and then it was time to return to the Cruise Terminal for coffee and fond farewells, before taking another ferry to sail past QUEEN ELIZABETH for photos and waving.

I enjoyed this river view

I could walk to the nearby train station to journey to Hamburg Airport and my flight home.

Ships seen: Reeperbahn, Altenwerder (Lion King), Harburg, Tollerort (Tarzan), Oortkaten, Ovelgonne (all river ferries), Samso, Queen Elizabeth, Cap San Diego, Rijnborg (the 2007-built Wagenborg Shipping vessel in dry dock), Boudicca’s tender no. 7 on a quayside and I wonder why, on the south side of the River Elbe, Louisiana Star, Cosco Beijing, Cosco America, Rio de Janeiro, Stettin, and I shall include the Black Prince in dry dock in Miniatur Wunderland for fun

Queen Elizabeth alongside in Hamburg

My cruise on QUEEN ELIZABETH had been for just three nights, but I enjoyed the ship and the trip very much; she has a design style I can recognise and Cunard have their own particular way of doing things, which I find very comfortable.

In this Diamond Jubilee Year for our Sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, I feel very fortunate to have sailed on the lovely ship bearing the name QUEEN ELIZABETH.

QUEEN ELIZABETH 5th January 2012 Part 1

QUEEN ELIZABETH 5th January 2012
Part 1

On 8th October 2010 I was in Southampton with some friends to watch the new Cunard cruise ship come into her home port of Southampton: it was QUEEN ELIZABETH, and she made a splendid sight in the early morning light. We were part of a large flotilla of ships to welcome her in for the first time.

Queen Elizabeth arriving in Southampton October 2010

Fifteen months later I was again in Southampton, and this time I was to sail on the newest Cunarder for myself, for 3 nights from Southampton to Hamburg, on the River Elbe in Germany. There was to be one call at Le Havre, on the way, before a sea day on our way to Hamburg. It was a ‘New Year Getaway’.

It was a wild and damp January winter morning, with trees down on the railway lines in the south of England, faulty signals near Portsmouth, and I felt glad my coastal train was only half an hour late. A taxi whisked me to the Queen Elizabeth II Terminal and on the way there I had a pleasant chat with the driver about the lavender-hulled lovelies of the Union-Castle Line that we both remembered. In the Ocean Terminal I could see BOUDICCA berthed against the quay, held there seemingly only with the help of a large tug nose-in to the side of the hull. The tug seemed to be putting a lot of force into this, as sea water was churning up continuously from her stern. My ticket said I was to embark in Ocean Terminal, so it was a surprise to see BOUDICCA there but I know the weather and wind conditions were dreadful.

I had booked a single use inside grade D8 cabin for my 3 nights on board, and had been happy to be notified of an upgrade to a D1 cabin, so I was pleased to embark and be greeted by cheerful faces as I reached the top of the gangway. My cabin 8031 was large and comfortably furnished, the bathroom was spacious and there was a bottle of champagne in an ice-bucket on the small table next to the settee. Life was already looking good, so I set off to meet my travelling companion. He had booked for the full five days of the cruise from Southampton and back, and had been upgraded four times since booking, so we had a mini cabin-cavalcade between my inside cabin and his outside with balcony.

Then it was time to start to explore the ship and enjoy the new sights and sounds of a ship actually in the sea, and not in a dry dock. My recent experience on COSTA DELIZIOSA and going into the Marseilles dry dock is still so fresh in my mind, that I can’t help comparing it with being here on QUEEN ELIZABETH!

QUEEN ELIZABETH was built for Cunard in 2010 with a gross tonnage of 90,900, to carry 2,068 passengers at a speed of 23.7 knots, and she is another enlarged Vista class of ship (a hybrid Vista/Spirit class), as was COSTA DELIZIOSA. Her home port is Southampton, in Hampshire, England, and she is now registered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Her Captain for this voyage is Captain Christopher Wells. The ship was named by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and I was so pleased to see the golden bust of Her Majesty on board, taken from the QE2 before she sailed to Dubai. There is also a beautiful painting of Her Majesty on board.

There are 12 passenger decks, with Forward A, Midships B and Aft C Stairways and Elevators. The lowest A Deck has the Tender Embarkation access and the Medical Centre. Deck 1 forward of Aft staircase C has staterooms, the Tour Office, Purser’s Office, and Voyage Sales Office. Forward of that is the lower part of the Grand Lobby,

The Linley ship

and then forward of that is the Internet Centre Connexions 1, leading on to more staterooms. Forward again from Forward Stairway A is the lowest level entry to the Royal Court Theatre.

Deck 2 aft is the lower level of the Britannia Restaurant, and forward of the stairway is the Britannia Club, The Verandah,

The Verandah

The Verandah

Cafe Carinthia, the second level of the Grand Lobby, and the lower level of the Library. Forward of Stairway B is the Book shop, Cunard Place, Queens Room,

Queens Room

Queens Arcade, Empire Casino and then Golden Lion pub. Forward again is the Stairway A and then the Royal Court Theatre.

Deck 3 at the stern has the upper level of the Britannia Restaurant,

Britannia Restaurant entrance

A stairway

Stairway C, Images Photo Gallery, Card Room, Midships Bar The Alcove, the top level of the Grand Lobby, and the Emporium/Library.

The Library

Forward of Stairway B is Cunarders’ Gallery, the Queens Room, then Connexions 2 and 3, Art Gallery and Royal Arcade.

Royal Arcade

Prize-winning sculpture

Forward of the Stairway A is the top level seating of the Theatre.

Decks 4 to 8 inclusive are all staterooms.

Deck 9 aft has the Lido Pool, Bar and Grill, and forward of Stairway C is the Lido Restaurant. Forward of Stairway B is the attractive Garden Lounge,

Garden Lounge

The Garden Lounge

which is another of the most attractive areas on the ship to my mind, especially in January when one can sit in very comfortable armchairs, with cushions, and be completely warm and safe from the vagaries of the weather in the North Sea. With a small bar in one corner to provide tea, coffee or whatever was needed, I enjoyed spending time there. Forward of that was the Pavilion Pool and Bar,

Funnel view on deck

Tiling outside the Pavilion

Outside Pool area

and forward and up again was the Yacht Club which was a very popular place at night for music and dancing.

The Yacht Club

Deck 9 forward had the Royal Spa and Fitness Centre.

Deck 10 forward had the Churchill’s Cigar Lounge, and then the Commodore Club which again was such a lovely venue especially at night time. The Games Deck was above this, with its canvas and rope-bound canopies to protect us from the weather.

Chess pieces

I was hoping to learn to play croquet but others had the same idea so that must be for another time.

There were other vessels in Southampton port, including ORIANA, BALMORAL and BOUDICCA, but it was a lovely surprise to look out and see a familiar but unusual small ship coming down Southampton Water towards us: it was the T.H.V. PATRICIA, the Flag Ship of Trinity House, going very slowly past us. We later discovered she went to shelter against the Isle of Wight, presumably to avoid the rough weather out in the English Channel.

THV Patricia

Lifeboat drill was next, in the wonderfully tiered theatre, and we soon departed from Southampton in the dark with the sound of suitable maritime music playing in the background and being blown towards us on the high wind on deck.

The Commodore Club was ideal for a pre-dinner drink, and then the Britannia Restaurant was our next destination for dinner. I had been allocated a table with seven other passengers on the upper level on Deck 3, which surrounded the lower level on Deck 2, and was accessed with the sort of light-edged curved staircase where one can ‘sweep down’ in a very feminine and elegant way. My travelling companion was with other congenial passengers on a table on the lower level, but the Maitre d’ had said he would arrange for us to sit together on subsequent nights. The menu was varied and full of desirable things to choose, so it was a pleasant occasion.

I sat in the middle of an oval table for eight, with my back to a wall. The Wine Waiter appeared with Wine Lists which she rapidly gave to the two men on the table, before rushing away and taking orders at other tables. I wanted to order a glass of wine, but was unable to do so until about 10 minutes later when I managed to catch her eye and wave as she rushed past again. She seemed rather surprised, but gathered herself and gave me a Wine List. It took another 5 minutes before she reappeared to take my small order and then another 10 minutes before the glass of wine appeared. It was obvious the member of staff was under intense pressure and perhaps Cunard need to think again about the number of Wine Stewards they have in this restaurant.

Plates of After Dinner Mints and small pieces of crystallised ginger were outside the Restaurant (welcome back to Cunard, Ann, I thought) and then it was time for the Welcome Aboard Show in the three-deck-high Royal Court Theatre. The Queen Elizabeth Theatre Company and eight-piece Theatre Orchestra entertained us after we were welcomed by the Entertainment Director Amanda; after that Show it was time to head up to the Yacht Club for music and dancing, with the wonderful silver model of QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 in a glass case at the entrance to the room.

Clocks have to go forward one hour tonight to put us on Continental time, so it was a short night ahead of me despite the beautiful linen and pillows on my bed.

Ships seen: Queen Elizabeth, Oriana, Balmoral, Boudicca (held alongside with a tug), Autostar, Great Expectations, Red Jet 4, Svitzer Ferriby tug, Patricia

To be concluded...