Sunday May 8, 2016 – At sea on route to Southampton. The last two days before reaching the end of the World Cruise which officially is Southampton to Southampton even though we are doing New York to New York. Thus the transatlantic leg is an add-on as part of the first regular transatlantic voyages of the summer season. It is a bitter sweet time, sad to say good-bye to all the people we have been traveling with, so many memories and places yet happy to see family and return to a “normal” life at home. That being said we still have 10 days to go, but some of that time will be dedicated to taking down all the decorations in the room and packing. Knowing that there is no air flight / weight restriction at the end, has permitted us to purchase some heavier and bulkier items that we would otherwise have difficulty transporting. The bad part is, that even those items have to be put into suitcases for the disembarkation! So the process started during these couple of sea days prior to arrival at Southampton. Tachy decided to get off in Southampton and fly back home as opposed to taking the 6 days across the Atlantic, so she could see the new born baby grand daughter and then visit with her mother in Mexico. So she had to do her final packing and get all prepared for her flight back from London Heathrow.
The celebrity lecture for the day toady was Dame Kelly Holmes who is one of Britain’s elite athletes, winning gold medals in the 800 and 1500 meter races at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. This feat, winning double gold for middle distance running in the same games by a woman had only been done twice before and never by a British woman. Thus from humble beginnings and 10 years service in the Army, she reached the pinnacle of her career and stardom at the 2004 games. She spoke of that quest and the trials and tribulations getting there together with what she has been up to since that time. The following day she did a public Q & A session with the Entertainment Director. She certainly is very enthusiastic and a good motivational speaker, to be admired for her persistence through physical adversity. The other event of the day was the cooking demonstration by two of the principal chef’s on the ship where they were able to prepare 4 dishes in the allotted 45 minutes. Unfortunately, this was at the same time as the Captain’s Church Service, so 2 of us went to the Cooking and 2 went to the service. We also went through British immigration formalities on board ship. This evening was the last of the world Voyage parties with Captain Wells and senior staff welcoming us for the last time to the Queens Room for the Caviar, Champagne and final speeches of the grand voyage. He, together with all but 80 of the World Passengers will be getting off in Southampton. The new addition to the scale model decoration (together with the Corcovado Christ, the Sydney Opera House, the Tiki masks, Statue of Liberty, Tower Bridge etc) was a 5 foot long scale model of the Queen Mary II ship carved in ice. An amazing feat by very talented ice carvers. As with every exciting adventure, it was sad to say goodbye to all at this party. The other big excitement of the night was that at 2 AM, a large Portuguese Rescue Helicopter came and hovered just outside our window and slowly moved on top of the ship, lowering the rescue staff, who then placed one of the passengers who suffered a heart attack and was in serious fight for his life, into a cradle and then raised the passenger, his wife and the helicopter crew back onto the helicopter, flying them to the hospital to the closest land based facilities in nearby Portugal. A very exciting time for those that did not suffer directly and who were awakened by the noise to see the whole event. Tachy and I slept through the entire episode and only heard of it next day from Diana, Nelson and Captain Wells.
Monday May 9, 2016 – This day was dedicated to organization – packing, getting photographs from the photo shop, picking up items ordered from the shop, laundry, gym and in general a time to get ready for tomorrow’s arrival in Southampton. Tachy, as she was getting off had to do her final packing and the rest of us needed to pack away some of the purchases in suitcases as the rooms had now become over-run with stuff! Thus, other than meals, we were very “domesticated”.
Tuesday May 10, 2016 – In Southampton, UK for the day. Tachy got the ship’s transfer to Heathrow early in the morning and the three of us were awake early to prepare for family and friends. Nelson took the shuttle into Southampton to purchase a suitcase, while Diana and Roger went ashore to get a coffee and wait for family – Judy, Suzanne, Alex, and friends – Brian and Diana to arrive as they were to kindly visit with us for the day. It was great to see them and are very greatful to all for making the long trips from the Lake District, Berkshire and Hampshire for the day. We had a fun time and a nice meal only to be surprised by the “apparition” of Roddy and Dawn. Unbeknownst to all, other than Roddy, Diana, and Nelson, Roddy had organized a 25th wedding anniversary trip for Dawn to travel across the Atlantic on Queen Mary II. So Dawn was surprised that she was going to be on the ship, Roger knew nothing of the plans and even Roddy was surprised that his sister and mother were here in Southampton. So a fun time for all and a good meal together, thanks to all for making the effort and for a fun day. It was all too quickly over and we had to bid farewell to the family and friends and to England as we set sail for New York. Nelson had arranged for Roddy and Dawn to be at the same table for dinner, so it will be terrific to travel together across the Atlantic. As we left, and as both sister ships were also completing their World Voyages, all three Queens (Victoria, Elizabeth and Mary II) left together from Southampton Harbour – although we were a bit late due to extra provisions having to be loaded on the very last segment of this amazing voyage around the world. This time back to the other Captain – Kevin Oprey. So we will have experienced both captain’s twice each during the voyage.
Roger & Anne Travels 