Monday June 03, 2024 – Liverpool, England
We sailed up the Mersey River accompanied by giant fireboats leading the majestic ship into Liverpool, the emotional home of Cunard and for many years, the Head offices and principal port of all the Cunard ships, until the move to Southampton in 1919 to better support London passengers due to its proximity and rail service.
After we docked, Starboard to dock, Patsy and David did a Liverpool tour which seemed to be a lot of walking and a bit of coach time. We wandered into Liverpool scouting out the church of the Blessed Sacrament. Anne was delighted as not only was the Blessed Sacrament exposed, but mass was celebrated and afterwards, she spoke to the priest to have her rosary from Santiago de Compostela blessed and found out that the church was staffed by the Blessed Sacrament Father (SSS), same order of priests that staff the church we were married in New York City and the local priest knew well the priest that married us – a small world!!! We then wandered over to Matthew Street and down into the Cavern Club, where the Beatles got their start in the early 1960’s. We had a drink and listened to the musician who was playing Beatles songs. Then to Lunch at the Cavern Restaurant for lunch and another Guinness Beer, before returning to the ship as we had 2 options: – 1) be back on the ship by 2:30PM or stay ashore until the ship re-docked at 6PM. We opted to be on the ship for the naming festivities.
We had our passes to the VIP viewing area, and toyed with both, but it was to be standing room only and it looked like rain (which thankfully never came) so decided to watch it on the ship. We found a table for 4 in the Pavilion swimming pool area as that had a big screen, with simulcast, but with the glass roof it seemed like the better option was to be in our cabins watching the TV in our rooms and getting out onto the balcony which, being on the starboard side, one could see all the action on-shore.
The events started as planned with the introduction of a well-known DJ – Lauren Lo Sung, then the Philharmonic of Liverpool and the Masters of Ceremony – TV Personalities Emma and Matt Willis. This was followed by speeches by the President of Cunard – Katie McAlister and the Captain – Inga Thorhauge, and the “Godparent“ of the ship was officially named – The People of Liverpool. This is usually a person and we had hoped it would be Princess Anne or one of the Royal Family. Instead there were five women from the community that were the representatives of “the people of Liverpool” that did the official naming and throwing the switch which let off the 18 liter bottle of champagne which broke – officially setting it off with all the crowd shouting – God save this ship and all who sail Therein. The leaders of the community were – The Spice Girl and Author – Melanie C; Broadcaster and Community Leader – Ngunan Adamu; Restaurant Entrepreneur – Natalie Haywood; Liverpool Musical and Cultural Legend – Jayne Casey and British Olympian Heptathlete – Katarina Johnson-Thompson. Since all the key people were women, it definitely was interesting and “Men need not apply”!!!!!
After all the festivities, we had champagne, then dinner and watched a Beatles Band “look-alike” who were very good and the sail away with a spectacular fireworks display at 10:15PM. A very special and exciting day.
Roger & Anne Travels 