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TRANS-ATLANTIC CROSSING  - DAY FOUR - SEVEN

Previous Blogs: Day 1-3 Queen Mary 2 | Day 4-7 Queen Mary 2Day 8-9 To Belgium | Day 10 Brussels | Day 11-12 Gent | Day 13-14 Amsterdam | Day 15 Amsterdam

 

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Queen Mary 2 has an unusual propulsion system which makes her the fastest cruise ship in the world. She is cable of crossing the Atlantic in 3 days making almost 50 kts. They choose not to, as despite the increased cost in meals and staff, due to fuel costs it's still cheaper to make the crossing in 8 days.

The ship has no rudder at all. Instead she has 4 electric engine pods welded to the bottom of the hull. The two outer ones are fixed and the two inner pods can rotate 360 degrees effectively replacing the rudder as well as the stern thrusters. She only has thrusters in the bow. The electric engines are powered by diesel generators, hence the fuel cost.

Let's focus on the things you CANNOT do on Carnival cruise ships that you can do on QM2:

Afternoon Tea:

Notice the proper pinky protrusion placement

An old tradition from England started in 1840, afternoon tea is at 3.30PM and your pot of tea is accompanied by a series of delightful snacks including cucumber sandwiches, scones with cream and strawberry jam, cakes, éclairs and much, much more. A very civilized event, music is provided by a string quartet or harpist.
As British Commonwealth people tend to eat dinner later in the evening, afternoon tea is meant to fill that gap and provide the energy needed to complete the day.

 

This is the famous scone, note that you first spread the cream and then the strawberry jam. Tea is the only meal you may eat with your hands.

 

Fencing:

EN GUARD!

Here's Wendy learning the basics of how to parry and thrust her foil!

Sounds pretty dirty when you put it that way!

 

Launderette:

Not only does the QM2 provide a laundry, it's FREE!!!  And the washing power is FREE as well!  A nice little added bonus.  As of this writing on Thursday December 13, we only have one full day of the journey remaining so today is "Chores" day . 

Even at sea, there is a "Honey Do" list.

Planetarium:
While other ships may have a planetarium, this particular ship boasts the LARGEST at sea. 

Below the dome the seats recline back and you are treated to a tour of the planets and galaxies we call neighbors.

 

Animal Kennel:

 

 

Yes you can travel with your pets! They stay in the kennel but you can visit them at any time. It's the only ship you can take an animal across the Atlantic.

In 1932 the Duke of Windsor traveling with his dog observed that the ship really should have a lamp post so the dogs can "go" with ease.

So, by Royal Command, the lamp post was added to the ship along with a fire hydrant for "American" dogs. (Hydrant donated by the City of New York.)

The cost? $800 for a small pet, $1000 for a large pet!  WOW!!!  That's pretty pricey for doggie daycare!!

Loud Speaker Announcements:

Unlike Carnival who has the "Chatty Patty" Cruise Director interrupting your day on a regular basis with various announcements about entertainment and Hairy Chest Competitions, on the QM2 there is only ONE announcement.   The announcement is at noon by the captain giving our course coordinates, weather update and a brief history lesson. This announcement is not even piped into your cabin, public areas only; and there are NO other announcements at all over the PA system.

 

High Seas:

This is not a typical situation you will find yourself in on a Carnival Caribbean Cruise. 40 foot seas and 50mph winds.

QM2 just sliced right through it with a somewhat gentle roll to each side. This ocean liner weighs 40% more than a regular cruise ship of the same size due to all the reinforcement in the hull.

We overheard a crew member describing how they once hit a 90 foot wave which reached as high as the bridge without incident.

While many of you may think these high seas would have been unbearable, it really wasn't anything more than a funny meandering walk down the passage way joking with other passengers.  Our staggering would be much more justifiable IF we were indeed drunk.  Quick....Head to the bar!

Compared to the 44ft sailboat in a Cat 1 hurricane we endured, this truly was a piece of cake!

 

Wendy with her favorite pint of

Magners Cider only $6.00

Booze prices are not horrible. All prices are in US$ even though it is a British ship. Regular beers are $5.75 but the best deal is a Fosters draft (full pint- 468ml) for $6.00. Grolsch same price for 450ml bottle.

Wine is expensive with the cheapest bottle on board being $29.

Duty free is not bad, choose two bottles of whisky/rum/gin/vodka for $35 and 2 cartons of cigarettes for $79.

For the second gala I went gangster all in black with Wendy matching.

Wendy had her photo taken with a boy band called The Barricade Boys - they were actually quite good and begin their US Tour early 2019.

For our last gala evening I rocked out a dolphin motif bow tie and cummerbund and Wendy resplendent in her LBD!!

(Many thanks to our awesome neighbor Dave who let me borrow his tuxedo accoutrements!)

 

 

We spent our final day at sea (today, as I write this) in our cabin ordering room service and relaxing.

We will slowly begin to pack our bags as tomorrow begins the next adventure over-nighting in London then off to Belgium and Netherlands.

 

Two more Wonders of the World - Here we come!!!

 

 

And finally...

 

From the room service menu...

Sure, I'll take one of those bottles of Remy Martin Louis XIII Cognac for only $2,400.00!!!

That's more than we spent for this entire holiday!! (And our next holiday in a few short weeks, and the holiday after that!!)