Not to say that the experience on the Queen Mary was bad or even indifferent….. the food was generally fabulous (and plentiful) and the service superb.
The ship is beautifully maintained, and the shows we attended were up to and including very good. The emphasis (especially in cold weather) was on indoor activities and smooth sailing (thanks to sophisticated stabilizers)….. so it was quite easy to forget that you were on the ocean!
Travel, however, can be quite boring if none of the following happens:
- Something goes wrong or is a complete surprise.
- You face physical, cultural and/or linguistic challenges.
- You are forced by things you have witnessed to re-examine your own perspective.
- At some point, you just want to go home.
It’s the distinction between being “on holiday” and being on a journey. We prefer a journey….. to walk through a new door and come out the other side not necessarily refreshed, but at least a slightly different and maybe better person.
Anyway, none of those things happened on our cruise – it was without hiccup. We did, however, have the pleasure of meeting some really fascinating and friendly people, and putting on still another pound or two.
A couple of notable events….. something about sailing out of New York City (even after dark) was exciting. Maybe just pulling away felt like the start of a new adventure.
We weren’t quite as uncomfortable with the formal evenings as we thought we would be….
and I was Shanghai-ed into a series of acupuncture treatments for some minor physical conditions that may actually help….
.. if I continue with the prescribed seaweed regime that I purchased for a similarly shameful sum.
We had time to explore Southampton upon disembarkation….. and were reminded that it was the launching point for many notable sailings, such as the Mayflower in 1620, and the Titanic in 1912.
And many other departures of hopeful immigrants to the new world…
In any event, Henry has now been on his conventional cruise and we will proceed with the next chapter…..
Emerald Isle to the Norse Lands 
Despite mugging for the camera, the two of you make quite the elegant couple. Considering your other adventures (who but the two of you would rent a car in Siberia??), I can understand how you might think the Queen Mary 2 enjoyable but less than challenging. You remind me of a favorite aunt and uncle who, in their day, trekked and canoe’d through the Big Bend; sailed in a gulet off the Turkish coast; and navigated the Amazon through the jungles of Peru, staying with villagers along the way. Their least memorable trip, so they said, was a luxurious cruise down the Rhine (or the Danube?), although my uncle complimented the Germans for their utter civility in the habit of “second breakfast,” at which he could enjoy beer and sausage at 10 in the morning.
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Love the look on your face in evening dress!!
I am watching snow melt in upstate NY
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