Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Queen Mary 2 Activities



What does one do on a seven day crossing?  There are more things to do than we had time to do! On the eastbound crossing, we tried to do it all!  We quickly learned that we needed to slow the pace a little and allow time to just be. Every evening our cabin steward left the "Daily Programme" that explained the next days activities.  This helped us decide what we wanted to participate in.






We enjoyed eating all of our meals in the Britannia Dining Room.  Of course, you could go to the King's Grill if you wanted a buffet.  For us, buffets are dangerous.  It's much better for us to have a sit down meal in the dining room. One of us has no control at buffets!






We typically began our day with breakfast and then headed back to our stateroom to get ready for our walk around the deck.  Three times around the deck equals 1.1 miles.  We usually walk 2 miles a day at home, but we were unable to keep that pace up on the ship.  The North Atlantic can be very chilly/cold and quite windy.  That makes for difficult walking.  In spite of that we managed most days to walk around the deck 3 or 4 times.





After our walk we would attend one of the many lectures that were offered.  On the first day we attended a photography class that was very helpful.  We also learned about Art Deco at a lecture.  The Queen Mary 2 is decorated in the Art Deco style.  We attended several lectures concerning ocean liners and learned about the grand age of ocean liners as well as their part in World War II.

It was thrilling to learn that RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art) had a group of six actors on board performing in the Royal Court and other places on the ship.  We were privileged to see them perform two separate plays adapted from "Pride and Prejudice" and "Romeo and Juliet."  Both performances were amazing.  Some of them played more than one part.  Such gifted artists!






One morning we were given a tour of the ship's galley--A spotless huge kitchen that presented beautiful meals to over 1200 per seating in the Britannia Dining Room every evening.  There are two seatings and other alternative dining venues on board that the kitchen serves.




Grayden has worked for the Navy his whole career and was very glad that we were able to get a viewing of the bridge of the QM2.  Lot's of technical stuff in there and no photos were allowed in the bridge viewing area.  


During breakfast and lunch you can choose to eat at a table with other passengers or just the two of you.  We did a little of both.  It was interesting to chat with fellow passengers, but sometimes we just wanted to be alone.






One activity we enjoyed was going to the Planetarium.  Each crossing offered 2 different shows that we enjoyed.

We spent some time in the Chart Room reading and relaxing and on sunny days we loved sitting on the teak deck lounges and gazing into the amazing ocean.  Grayden spotted whales spouting and pointed them out to me!  We also saw many fish and porpoises!  This was when we were still over the Continental Shelf.  The whale spoutings were in the very deep canyons of the Atlantic.







Afternoon tea was a must for me.  Grayden happily went and we enjoyed the civility of this great affair.  The stewards came out with their white gloved service of tea sandwiches, petit fours and the most delicious scones, clotted cream and jam.  I'm now in withdrawal to all of these indulgences!







Dinner was always enjoyed at our table with interesting conversation.  Afterwards we attended the evening's entertainment in the Royal Court.  Wonderful musicians, comedians, vocalists or stage shows were enjoyed every night.

You could then go dancing in the Queen's Room or one of the other venues.  Grayden and I usually went out to see what we could see outside on the Promenade deck--maybe the stars or the beautiful full moon!  Then we usually headed to bed.






20 comments:

  1. I am just grinning from ear to ear, reading of your marvelous vacation (or shall I say 'holiday.'). The performances would have been a highlight for me too, and I know that on cruises the food is spectacular. Everything looks so pretty! Art Deco - like Hercule Poirot style. :-) Enjoying traveling along via your posts!

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    1. I'm still grinning from ear to ear myself, Judy! I'm loving sharing it with you! Our holiday was the best yet! Thank you for coming along! ♥

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  2. It sounds so relaxing and exhausting at the same time. I would not enjoy the formal events, though I'd love to see them without participating. I would enjoy walks on the deck, the comforts of the cabin, and afternoon tea. I notice that your tea cup is a generous one. I would enjoy the seminars and not the shows every.single.night. Hope that you will give us a tour of your home away from home.

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    1. Vee, we were so excited on the eastbound crossing we had to slow down after doing so much! You can do a little or a lot. The nice thing about the formal events is you can participate or not! It is not required of you. I'll have to see what photos I have of our stateroom, although we didn't spend much time there--mainly sleeping and showering or the occassional nap! ♥

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  3. You sold me with the afternoon tea! I can well imagine that you'd be in withdrawal now. I'm eager to hear how the crossing westward was different--were you exhausted from your 10 days in England and just vegged out? Were the activities totally different and therefore you felt you had to see as much as possible? You don't need to answer those questions now.....I can wait until we head home. :-)

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    1. Cathy, the afternoon tea was just the best! They always had a live musician and of course the wonderful tea and service. You would have loved it. I learned my lesson after a few days eastbound about trying to do everything. I wanted to soak it all in, but it was impossible to do everything! ♥

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  4. Martha Ellen, what a shock it must have been to return to everyday life! I think that I could get accustomed to afternoon tea and lovely meals and walks on the promenade! It sounds like the vacation of a lifetime!

    So...what are we doing next? :)

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    1. Cheryl, it was a trip of a lifetime! I still can't believe we made this journey. When we arrived in NYC after our journey home, I knew I was not on the QM2! Sad, but it was time to get back to normal. I hope to share our stateroom and then ENGLAND! ♥

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  5. This sounds so wonderful! You couldn't get bored if you tried :-)
    Amalia
    xo

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  6. Martha,
    This keeps getting better and better!! So many interesting and fun things to do! And such pampering
    how marvelous this all is :-)
    Blessing and much warmth, Linnie

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    1. Linnie, we had the time of our lives. I had to pinch myself to know it was real! Thank you for sharing it all with me! xo ♥

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  7. I knew there were things to do on a ship but never dreamed so much was offered and such "classy" things such as afternoon tea and the lectures and plays! That in itself is a holiday before you even got to your real holiday!

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    1. Dotsie, that is so true. I felt like we were in a dream. We have been on other cruises and have always enjoyed ourselves, but the Queen Mary 2 was very special! ♥

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  8. I love to sample many new things in a buffet, but a sit down dinner is nicer. More calm. However, who knew you could make an Unicorn head from a watermelon!!
    I would go out on deck to look at the stars too!!!

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    1. Margot, there were many more interesting figures made from fruit. I don't know where they find the time to do all they do. ♥

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  9. I left you a comment last night, I think it was eaten. Anyway, You answered my question about activities and the filling of the days. Oh that food, I want to carve a watermelon into a rabbit shape and eat it! It must have been wonderfully brisk walking the deck each morning and I bet the week must have flown by, in a very relaxing way. You look so very happy in the photos!

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    1. Jeri, thank you for your comment last evening--it is on the post before this one. We had the best time! So relaxing and just what we needed! ♥

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  10. What a lovely time you are had! I'm not much for cruise ships, but I think you could twist my arm on this one, XOXO

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    1. Oh Susan, it was great! You would have loved it and especially the Galley Tour! xoxo ♥

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