Saturday, November 4, 2017

On Board Queen Mary 2


Before we arrive in England we first must cross that big ocean between us!  You can go by plane or by ship.  After having traveled by ship on our visit there in 2015, we knew we would want to make it our means of transportation for our Golden Celebration. 



Many of you have asked questions about this means of traveling.  No, it's not the fastest way to go, but the fastest way is not always the most pleasant.  We wanted to savor every moment while on board this beautiful vessel celebrating our Golden Anniversary.  Folks have been crossing the Atlantic on these ocean liners for many years.

 There is so much to do on a voyage to Southampton and on the return to New York city.  From watercolor classes to ballroom dancing classes to many very interesting lectures, the Queen Mary 2 offers a great variety to enjoy.  On our last trip we tried not to miss a thing the ship offered.  This time we decided we wanted to relax. 

"Slow down, you move too fast"  Simon and Garfunkel 




After breakfast each day we checked the weather to see if we could take our walk around the promenade deck.  Walking three times around the ship adds up to 1.1 mile.  Most days were acceptable to walk.  Some days when we had a slight drizzle we still walked.  Putting on our raincoats and hats made us comfortable.  Who doesn't want to see the beautiful ocean that is surprisingly blue in the North Atlantic?  Breathing in the salty air and walking with my sweetheart was just exhilarating.







You can swim (in a pool) if you wish indoors or out.  Way too chilly for me!




Foggy and eerie can add an air of foreboding and magic.




Maybe a program would interest one of us and we would attend.  Or maybe we would go to the Chart Room and read and relax.  Maybe I'd have my travel journal and write my thoughts about the day.  I bought a lovely poppy covered journal before we left home that just said England to me.  It is full of all of our adventures.







 Every evening after dinner we always attended the evening entertainment.  On the crossing over, the British National Symphony Orchestra was on board to entertain us.  I must say it was my favorite!  So very special.  Under the direction of Anthony Inglis it was pure magic!  

The crossing back home featured RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art)  and was another favorite of ours.  They performed a  play about the missing skull of Shakespeare and an Oscar Wilde play , The Importance of Being Earnest.



The magical moon kept us company as we gazed at its beauty from our stateroom.




Seven days passes quickly even when we relaxed more.  The meals are exquisite on the QM2.  I must admit I enjoyed not having to prepare meals!  Having a break from daily cooking was so enjoyable.  We did enjoy the Galley tour showing the huge kitchen with immaculate conditions.







 Afternoon Tea was a must for us each day.  We decided on our return voyage to skip lunch so we could enjoy Afternoon Tea!  We really had to pace our eating.







There were always wonderful musicians playing for Afternoon Tea in the Queen's Room.



This voyage was a fairy tale for me.  I told Grayden on many occasions that this wonderful journey was not wasted on me! 



Our voyage to England and back was Golden.  Soon, I'll be sharing more about our time in England and Scotland.  The best is yet to come.  We visited the most amazing places that filled our hearts with gratitude and love for our fifty years together. ♥





  




39 comments:

  1. What a magical way to celebrate such an important milestone. I think I've already said Congratulations, several times, but I'll say it one more time! You look so radiant in that last photo, too.
    Those pastries look so tempting, couldn't you have had just one more and taken another turn about the deck?
    I'm really looking forward to sharing your holiday to England and Scotland over the coming weeks, maybe even months, for I know you have taken thousands of photographs. Digital photography is wonderful, isn't it, for such times?
    ~~~Deb in Wales xoxo

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    1. Thank you, Deb. I would have to walk all the way home from England to make up for all the goodies I enjoyed on the QM2.
      I took so many photos (4554), but how can I not have? Digital photography certainly changed how we all take photos! Thank you for sharing our trip! xoxo ♥

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  2. Oh my, ME - how truly wonderful! My husband and I for our first ten years went on a yearly cruise to celebrate our anniversary - but we haven't been able to take one in a few due to house renos and two weddings to pay for! Now that a lot of that is behind us we're looking into it again.

    I have always wanted to do that exact cruises you both were on - only way to go, I concur! Princess Cruises offer a perfect afternoon tea as well. I love that as one of my favorite things. The first few years I brought my hats and gloves, but it's just too many things to lug around whilst traveling now that we are given fees for each bag and box.

    Thanks so much for sharing - I loved this post and I am inspired to consider one for 2018.....though we still need a new HVAC system. :-(

    Hugs!

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    1. Michele, I do hope a voyage is in your future. Of course their are priorities at home to consider first.
      You would especially enjoy the Afternoon Tea. It's so delicious and so British! Thank you for coming in for a visit. ♥

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  3. I enjoyed your crossing with you via your post. I would do it if I could bring Poetry & Gabriel with me! I know they have a kennel, but once you got to England I believe there is a quarantine period. So we will fly when we go next year and hope I adjust quickly to the time change. Happy 50th anniversary!

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    1. Cathy, you will be so excited that the time change won't bother you one bit! Have fun planning. ♥

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  4. That's just wonderful, Martha. I'd like to do something like that with Mrs Britain someday. Fascinating. Though I'm still trying to figure out how you took that second photo... :-)

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    1. Mike you and Mrs. Britain would love it! My second photo--umm--with a drone maybe or a long selfie stick? That would belong to Cunard! ♥

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  5. As soon as I opened your blog, my son came give me good lecture on Queen Mar one and two.. :D.... he has a pretty good knowledge on those ships.. anyway enjoy every bit of the journey.. this kind of relaxing journey rejuvenates the mind and body...When we went to London, we went Wolseley for afternoon tea... that was an amazing experience...

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    1. That is so neat that your son knows about the Queen Mary and Queen Mary 2! These ships have such interesting stories. I can imagine Wolseley was wonderful for tea, Krishna. Have a nice evening. ♥

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  6. wonderful cruiser!!!
    i'm a new follower, can you follow mine on my blog?
    https://amoriemeraviglie.blogspot.it/

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  7. Such a wonderful way to celebrate your anniversary! Love all the photos and your last photo is beautiful! Have a great weekend!

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    1. You are so kind, Pilar. Thank you for coming along with us! ♥

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  8. What exquisite memories, Martha Ellen! It’s just so lovely that you filled your travel journal with all of the heartwarming memories of your Golden Celebration! Your onboard activities suited you and Grayden to a tea. I’m so happy for both of you... and so grateful that you are sharing with all of us! Much love! ��

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    1. Thank you dear Dawn for sharing in on our Golden Celebration! My journal will guide me as I write about our long trip. It's reliving it over again with friends that make it even more special. Happy November, my friend! ♥

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  9. 💞What a wonderful voyage to honor fifty years. I am sure that your Beloved was very happy with your time together as well. Looking forward to reading more...

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    1. Vee, Grayden and I both loved our voyage. We both feel so blessed to have taken this trip in honor of our fifty years of marriage.
      I hope you enjoy the new week ahead. ♥

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  10. The joy and appreciation of your 50 years together celebrated so beautifully almost brought tears to my eyes. I look forward to reading more ! I may have told you this before but my grandparents traveled this way several times when i was a child and we would take them into NYC to board, once being able to get on the ship with them for a few minutes.

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    1. Dotsie, thank you so much for your kind words. We are so grateful for our marriage. We can hardly believe it's been 50 years!
      Have a nice evening. ♥

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  11. You tell such a nice story and with the images I feel a bit like I was there. It all sounds so dreamy and fun. I’ve witnessed my Grandparents, my husband’s parents, my parents, one of my Aunt and Uncle’s 50th Wedding Anniversary. It’s definitely a date to commemorate! Can’t wait to see more pictures!

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    1. Liz, reliving our memories is another celebration for us. Thank you for coming along. ♥

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  12. Congratulations! It's an amazing milestone and a testimony to God's love and both your willingness to go the distance. I loved reading about your transAtlantic crossing; Dave and I did such a crossing on another line and the memories are wonderful. Your journal shouts "England" and is beautiful as is the photo of you and your husband; loved seeing the joy in both of you. Happy Anniversary to you both; may you celebrate many more in good health and happiness!

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    1. Sandra, thank you for your kind congratulations! When I was looking for a journal for this trip, I couldn't believe when I came across the Poppy Journal. I knew it was perfect.
      Have a wonderful week. ♥

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  13. There is so much to comment on here! Wonderful entertainment . . . exquisite dining . . . strolls with your sweetheart . . . relaxing days . . . tea time . . . sigh. I am thrilled for you, that you were able to celebrate your golden anniversary in such a stellar way! And you have only told us about the crossing journey so far!

    That last photo of you in your black dress? Beautiful!

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    1. Cheryl, you are so sweet. Our milestone anniversary reminded us how very blessed we are to have each other for all these years.
      I can't wait to share the places we visited. ♥

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  14. Oh I bet that was so cool. I love to cruise and its been awhile. Not been on one since 2006....time to go I think! haha....

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    1. Pam, I hope you will book a cruise soon. I always say, now is the best time to follow our dreams! ♥

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  15. Congratulations! This is the way I would travel also. What a beautiful Ocean and just thinking about walking in the misty air on deck with a beautiful ocean all around sounds so inviting. Such a fine picture of you and your husband and the one in your black dress is lovely.
    I look so forward to your pictures and stories of the place you see. Right now I am thinking about the wonderful afternoon, would so love that.
    Betsy

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    1. Betsy, thank you for your sweet comments. I think kindred sprits enjoy similar activities. You would love the Afternoon Tea! So relaxing and so very special. Have a lovely day. ♥

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  16. What a fabulous means of getting to England! I would have loved the music, and the photos are just stunning. What a great part of your celebration adventure!

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    1. Judy, the music onboard was just grand! Dvorak's Seranade for Strings thrilled my heart. Live orchestral music is certainly a treat to enjoy. Thanks for stopping by, my friend. ♥

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  17. Martha Ellen, these pictures are awesome of the Queen Mary. It's as if I'm right there with you traveling. Afternoon Tea sounds delightful. Look at those Yummy desserts! Love your poppy covered journal. That was a good idea to bring it and write all your thoughts and happenings of your trip. And what a lovely picture this is of you, Martha Ellen.

    ~Sheri

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    1. Sheri, it's fun to keep a journal when traveling. Since this trip was 6 weeks, I would never remember all the things we would do. My journal is guiding my thoughts as I write about them on this blog.
      I'm so happy to read about your beautiful granddaughter's birth. Have a lovely evening. ♥

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  18. Boa tarde, deve ter sido um lindo passeio. Bom fim de semana. Cumprimentos.

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  19. Oh, this is just fantastic.
    Wonderful pictures and so nice to see you both as you celebrate your anniversary.
    Thank you so much for sharing the pictures of this marvellous ship too.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you so much for your sweet comments, Jan. I look forward to sharing more. ♥

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  20. Martha Ellen my husband and I traveled on the Queen Mary 2 on her maiden year for our 30th anniversary, 13 years ago! We traveled on an autumn cruise to New England and Canada, and were on board for our anniversary. It was heavenly! Now you have enticed me to do this for our 50th anniversary...but we have to wait 7 more years ;)

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    1. You know how wonderful the QM2 is. Since you and your husband enjoy traveling, it would be a grand 50th for you and your sweetheart. ♥

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