For the next 7 days after leaving Southampton we will be in the North Atlantic as we head to New York, our final port of call on the Queen Mary 2.
The seas are relatively calm with some 10 to 15 foot swells on our port side. They peak about dinner time. More than a few passengers are feeling uncomfortable as the ship rolls a few degrees. We are also keeping an eye on hurricane Ernesto. Currently it is on a path to pass to the North of our course. I am sure the captain will adust our route if needed. We are currently cruising at about 22 knots, 10 percent faster than our easterly crossing.
The passengers at the adjoining table never return after their first night in Hamburg. Others are seated there each night 30 to 45 minutes after everyone else. Overflow from open dining.
An excellent speaker today shares stories about his adventures rowing across the Atlantic and the Pacific in a rowboat. Unfortunately the procector sytem isn't woring so he is unable to share pictures. I have no qualms about being at sea, but alone in a 21 foot row boat for 186 days? I am sure I will attend his other presentations.
I spend a few hours talking with Buzz and Barbara from Ocala. They have cruised on Cunard many times, the first time on the QM2 20 years ago. In the day if your jacket wasn't the correct shade of black you were banned from the dining room and other pubic spaces after 6 PM.
They are so disappointed with the decline in service and quality they have decided they will never sail Cunard again, preferring Crystal and other upscale lines.
Tonight is another gala night, the red and gold ball. Definitely a different group of passengers from our crossing of 2 weeks ago. I'll just say yes, there were tee shirts and shorts in the dining room for dinner, and no they were not kids but mature adults.
The beef fillet was so tough I was unable to chew it. What a difference 2 weeks can make.
The singers and dancers present an excellent show tonight. So far they have done different shows each night. Something I have not seen since my world cruise years ago on Holland America's M S Amsterdam.
For some unknown reason they have the main entrance to the Chartroom roped off when we head there for jazz. At first I thought maybe a private function, but no. We were allowed in and found our seats at the bar. I thought that maybe it was to control access for only those that were properly dressed, but once I looked around the room it was obvious that was not the reason either. An unsolved mystery. Maybe they were keeping people out until we were seated.
The music is enjoyable as usual. The crowd is definitely louder than what it has been.
No time change tonight. The ship has a gentle roll and creaks and groans with the swells as we call it a night.
Tomorrow is another sea day.
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