2 Old Dames on the best Dame in the World - Queen Mary 2

[love_the_life]

Older dame got a bit lost after dinner. Her cabin is aft and she was merrily chatting and walking along towards the bow! By he time I realised I had a bit if a hike to get back to my cabin. Sitting up in bed now just checking what's going on on the iPad.
Younger OD, have a great day tomorrow, don't get sunburned and will catch up in the Commodore Club - or would you prefer the champagne bar? Agree, we have a really good table with interesting table mates. I met a woman in the pool today who was going to ask to be moved from her table as she did not get on with the other passengers on the table.

 

[Pushka]

Up bright and early and almost shiny.

Older Dame of course, you were following me. Bad thing when we our staterooms are at opposite ends.

We should be anchored shortly. Heavy cloud over the mainland but clear at sea. That's pretty much my previous experience with Cairns.

Off in an hour or so, so must organise breakfast and ginger tablets. Not expecting to need them but will take them just in case.

I'll post some early pix but main ones will need to come from my underwater camera as my IPhone hasn't learnt to swim yet.

Enjoy the butterflies older dame.

 

[Pushka]

I'm not a morning person. I choose a seat far from the madd(en)ing crowds.



To my right along the windows, every seat is taken which is fine by me.

An indulgence today. Croissant. Hardly food cough but fine for a day on a boat. Who goes on a cruise to spend a day on a boat.

The croissant is definitely not of French flaky pastry ilk. It will be my last one this voyage.



The lemon and ginger tea was, um, another first and last.

As I look around me at the piles of food on plates I just hope those people are doing the butterfly trip. But people don't generally get up at 6.30am for such an early breakfast when the tour leaves at 12 noon. There will be tears.

It's occurred to me I'll be 8 days at sea without touching land.

 

[Pushka]

I'm on the highest part of the ship. It's delightfully deserted.


The teak boards are washed down every night. This is also the deck where Dame the Older and I had our stretch torture with Vlad. He hides the racks at night.

I smile for the camera as I take this one. This sight is constantly shown on the screen in the Bridge.

We are now at anchor.

 

[Pushka]

I make my way into Royal Court Theatre for tour embarkation. This tour must be done through Cunard a there's not enough time for a private excursion. It's early so I'm able to take some photos empty.

This theatre is the main area for show time performances. It's usually 2/3 full most times.





These are ship excursion paddles.


No matter where in the world you are, if a ship is in port you will see these paddles. Ships don't like losing people on their tours. When on a ship's tour, if you are delayed, the ship will not depart without you unless it's dangerous (tides/winds etc) to delay.

And the ships lifeboats are lowered and having a swim too.

 

[Pushka]

It's really windy.



We are rocking around and it's going to get ugly. Some of these people can barely walk!

 

[Pushka]

Oh goody. We haven't left and already warning about sea sick bags. They are out already. Don't worry, no pix for that.

 

[Pushka]

 

[Pushka]

Ok. Phone away and waterproof camera out. Weather improving every minute away from land. Just need to extract this woman off my lap who thinks taking iPad photos on a rocky boat is a good thing.

 

[love_the_life]

There was an announcement to say tendering had been a little delayed as there was a passenger who needed medical attention on shore and that took precedence over other passengers. The tender wait is apparently about 20 minutes which is very short. Clouds are breaking up and the sun is out!

 

[love_the_life]

Well I'm not sure what planet they were on with the 20 mins. Collected the tender ticket - estimated wait is one hour. People everywhere! They are trying to push people through as quickly as they can though. I think the problem today is that very few passengers are on ship excursions and are independent. As well, the afternoon tours leave from the jetty so everyone has to get themselves there.

 

[QF WP]

Well you two will now both be having a lovely time whilst most of us are stuck in an office - jealous, yes (but you deserve it)

Look forward to the underwater camera getting a work out...and seeing some butterflies

 

[Must...Fly!]

Well this is certainly a great chronicle of a cruise. It is making me think about taking one!

 

[Pushka]

Carnage.

 

[Pushka]

Swam with a large tortoise. Captured on the underwater.

Seasickness. One by one they went down. But several of the crew were having a day off on this trip. They started the trip looking fresh and gorgeous. Then one by one....oh my. I sat at the back of the ship and it was very very rough. Like, taking a step and the deck would drop. I loved it all.

And the passenger next to me said he never got seasick. He was a mariner he said. So when he started being ill he refused a bag. Our table sommelier was sitting opposite me trying to get him to use a bag. He again refused. So had to turn my back. Seriously dude, I don't care if you get sick but use a bag.

A huge garbage bag was removed. . Great fun.

 

[Pushka]

We are sitting on the cat waiting for the head count. Some large lunches eaten. Oh dear. More in a couple of hours.

And good news. The man from the incident yesterday who fell is on board. So he's ok. Well. Apart from being seasick.

 

[Pushka]

Well I'm not sure what planet they were on with the 20 mins. Collected the tender ticket - estimated wait is one hour. People everywhere! They are trying to push people through as quickly as they can though. I think the problem today is that very few passengers are on ship excursions and are independent. As well, the afternoon tours leave from the jetty so everyone has to get themselves there.

There was a delay with the tenders from 8am. We were an hour late too and we were first cab off the rank. Off now.

 

[Rox]

I had 2 friends who had crossed the Atlantic several times on a 36ft yacht. They were incapacitated with seasickness on a large passenger ferry in a rough crossing, to the bemusement of the other passengers.
Loving the reports.

 

[markis10]

I used to get sea sickness bad, I found the cure was to buy a boat, and eat something before setting out.

 

[Pushka]

Yes, they had crackers for everyone on the way back and this time he skirted the surges.