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

[Pushka]

The sommelier and I have been through some rather stressful experiences together on the barf boat so we have an understanding. SHE is quite delightful everyone, just in case you are thinking something else has gone astray.

Some breakfast buffet pictures.


The healthy fruit bar. It is usually deserted.


The eggs made to order and accompaniments section. Usually packed.

 

[Pushka]

Dame Older and I currently in the spa. Delightfully quiet. Might try the wonderful spa pool shortly and sauna, - which flavour is the question of the day? - and foot spa.

 

[Pushka]

More buffet

Bread Bar


Cold meats bar

I'll try remember to take a photo of tonight's MDR menu

 

[Pushka]

Just coming into the stunning Harbour of Hong Kong. So many photos taken but they'll have to wait. Currently pivoting the ship to back into port at the old Kai Tek airport. Worth a dawn start.

And just heard the huge rumble of thunder.

 

[love_the_life]

Ok, so where are you Younger? Older was out and about at 6.30 - stunning with the clouds over the peaks and watching a procession of cruise ships behind us as we negotiated the channel. Looks like mist as set in. I read in the daily program that the Photo shop would be closed today and assumed it was like the other shops, just not open in port, but no, this dame is a tricky ship. One of the gangways gies out through the back wall if the shop so no wonder it's closed!

 

[markis10]

Have they got the Hospital prep'ed for all the collapsing guests getting their final bill before disembarkation?

 

[love_the_life]

We had an interim account out of Kota Kinabalu. The queue at the purser's desk was very long on that occasion so can on,y guess what it will be like tomorrow! Apparently many people were removing the auto- gratuities on that occasion.

 

[Pushka]

Younger was out on deck 11 fwd Older. At 6.30am. But now we are both off shopping. What else.

 

[Anna]

Apparently many people were removing the auto- gratuities on that occasion.

I've only experienced 'auto gratuities' on Celebrity. It seemed to me that the maitre d' knew I had paid an auto gratuity and was pleasant and helpful, because I think often the maitre d's don't get tips if it is not automatic.

I think the waiters knew I had paid an auto gratuity and therefore didn't bother with much more than basic service as they thought they would not get more out of me tip-wise.

The cabin steward did not seem to know I had paid an auto gratuity, and seemed to think I was skipping the boat leaving a stingy tip when actually it was additional to the standard tip imposed by Celebrity.

So I have mixed feelings about the effect of auto gratuities. Some pax may have been removing them in order to give cash tips to those who really deserve them. I guess there will always be a few pax who do not realise that working as service staff on a cruise ship is half a step up from slave labour, and think they don't need to tip "because the staff get paid by the cruise line".

 

[QF WP]

It's easy to forget the back-room people who toil away doing innumerable things that mean the whole cruise goes smoothly. Therefore people don't value the service until they need to use the front-line staff...it happens in all industries.

HKG shopping ladies - expect to see you back with lots of bags . No drinkies at Lang Kwai Fong??

 

[drron]

One good thing about Silverseas is that it is all inclusive.Many of the staff have worked on other lines where this is not so and everyone who we have asked say that the Silverseas pay is higher.
We do however tip our room attendant and butler-never had a bad one-as well as some wait and bar staff though not as generous.We do though make a donation to the Crew Fund as well so everyone gets a little something.But it is all up to the passenger so less hassle for the Financial staff.

 

[Pushka]

Well, shopping might be another day. Dropped of at the largest Shopping Complex and could have been anywhere in the world but with that curious situation where there wasn't much worth to buy. Markets tomorrow.

Love free wifi here so will try post catch up pix.

Last nights dinner menu.

 

[Pushka]

This morning.

 

[Pushka]

 

[Pushka]

Pivot first. Backing into berth.

 

[Pushka]

All done.



I hope not.



These guys were hilarious. Their job was to grab the huge ropes and haul them in and attach. They'd do this war cry thing and then rush at the rope to drag in it

 

[Pushka]

The view from the balcony.



Um. Wrong.


So we waved to them from the boat. They waved back. They finally got it. Better.

 

[Pushka]

A Hong Kong Welcome.





The Grand Piano gets a tune up.

 

[Pushka]

Weather has been rather wet since leaving Shanghai and today it is very wet in HK. The worst day of the cruise as it's our Disembarkation Day.

Not to worry, the report continues with Langham Place Hotel Club write up and both the Dames will be visiting the new QP in HK which opens tomorrow? I'm there on Saturday, Dame the Older on opening day.

 

[Pushka]

Mmmm. Lucky I didn't want to sleep in. Port side and at 6.30am these guys are in action. They are so freakin noisy.



And of course today was the first day the alarm clock has woken me the entire trip.

We'd expected to see Symphony of Lights from the Ship. Dame the Older keeps calling them Fireworks which actually would have been better as then we could have seen something. But the Lasers don't show up. Not to worry, gave us time for another quick drink at the bar before dinner and say goodbye to the fun crew at the Chart Room.

I had to behave there last night as their Officer was standing over watching. But I'm told his crew really enjoy his leadership so all good. . While I haven't officially met him he waves when he sees me. Not sure why really.