Liner Lady

 Monday, 25 April, 1988

I was on deck by a little past nine to see the beautiful harbor of Charlotte Amalie a fair distance away.  QE2 was anchored off shore so some islands obscured her from town.  I went down to five deck Stairway E to the tender, then strolled along the Quay to get better views of “Sea Viking” and “Festivale,” two cruise ships docked in the harbor.  I spoke to a young friendly pelican along the way.  Back in town, I spied Fort Christian in pink stucco, much like I remembered the structure in Christiansted, St. Croix.  Went into Cardow’s and selected sapphire and diamond pierced earrings.

I had a crazy lunchtime with open sitting in Columbia.  Sat at our table with Carol and Luann plus another lady.  Mark was wine steward on our station, and I had a crazy time with him.  Guy was his muddled and comic self.  He put chocolate sauce on my apricot tart.  He thought it was gross – so did I later.

 Dinnertime was fun as usual.  I only had salad, spaghetti and a cream puff with ice cream for dessert.  Watched the Mick Urry orchestra a while, then finally caught up with Fred and made arrangements for a rehearsal tomorrow.  I left a note for Emma then quietly rehearsed in the cabin. 

 Tuesday, 26 April, 1988

I was up leisurely and strolled a bit ending up in the breakfast buffet line.  I met with Fred Boaden for our rehearsal in the Midships Lounge and we worked for over an hour.  Many people passed by and some stayed to listen and applauded.  Fred can’t play the fast Baroque arias, so we’ve culled out 2 Mozart pieces and the Arne alas!  I may add some Broadway stuff.

I had lunch with Luann at the buffet, then milled around Boat Deck, resting and mentally practicing. Next  I went to my cabin, napped and watched a television movie about Burke and Wills the 2 Australian explorers.

At our dinner I had swordfish – good – but the key lime pie was wretched.  Guy told us he hopes to get to Miami tomorrow so we have to eat breakfast early.  I attended Monica Gutman’s third piano recital.  Back at the cabin I found Brigadoon on television.  After eleven, C. came for me and we went to the Pig for a while, where we talked in Mark’s corner a while, then he took me up on deck where the Funnel is, via Boat Deck, Queen’s Grill and up by the Crèche and Kennel.  Access is by a steep ladder-like step way from there on.  We stood looking out to sea and down a long way to the water, then lay in rather dilapidated deck chairs.  Now I know where the old used chairs go!  He said he was homesick today when he heard some people singing “Auld Lang Syne.”  On our way downward, he  also showed me the series of paintings of women around the Queen’s Grill walls, which I gather are thought to be quite special.   

 Wednesday, 27 April, 1988 – Port Everglades, Florida

I spent all morning sitting by the terminal waiting for my Aunt and Uncle, who never did arrive.  We somehow got our wires crossed, but actually I didn’t mind because I could watch all the hustle and bustle of departing passengers and the on coming ones ready to embark.

I had lunch in the Columbia Restaurant open seating – port side with Barbara, Luann and another well-traveled lady. I later tried to watch the movie, “Baby Boom,” but started to fall asleep, so I headed for the cabin to sleep.  Announcements regarding new passengers etc. kept coming on, so I finally got up at 5:30 and prepared for rehearsal with Fred at six.  He didn’t come till 6:20 so we rescheduled the time and I was able to dash up to Boat Deck to see us go out the channel to the sea.  People in high-rise apartments tooted and hooted as we went by and QE2 answered back with her histle.  Recorded it a bit.  Saw Luann and party on the bridge with the Captain, so photographed them all with Luann and Capt. Bennell waving at me.  A shower of rain fell as we went out, but it cleared later.   I went back to the cabin to prepare for informal dinner.  Went up early and chatted with Ruth and Ernie plus Carrol.  Hampton joined us and we finally filed in to dinner via the ‘back” way.  Guy reported he returned at 1805 and lost his pass because he had thought it sailed at 1900.  He did have a day seeing things, because a former passenger saw him and took him round.  I told Guy he’s qualified to be another adopted son along with Matthew and Mark.  We had the salmon, which was very bony.  We ordered our special Beef Wellington, shrimp cocktail and Baked Alaska for tomorrow evening.

Oh yes, Chris and family did receive the telex I sent and they telexed back the news plus an order for white roses.  These were at my door when I came down to dress.

I attended the show with two black singers, the dancers and a magician.  By midnight C.   had not come so I went to sleep in my clothes.  However, near one o’clock I awoke to a knock at the door, and it was C. telling me to get up, because we are going to a party.  Steiner’s girls were giving it on the stern deck under the fantail (docking deck), so he led me clear down the main fore-aft alleyway – through growing heat, stored goods, messes, etc. till finally we stepped over a huge bulkhead to the docking deck.  There we encountered loud music, a food spread and scads of people drinking and enjoying a good time.  Saw Guy, Robert, Mark (was photographed with him) and many others of my friends.  Met a Swiss cook who is a good baritone.  C. and I got some snatches of talk in between noise, dancing and chatter with his “cronies.”  Near three o’clock we left for the same walk back to the bow and my cabin.

Thursday, 28 April – at sea – My special recital day in the Theatre.

I was up after eight o’clock.  Fred and I rehearsed the recital in the Theatre from ten to twelve, while my hair was drying in curlers.  The performance went pretty well, so after a brief nap I went to lunch buffet, where I stood with Hampton and Carroll.  I ate, however, with Barbara, just the two of us for a while by the pool in the Lido under the Magrodome, then we were joined by Patricia Grey.  I just barely made it to the Theatre all dressed by 2:35, bearing the vase of roses, music, shoes etc.  Settled down by 2:45 and was introduced by Robin Parker and flew through the program.  Emma sat down in front – Louann and Barbara taped it from the first row.  Emma’s comment was “it’s nice to hear someone on key.”  Many people came down front to express approval etc. so it really went over well.

Barbara treated Fred, Louann and me to drinks in the Yacht Club bar, and we chatted about Fred’s family, job etc.  We broke up around 4:30 and all went our ways.  Fred walked me to the cabin with the music and flowers.  Pat and Paul came to return my trans-canal book, said goodbye, then I rested an hour or so till time to eat again.  I went up early and fell to chatting with Ruth and Ernie.  They liked the program.

For dinner, we four had our Beef Wellington, shrimp cocktail and baked Alaska.  Guy got to eat the 1/3 we had left over.  I then changed and went up to catch C. , who came out with the words “the concert was superb.”  He had come in late but heard all the Broadway stuff.  I then ran around the ship to stern observing the now empty crew deck astern.  It is chilly and windy so I returned to the cabin to watch television.  “African Queen” was on.  Slept near midnight.