Liner Lady

QUEEN ELIZABETH 2

TRANS ATLANTIC SOUTHAMPTON TO NEW YORK

 Monday, 26 September, 1988

I boarded QE2 about 4:00 p.m./ Dimitrios was on welcome duty and helped me to cabin 3057.  Then ran into Matthew – greeting both with hugs.  When I went to get my dining table assignment, I found I should be in 3037.  When I moved, I found a green card with table 245 noted on it, Champagne and strawberries.  I have a bed, a couch and two port- holes on starboard near A stairwell!  I saw Liquid at the table assignment place and he had just seen C. who had “arranged” my table!  I went up to Queens Grill and he finally saw me and came out.

When I finally got to table 246 (in smoking) I saw Steve who seated me.  C. had put a bouquet of flowers in the middle of the table.  Two British couples and an American eventually joined me (Ken and Syripa plus Carol and Ty, and Michael.)  I settled into my cabin after dinner, and was in bed by midnight.

 Tuesday, 27 September

I tracked C.  down at Queens Grill.  He recounted his search for me and was embarrassed when he knocked at the wrong door and didn’t find me there.  I had breakfast with Michael.  Station 1 – boat drill.  I then attended a lecture on the history of Cunard. 

After dinner I bundled up and went on deck for over an hour watching the high seas – foam, moon, and much spray, which I dodged.  At about 11:30 C. fetched me and we went to the Pig.  I couldn’t stay long, because I felt woosie and on the way back still in the crew stairway area, I heaved.  He had left my door key in his jacket in the pub, and had to return for it, so I had to wait for him on the metal stairway.  Poor C. was helpful but he was affected by me.  Anyway, he tucked me in the sofa, finished looking at my photos, then returned to the pig.  I fell asleep and awoke with him kneeling by me.  I then noticed “Liquid” in the doorway.  He came in and watched television.  There are supposed to be flowers in my cabin. 

 Wednesday, 28 September

I slept well.  C. called me at eight o’clock to see how I was.  His voice was warm and caring.  I went to breakfast, then out on deck to stroll on Sun Deck, and I also watched the sea from the stern and port bow.  Cold and windy, but the seas have calmed a bit.  At  10:45 when C. was through, we went via a circuitous route to his cabin 562, where Steve and his roommate, were ready for their relaxing drinks and smokes.  I talked with them till after noon.  The talk ranged from QE2 and Japan to watches and purses.   At tea time, I accompanied C. in Queens Grill while he refueled and polished the  heating units (chafing dishes).  We planned our party for tonight and talked about his work, the low pay, the maintenance and baggage handling etc. and whether he’ll stick it out beyond next year.  I followed him to every station, and when he was through we went to 4 Deck for him to have his haircut, but when the man wasn’t there, we parted for him to nap.

At six o’clock C. came with a lovely flower arrangement and a “welcome aboard” note.  I thanked him and we went to the pig.  My steward’s mouth dropped a mile when he saw C. come out of my cabin!  We chatted with his friends in relative peace until they all had to get to their posts.  He walked me back to the cabin.  I then waited till 7:45 to go to the Queen’s Grill all dressed formal.  Had to enter via the A-QG lounge, then was introduced to the Assistant Restaurant Manager and seated with a flourish by C.  I managed to contain my giddiness, but had a broad smile of amusement till I calmed down at table 12.  I ordered Gazpacho  (served on ice in a large silver shell-shaped dish.),  then shrimp cocktail, beef brochette with veggies and chocolate pudding (cake and almond).  I watched C. in action.  His partner, Tony said he was nervous.  One waiter dropped a serving dish at my spot and made an appropriate comment.  He also said he would be glad to serve me any time.  C. reacted humorously.  Several of his colleagues talked to me cordially.  Dimetrios somehow didn’t, but he was always seriously busy.  As I left, C. introduced me to a Scottish couple, then bid me goodbye till eleven.  What a privilege and special concession this was to allow a humble Columbia Restaurant patron to step inside the mystic Queens Grill restaurant for a meal – no less!

The Security officer walked in on me in my cabin, as I waited for my guests.  Someone had reported seeing C. here.  C. and Steve arrived while I spoke with the Officer, and he sort of let it go, but we changed the venue to Steve’s cabin.  It was crowded and for me not fun.  I walked back to my cabin by myself around one o’clock.  The sea is very calm so little motion.

 Thursday, 29 September

I awoke quite disturbed, and C. called at 8 to see how I am.  He recuperated okay too.   I spoke to the Steward and cried.  “Softie”  C. Spoke to the Staff Captain to explain and he’ll contact me to apologize. 

SAW AN ICEBERG OFF TO STARBOARD. This was a big deal, to say the least.  We all ran to Boat Deck and peered ahead to watch us approach it about a mile away, and of course, photos were taken and made available.  At lunch we passed an oilrig being transported.

I signed up for the talent show, and attended a lecture on Spode.  Bought a QE2 sweatshirt.  Apparently it was the Hotel Manager who saw C. bring in the booze, which was wrong.  Now he has been cleared to see me tonight here. 

I sat on Boat Deck a while, but it was very cool so I went inside and slept and watched television till six o’clock.  I then brazenly walked into crew quarters and finally found the pig where I sat a while with one guy, then the group gathered one by one and finally C. came.  We looked over the 1989 World  Cruise itinerary and speculated he would probably get leave April 30.  Back to my cabin after seven.   At dinner I enjoyed sharing the festivities of Carol and Ty’s 15^th anniversary.  Steve warned of a choppy night and he was right.  However, I didn’t notice it much, because I was safe in my cabin. 

Friday, 30 September

I made myself go on Boat Deck and walk around.  The air was crisp and bright and now calm seas.  Everyone was discussing the rough night and high winds, huge waves over the bow, and they came up to Mauritania windows.  Things had fallen over in the shops and Lido’s buffet display.  I rehearsed the Queen of the Night aria at eleven.  It was very rough. 

The Talent Show was okay.  I searched for the 2 English couples and found them in Yacht Club bar.  They liked my aria and bought me a drink.  We chatted till nearly six o’clock.  C. collected me for the Pig and Whistle run.  We talked about when he served royalty.  The Duke of Edinburgh and C. went out to get him a beer!

Had a lovely Beef Wellington dinner and baked Alaska with my congenial tablemates.  At eleven C. collected me for the nightly pub visit.  We sat with the guys – Liquid, Paul, Gary etc. a long while.  Two waiters came up to me expressing appreciation for the aria I sang at the talent show.  C. and I talked about his interest in Sydney. And I was back in the cabin in the wee small hours.

Saturday, 1 October

At five o’clock I met C. on 3 Deck aft, dressed in his very nice black and white knit sweater.  We went on aft crew deck to watch us go under the big Verrazano Bridge and the Statue of Liberty.  He broke out the champagne and toasted New York City for both of us.  He gets excited every time about New York.   I then went to my last breakfast with the 246 table bunch.  Steve was in good form.  Tipped all three waiters and received a kiss goodbye from Steve.  Loitered by QG waiting for C. and Captain Bennell came by.  I reminded him of the girl with no shoes and he said “How could I forget.”  He also passed through when C. and Demitrios were there and he took my hand saying he always sees me with handsome men around.  C. was a little apprehensive.

I did the customs line, then joined C. for a last trip to his cabin.  He had a large bouquet of carnations for me, but since I can’t take them off he kept them.  Steve, Paul and Liquid and Gary joined us in the cabin.    Goodbyes and kisses from all the guys and C. and I were left alone to say private goodbyes.  He helped me off the ship and to the curbside. Then we parted so he could join his buddies on the town.  Hampton had come down from Larchmont to pick me up and took me to his house, fed me and delivered me to the Airport.   Farewell to a wonderful summer and the QE2.  I’ll be back!