Liner Lady

QUEEN ELIZABETH 2

WORLD CRUISE SEGMENT

SAN PEDRO TO TAHITI February 19, 1989 – 4 March

This is the first time I had my whole family with me.  Most of the names here belong to the various members of the family, and having little children with us gave me more opportunity to see additional parts of the ship.

February 19, 1989. 

Cherie dropped me curbside at two o’clock, and I immediately checked in.  I surrendered my Passport for the Purser (first time that happened), the got three gold cards.  I waited till after three for C. to show up, and while waiting, struck up a conversation with three medical officers.  I asked if they knew C. and was told he is off ill in his cabin.  Well, I then went aboard, settled into cabin 4006, then hopped up to check on 3035.  I saw Joe the steward, and then did some wandering around familiar haunts, checking on the dining assignment. 

At tea on the Lido deck, I talked with Steve (from Columbia with Gus), who kindly agreed to deliver a card to C.  I had tea with a lady from New Zealand.  Returned to the cabin to await a call from C. and found a lovely bouquet of white daisies, carnations and two purple irises.  A note was slipped in, greeting me from C.  He came by around six.  He was all smiles and looked good to me.  We got caught up a bit and decided to go out for a meal.  He showered and fetched me at seven o’clock, and we “crept” off, bound for Ports o’ Call.  A lovely table opened up for us by the harbor windows, and we enjoyed a meal of salad, oysters, soup and surf and turf, which we shared.  It was as if no time passed since October, and we covered the gamut of his activities, his Christmas, his parents.  We left at 6:30, strolled around the shopping area, then took a taxi back to the ship.  He again cautiously boarded at passenger gangway, meeting people he wished hadn’t seen him, since he is suppose to be off sick.  We returned to my cabin, then to the Pig briefly, where we talked with Martin, a Queens Grill chef.  I tried to see us leave the harbor from the crew bow – (went to the forward-most point and down into the stem well), took pictures, then left because there was no departure action.  I returned to the cabin where we relaxed on the sofa, watching television.  C. left near 2:20 a.m. and still we hadn’t left the dock.

 Monday, 20 February – Ensenada, Mexico

I awoke at 7:10 and lingered till eight.  I dressed and went to Columbia for breakfast, and I am at table 293 with two “foreign” waiters.  Another couple joined me when I was nearly done.  Did a lot of wandering around the decks as we were nearing Ensenada.  The weather cleared to very windy and brisk, and because the swells were choppy, the ship had to be thrust sideways to give lee to the launches.  Lunch in Columbia with the couple, then I watched all the launches deliver the new passengers, 700 strong.  The luggage was conveyed to the ship and brought on board by open lifeboats, and some of the larger bags looked likely to fall overboard.  Fortunately that did not happen. 

Finally, all the family arrived.  Emily jumped for me when she stepped into the aisle on deck.  We registered the kids in the nursery, had tea in the Queens Lounge with Chris and Cherie while Geoff and Michelle went to the hospital, and when I tracked them down, Matthew was there and we greeted each other.  He is really brown, having been sunburned.  As for C., he has been in his cabin all day, sleeping and reading.

After a split dinner in both dining rooms, (I am really a First Class Passenger, eligible to dine in the Columbia Restaurant), but I have chosen to be in 4006 with Geoff and Michelle (sort of a chaperone since they aren’t married yet.) I boldly made my way to 562, C.’s cabin in crew’s quarters.  Clocks back one hour.  Louise from Glasgow is our stewardess in 4006 with Geoff and Michelle.

Tuesday, 21 February – At Sea.

We awoke to the distant sound of the fig horn around six o’clock.  I lolled and slept more till 8:30 when we three popped up to make it in time to eat.  We (Geoff, Michelle and I) sat at a table we made for three in Mauritania, and for the most part, the meal was depressing.  Michelle tried to have French toast but at first it was “plain” dry toast, and bacon.  Then after explaining to the German waiter what it should be, we got a ham omelet.  Geoff’s pancakes were not so great either, and we had to beg for syrup.  My porridge was okay!

Chris and family found us as we were finishing up.  I dashed to the cabin to catch C.’s call, but was too late.  Found a note to see him at noon.  We made contact – just – after I came in from a swim on fantail and basking on sun deck with the kids.  Emily and Ben were in the nursery.  Anyway I was just coming to three deck on A stairway and I caught a flash of C. returning.  I hailed him and we went to my cabin briefly.  He looks on the mend.  We will meet at three says he.

Lunch in the Magrodome, but I felt woosie and left Emily with Geoff and Michelle to return to rest.  Slept till three, then met C. in Queen Grill.  I was invited in while he ate and we chatted with Paul and Tony plus others.  C. finished his chores, and we ventured up the stairs to the Staff Captain’s office.  Upon hearing our request he answered as only an officer can do – rules are rules – “beware the court; might open a floodgate.  You’re discreet enough not to get caught.  I’ll take it up with Captain Bennell.”  I was a bit on the brink of tears of embarrassment and frustration, as we returned to my cabin. 

I went to the Theatre to hear Bill Conti talk about music in movies.  Cherie found me for tea with Ben and Emily at Lido Bar, very hasty, because we were late up to Columbia to await early supper for the little ones, and we all met there.  We returned to the cabin to rest before dinner.

Finally we all were together at the same table- in a small dining area of the Mauretania Restaurant, where it is relatively quiet, and farthest away from the kitchen, a fact that Stewart, our waiter isn’t very thrilled about.  He is very nice as is his partner, Hans.  I had lamb steak mignon, chicken soup, Caesar salad, and chocolate mousse torte.  Cherie and others thrilled to crêpes suzettes, which flamed!  It took a very long time to finish the meal, but since I didn’t do much after but attend a bad act at the Grande Lounge, I didn’t mind.

C. came to the cabin to meet everyone, and we served munchies and nuts plus his beer and Martinellis.  We two went on to the Pig.  It was as crowded as I have ever seen, but we were able to get seats and talked a lot in the din.  We also danced, which was fun.  Saw Matthew, Tony, Paul, Neil (who kissed me) and officially met Cliff the patient restaurant manager responsible for uniting the family at our new table.  I was able to tell how happy we are.  We then went back to the cabin, where we discussed days off plans.

 Wednesday, 22 February.

I took Emily for a walk around the ship before breakfast.  We met Julie and Matthew, who were working in Lido – Magrodome.  All of us met for breakfast.  A candle burned and melted in a warming oven so we kidded about burning Cherie’s breakfast.

Around eleven I joined the gang who were playing cribbage in Queen’s Room.  I fetched Emily and we went shopping for her, getting a QE2 bear puppet and English magnets.

Everyone wanted to swim and bask in the warming sun so we migrated there, ending up eating hamburgers etc. on fantail deck.  I fell asleep by the pool.

Mid-afternoon C. called to say he is off but needed to get cleaned up and rest.  I washed my hair and Michelle set I for me.  The sun disappeared early afternoon.  Chris, Cherie and Geoff played shuffleboard, and Michelle and I stayed in the cabin watching “Wall Street.”

I met C. at the Synagogue and we went to the Pig, where all was quiet.  Met Duncan and two others, then Paul came in. Staff Captain Carr gave C. a lecture about bringing a passenger into his office, putting him in an awkward position.  In short, no permissions for public places, but no comment on cabin visits.  Just don’t get caught.

Dinner was a real gas tonight.  We ordered onion soup, duck, steak, and topped it off with a volcano – the dessert was a large ice cream and loose meringue mound and flaming raspberries were poured down the side.  Wow, – and lots of fun and humor.  Stewart and Hans joined our fun as the manager presided over the presentation.  By ten o’clock we were finished, checked out the musical areas, then returned to the cabins to play cards   Hans retreated to an empty table in the corner and proceeded to try finishing up what was left of the volcano. (I babysat).

Around 11:30 C. came to the cabin.  He watched a quick game of hearts, while chatting, then he took Geoff, Michelle and me through the kitchens, Queens Grill, crew mess, Princess Grill and to the Pig.  This was again crowded and soon we went to his cabin.  After showing them the door to the passenger accommodations, we returned to his cabin and had a quiet time looking at his photos and trinkets.   By 1:30 or so, he pointed me to the way “home,” and I walked the length of Five Deck and up one deck to my cabin. Clocks back an hour.  He gave me a beautiful intricate brass necklace from Peru.

Thursday, 23 February – At sea.

I saw C. briefly before the boat drill, then joined my gang by the pool, where we stayed till after lunch at the Lido – shrimp galore, then dessert in the Magrodome area.

I rendezvoused with C.at three o’clock and we went up to Deck next to the Funnel scoop to bask in the sun.  He slept a bit, while I lay covered up and watching passing crew members.  The sun and sky were superb.  When the air started to cool, we went inside and parted on Three Deck till late.  Meanwhile, Michelle, Geoff and I went to the Lido for tea, then we shopped in the arcade.  I went back to the cabin to shower and watch television.

The Cocktail Party saw us (all 7 strong) lining up to meet Captain Bennell.  He remembered me and was very sweet to all of us – pictures etc. He gathered us around him for the family array, with his arm around the person on either side of him. Mrs. Sheila Bennell was most welcoming – little Cinderella as Emily called herself.  Geoff danced with Emily standing on his shoes, and Chris lifted Ben as well.

Dinner again was a very leisurely happy affair.  Stewart sat down with us a couple of times, and was reprimanded once by the manager.  We had the Beef Wellington special order, and bananas Foster (which flamed).  The kids stopped at the Casino, so I headed back for the cabin to await C.’s call, which didn’t come.

Friday, 24 February – Kona.

I saw C. after breakfast and he explained as I suspected.  He fell asleep.  He had slept till eight, then had to work late.

The family went ashore in the tender, and rented a Ford van,.  We drove up the Kona Coast and found the Royal Waikoloa Beach resort, ate lunch there and used their beach for swimming and snorkeling.  Then we continued around the island, stopping only to see Akaka Falls and Kilauea Crater.  It was a long driving day to make it around and back to Kona, so we were late, arriving after 8.  Left the car at Kamehaha hotel and only got to dinner after nine o’clock.  We had lamb and another volcano dessert.  Yum!

C. took Chris and Cherie through the kitchens etc., while I baby sat, then we went to the Pig where I met Bryan Welsh (first time this trip).  I also met Muredach’s Auntie, and Mary.  Mostly, C. and I talked about arrangements for his day with us tomorrow.  When we felt the ship move, we went on Boat Deck to watch Kona recede.  He pointed out the rim of horizon on the Pacific which he says isn’t the same on the Atlantic.  Nearing two AM we left Boat Deck for bed – parting at 4 Deck.

Saturday, 25 February – Lahaina.

After breakfast, Michelle, Geoff and I got the tender for shore and secured a jeep.  I returned to the ship to await C.’s release, which came at about ten o’clock.  We then took the tender to shore, did an errand and joined Geoff and Michelle for the excursion around Maui.  C. and I sat in back, getting whipped by the air as we sped to Kahului and on to Pauea.  Had lunch at Charlie’s Saloon.  C. disappeared for a while, then returned carrying leis for us three, which he distributed then and there.  On we went in beautiful sunshine to travel a bit of the Hana highway.  We turned down a very bumpy road toward the water on the windward side, but were unable to reach the edge.  Back we went, ducking off-road down under a bridge and on to an inlet, where we paused for pictures.  We finally found a lovely beach, Baldwin beach, where many wind surfers were hanging on, darting along the high breakers.

We sunned an hour or so while Geoff and Michelle swam, meanwhile getting sand blasted in the strong wind.  The scene was beautiful with driftwood, a pineapple depot, and a vista in the distance on both sides.  We started back through Kahului and by the west Iao Valley area.  Spotted QE2 a long way off as we approached La Haina again.

We did some shopping  before taking the tender back to the ship by 4:30.  Geoff and Michelle returned the jeep.  At 5:30 I found Chris and Cherie in Columbia waiting to feed Emily and Ben.  They had managed to get some time ashore without the kids, but mostly spent the time on board using the Magrodome pool and relaxing.

Dinner at 8:30 again took us a long time.  Stewart did his best to accommodate us, but again an order, Cherie’s chocolate soufflé never came.  I had shrimp cocktail, lobster tails, crème caramel with fruits, watermelon, ice cream scoop size, honeydew, strawberries, grapes – very colorful but not needed.  Also tried the extra ice cream with chocolate sauce.

We did a quick check in on the Grand Lounge Show with Rita Moreno, then I returned to 4006 to await C.’s signal.  He came down at eleven laden with drinks, and told us to follow 30 minutes later.  We five then went to his cabin, 562 and shared a crowded but relatively quiet time meeting Martin and Gary (chefs), Mary, Paul and Dimitrios.  I remained after the rest of the family departed, then around two o’clock C. walked me “home.”  He has to work on the baggage tomorrow, so we’ll have no time off together.

Sunday, 26 February – Honolulu.

When we awoke we were docked at Pier 11, and a lovely view of the harbor shore out our porthole.  We all converged for breakfast last time.  I had my usual porridge.  Stewart told us he got a warning for sitting down with us for a photo, and also for forgetting to sign in, although he had been working as he should.  He has given notice.  After breakfast we went up to Queens Grill to say hello and goodbye. 

We were all off the ship by 10:30, went through customs and were eventually met by Michelle’s friends who greeted us with leis.  A Japanese lady found us and photographed Ben and Emily, then eventually me, because she couldn’t succeed in getting permission to hold Ben.

I went to the Holiday Inn with Chris and family, saw them settled in, ate pineapple boat, and shopped while they all slept.  Toward three o’clock I said goodbye and returned by taxi to the ship.  C. was on duty greeting passengers.  I acted silly with a “heavy” package, and he only stood there laughing.  Stewart came forward and took my stuff to 3065 with me.  I then settled in and went up on Boat Deck to observe and photograph the harbor scene.  I chatted with a lady who was on my trans-Canal trip last year.  At six o’clock C. called for me and we had some time at the Pig.  He introduced me to Keith ?, who later chatted with me a long time after C. had to go to work.  He explained the term “traveling people” as opposed to gypsies.  His people are like the early guild people who would go from job to job with their families.  In fact, he more or less gave me his life story.  He walked me back to my cabin.  He works on Sun Deck.

At dinner I again sat with Bea and Al in the Columbia Restaurant, and we were joined by Peter, Frances and Frank from New Zealand.  We finally have a complete and compatible table.  I had a squash and peanut soup, salad,  lamb curry and vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce.

I was able to attend the cabaret finally.  Saw a fine magician and comedian who was marvelous at miming a passenger’s first day aboard ship.  When that was over, I walked to the bow from Yacht Club bar on Boat Deck.  I would have liked to stay up there, but I was too cold.  I returned to the cabin to await a call or C.’s presence, but as I suspected, he turned in early and rightly so.  I got to bed by midnight.  I like my new cabin, complete with a VCR under the Grundig TV.  I was afraid I would feel closed in without a porthole, but channel three with the bridge camera, helps a lot.  The medicine cabinet is behind the bathroom door, a bit inconvenient.

Joe, my steward is the same one I had at 3037 last Fall.  I got another Cunard vanity kit and later another ditty bag.  I had given Emily my second one.  She put her bears in it!