QE2 Crossing June, 1991
QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 TRANS ATLANTIC CROSSING
June 6 – 11, 1991, Cabin 1080
Sunday, 9 June. New York.
Greg Cooke hailed me a taxi near nine o’clock and I was duly delivered to the Passenger Ship Terminal at Pier 90 by 9:15. I spent a little time watching for C. on the crew gangway, and then decided to take pictures of the QE2 from the bow position. On the way back I saw him and Muredach waving to me from the stem area. With a return wave and a picture of them there, I went to street level to meet C. We went to a pub-restaurant near the ship to sit and talk a blue streak. He had broken his arm in a deck slip, but is well on the mend. He is now supervisor of the decks – several eating places – Sun deck, One Deck Hamburger Heaven and so on. He is happy with the change.
I called Cunard for an interview and got the run-around re: Southampton is the place for interviews. After a while Muredach arrived for a short stay. Eventually C. and I walked to a shore repair shop where he left a new pair of white shoes for non-skid soles. We then walked to the Marriott and got a taxi for Tavern on the Green. We took a horse cab ride through Central Park, and then ate at the restaurant mentioned above.
It would appear the ship actually had an overnight in port, a very rare occasion these days, and I had to wait to embark the next day!
Monday, 10 June, New York Harbor.
Greg and Karen put me in a special private car and I was delivered to the Passenger Ship Terminal at 50th Street before 9:30, whereupon I was able to get rid of my two bags immediately. I then went to the top and walked the whole length of the dock observing the QE2 moored on her starboard side this time. This was due to the many navy ships moored all along the harbor for the big celebrations. I stood about in various places till just after one o’clock when I noticed some people were embarking early. I joined the queue and found it was for World Cruise members, for which I qualify! I went aboard well before 1:30 and settled into cabin 1080. Almost immediately came a familiar knock on the door and it was C. with a lovely bouquet of pink carnations and daisies. A sweet welcome card accompanied it.
I followed him aft to the One Deck fantail area. For some reason things looked different; there are round umbrella tables around the pool. C. put on his new white jacket with purple and gold embroidered epaulettes, looking very handsome. We went up to the Magrodome area to see the new purple carpet and chairs, then on to the new Princess Grill II – also done with dominant purple. Here I took a photo of C. and he took one of me. On we went to the Casino, which is significantly different with new partitions, more free space, and guess what – purple! A new etched -glass scene is reminiscent of the ship, Queen Mary.
C. had to return to his post, so we parted briefly, and I checked on my bags, which hadn’t come yet. I had a lime and soda drink “on the house.” Lots of helicopters were returning to the aircraft carrier, next to us. It was beastly hot waiting outside, but I managed to enjoy the little chats we had at the taffrail. His helpers are John Drury (a joker) and two Portuguese guys who are fun. Eventually I had tea and cakes at three -thirty.
Finally we left the dock a little after four o’clock, and although I observed some of the departure from New York harbor, I missed the backing away from the Pier. I heard the whistle in the distance and hurried back to hear it, as I said, “Oh I missed my horn.” John Douglas really kidded me about that, and we joked about it as I amended my word to “whistle.” Ha Ha.
The bags had come so I finished settling in, took a shower and returned to C, who was about to quit work. I went to dinner at 7:30. Table 251 in Columbia – around by the forward partition to what used to be the Kosher dining area. Ian is the immigration officer and an interesting man. A couple from Encino, Sam and Ruth Eller, sat to my left and two ladies; “Scot” and Elizabeth came a little later. My waiter is Michael. Jürgen introduced himself. I had a salad and halibut, and left at 8:30 to meet C. at my cabin. On the way out I saw John Douglas again. Oh yes, Muredach is a host in Columbia and looks grand in his black suit, purple waistcoat and tie. C’s tie is like a preacher’s collar under a turned down shirt collar. This has the embroidered yellow and purple motif.
Around midnight I went out to walk the decks. Sun Deck: starboard Boat Deck; the Computer room – 5 Deck and so on. I caught a bit of the Grand Lounge dancing. At midnight I had a bit to eat at the buffet as well. Lime pie! At present it is the new 3:15 a.m. and I’m not tired. Did a bit of listening to my pieces to learn.
Tuesday, 11 June.
I made myself get up at nine o’clock, and after dressing I checked on C. at Lido deck. He really works constantly and is amazing in efficiency. The sun shined all day and the air was balmy. I really didn’t do much all day, but managed to listen to a tape and study the music as I sat near the pool. I had lunch at the Magrodome, salad and two key lime pie pieces. During the afternoon I was very lazy and slept. Again I went to see C. as he and colleagues cleaned up after tea. While there David came by to chat. I went to prepare for the cocktail party and lounge in my cabin. I wandered to various places to photograph the newly done Card Room and Casino – through Mauretania and so on.
John Douglas phoned me to say I’ve been placed at table 316, the Captain’s Table! At the cocktail party, over which C. as presiding, he showed me a letter naming him something of the month; a $100 bonus and presentation to take place the 17th. He’s aglow! I met Captain Woodall and really did enjoy the meal with the new people and him. Alvin is my waiter now.
I left dinner after my roast beef course to meet C. at my cabin. He was a bit late, so I had to wait in G Stairway, since he had my key. We wanted to watch a video but we couldn’t make it work, so we talked instead. He told me about his leave in Asia. He loves Thailand. At one point we went on deck and heard some of the floor show.
Wednesday, 12 June
I arose after nine o’clock and went on Lido deck to see you know who. I stayed till noon learning my music, as C. would flit in and out, doing his jobs. I then decided to do my corridor walking up and down from Five Deck on to One Deck. During that time I came across Mary Blair on Four Deck. We chatted a while then on and upward I went. I ate lunch with an elderly man from Newcastle – a Geordie – and later Grace Etchison sat with me. We walked around a bit till the interview with Staff Captain in Grand Lounge.
Docking in New York costs $160,000 – WOW!
I watched a bit of the Irving Berlin show, and then went back to the Lido One Deck. C. was stewing because tea hadn’t arrived yet. Oh yes, I saw Gary at lunch in the Lido.
I puttered in the cabin till dinner at seven o’clock. when I joined my tablemates at 316 and had salmon. A junior officer, Mr. Grant came late with apologies from the Captain because it is still foggy and he doesn’t leave the bridge. At 10:30 or so I went to the aft rail and did some singing. Two young guys from the Princeton Chorus talked with me, as did a security guard on his rounds below. It is 11:30 and so to bed.
Thursday, 13 June
C. phoned me at 7:45 to apologize for missing our usual trip to the Pig. He fell asleep near nine and didn’t wake till 12:30. Anyway, I went to see him on deck and we talked in the little room there, more like a large closet with towels and deck equipment.
I slept a bit, then did the immigration bit with Ian. I then went to buy a copy of the video, “The Only Way to Cross.” C. then had me go to the Grand Lounge to meet a cruise staff American, who told me he was interviewed in New York. He has no computer skills. He was doing the horse moving for the horse races.
Lunch at the Magrodome was next and I sat at two tables, plus I missed my lime pie! I found Grace Etchison and when she was finished she helped me with my Gershwin songs in her cabin, then Midships Lounge. I followed that with a visit to One Deck Lido for a long while to learn my music. I shopped and bought two Crummels boxes on sale.
I dressed for dinner, using the long black skirt with the pink dress top. Ate by myself at dinner, and managed to finish in forty minutes. C. phoned at 8:45 and I met him near the computer room for the pub visit. Gary, Mary, James and others were there. Finally, C. and I left to see “Pretty Woman” in my cabin.
Friday, 15 June.
I arose close to ten o’clock. Again it is foggy and damp. Not much activity on One Deck Lido. C.was elsewhere, so I merely passed through and up to the Queens Room starboard side to read. I ate lunch at the Lido with a young English couple and the Austins. Rehearsal for the Talent Show at 2:30 – tenuous! Petula Clark is on board for two shows and I attended her interview in the Grand Lounge. [Note: At one point during this crossing, I managed a nice chat with her about family life and a professional life, while we two stood aft overlooking the ship’s wake.]
I packed my suitcases and returned to the Lido for tea with a woman from Canada, who was a war bride. I also ate dinner in the usual accelerated fashion. At dessert time, I went to sit with Grace who has been alone all during the voyage. She laughed a lot! James had come earlier to convey the message from C. that he would be at 1080 at nine o’clock, so I returned by that time. He came and showed me the pictures of his leave in Thailand and Hong Kong. Also he had some photos of his Halloween party.
C. asked permission to attend the Talent Show and when it was denied, I dressed up and he helped with the finishing touches like the sash and a corsage made from the bouquet he had given me on Monday. I then performed both songs for him a capella. He really liked it.
This was a strange time to have the Talent Show, but at 11:30 at night, I sang only the “Lorelei” from Gershwin’s Broadway musical, “Pardon My English,” and was glad. [Note: Several years down the way, I think this was the time they held the Talent Show in the Disco, which at that time was aft and adjacent to the Lido.] I talked with Grace a bit in Queen’s Room afterward, then headed to the cabin. I talked with a man who also sang. He is from new Tiverton, so we talked canals. I packed some more and was in bed by two o’clock in the morning. I couldn’t sleep, however.
Saturday, 15 June
I was up just after nine o’clock, and went to see C. on One Deck Lido. He was busy writing the job description. He asked me about the show. I then simply wandered about seeking out my Mauretania friends. Tony Bursey took me to task for ignoring him last night, Sorry! I also saw Matthew who gave me his parents’ address and encouraged me to contact them for a canal boat ride. Muredach was clearly missing from his special dining room inside. I sat a bit in Princess Grill 1 Lounge while I did some reading. It is undiscovered and so quiet, and is almost secretively located opposite the Stairway C One Deck access area to the lower decks, which house the Doctor’s Office and Hospital as well as the Six Deck “gym.”
I sat a long time in the Grand Lounge waiting for Grace and/or Arlene. I participated in the Quiz and got 16 questions out of twenty right on British subjects. I then ate lunch in the Columbia Restaurant for a change, and gave the tips, said goodbye to my tablemates and then went in search of C. I stayed on aft deck as we moved around the outside of the Isle of Wight and into the Solent. Oodles of sailboats were racing with reefed mainsails, but spinnakers set for the downward tack. Fernando gave me a red balloon to release in the channel. We also watched two tugs maneuvering for the drag. There was much throwing of lines from the Docking Deck and securing them on the large capstans.
Fernando kindly went to awaken C. for me because he had fallen asleep for an hour, which turned into three hours, which he sorely needed. When he came to my cabin all clean and ready for the evening ordeal, we went to his cubbyhole on One Deck Lido to chat and relax. We talked about our plans two weeks hence, possible ideas and general chitchat. When the announcement came for me to leave, we hugged and said our goodbyes. I then disembarked.
N.B.
After typing this up, I realized I have made not one observation of weather and water, which shows me how much I was “mesmerized” by one person and unaware of anything outside the ship. However, if there had been any real action, I would have recorded it.
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