Day 6, Transatlantic Voyage on Queen Mary 2.

MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011.

I spent most of my morning at the gym. I got used to the back and forward motion and thankfully, it did not make me sick. 

I decided today would be a good day to do laundry, so I searched out the laundrette on board. They are surprisingly nice, there just weren't enough of them...

At noon, during the captain's briefing, he informed us that we were 500 miles from SW Ireland. And, 854 miles from our first destination of Southampton, UK.

After lunch, I planted myself on the starboard side in a deck chair and studied up on German licensing info, which at first was a bit overwhelming! 

Today was quite chilly, at one point, I moved to the aft of the ship and covered up with a towel to stay warm while studying. I didn't stay much longer as rainclouds started to form and I didn't want to be cold and wet. :)

We did tea time in King's Court today and I was sorry we had not done it sooner! The shortbread biscuits with cream and jam were to die for!! Must. find. recipe.

After tea time, we did a galley tour. It was interesting to see what goes on behind the kitchen doors and what it takes to keep it all together. I was able to take photos during the tour and afterward, took my camera up to Deck 12, outside, to get photos. 

We also enjoyed the ship's talent show today. Passengers performed their talents. After the show, sister and I met, Sara, an American ballerina living in and dancing in Germany.

The Royal Ascot Ball was also tonight, though sister and I referred to it as, 'Fancy Hat Night..'

Day 5, Transatlantic Voyage on Queen Mary 2.

SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2011.

Today began a bit rough. I won't go into details, but I ate lunch alone. I requested Jose and ordered split pea soup as a starter, fish with macaroni and cheese, and then, marscapone mousse with amaretto cookies for dessert. I think this was one of my favorite desserts on board. So good! 

I spent the early after noon at one of the ship's performances, Hamlet, put on by RADA. It was very enjoyable! 

After dinner this evening, we enjoyed Big Band music in the Queen's Room, followed by a short time at G32, the club on board. I then retired for the evening, sister enjoyed a bit more time there. 

Queen's Room.

Queen's Room.

Queen's Room.

Day 4, Transatlantic Voyage on Queen Mary 2.

SATURDAY JULY 30, 2011.

Today was a major lazy day!

We slept til noon after the previous evening's festivities and then, got dressed and requested our evening waiter at lunch, as he told us we could. We really enjoyed our waiters, Jose and Eduard. They were wonderful and so friendly! 

After lunch, sister and I spent some time in the hot tub on deck, sort of crammed in with others like sardines. And, children, who were jumping from there to the pool and back again. Sigh. :)

Tonight, we thought we would try the buffet that is also available, instead of our restaurant. After a few bites of what the buffet had to offer, we ended up at the restaurant after all..

All is well that ends well. :)

Day 3, Transatlantic Voyage on Queen Mary 2.

FRIDAY JULY 29, 2011.

We slept in today and then hit the gym. We then enjoyed deck time and naps in the stateroom.

When lunch rolled around, we found that at lunch, we could request a window seat, and we did. I just couldn't get over how memorizing the ocean was.

That evening, after dinner, the club on the ship was having an 80's night, so clad in my grey heels with neon orange heels and a little black dress, we hit the club, grabbed ciders, and danced the evening away!

DAY 2, Transatlantic Voyage, Queen Mary 2.

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2011.

Grand Lobby.

Walls lining deck 3.

We had a shaky first night. The ship vibrated a lot during the night. Later in the voyage, we realized it did this most often when we were near land, probably something to do with speed. 

We got up at about 8, got dressed and worked out in one of the gyms on the ship. It was interesting to run on the treadmill as the ship was moving. It sort of tossed you forward and backward while you were running. It made for an interesting time. We also experienced our first meeting with speed in kilometers vs miles. 

The morning outside was lovely. It was 67 degrees out, a much welcomed change in weather, as I spent most of the summer prior in Texas where it was 90+. 

To quote myself in my little book I kept notes in during the trip, 'I love walking on the deck of the ship. It is stunning and I am in disbelief that we are really on this massive, amazing boat! Working-out was quite an experience! (It) rocked and when I ran I kept being propelled backward and forward!'

After our work-out and walk on deck, we ordered breakfast. 

I am quite sure the rest of the day was spent napping, on deck, or watching the ocean from the same chairs, as I couldn't focus on reading, because the ocean was far too beautiful.

The funny thing is, I was actually scared I would not like being on the ocean, with no land to speak of, but it is actually very soothing and relaxing. Life surprises you like that.

Day 1, Transatlantic Voyage on Queen Mary 2, after boarding.

After we boarded the ship, we found an attendant to direct us toward our stateroom. After finding the elevator that would take us where we needed to go, we arrived on Floor 6. Room 6288. Our home for the next 9 days.

I was actually surprised at the size of the room. I expected it to be much smaller. It was a nice surprise. 

We got settled in and dropped our carry-on bags in the room. Our room was at the aft of the ship, a couple of staterooms over from the kids' club area. We took photos looking out from the deck, and then, headed off to mandatory safety briefing. I learned how to properly put on my life vest, just in case. :) 

After the not so fun, but completely necessary briefing, we went back and grabbed cameras to attend the Sail-away Party on deck. We sat in deckchairs and watched as we left NYC. I got my last few minutes of Facebook time and waved goodbye to the good ole US of A! Honestly, I could not have asked for a more meaningful place to leave from. All the history, recent and not-so of New York, really stirred memories of my beloved country. If I don't step foot on the soil of my country for the next couple of years, it was a wonderful place to leave from, seeing the skyscrapers, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Statue of Liberty become smaller and smaller, and eventually disappear from all sight, and not long after, only see ocean. I also thought of all those before, who came into New York, leaving their families behind to start a new life, though, I was leaving NYC, to do the same. It was hard to leave J, as we had only been reunited for about a week, before we were separated again, but at least this time it was a shorter time and we would be living together, again! It was actually very emotional. It was a bit overwhelming, trying to imagine would living in another country, not speaking the native language would be like. Those thoughts were quickly replaced by the upbeat tunes of the ship's band, Vibes. They were so fun!

Myself, on deck at sail-away.

Sister, on deck at sail-away.

After enjoying the band and relaxation on the deck chairs, we decided we would get up and check out the ship a bit more. We browsed the shops, found our restaurant we would be dining for the duration, and then, found the wooden deck chairs on the starboard side of the ship and planted ourselves there for an hour or so, before getting ready for dinner.

We arrived at our restaurant a little after 8, and were seated. We had our own table, but had people sitting at the table next to us. We lucked out with our seats! We were second floor, and the only thing that separated us from the window looking out toward the ocean, were the four people on the other side of us. We still had a pretty great view, though!

For my first ever meal on a ship, I ordered an arugula, Parmesan and roasted tomato salad. My entree was a honey balsamic chicken breast. And, for dessert, a delicious linzer cake! I really enjoyed everything. 

After dinner, we changed, showered and relaxed on the deck, again. I couldn't get over the view of the ocean! It was absolutely breathtaking! 

Day 1, Transatlantic Voyage on Queen Mary 2.

NOTE: This is way overdue! I hopped on the QM2 Wednesday, July 27th and arrived in Hamburg, Germany on Friday, August 5th. 

When Jason & I got word that we were moving to Germany, my main priority was doing my best to avoid flying over here. It is an understatement to say I don't like flying. So, when I found out I could take a Transatlantic to Germany, I was ecstatic! When I first started looking into this as a means to get here, I wasn't sure it would work out. It did and I am so glad! J was unable to come with, as the kennel for Dublin was booked up, because we didn't have more than 3 months notice that we were coming here. So, he opted to fly. Luckily, my sister was more than willing to come with. 

It all worked out, as we were dropping our car to be shipped out of Baltimore and still have wonderful friends in DC and Jersey that we were able to stay with/stay on our trip to get all our last minute stuff done. We spent a couple of days in DC, saw friends, visited Murphy's, got my last shopping at Ross done in Old Town, & then we drove up to Jersey. We were able to see more of our favorite people and stay overnight on the base there. We got up super early the next day to drive into my FAVORITE city, NYC! J & I love that place! 

When we started getting closer to NYC, we could see our massive mode of transportation! It was insane how huge she was even from several miles away! We found the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal and dropped our luggage off. Then, we hailed a cab to the original Junior's, to meet J's cousin Carole. She lives in NYC and acts. My last meal in the states was a great one! Cheese blinzes to eat, with an egg cream to drink. Yum! We had little time to digest, before we were off to the terminal again. I admit, I was super nervous we would be left behind and I might have to swim over! We had one of the last check-in times of the day. 

Obviously we made it..We were greeted by a whole group and walked under what resembled a saber line. So fun! And, the fun began. The ship was absolutely stunning and I felt extremely blessed to take the amazing journey that a Transatlantic is!

Stay tuned for Day 2-9. :)

Grand Lobby

In port.

Statue of Liberty

Brooklyn Bridge. Brooklyn is to the right of photo.

Aft of the ship.

Sitting, waiting to leave NYC!

Passing under the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.