I can’t believe we are on the high seas heading across the ocean. Life on the ship has been really interesting with a mix of people using the ocean liner for its historic purpose of transportation (like we are), but also people using it as a vacation community. The ship is on a three-point cruise taking people from England to Central America then to New York and finally back to England, and some folks have just stayed for all three legs. And since the ship is small (relative to a cruise ship) it is easy to see these micro-communities.
One of the main ways that we have gotten to understand the life of QM2 “regulars” has been to join the choir. It is very interesting and soon I will write a post focusing on the choir experience.
It may seem obvious since we are in the North Atlantic in winter, but the crossing has been a bit rough. We did ask about this and the crew told us it has been the roughest crossing they have experienced in around four years. We have regularly seen snow, hail, sleet, rain, and heavy winds. The seas have been averaging 21′, and one day the waves were actually crashing all the way over the main deck. Ahead of the voyage I was not sure if I would be sea-sick so my doctor gave me patches. It has been incredibly exciting to experience this rough weather during the day, and actually the heavy rocking has been wonderful for sleeping.
Perhaps of most interest has been the dressing for dinner each night (some nights are suit and tie, and others actual black-tie). The day is more casual, but even then everyone is respectably dressed. The crew is always dressed!
The feeling of being in the 1930’s has been most strong at night while I am sitting off from the ballroom floor in black tie, sipping a drink, while every dances to a live orchestra (I feel like Poirot!). Tommy (as a trained dancer) and Sarah have made good use of dancing, while I have had fun watching, and NOT looking like a Muppet!
