Thursday, November 26, 2009
OASIS OF THE SEAS
We are getting excited for tomorrow November 27, 2009 at about 12 noon eastern time we will be boarding the Newest and largest cruise ship in the world. We hope to be posting photos and video on this blog for your enjoyment.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Queen Mary 2 Day 7 Seaday
Queen Mary 2 Day 7
Sea Day
We slept in this morning having our coffee and fresh Danish delivered to the cabin at 7:45 AM vs. 7:15 AM on the other days. After we had our in room service of coffee to wake up we made our way to the dinning room for sit down breakfast. We have had all of our breakfasts in the dining room except one, which we ate in the Kings Court.
Breakfast choices were the same everyday. We could have eggs any way we desired selected meats and fruit were also available. Tim had a different kind of egg each day that we were in the dining room. The eggs benedict were very good, the egg omelet was ok but no matter what kind of omelet Tim ordered they only came in two flavors, Tim tried 2 times to get a combo of the egg white omelet and the ham and cheese omelet.
Sea Day
We slept in this morning having our coffee and fresh Danish delivered to the cabin at 7:45 AM vs. 7:15 AM on the other days. After we had our in room service of coffee to wake up we made our way to the dinning room for sit down breakfast. We have had all of our breakfasts in the dining room except one, which we ate in the Kings Court.
Breakfast choices were the same everyday. We could have eggs any way we desired selected meats and fruit were also available. Tim had a different kind of egg each day that we were in the dining room. The eggs benedict were very good, the egg omelet was ok but no matter what kind of omelet Tim ordered they only came in two flavors, Tim tried 2 times to get a combo of the egg white omelet and the ham and cheese omelet.
The Queen Mary 2 is a very beautiful ship very easy to navigate in the public spaces.
Our cabin was an inside cabin with window overlooking the atrium. We were very surprised how sound proof the cabin was. No sounds could be heard from the atrium, which during early evening hours was crowded.
Our ships captain was from Ireland and every day he had a word of wisdom. We suggested that on the last day of the cruise that his words of wisdom be published in the daily newsletter. We were told that he had a book with all the words and it was available at the ships bookstore. We did purchase the book titled ‘With a Pinch of Salt’ it was also autographed by the captain.
Food choice at evening meals in the main restaurant were in our opinion lacked choice and we ate in the Kings court more on this cruise than we ever have on any previous cruises. The so-called ‘White Star’ service that we expected was not in available at all times. When we were served at breakfast more times than not the wait staff reached across the guest to place a plate or coffee to the next guest. We mentioned this to our headwaiter at evening meals and he said that that should not happen but they do get busy at breakfast.
Kings court food was very tasty and very abundant. One night we had dinner there and for desert Tim noticed that there was a pie with a label of Rhubarb pie and it was actually a cheesecake. This was brought to a crewmembers attention and he took the sign down. Back at the table with a piece of cheesecake to eat, the crewmember came over and informed Tim that there was now Rhubarb pie in place of the cheesecake. Diane went and picked up two pieces and brought them back. Tim took one bite and said this is great Apple pie. It still was not the Rhubarb pie.
Tipping. Cunard charges $11.00 per day per person for tips. We chose to prepay this before the cruise. In the future we will revert to the old fashioned way of individual tipping. Our cabin steward was very good. Dinning room staff just an ok. Staff in the Kings court were ‘good’
Overall impression of the Queen Mary 2. Highly over rated.
Up next: Watch for our impressions of the largest cruise ship afloat. Oasis of the Seas. We will be on a special two-day cruise November 27, 2009.
Our cabin was an inside cabin with window overlooking the atrium. We were very surprised how sound proof the cabin was. No sounds could be heard from the atrium, which during early evening hours was crowded.
Our ships captain was from Ireland and every day he had a word of wisdom. We suggested that on the last day of the cruise that his words of wisdom be published in the daily newsletter. We were told that he had a book with all the words and it was available at the ships bookstore. We did purchase the book titled ‘With a Pinch of Salt’ it was also autographed by the captain.
Food choice at evening meals in the main restaurant were in our opinion lacked choice and we ate in the Kings court more on this cruise than we ever have on any previous cruises. The so-called ‘White Star’ service that we expected was not in available at all times. When we were served at breakfast more times than not the wait staff reached across the guest to place a plate or coffee to the next guest. We mentioned this to our headwaiter at evening meals and he said that that should not happen but they do get busy at breakfast.
Kings court food was very tasty and very abundant. One night we had dinner there and for desert Tim noticed that there was a pie with a label of Rhubarb pie and it was actually a cheesecake. This was brought to a crewmembers attention and he took the sign down. Back at the table with a piece of cheesecake to eat, the crewmember came over and informed Tim that there was now Rhubarb pie in place of the cheesecake. Diane went and picked up two pieces and brought them back. Tim took one bite and said this is great Apple pie. It still was not the Rhubarb pie.
Tipping. Cunard charges $11.00 per day per person for tips. We chose to prepay this before the cruise. In the future we will revert to the old fashioned way of individual tipping. Our cabin steward was very good. Dinning room staff just an ok. Staff in the Kings court were ‘good’
Overall impression of the Queen Mary 2. Highly over rated.
Up next: Watch for our impressions of the largest cruise ship afloat. Oasis of the Seas. We will be on a special two-day cruise November 27, 2009.
Queen Mary 2 Day 6 Saint Johns New Brunswick
Queen Mary 2 Day 6
Saint Johns New Brunswick
We arrived in Saint Johns at about 10:30 AM the weather was overcast and cold. We had been trying not to unpack our winter jackets but at this port we needed them.
We arrived at high tide and we would not depart Saint Johns until the next high tide, which was at 9:30 PM. The tides in Saint Johns can be as much as 30 feet different between low and high tide.
Diane and Tim were both battling an on coming cold so we elected to walk just a short distance from the ship to a shopping center. We did not find anything to purchase.
So we walked back to the pier and there was a large tent with several vendors inside. Tim purchased a long sleep Harley shirt. We also purchased assorted flavored nuts and seeds to snack on. Diane purchased a Christmas tree decoration along with the usual magnets for the refrigerator.
We then returned to our floating hotel for lunch in the Golden Lion pub. Our lunch was
Fish and Chips and a Guinness for Tim, Cottage Pie for Diane along with a glass of sparkling wine.
We spent the rest of the day just relaxing and preparing for dinner in the dinning room. Dinner dress was the last of three formal nights on board. We had several photos taken by the ships photographers.
Our dinner was Lobster tail and baked Alaska for desert. This was only the second meal we have eaten in the main dining room. We will cover thoughts and opinion of the QM2 in our day at sea posting.
After dinner we made our way to the G32 lounge for Platinum and Diamond club members only cocktail party hosted by the ships captain. We mingled with other guests and had several cocktails. We chatted with an older couple who had sat down next to us and found that they were in their 90’s lived in New York City and loved to cruise. We asked how long they had been married and she said 57 years. Wow that is a long time. The four of us were the last to leave the party.
After the cocktail party we changed into our blue jeans and warmer tops and put on our winter jackets and grabbed the camera. We made our way forward to the pointed end of the ship and up to deck 10 where we were just below the bridge and we could watch the lines being released as we prepared to depart Saint Johns. Tim took several night photos of the area around the pier.
Saint Johns New Brunswick
We arrived in Saint Johns at about 10:30 AM the weather was overcast and cold. We had been trying not to unpack our winter jackets but at this port we needed them.
We arrived at high tide and we would not depart Saint Johns until the next high tide, which was at 9:30 PM. The tides in Saint Johns can be as much as 30 feet different between low and high tide.
Diane and Tim were both battling an on coming cold so we elected to walk just a short distance from the ship to a shopping center. We did not find anything to purchase.
So we walked back to the pier and there was a large tent with several vendors inside. Tim purchased a long sleep Harley shirt. We also purchased assorted flavored nuts and seeds to snack on. Diane purchased a Christmas tree decoration along with the usual magnets for the refrigerator.
We then returned to our floating hotel for lunch in the Golden Lion pub. Our lunch was
Fish and Chips and a Guinness for Tim, Cottage Pie for Diane along with a glass of sparkling wine.
We spent the rest of the day just relaxing and preparing for dinner in the dinning room. Dinner dress was the last of three formal nights on board. We had several photos taken by the ships photographers.
Our dinner was Lobster tail and baked Alaska for desert. This was only the second meal we have eaten in the main dining room. We will cover thoughts and opinion of the QM2 in our day at sea posting.
After dinner we made our way to the G32 lounge for Platinum and Diamond club members only cocktail party hosted by the ships captain. We mingled with other guests and had several cocktails. We chatted with an older couple who had sat down next to us and found that they were in their 90’s lived in New York City and loved to cruise. We asked how long they had been married and she said 57 years. Wow that is a long time. The four of us were the last to leave the party.
After the cocktail party we changed into our blue jeans and warmer tops and put on our winter jackets and grabbed the camera. We made our way forward to the pointed end of the ship and up to deck 10 where we were just below the bridge and we could watch the lines being released as we prepared to depart Saint Johns. Tim took several night photos of the area around the pier.
After the ship was underway we called it a day and retired to our cabin and bedtime.
Tomorrow sea day and our opinion of the QM2
Tomorrow sea day and our opinion of the QM2
Queen Mary Day 5 Halifax Nova Scotia
Queen Mary 2 Day 5
Halifax Nova Scotia
We arrived in port early morning today after a smooth overnight sailing from Bar Harbor Maine. The Queen Mary 2 docked today so we had to short walk off the ship and smooth walk through Canadian customs. We stopped at the local information booth to find out what to do and see in Halifax. We asked the prices of taxis and were told that they were posted outside the terminal. We walked out and discovered a 3-hour tour to Peggy’s Cove would cost about $135 we decided to take this tour.
Once we were on the road our river took us to the first stop of the tour, which was Anchor memorial.
In 1917 there was a collision of two munitions ships in the harbor over 2000 people lost their lives in the resulting explosion. The photo below is of an anchor from one of the ships and was found a distance of 2.5 miles from the explosion.
Halifax Nova Scotia
We arrived in port early morning today after a smooth overnight sailing from Bar Harbor Maine. The Queen Mary 2 docked today so we had to short walk off the ship and smooth walk through Canadian customs. We stopped at the local information booth to find out what to do and see in Halifax. We asked the prices of taxis and were told that they were posted outside the terminal. We walked out and discovered a 3-hour tour to Peggy’s Cove would cost about $135 we decided to take this tour.
Once we were on the road our river took us to the first stop of the tour, which was Anchor memorial.
In 1917 there was a collision of two munitions ships in the harbor over 2000 people lost their lives in the resulting explosion. The photo below is of an anchor from one of the ships and was found a distance of 2.5 miles from the explosion.
Tim and Diane at Anchor Memoral
Our next stop was Peggy’s Cove, which has a population of 32. This area is the remnants of a glacier and is very barren. We stopped at the lighthouse pictured below and did some picture taking and shopping. Tim purchased a small print from a local artist and Diane purchased some magnets to place on our over crowded refrigerator at home.
Peggy's Cove Light House
Before we left Peggy’s Cove our driver asked us if we were interested in having a fresh lobster the cost for two whole lobsters under $20 we decided that we could split one lobster. He ordered a 2-pound lobster for us and told us that it would take about 20 minutes.
We left Peggy’s cove and drove to a memorial site of Swiss Air 111 honoring the people who lost their lives in 1998 when the aircraft had a fire in the cockpit and crashed about 8 miles offshore. The photo below is of that monument.
We left Peggy’s cove and drove to a memorial site of Swiss Air 111 honoring the people who lost their lives in 1998 when the aircraft had a fire in the cockpit and crashed about 8 miles offshore. The photo below is of that monument.
After leaving the monument we drove to our lunch site, which was a little building next to the water with picnic tables outside. We arrived it time to see the owner displaying a 15-pound lobster, which he explained that they would have to return to the sea due to his size. No one had a pot big enough to cook it in. He also displayed a 9-pound lobster.
We waited about 5 minutes after arriving at the lunch spot to eat our lobster. Our lunch was a 2.5-pound beauty with two bottles of water. The total cost was $20.24. We left very happy and with full tummies.
We waited about 5 minutes after arriving at the lunch spot to eat our lobster. Our lunch was a 2.5-pound beauty with two bottles of water. The total cost was $20.24. We left very happy and with full tummies.
Our lunch
Our next stop was back to the port. A word of warning to you if you’re traveling to Halifax and want to take a tour. Get a firm price for the tour. Our driver said because we stopped for lobster it was an additional charge bringing the total from $135 to $180. This put a big dent in our budget.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Queen Mary 2 Cruise - Bar Harbor Maine
Queen Mary Day 4
Bar Harbor, Main
We arrived early in the morning at Bar Harbor and, after a leisurely breakfast on board, we boarded the ships tender to the quaint little town. For this port we decided to try a shore excursion so we booked a 2 1/2 hour trolley tour of Acadia National park and Thunder hole. Since the tour departed at 1 PM we had about 3 hours to explore the town and have a lobster lunch. And explore we did; we went into just about every store just to see what they offered. The Queen Mary 2 is the last ship calling on Bar Harbor this season so there was a lot of ‘sales’ going on but we really did not find anything that we could do without. After shopping we were hungry so we went to Geddy’s restaurant for what we thought would be a lobster roll. Instead we decided to split a bowl of Clam Chowder and a whole lobster.
Tim looked at the drink menu after his beer came and saw that they had a locally brewed Blueberry beer; he asked if he could have a sample and when it was brought to the table it had blueberry’s floating in it and he could smell the blueberries. Tim got one taste of beer and Diane tasted the rest. The lunch was very good Tim ate 99 percent of the lobster and Diane the other 1 percent
Tim Waiting for his lobster lunch
At 1 PM we boarded the trolley and listened to the driver describe what we would see on the tour. Our first stop was Thunder Hole which is the ocean rushing into a very tight space in the shoreline rocks and the result is thunder like noise. We took a few photos at this stop.
Thunder Hole
We continued on to Jordan’s Pond, which is a Coffee/Gift shop with the only bathrooms that were open on the whole tour. We purchased some trinkets and a bottle of Blueberry soda. The soda believe it or not did taste of Blueberry.
After leaving Jordan’s pond we continued up the road to climb Cadillac Mountain, which is the highest coastal mountain between Main and the southern portion of South America. The climb was very gentle first on a winding road, as we neared the top the views grew more spectacular and the open space next to the road grew steeper. Diane was hanging on for dear life and telling the driver to stop talking and pay attention to his driving. That statement brought a big laugh from the rest of the trolley passengers. Once we reached the top we were treated to a brisk cold breeze and beautiful views. Mt Cadillac is the first place to see a sunrise in the US.
This is a view from Mt Cadillac. After taking several photo’s we departed on our ride down the mountain to return to Bar Harbor and our floating hotel, which you can see in the middle of the photo above.
Before boarding the tenders back to the ship Diane did some quick last minute shopping and Tim purchased a Lobster roll to bring back to the ship for snack later.
Our day complete in Bar Harbor we returned to our cabin onboard and dropped off our purchases and then went to the Kings Court for a daily ice cream cone. For dinner we had planned on eating in world famous Todd English restaurant; this requires advanced reservations and cost $30 per person. The ambience of this restaurant is very nice and the food is superb. The reason we chose this night to eat a special dinner was to celebrate the victory of the Minnesota Vikings over the Green Bay Packers football team. For dinner Diane had a Pork tenderloin and Tim a nice beef medallion, for desert we had a carrot cake that did not look like cake at all; we wish we had our camera with so we could share the photo.
Tomorrow Halifax, Nova Scotia
Bar Harbor, Main
We arrived early in the morning at Bar Harbor and, after a leisurely breakfast on board, we boarded the ships tender to the quaint little town. For this port we decided to try a shore excursion so we booked a 2 1/2 hour trolley tour of Acadia National park and Thunder hole. Since the tour departed at 1 PM we had about 3 hours to explore the town and have a lobster lunch. And explore we did; we went into just about every store just to see what they offered. The Queen Mary 2 is the last ship calling on Bar Harbor this season so there was a lot of ‘sales’ going on but we really did not find anything that we could do without. After shopping we were hungry so we went to Geddy’s restaurant for what we thought would be a lobster roll. Instead we decided to split a bowl of Clam Chowder and a whole lobster.
Tim looked at the drink menu after his beer came and saw that they had a locally brewed Blueberry beer; he asked if he could have a sample and when it was brought to the table it had blueberry’s floating in it and he could smell the blueberries. Tim got one taste of beer and Diane tasted the rest. The lunch was very good Tim ate 99 percent of the lobster and Diane the other 1 percent
Tim Waiting for his lobster lunch
At 1 PM we boarded the trolley and listened to the driver describe what we would see on the tour. Our first stop was Thunder Hole which is the ocean rushing into a very tight space in the shoreline rocks and the result is thunder like noise. We took a few photos at this stop.
Thunder Hole
We continued on to Jordan’s Pond, which is a Coffee/Gift shop with the only bathrooms that were open on the whole tour. We purchased some trinkets and a bottle of Blueberry soda. The soda believe it or not did taste of Blueberry.
After leaving Jordan’s pond we continued up the road to climb Cadillac Mountain, which is the highest coastal mountain between Main and the southern portion of South America. The climb was very gentle first on a winding road, as we neared the top the views grew more spectacular and the open space next to the road grew steeper. Diane was hanging on for dear life and telling the driver to stop talking and pay attention to his driving. That statement brought a big laugh from the rest of the trolley passengers. Once we reached the top we were treated to a brisk cold breeze and beautiful views. Mt Cadillac is the first place to see a sunrise in the US.
This is a view from Mt Cadillac. After taking several photo’s we departed on our ride down the mountain to return to Bar Harbor and our floating hotel, which you can see in the middle of the photo above.
Before boarding the tenders back to the ship Diane did some quick last minute shopping and Tim purchased a Lobster roll to bring back to the ship for snack later.
Our day complete in Bar Harbor we returned to our cabin onboard and dropped off our purchases and then went to the Kings Court for a daily ice cream cone. For dinner we had planned on eating in world famous Todd English restaurant; this requires advanced reservations and cost $30 per person. The ambience of this restaurant is very nice and the food is superb. The reason we chose this night to eat a special dinner was to celebrate the victory of the Minnesota Vikings over the Green Bay Packers football team. For dinner Diane had a Pork tenderloin and Tim a nice beef medallion, for desert we had a carrot cake that did not look like cake at all; we wish we had our camera with so we could share the photo.
Tomorrow Halifax, Nova Scotia
Monday, November 2, 2009
Queen Mary 2 Day 3 Boston MA.
Queen Mary Cruise Day 3
Boston Ma
We arrived in Boston and docked at Black Falcon Pier. We walked off the ship at about 10 AM and placed a call to our friends Bianka and Allen to let them know that we were off the ship. Bianka told us meet them at the Millennium Hotel and they would be there shortly. We jumped into a cab and a $10 ride later we arrived and stood outside watching for them. Bianka, Allen and their two children Lorelei (sp), and Alexander arrived on foot. We have not seen Bianka and Allen in over 5 years and we had never met the kids. It was a very joyful reunion. Bianka became our tour guide for the day.
Boston Ma
We arrived in Boston and docked at Black Falcon Pier. We walked off the ship at about 10 AM and placed a call to our friends Bianka and Allen to let them know that we were off the ship. Bianka told us meet them at the Millennium Hotel and they would be there shortly. We jumped into a cab and a $10 ride later we arrived and stood outside watching for them. Bianka, Allen and their two children Lorelei (sp), and Alexander arrived on foot. We have not seen Bianka and Allen in over 5 years and we had never met the kids. It was a very joyful reunion. Bianka became our tour guide for the day.
We started out walking to the subway passing through the Holocaust memorial on our way to the subway system. We took the subway to Boston Commons Park and walked around the park enjoying the fall colors. We took frequent breaks catching up on each other’s lives and getting to know the kids. After leaving the park we walked up past the State House of Ma. We walked back to the Quincy Market area where we had first started out. Both of us need to use the facilities and we were told to go to the second floor of Faneuil Hall. We were quiet surprised to find a meeting hall on the second floor. After reading the history we discovered this building dates back to the founding days of Boston.
After leaving the Quincy Market area Bianka lead us to North Boston or Little Italy where they used to live. This walk was like stepping into Italy, narrow streets, shops, restaurants and bakeries. We went to their favorite Italian restaurant and they treated us to lunch. Diane and I split our lunch. It was so big that even splitting it we could not finish it. After lunch we walked back to Quincy Market area stopping at a bakery for some sweets to bring back to the ship with us.
When we arrived back at Quincy Market we said goodbye to Bianka and family.
Diane went shopping and Tim people watched in the market area. Being it was Halloween there were all sorts of activities taking place in the square, one being a dress your dog up for Halloween contest. We took several photos of the dogs and made the comment that now we know why dogs hate their owners.
We then made our way back to the ship and collapsed with exhaustion from all the walking in Boston. We did not eat in the dinning room and instead opted not to dress up and had our dinner in the Kings Grill which on all other ships is the lido deck buffet.
Tomorrow Bar Harbor
After leaving the Quincy Market area Bianka lead us to North Boston or Little Italy where they used to live. This walk was like stepping into Italy, narrow streets, shops, restaurants and bakeries. We went to their favorite Italian restaurant and they treated us to lunch. Diane and I split our lunch. It was so big that even splitting it we could not finish it. After lunch we walked back to Quincy Market area stopping at a bakery for some sweets to bring back to the ship with us.
When we arrived back at Quincy Market we said goodbye to Bianka and family.
Diane went shopping and Tim people watched in the market area. Being it was Halloween there were all sorts of activities taking place in the square, one being a dress your dog up for Halloween contest. We took several photos of the dogs and made the comment that now we know why dogs hate their owners.
We then made our way back to the ship and collapsed with exhaustion from all the walking in Boston. We did not eat in the dinning room and instead opted not to dress up and had our dinner in the Kings Grill which on all other ships is the lido deck buffet.
Tomorrow Bar Harbor
Queen Mary Cruise Day 2 Newport Rhode Island
Queen Mary Cruise Day 2
Newport Rhode Island
We arrived in port at about 7:30 AM. We were awakened around 7:15 by the phone. The call was room service notifying us that our coffee and fresh danish was on its way to our cabin. MMMMMMMMMMM the smell of fresh coffee and warm pastries was so good at that early hour. After we finished our coffee we headed down to the Britannia restaurant for our sit down breakfast. Diane had blueberry pancakes with English style bacon. English bacon is a nice piece of what we Americans call ham. Tim had the eggs benedict.
We went ashore via tender at about 11 AM and conducted our own walking tour of Newport. Newport is a very quaint city with a lot of early American buildings in the downtown area. This area also has a lot of mansions built in the last century. While walking around town we asked some locals where the best restaurant was in town. We were directed to the Brick Alley. We took his advice and had our lunch there.
We split a bowl of Newport style Clam Chowder $5.95, an order of Lobster roll with home made Cole slaw and a side of garlic mashed potatoes. $19.95. Of course we had to have refreshment. Diane had a split of sparkling wine at $6.95 and Tim had a pint of Guinness beer for $5.25. If the clam chowder had not been liquid it would have melted in your mouth it was sooooooooooo goooood. The lobster roll was very tasty with a good amount of lobster meat with mayo and some spices mixed in and spread over a piece of bread. Diane ate ¼ of the role and Tim was a pig and finished it up. We are looking forward to our next ports of call and having more of this delicious meal. After purchasing some small local trinkets we headed back to our floating home to rest our tired feet. This evening was the Black and White ball. We were required to dress formal for dinner and all of the evening’s activities. Diane looks very beautiful in her black and white gown. Tim wore his normal tux with just one addition of a new pair of shoes for this cruise. We attended the captain’s cocktail party at which we were served Champagne or orange juice. The Captain was occupied departing from Newport so the Staff Captain assumed the duty of host. While the Staff Captain was making his speech the real captain interrupted him via the PA system on the ship to announce that we were departing Newport.
Dinner in the Britannia restaurant was good. We were disappointed in the menu selection for the evening. Diane had roast duck and Tim had steak with what appeared to be French fried potatoes. Dessert was Grand Mariner soufflé. After dinner we had our pictures taken bye ships photo staff at different backgrounds. We hope that they turn out and will purchase ones that we like. The Queen Mary 2 only has 8 ½ x 11 pictures at a cost of $24.95 each.
We then went to the Royal Court Theater for a production show by the Royal Cunard Singers and Dancers. The theme of the show was ‘Crazy in Love’. The show was ok but not anything we would pay to see.
After the show it was bedtime.
Tomorrow Boston and meeting up with old friends for the day.
Newport Rhode Island
We arrived in port at about 7:30 AM. We were awakened around 7:15 by the phone. The call was room service notifying us that our coffee and fresh danish was on its way to our cabin. MMMMMMMMMMM the smell of fresh coffee and warm pastries was so good at that early hour. After we finished our coffee we headed down to the Britannia restaurant for our sit down breakfast. Diane had blueberry pancakes with English style bacon. English bacon is a nice piece of what we Americans call ham. Tim had the eggs benedict.
We went ashore via tender at about 11 AM and conducted our own walking tour of Newport. Newport is a very quaint city with a lot of early American buildings in the downtown area. This area also has a lot of mansions built in the last century. While walking around town we asked some locals where the best restaurant was in town. We were directed to the Brick Alley. We took his advice and had our lunch there.
We split a bowl of Newport style Clam Chowder $5.95, an order of Lobster roll with home made Cole slaw and a side of garlic mashed potatoes. $19.95. Of course we had to have refreshment. Diane had a split of sparkling wine at $6.95 and Tim had a pint of Guinness beer for $5.25. If the clam chowder had not been liquid it would have melted in your mouth it was sooooooooooo goooood. The lobster roll was very tasty with a good amount of lobster meat with mayo and some spices mixed in and spread over a piece of bread. Diane ate ¼ of the role and Tim was a pig and finished it up. We are looking forward to our next ports of call and having more of this delicious meal. After purchasing some small local trinkets we headed back to our floating home to rest our tired feet. This evening was the Black and White ball. We were required to dress formal for dinner and all of the evening’s activities. Diane looks very beautiful in her black and white gown. Tim wore his normal tux with just one addition of a new pair of shoes for this cruise. We attended the captain’s cocktail party at which we were served Champagne or orange juice. The Captain was occupied departing from Newport so the Staff Captain assumed the duty of host. While the Staff Captain was making his speech the real captain interrupted him via the PA system on the ship to announce that we were departing Newport.
Dinner in the Britannia restaurant was good. We were disappointed in the menu selection for the evening. Diane had roast duck and Tim had steak with what appeared to be French fried potatoes. Dessert was Grand Mariner soufflé. After dinner we had our pictures taken bye ships photo staff at different backgrounds. We hope that they turn out and will purchase ones that we like. The Queen Mary 2 only has 8 ½ x 11 pictures at a cost of $24.95 each.
We then went to the Royal Court Theater for a production show by the Royal Cunard Singers and Dancers. The theme of the show was ‘Crazy in Love’. The show was ok but not anything we would pay to see.
After the show it was bedtime.
Tomorrow Boston and meeting up with old friends for the day.
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