Day 20 Sunday 10 March at Sea

There’s definitely a nip in the air outside now as we sail closer to the US mainland. The sun is shining but it doesn’t have a lot of warmth.

We have been quite lazy today doing nothing of great interest just the laundry.  No gossip to report from Roy and the boys in the Laundry apart from one guy telling Roy that there’s a couple at their dinner table who have worn no more than 3 changes of clothes for the past 3 weeks, one formal, one semi-formal and one elegant casual outfit that they have rotated them over the weeks. Hope they at least visited the laundry a few times.

Had a great afternoon in the Royal Court Theatre this afternoon listening to the Queen Elizabeth Passengers choir.  There were over 60 men and women altogether and I must say they sang extremely well.  Tommi the conductor was excellent having given them 9 quite difficult songs to learn, Jerusalem, Rhythm of Life, and a piece from Les Miserable which I can’t remember the name of just to name a few. They had put this altogether in 10 rehearsals each of only one hour.

Right on 3.30pm we happened to be walking passed the Queens Room so had to stop and enjoy afternoon tea yet again. We only finished lunch at 2.00pm, I think we’re getting greedy…lol.

Tonight is our last Formal night and the feature on the menu is Lobster.  I must say that Cunard do offer different seafood selections on their evening menu.

 

Day 19 Saturday 09 March at sea en-route to Los Angeles

The seas continue to be smooth although the outside temperature has dropped somewhat today. A jacket is needed if we intend to spend any time outside today which was the case when we played Croquet and bowls again….. Who would have thought I would ever have a go at these games…J

Discovered the Pasta and Pizza bar today.  We knew it was there but had not got around to trying it.  I love the idea of ordering your own pasta dish to be made freshly and also a pizza. Celebrity cruises have a pasta bar so for those who know them will know what I mean about how delicious it is.

There was a ‘meet the Captain’ afternoon in the Royal Court Theatre this afternoon.  Very interesting to hear him speak about various facts and figures on Cunard and the fleet and particularly details about this ship.  We learned yesterday that apparently whilst we were docked in Wellington a tug hit the ship, no damage caused except for the loss of some black paint off the hull and a lot of paperwork to be filled in by the Captain. We did notice that the Port of Wellington were offering people a ride on their Tugs for a gold coin charge to have a look at Queen Elizabeth close up and we had been waving to the large groups on board the tugs as they cruised back and forth.  This news made UK TV.

A new habit of ours is attending afternoon tea daily in the Queens Room with cucumber club sandwiches, tomato club sandwiches, tuna, shrimp and a couple of others I can’t remember. Followed by various little cakes, followed by scones with jam and cream. All washed down with a choice of English teas served by the waiters complete with white gloves and silver trays. In the background live music by either the orchestra, harpist or pianist.

The show tonight show was excellent a Welsh singer/comedian.  He was so good there was a standing ovation at the end and he came back to entertain us a bit more.  

Update on the dancers.  Well they’re still trying hard practicing all day every day but I’m afraid they have barely improved although they now think they should enter ‘Dancing with the Stars’ and there’s a competition tomorrow night and we’re sure they’ll be on the dance floor…. They would both be excellent in a Marching Team.

We decided to try one of the speciality restaurants tonight and chose ‘Jasmine’.  It was fine dining with an Asian touch. The only problem for me was most of it included seafood which I can’t eat so I was a tad hungry for my breakfast this morning. Roy, Joe and Lynda thoroughly enjoyed it and commented how beautifully prepared the seafood was.

After dinner we also like, or should I say ‘I’ always like to swing by the Casino to see what’s happening there. I managed to up my winnings by another US$61.00 bringing my total winnings to a nice US$406.00. I think I’ll call that a day and have it taken out of my casino card and put it in my wallet for spending in Las Vegas….not on the slots but at the outlet stores. J

Our clocks had to go forward another hour so it’s now suddenly 2.20am, time for bed.

Day 18 Friday 08 March 2013 at sea en-route to Los Angeles

Clocks were put forward one hour as we went to bed last night, so that made it after 1.30am for us. Enjoyed breakfast very leisurely then it was down to Trivia for 10.00am.  We were all very pleased to finally get a decent score of 16/20 but we still didn’t win.  Some other team got 18/20….. We are sure they sleep in the pub and study together ready for the next day’s Trivia... J

After our morning cup of coffee out on the aft deck it was off for a game of Croquet. Must say I am liking this game more and more as I get a little better at it, and especially today because I won. J We also had a couple of games of Shuffleboard.  I’m still trying to beat Roy at this game and that’s been ongoing for the last few cruises we’ve done. I’m determined to beat him before then end of this voyage!

Had a light lunch today and then it was out on our balcony for a lazy afternoon enjoying a bit of sun.  You should see the tan some people have they’re out there all day every day.

It was another Formal evening; everyone looked lovely in their finery as always.  Tonight was an Elizabethan Ball and some did actually dress in the Elizabethan style and looked amazing.

We invited our Trivia mates Joe and Lynda to join us for dinner at our table last night.  We had a very nice evening together then went off to the show and then a flutter on the slot machines which were very hungry last night.

The evenings go by so quickly before we know it the time is usually around 12.30 – 1.00am and we’re still out and about. Just as well we can sleep in each morning on sea days. J  We only have to be up and about and ready for the 10.00am Trivia each sea day morning so that’s easy. Tough life this is….lol.

There’s a couple on here that have done 4500 days on Cunard ships. I think they must live on them…..lol. I do remember reading once about a lady who lived on the old QEll. When the ship went into dry dock they just transferred her to a different ship until QEll was back on line again then transferred her back.  She died in her 90’s having done years at sea.

 

Day 17 Thursday 07 March in Kahului, Maui

This ship docked at 7.30am on her maiden port of call into Kahului. Because we had already done the Customs clearance for the USA yesterday we could disembark at our leisure, which for us was 9.00am.  As seems to be the norm with Cunard complimentary shuttles were available to take us to the Queen Kaahumanu Mall which was only about a 10 minute ride away. There were sales everywhere so needless to say it didn’t take long before my wallet was open. J I think half the ship came back with something from Macys from their current sales. After walking every inch of the mall we came back to the ship and had a drink in the Golden Lion Pub mid afternoon where the chat was who had bought what and how much they had paid it for, including the crew who also joined in with what they had purchased.

We were a little late leaving as a crew member was the last to board 30 minutes after the final boarding time.  I wouldn’t like to be in his shoes in the Captain’s office this evening.  We also heard today that a passenger was left behind in Bora Bora. I remember the Captain paging for one passenger for quite some time but once we were on the move we presumed that passenger to be on board. Wonder what he’s doing now? Probably married a local and sitting in a deck chair overlooking the sparkling waters of Bora Bora with a Pina Colada in his hand.. J

Once again we were farewelled by several whales as we sailed out of the bay of Kahului.

Cunard offer a very good ‘Future Cruise deposit’ offer to passengers currently on board. For only US$75.00 per person this payment gives us the option of US$300.00 per person on board credit for a balcony or US$200.00 per person for an ocean view or inside cabin.  If you book a Queens or Princess Grill cabin you receive US$400.00 per person on board credit. This is for voyages booked of 10+ nights. The offer is valid for four years and should we decide not to use it we can receive a full refund of our US$75.00 per person ‘Future cruise deposit’…. A good deal we think so we’ve got ours.  There is also an option of a little less on board credit for voyages of 6 to 9 nights.

Well I had better get ready to go for drinks and dinner. Afterward the show tonight is a magician then the later at 10.30 the crew are doing a show which should be fun.

We’ve just returned from the crew show which was excellent and very funny.  They  certainly do have some great talent on board this ship, probably the best we’ve ever seen.  To our surprise our Waiter Ana sang, she didn’t tell us she could sing, so might have to get her to serenade us at dinner tomorrow tonight. J

I forgot to mention you may have noticed that the two Hawaiian ports were swapped around from the original itinerary.  Captain Wells decided it was a good idea to change them around.  Don’t know why though.

Day 16 Wednesday 06 March in Hilo

Our ship docked at 7.00am, Hilo is also a maiden port of call for Queen Elizabeth.  There were a few showers here and there and a temperature of 21C.  Later in the morning the weather cleared to nice blue skies.

Before disembarking the ship everyone had to complete U.S. Customs clearance which I must say was carried out very efficiently.

We were all given a plastic poncho in a pack as we walked off the gangway, fortunately we didn’t need them but what a nice idea, never had that before on a ship.

There were complimentary coaches transporting everyone to the shopping plaza, only a 10 minute ride with a commentary on the local area by the driver. Hilo has been wiped out twice by tsunami’s once in the 1940’s the other in 1960. They have warning sirens everywhere on standby. It’s the only island of the Hawaiian Islands that has a mountain high enough that it snows at the top, and it did yesterday.

I’m sure those on the ship, like us who weren’t taking a tour were in Wal-Mart, Sears or Macy’s. A good day for them today with 1900 plus people buying left right and centre.  You should have seen everyone on the bus on our return they were all loaded up with their purchases.  There were some great sales to be had and also the sales tax here is only 4%, much less than elsewhere in the USA.

We sailed at 6.00pm and immediately came across about 6 whales frolicking just out of the bay from Hilo.  The Captain slowed the ship to almost stop so we could take photos but I tell you whales don’t like having their photo taken as they don’t warn you when they’re going to appear and when they do we’re not ready so I’ve got a lot of blurry photos….lol. Then while we were all looking in one direction one appeared right next to the ship but again we were all looking further away and missed a great photo opportunity.

After a most enjoyable day it was a quiet evening for us, enjoyed a couple of Budweiser’s on the balcony then off to dinner and an early night.  More shopping tomorrow…. Anyone would think I liked shopping?

Tomorrow, Kahului on the island of Maui.

Bora Bora

Deck 3

 

Our view

 

 

Yum

 

Bora Bora

French wine in Bora Bora for our balcony drinks

 

Anchored at Bora Bora

Locals surfing with the Tender at Bora Bora

 

Papeete, Tahiti

Coming through the reef at Bora Bora

 

Papeete locals

 

Roy's favourite - Duck

 

Juiscy tender Steak for me

 

Papeete

Tahitian Dance

 

 

Day 15 Tuesday 05 March at Sea, Hilo tomorrow

Another leisurely start to the morning.  We never miss the Trivia at 10:00am in the Pub and there’s always a good crowd there.  I must say having a lot of British crew there’s a lot of good British humour and banter; they never fail to give everyone a laugh. 

We decided it time we took up Croquet so off we went to have a go.  It’s actually not as easy as it looks.  We had a couple of games and didn’t win either so will need more practice. It’s quite a challenge but a lot of fun.  Also thought it time we had some good exercise and we got blown around the deck with the very strong breeze. I love the fact that you can walk right around this ship, many ships don’t have that. It’s exactly .9 of a mile or 1.4kms. I think it’s another tradition of Cunard to have a Promenade deck. After all that exercise we had worked up a thirst and hunger so it was off to the Pub for lunch……another habit forming. J

We were given an invitation to  a complimentary wine tasting this afternoon.  All good quality wines, two whites and two reds. Two were from France, one from Chile and one from Australia. We were both feeling ‘hery vappy and bull of feans’ afterward….lol.  So it was time for scones with Strawberry jam with lashings of cream, a cup of tea and a lie down.

Tonight the theme is the Roaring 20’s. How on earth are Roy and I going to do the Charleston, what a sight that will be….lol.  Many people will dress up and we will have a go with what we’ve got with us.

The show is a variety show tonight which is on before dinner for us tonight then after dinner it’s straight into the Roaring 20’s.  I bet some will be dressed to perfection in their 20’s gear.

Well that was a great night, so much dancing I bet we’ll both have aching legs tomorrow while we’re trying to have a wander around Hilo.