One might say that a Transatlantic crossing should be the highlight of our 'Journey', they would well be correct if they were not 'Journeying'. Everyday to date has been a highlight meaning that the excitement of our Crossing has not been experienced as a work up to just prior to departure day - excitement was at the start up of the trip.
And now to correct any impressions that the Crossing was not worth being excited about....this IS the way to travel from New York to Southampton!
Arrival at the Ocean Terminal was super fast. Our car had us here from Central Manhattan within 20 minutes, not the hour I had assumed, Check-in and boarding was polite, welcoming and speedy meaning we had entered our stateroom by 12:30, several hours ahead of my forecast allowing for a whole afternoon of ship orientation which was absolutely necessary. Mum and I have estimated that the distance we have to walk one the length of the deck 6 corridor (i.e. to drop Teagan off at the Kids Zone) is about the distance of Hobson St to the St Clair beach esplanade, very approximately 200 m.
Teagan rapidly orientated herself and has one mission in place, to attend as many Kids Zone sessions as possible. She is in with the 8-12 year olds and is adoring the staff and her fellow ship mates. One of the leaders there is an expat Kiwi from Geraldine. She has been teaching in London and is currently taming the QM2 8-12 s.
There are nearly 300 young people on board (under 18) where 60 are aged 8 - 12. I don't have any photos of inside the kids club due to no photography but I do have a video that I was allows to take on departure day when the "Kids Zone" room was empty but that will have to wait until I have decent internet! I must say that I am impressed with Cunard's approach to their younger set. The Zone is placed at the stern with an outdoor area. All staff are so professional and you never feel like you are in their way and security is very tight. Many parents of very young children appear to be wheeling their sleeping treasures into the night nursery while they go and enjoy a late dinner and late entertainment. Teagan, due to a rule change, is not allowed to sign in and out and I need to present my car at least twice to collect her (moaning and whining about how I am too early). Ultimately this means that you don't see younger children wandering the ship at all. The teen set are present as they meet up in various places for organised activities.
It is now the morning of our 3rd full day and my first breakfast has arrived as room service. Second breakfast will be closer to 10:00 am as Teagan is waking quite late (I wonder why).
As a note: a state room at the bow, close to the promenade deck on a foggy night means a fog horn blasting very 2 minutes all night! And should I complain? No, We really enjoyed the reassuring sound and light vibration as it added to the strange ambience (last night the fog was swirling around on deck around the Captains Cuff Links - spare propeller blades - it was rather surreal). Forget any sea views today!
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