When I was asked if I wanted to spend a night on the new Queen Elizabeth, I jumped at the chance. Having never been on a Cunard ship, I was very curious to find out what all the fuss was about. Was the QE all hype? Because of Cunard's history. Why did the maiden voyage sell out in just one afternoon? More importantly, why wasn’t I asked to go on a Cunard ship earlier?
Well all these questions and more were about to be answered. The trip to Southampton always seems more fun on the way, than coming back. So arriving at the docks, with a Burger King in my belly, I was ready and raring to go. Then there she was, my first opinion, I thought she was pretty big, gargantuan actually, then as we got closer I realised my mistake, I was looking at the Independence of the Sea's! Go back to sleep Dylan! Ok, second time lucky, we drove a bit further down the dock. This time I see that unmistakable red and black funnel, and she looks fantastic, even the sun has come out to say hello!
Upon boarding, my first act on board was to find my cabin. Unfortunately all of the Queens Grills were occupied to I had to "settle" for just a balcony, poor me! Well when I say settle, my first opinion of my cabin was the size and decor. This was a very pleasantly sized living space, even my suitcases (girlfriends cases) had a home! Everything looked new and gleaming, and the balcony was a very good size, I think it was probably an A4 or A3. This was not slumming it by any means, I was sitting on my balcony, and various small yachts and boats were going passed, with their masters pointing their camera's in my direction. At a time like that I wished I'd had a pipe in my hand and not a cigarette!
Now it was time to see the ship, up I went to the top deck, to the lawn club. Now if your into bowls, crocket, or even paddle tennis this is the place for you, unfortunately I’ve never had the chance to play these games before, and guess what, I still do not know if I’m the next big thing, as I think it was open just for "show". Onto the pool deck, which looked like what I'd imagine the pool deck on the Titanic would of looked like. It was all wood and tiles and not over crowded with deck chairs, I must say things are starting to look good.
Back inside the ship, I first see the main Atrium. Now this is a sight to see, you cannot miss the grandness (is that a word) of it. This is definitely the ace in Cunard's sleeve, see for yourself below.
The library was very well stocked, over two floors with a spiral staircase and had individual seats, equipped with small reading lamps, that would look at home in the Marciana Library in Venice. Throughout the ship, all the decor reminded me of an age of grand ocean liners, even better the QE is bursting with interesting paintings and displays of relics from the QE2 and portraits of import people like The Queen and others. Over all the ship is exactly what you would expect it to be and more.
When walking down to the Britannia restaurant, I was sure that somebody has stolen my tuxedo jacket and replaced it with a smaller one, either way as we sat and viewed the menu; I could not help but to feel important. The thing I love about restaurants like this, is they can't call chicken breast and mash just chicken breast and mash. They have to call it something completely French and fancy. So I ordered one! Although I must say, it was very, very good.
At the end of the night we were all ushered into the Grand Theatre, for a show and presentation by Cunard, the dancers and orchestra were brilliant, after which President of Cunard, Peter Shanks gave a speech, which he said, in the industry they have a saying "We are Cunard"! Well Peter I am Dylan, and I am now also Cunard.
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