little altars: The "Crossing"

So, I finally have time to update my "What I did this Summer" post. This was the part of the trip I was soooo excited about, my trip aboard the Queen Mary 2. In retrospect, I should have expected something off my normal radar when researching. The posts on discussions boards chastised people for referring to it as a cruise; it is a "crossing". And not on a ship, oh no indeed, it is an "ocean liner". Well, I'm not above a little pretension now and then myself, so I didn't take it too seriously. As for formal dinners, what's the problem with dressing up? My warning bell should have been ringing like crazy...who likes to dress formally and use terminology like that? Old Farts.

One of my very favorite things to do in the world is to people watch (others may call it stalking, but I noticed you didn't object when I posted the pics of Jessica Simpson, so don't judge). As we were herded into the terminal like cattle in sports coats and cardigans, I tried to pick out interesting folks to watch. I had read that the QM2 was a favorite of those choosing an alternative lifestyle. I was also hoping for some rich folks with whom I could shmooze. What I did not expect, though, were Amish. Yes, Amish. Remember my fascination with all things religious? The Hassidic Jews I stalked? I immediately transatlantically texted all who would be interested (Meg, Julie and Byron) to let them know of my find. What a coup! Not just one or two, either, but a whole family. And they have big families! *Full disclosure here: they could have been Mennonites. I really can't tell without closer examination/interrogation and that would have been rude.

THEN, as they took our picture before we boarded the ship, I noticed a family of 6. Oldest being a teen girl and youngest being of undetermined age because of incongruent size/clothing style/shoe choice. The whole clan was dressed alike in sailor outfits. My people watching just got soooo interesting.

I am going to acknowledge what you are already thinking. "If that's the most exciting thing she has to say so far, could this trip have been a bust?" No, it was not. It was a once in a lifetime experience. As my friend Amy so tactfully put it after returning from a sweltering summer trip to Disneyworld with a preschooler and a 1st grader, once in a lifetime meaning "this is only gonna happen once." I will say that the food was beyond description, I absolutely loved it. It was so good, in fact, that on the first night we had dinner in the main dining room and then had dinner again at a smaller, reservation only restaurant. The spa was perfect. I spent time there everyday enjoying the 3 different types of saunas and the hydrotherapy pool.

It was a beautiful, huge "ocean liner" and we spent a lot of time exploring it.

BUT...when I booked this crossing, I thought I'd be lying on my balcony, soaking up the rays. I thought I'd be taking fun cooking classes and dance lessons. I thought I'd be standing on the deck with the love of my life, looking oh-so-beautiful in our formal wear, watching the sunset. Those pictures they post on their website are not 100% accurate. The waves were up to 18 ft. So high that they were splashing onto our balcony! It was so cold all of my "cruise wear" was not wearable (I guess I should have focused on "crossing wear"), around 45 degrees at night. And it was so windy that the beautiful teak lounge chairs I was supposed to be lounging on with a book and a nice glass of wine were tied down to the deck. I kid you not. On the first day, the sun was shining but it was so cold, the few folks that were lying out were covered with towels and shoes were blowing across the deck. NOT exaggerating friends! Anyway, we were inside eating, as we did every couple of hours, and I asked the waiter if this was typical weather. "Oh, no," he says (and I breathe a sigh of relief), "the last crossing it rained the entire time. You should take advantage of this beautiful day!"

Me taking advantage of the beautiful day. Brrrrr!

Lucky for us they have all the classes, right? The posts from past passengers said there weren't enough days to do all that was offered. Well, these folks must have spent most of their time napping because I saw exactly one show in the planetarium and fell asleep, watched 1/2 of one lecture on bugs and fell asleep and went to one High Tea and left early because an old geezer (not Kenny, he was playing golf) sat with me. There were lectures on bug dung (REALLY), more planetarium shows, scarf tying classes, lectures on ocean liners and various other boring, sleep inducing options. I did not take advantage of these options.

The most entertaining parts of the trip were not listed on their website or in their brochures as far as I was concerned. CSI played several times a day on the tv. It was great. There was a glass elevator that was on the outside of the ship that entertained me for hours. It was usually empty because it was so hard to get to. I was able to read by the pool, but the pool was enclosed, so the effect was really like sitting in a laundry mat because of the humidity and chlorine smell. The seas were so rough the water was splashing out of the pool, anyway. There was a fabulous library at the front of the ship so I could sit and read and look out at the fog, which was a lot like looking at a gray wall right outside the window. Of course, there was food to be had at all times.

Another great thing about this trip was the demographic. I was the young, hot chick and Kenny was the young stud. I didn't feel the need to suck in at the pool. You know you're in trouble when there is an old man lying by the indoor pool, black socks and SAS loafers on but no shirt, hooked up to his oxygen. I guess if I ever get to that point, I'm not gonna want to go out gracefully in my recliner at home, either.

We had a great time being still and quiet, which I rarely am. We had the pleasure of meeting some very interesting and fun couples at our table at dinner. I tracked the Amish (Mennonite) and the Family of Six. I scoured the photos that were for sale from the various Balls and dinners, hoping to find shots of them. The Amish were not up but I was lucky enough one day to see them purchasing pics of non-Amish family members. The Family of Six continued to dress in coordinating/matching homemade outfits. We got to meet and they were a sweet, friendly family with very well behaved children. I was entertained beyond belief by watching the ballroom dancing. Not by professionals, but by all the old people that REALLY know how to dance. To top it off, I got to eat some wonderful food, beautifully prepared and as much as I wanted. All in all, a once in a lifetime experience.