First Visit To Aruba

Spending my birthday in Aruba. Never been. Just as a I thought, crowded beaches, very mass market. Offers alot for a cross-section of visitors and pretty affordable. North side of the island is windswept, and rough around the edges beautiful. Too bad the hotels have to crammed into one small strip on the west side. Lots to do if you like casinos, nightlife, water sports. Went snorkleing this morning to visit a German shipwreck. Bad visibility because it is too windy.
Staying at Radisson, great for families, loads of pools, and cool birds. Visited the Hyatt Regency which just had a stylish renovation and checked out Bucuti Beach Hotel. That's the place if you want serenity and a break from the strip of high rises. That gets my vote for couples. Dinner last night at Papamiento, located around the pool of an old island home--very leafy and atmospheric--Tonight going to Pincho's to celebrate.
Gotta go get ready.

Queen Of Clean

Disembarked QV this morning in Aruba, as one of the passengers was being transferred to an ambulance on the pier in the company of the ship's doctor. Last night, over the p.a. system came an appeal for type 0+ blood. A few moments later, a thank you, that several people responded and the need was addressed.
Earlier yesterday, I met with that same captain and interviewed him about the special challenges a World Cruise presents. First, the demographic is such that there are always passengers who fall ill, and inevitably those who die. The medical center is equipped to the extent that they are able to stabilize patients till the next port if they need more attention. There are four hospital rooms where patients can stay overnight. What is more of a threat is something not life threatening but increasingly common these days: norovirus. An unpleasant virus that causes vomiting, diarrhea and flu like symptoms. QV was hit with an outbreak on one of its early cruises. As a result, there are anitbacterial gel dispensers all over the place--especially at the Lido buffet. Doc says that's a good preventive measure, but good old soap and water can't be beat. And on a ship that size, there are plenty of opportunities to pick up someone else's germs.

Cruise Therapy

Why does one choose to cruise around the world? Because if not now, when? Yes, its expensive, once in a lifetime, but that's what makes it so special. Those I have met onboard Queen Victoria are mostly elderly, and they've earned it. Others are doing it because they are recovering from cancer, reassessing their lives in mid-life, grieving a husband, treating a grandson. It's travel as therapy.

Cunardmania

We bade farewell to the QE2 as the Queen Victoria steamed out of Port Everglades after her maiden visit to Florida. I am struck by the allegiance that passengers have to Cunard, because it is a feeling I share with them. With British flags and arms bidding adieu, passengers onboard QV were sad to say goodbye to QE2, as she was a loyal travel companion from Southampton on the historic tandem crossing. For many, it may be the last time they see QE2 sailing as she is due to become a floating hotel in Dubai next fall. I am not the only one who feels a tug in her heart over all the transatlantic history these ships carry with them. Now sailing solo to Aruba, we had a typical Caribbean cruising day at sea and look forward to tonight's third formal night. I think I finally know the difference between formal, semi-formal and elegant casual! Won $100 in Bingo, so nothing wrong with that!

FLL Welcomes Queen Victoria

Sailed all day yesterday with QE2 on our starboard side as the newest and oldest Cunard Queens steamed toward Fort Lauderdale. Woke up this morning at 6:05 a.m. and already we were docked at Port Everglades. Don't know what kind of reception Queen Victoria received on her maiden voyage to Florida because it was still dark and early when we arrived. We depart at 5pm this afternoon, so will see if there's any well-wishers visible along the coast or in boats. We are now heading for Aruba and warmer waters. Two full days at sea to come! I'm a tad disappointed because yoga classes (I'm addicted) are few and far between plus they charge extra. hate that! how do they justify charging for exercise classes? These passengers are paying thousands for this world cruise, why nickel and dime for a workout. same goes for soda and internet use. just include it in the fare.

Queen Has No Drawers

Queen Victoria is on her maiden world cruise and there are passengers onboard who are going to be sailing till April! Everyone is talking about the lack of drawer space in the Britannia class cabins. The captain was even joking about it at the Captain's Cocktail Party last night. And, even though I'm only onboard till Aruba on Sunday, I'm feeling the pinch as well. While there is plenty of closet space to hang your clothes there is only one substantial drawer and that has the hairdryer in it.
While that is something that probably can't change without a cabin overhaul, which is doubtful on a new ship, passengers will have to live with it. However, other issues still need to be worked out and that includes the acclaimed White Star Service which is not up to snuff, the food is nothing to brag about and connectivity in the internet room is going to cause a mutiny if they don't work on making it faster. At .50 cents a minute, its a money pit. Bringing your own laptop is the smart way to go, as wireless is working fine.

Val Meets Captain Paul Wright

QE2/QV Tandem Sailing

Awakened this morning to the view of QE2 off the port side of our ship, the new Queen Victoria. We are both on our world cruises, the first for QV but last for QE2. It is warming up a bit as we are now off the coast of North Carolina. Tonight is the first formal night and captain's cocktail party. Heard a fantastic lecture on transatlantic liners by maritime expert Bill Miller.

Three Queens Rendezvous

I am onboard Cunard's Queen Victoria for the New York to Aruba leg of her maiden voyage, and the historic sailing that included the meeting when three of the world's great oceanliners met in New York Harbor. We slithered out of pier 88 on Manhattan's west side around 7:15pm last night, followed by QE2, making our way to the Statue of Liberty for a meeting with QM2, which embarked from Brooklyn. Out on deck, just before the fireworks started, the rain started, an icy unrelenting rain. The QM2 was in the lead, QV in the middle and QE2 right behind us. Fireworks filled the sky and despite the grim weather, it was a moment that every maritime buff will remember.