Day 1 - Southampton

Day 1 – Sunday 31^st August 2014 – Southampton

Having travelled down by car the previous day, spent the Saturday night at the Airport Premier Inn and went out into the city centre, via the very close by railway station, for a night on the town. 

Remarkably, up very early for breakfast, but had to wait around as the hotel was full, with it being the last weekend of the school’s summer holidays.  After a hearty breakfast on our way with a twenty minute drive to the docks.

After unloading the car at the cruise terminal, handed over the car to ‘Car and Passenger Services’ (CPS) we were quickly through the check-in procedures.  A few weeks before we had been informed of an upgrade to dining in the Princess Suite, and moved up one deck to number 7.

With great expectations stepped on board at 12.00, and met by our voyage stewardess, Analyn.  Luggage quickly followed but prior to unpacking, took my travelling companion on a little tour of the ship, as this is the sister ship to the ‘Queen Elizabeth’ everything is similarly laid out on all of the decks.  The tour concluded with a pint of Speckled Hen in the Golden Lion Pub.  I was very happy to be back on another Cunard Queen.

A lifeboat and safety muster was held at 16.00 and to my surprise we were scheduled to sail at 17.00; though we had to wait our turn as other cruise liners, one from Celebrity Cruises, and the P&O ‘Azura’ and ‘Oceania’ left before us.

Welcome Aboard

On a warm sunny evening all four ships sailed down the Solent in convoy, it was time to take in the views on the Isle of Wight from the stateroom (cabin) balcony with the welcoming bottle of champagne and fruit at hand.

For the first time in the Princess Suite Restaurant at 20.00, this is situated on the 10^th deck, starting just behind mid-ships and runs back towards the funnel area.  We were allocated a seven seat table on which were two other guests, Jill and Mike from the UK, who now live mostly in Spain.   A wonderful meal of soup, beef and for sweet, warm apple was served in beautiful surroundings.

To finish off the night, we went all the way forward on the same deck to the Commodore Club and in a luxurious room, enjoyed the splendour of it all. This brought to an end a tremendous day with an impression of what a wonderful place to be, and a life on the ocean waves is not always bad.