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HeinBloed Blog: QUEEN MARY 2 Eastbound Transatlantic January 2017 and November 2014


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Finally the day came when we can go again on my beloved QUEEN MARY 2.

 

Finally New York in a typical traffic chaos.

 

Finally Global Entry to make it easier to enter the US.

 

Finally meeting again my crew-friends of QUEEN MARY 2: Olexander, Attila, Elvis, Abdulsharief and Rommel.

 

The blog of our Transatlantic passage January 2017 starts here:

 

QM2-1.jpg

 

http://heinbloed-cunard.blogspot.com/2017/01/tagday-1-auf-deron-queen-mary-2-in-new.html

 

BUT I still owe you the English translation of my blog 2014. I am still working on the translation.

 

I using the occassion to remember myself and see the difference then and now: when Day 1 2017 is translated, 2014 is translated too:

 

QM2-2014-Day-1.jpg

 

http://heinbloed-cunard.blogspot.com/2014/11/tagday-1-auf-deron-queen-mary-2-in-new.html

 

So the first of the great crew-members in 2014: Sorin

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And who knows me knows: HeinBloed's Blog are not limited to the experiences onboard but also ashore and maybe an inspiration for your next pre-cruise:

 

2014 pre-cruise in Washington DC:

 

QM2-2014-Day-0.jpg

 

http://heinbloed-cunard.blogspot.com/2014/11/tagday-0-vor-derbefore-queen-mary-2-in.html

 

And 2016 the night before New Year's Eve on our way to QM2 in Frankfurt, Germany:

 

QM2-0A.jpg

 

http://heinbloed-cunard.blogspot.com/2016/12/tagday-0a-vor-derbefore-queen-mary-2-in.html

 

New Year's Eve in Frankfurt, Germany and Jersey City, NJ and in between on the Singapore Airlines Flight:

 

QM2-0B.jpg

 

http://heinbloed-cunard.blogspot.com/2016/12/tagday-0b-vor-derbefore-queen-mary-2-in.html

 

New Year in New York City, NY with Miss Liberty, The Rockettes and Daniel Boulud:

 

QM2-0C.jpg

 

http://heinbloed-cunard.blogspot.com/2017/01/tagday-0c-vor-derbefore-queen-mary-2-in.html

 

Around 09/11 - and around good friends for a dinner:

 

QM2-0D.jpg

 

http://heinbloed-cunard.blogspot.com/2017/01/tagday-0d-vor-derbefore-queen-mary-2-in.html

 

Coming back when Day 2 2014 and 2017 is translated.

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QM2-2.jpg

 

http://heinbloed-cunard.blogspot.com/2017/01/seetagday-at-sea-2-auf-deron-queen-mary.html

 

The blog continues on Day at Sea 2 and five more to follow on the Transatlantic crossing on QUEEN MARY 2 from New York to Southampton.

 

I must see Joy - my previous cabin stewardess on my last crossing when I had 11111. She is back again there. But not me. José is taking care in our actual cabin. We just enjoy their services.

 

My bar memories were never so dark, that I would not identify Anna, James, Raj, Miguel and Svitlana immediately as part of my great memories on my last two QM2-voyages in 2014 and 2015.

 

Ralph was in charge of Todd English and I remember how much he pampered me with my favorites Mango Sherbet. If you have three meals on a 7-night-Transatlantic passage food and service must be very good.

 

Liviu and Sachin I need also to say hello.

 

Marco who helped me at the front desk with every different request I had. Now he is World Voyage Concierge.

 

My personal health and nutrition consultant: Gerhalt, who gave me every morning fresh juices.

 

If you enjoy all the great flower arrangements you need to remember Mikee who is in charge for this.

 

Now I am sure with those great crew members I will have the best time of my life.

 

I made again a mistake: a huge agenda for the day. After the breakfast: I canceled by and by. Now days later I even do not look into the daily program anymore.

 

Many friends say: how can you enjoy so many consecetive days at sea - it must be boring. I only answer: how cannot you enjoy so may consecetive days at sea - it is so relaxing. I love it.

 

And also the translation for the Blog on same voyage November 2014 is now available in English to compare the experiences then and now:

 

QM2-2014-Day-2.jpg

 

http://heinbloed-cunard.blogspot.com/2014/11/seetagday-at-sea-2-auf-deron-queen-mary.html

 

The crew-friends of 2014 and parts of my great memories: Joy, Rommel

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QM2-3.jpg

 

http://heinbloed-cunard.blogspot.com/2017/01/seetagday-at-sea-3-auf-deron-queen-mary.html

 

The blog continues: Day 3 of our Transatlantic crossing on QM2. Having breakfast with Pastor and Ray was just wonderful.

 

Jane was part of a great team of my last memories on my favorite lunch in Todd English with Tracey and Abdulsharief. I must say hello.

 

Tea-Time with Binu. At least once per voyage you must have Tea-Time.

 

Arcelle identified my shirt from Duckdalben: a sea-mission place in Hamburg, Germany. When QM2 was in dry-dock I had a tour with my company in the port of Hamburg and we had a break in Duckdalben. Many crew-members from QM2 was also there. The entire crew of QM2 gave me a good time on my voyages before. For the time I was spending at the bar I paid all beverages or internet passes for every crew member of QM2. They are working so hard to make us happy that they deserve to be treated nice when I had the chance.

 

Joseph, Mladen and Rommel (a different one) took care that we will never forget our dining experience in the Britannia Restaurant.

 

Seeing again Entertainment Director Jo with two of the dancers took care that we had no time to be bored.

 

To compare the experiences in 2014 before drydock and after the translation for Day 3 on QM2 2014 is also available now:

 

QM2-2014-Day-3.jpg

 

http://heinbloed-cunard.blogspot.com/2014/11/seetagday-at-sea-3-auf-deron-queen-mary.html

 

The crew friends of the Translantic Passage 2014: Sachin, Sorin, Derek

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  • 2 weeks later...

QM2-4.jpg

 

http://heinbloed-cunard.blogspot.com/2017/01/seetagday-at-sea-4-auf-deron-queen-mary.html

 

The blog continues with Day 4 of our Transatlantic crossing on QM2. When FAQ on Cunard Website or the brochures do not give you the answers you need you should not visit "Ask Cunard" but ask Dean Marco. One of the best ambassadors of Cunard. He is posting a lot of the life on the ship and ashore that you want to see all the places. And you can ask him ahead of embarkation and he helps you to find your answers.

 

When we had bad weather the best what you can do: see Monica: if she walked through the restaurant and you saw her smile: all clouds were gone and you see only sunshine for the rest of day. But now you must see the front desk to see her smile again.

 

We had again a perfect start to the day: Vinay and Petros delivered us again a great breakfast service. They found for Sigi her favorite jam and made her very happy.

 

After a night in the Coriander on QV it was an experience we wanted to make it again: thanks to Shafiek and his team Aleksandra, Ardy, Dragoslav, Paul, Ronald, Sherielyn, Shinto, Timea, Vasko (in alphabetic order / some are missing on the picture unfortunately).

 

We came too late to the new Carinthia Lounge. But Jay made it possible that we still could get something to drink although the bar was closed.

 

Miguel was my barista two years ago on QM2. Nice to see him again. Including a photo bomber who wanted to be part of my selfie.

 

The flower arrangements are just wonderful. As well as the violin concert. Thanks to Kataryna.

 

Cannot believe that we are more than half of the time onboard and coming back to the end. So many activities to do. Next time I stay in my office.

 

To compare the experiences in 2014 before drydock and after the translation for Day 4 on QM2 2014 is also available now:

 

QM2-2014-Day-4.jpg

 

http://heinbloed-cunard.blogspot.com/2014/11/seetagday-at-sea-4-auf-deron-queen-mary.html

 

The crew friends of the Translantic Passage 2014: Miguel, Raj, Svitlana, James, Jason, Dejan, Marian, Nadya, Govender and another James. But also the special appearance of a friend who influenced my taste of music: Cissandra.

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QM2-5.jpg

 

http://heinbloed-cunard.blogspot.com/2017/01/seetagday-at-sea-5-auf-deron-queen-mary.html

 

2017-QM2-051201.jpg

 

My Blog - Diary continues with Day 5 of our Transatlantic crossing on QM2. Sir Samuel was my place on my previous cruises to get a good coffee. And after breakfast we need again a good cup of coffee. Jelena and Albert are taking care of our special wishes as we prefered more an European style coffee but an American.

 

Can I take Gerhalt home? I need him for my daily fresh juices to stay healthy: Beetroot-Apple or Spinach: cannot decide which to drink.

 

Rosemarie was an unforgettable experience during lunch, as well as Gregorio and Ryan during the breakfast with Mufeeb who got us our favorite jam which was not on the table. Vijay is one of the Head Waiters: you as guest will have no chance to raise your hand to find service. He had his eyes everywhere. And this time Karuna takes care that we get the best table.

 

Petra took our friends as her friends and made sure that we must not leave anyone behind and they could see how good loyal friends of Cunard like us will be treated.

 

Puneet from the Purser's Office took very well care of everything I asked: even to find out how the best was to describe the elevator with a malfunction. Going more than one step off the Purser's Office to help the passenger. I like it.

 

Having a wonderful time. But how do we get back the 5 hours we missed on the way to Southampton onboard of QM2. We must delay the stay onboard by 5 hours so we het also 24-hours-experiences.

 

Thanks to the actual The Verandah team Krishna (Head Waiter) and his team Ammar, Annamarie, Dren, Jane, Krishna (Sommelier), Larry, Noel, Panneer, Slawomir for a nice experience.

 

To compare the experiences in 2014 before drydock and after the translation for Day 4 on QM2 2014 is also available now:

 

QM2-2014-Day-5.jpg

 

http://heinbloed-cunard.blogspot.com/2014/11/seetagday-at-sea-5-auf-deron-queen-mary.html

 

The crew friends of the Translantic Passage 2014: Anfisa, Entertainment Director Jo, Maria, Olena, Irina, Monica, Ramina, Maria Christina, Ralph, Aleksandar, Eddie, Heinrich,

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  • 2 weeks later...

QM2-6.jpg

 

http://heinbloed-cunard.blogspot.com/2017/01/seetagday-at-sea-6-auf-deron-queen-mary.html

 

Few days on another ship - but not QUEEN... That was hard. So I could not concentrate on my blog.

 

But now heading forward with Day 6 in my QUEEN MARY 2 blog:

 

Day 6 at Sea: I love it. Any event on board? I know it by co-incidence - I do not have a look anymore into the daily program. Still some friends ask: it must be boring - you have no fun on Cunard. I can only say: tell me after you made your first Transatlantic. Even two nights between Hamburg and Southampton do not qualify you to share your experience. Transatlantic is something different.

 

We are back in New York with a great Broadway Show.

 

I am disappointed: last voyage on a different line I got every morning my Chinese breakfast: congee. Kenneth saw that I had nothing on my plate and asked: I told that I was missing congee: "Sir have a seat. I get you some!". Wonderful service. By the way: we had four waiters during dinner. Kenneth was also part of our service station: including our waiters Rommel and Mladen. But all four incl. Joseph and Kenneth took care of us.

 

I hate rotation on the job: i. e. Derick who take care of me and my parents on my last Transatlantic was now in charge behind the curtain for cabin services. But so I was glad to meet him to say hello.

 

I hate also to see another time Attila in tail and Elvis in Tuxedo: i. e. our part of the voyage comes to the end soon.

 

Some friends are "right": yes it must be "disappointing" and "boring" not having Mr Sexy Leg-Competition or activities like this. But if you like to dance with real good life music and everyone is dressed up according you will love to go to a masquerade ball. You can have a lot of fun - but different.

 

Also very nice: Karl playing in the Guest Talent Show.

 

It must be arranged by my boss: this should be vacation far distant from Switzerland where I am working. So he must arrange Anita from Switzerland took care of us German speaking guests.

 

Only one more day at sea before we get back in depression ashore - without the White Star Service.

 

And coming back to my Transatlantic 2014:

 

QM2-2014-Day-6.jpg

 

http://heinbloed-cunard.blogspot.com/2014/11/seetagday-at-sea-6-auf-deron-queen-mary.html

 

The friends from then Oleksander and Monica.

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QM2-7.jpg

 

http://heinbloed-cunard.blogspot.com/2017/01/seetagday-at-sea-7-auf-deron-queen-mary.html

 

Day 7 in the blog of QUEEN MARY 2 on the way from New York to Southampton. The last day at sea! So sad the voyage is nearly over. One more coffee with James and Sinobuhle. Our barista knew what we wanted every morning. Spent much good time in Sir Samuel.

 

I wish I have the patience like our Internet-Manager Genny: the way she helped everyone beyond an "only" internet-problem make her very special. Technical problems with the connection (log.out-problems all the time - generally thanks for changing to Telenor, but why not upgrading to Ku-Band?).

 

Show with Stephani Parker: the Diva of the Seas from Las Vegas: outstanding - with a great Whitney-Houston-Tribute-Show. Great also to make new friends on the ship like David.

 

Also a good "show": Nikhil and Sasa during the lunch: was a little bit like Mr. Bean (Rowan Atkinson) served...

 

I love and I hate the alternative dining in King's Court. Last time I had trouble when they had three offers. But now they have four. And without missing also nice food on formal nights you cannot make them all on one Transatlantic. When you experience before on Coriander-night Mercy and Dragoslav you like to have more. That was why we booked Smokehouse on the last night.

 

Also time to say Good-Bye to our Swiss friends Karl and Christoph who joined us.

 

For us we will heading on few days in London. The perfect combination: Mega-City New York - 7 days relaxation at Sea - Mega-City London.

 

And QUEEN MARY 2 is back 2018 on our itinerary for a special occassion. It will become a celebration with friends who are doing everything for you.

 

And coming back to my Transatlantic 2014:

 

QM2-2014-Day-7.jpg

 

http://heinbloed-cunard.blogspot.com/2014/11/seetagday-at-sea-7-auf-deron-queen-mary.html

 

The friends from then Ralph, Roy, Attila, Alfred, Marian, Andrea, Sachin, Sorin, Domenic and Grzegorz.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I hate to arrive to say Good-Bye and to leave the ship. So the blog comes to the end. We arrived in Southampton, England. But we made a deposit which made us coming back. The next voyage on QUEEN MARY 2 is booked to celebrate a special occasion. A last picture in front of OUR QUEEN MARY 2.

 

Heading to London to have a hotel room which you cannot compare with our cabin onboard.

 

Seeing Jamie Oliver's Italian Kitchen to have some good food. I am missing the Fish and Chips onboard of QM2.

 

Show-Time at London's Westend: Motown. But missing the comfortable seats in Royal Theater and missing the beverage service.

 

It was time for a tour London off the beaten path. So follow us and our private tour guide like Ulla who helped us to make the most of our limited time in London.

 

Discovered a lot of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Emirates Air Line, Greenwich, Bank-District and later St. Paul's Cathedrale.

 

A last dinner with Gordon Ramsey.

 

Since we took the train back: no problems with baggage limits. A great way to get home to Germany.

 

Arriving home: snow! We should have stay onboard of QM2 with our crew-friends who sailed to the sun.

 

Next blog would be the voyage on COSTA FAVOLOSA.

 

 

 

And one more time coming back to our 2014 Transatlantic:

 

The from then:

 

http://heinbloed-cunard.blogspot.de/2014/11/tagday-8-auf-deron-queen-mary-2-in.html

 

QM2-2014-Day-8.jpg

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