Brooklyn to Bayonne on QM2 and Serenity

[rafinmd]

Thursday, September 28, 2023, Amtrak to New York

 

Crystal Serenity is at sea from New York to Boston. QM2 is at sea from Southampton to New York.  

 

I left home about 7:45 and made an initial stop at my fire house copying some forms and making a final check on things there.  I left about 8:50 and arrived at the BWI Amtrak station about 9:35. 

 

My train was listed as on time for 10:37 and I headed out to the platform about 10:25 but by then the arrival had been delayed by 10 minutes and actually arrived 22 minutes late (trains originating in Washington tend to keep more to schedule but this one started in Virginia and was already quite late in Washington).  

I was in the business class car but the seat was not quite ideal as the first row has no tray tables and although I did get out my laptop a bit it was awkward.  Lunch was a hot dog in the café car.

The time on the train passed quickly and we pulled into New York’s Moynihan Train Hall about 1:56, roughly 10 minutes late.  My energy levels are still way down and the 2 ½ block walk to the New Yorker Hotel was very slow.  

 

Although check-in is officially 4PM when I showed up at the front desk about 2:20 a room was ready.  I’m on the 19th floor and the room is adequate but nothing special.

 

Based on my walk to the hotel I have concluded that while it’s nice to be traveling it’s a bit iffy at my energy levels.  As a result, I booked a car for tomorrow to the ship.  I’ll be using Arecibo, a company widely recommended on the Cunard forum, and they are due to pick me up at 10:30.  

 

I had actually planned on going across the street to McDonalds for dinner but it was raining and I decided to try to stay in the hotel.  There are a few restaurants and it looked like Trotteria Bianca was the most likely candidate.  The choices looked decent and somewhat less expensive than the others.  I ended up with the fillet steak, mashed potatoes, and gelato for desert.  The portions were huge and I ended up finishing less than half  the mashed potatoes.

I will try to wrap up my post for today fairly early and been bed fairly early as well.  

 

Today’s parting shot: Despite all the challenges it is a good feeling to be back on the road.  Since returning from MS Eurodam last November 22 I have been home every night but 3.  Those 3 nights were spent in a hospital bed.  Finally the drought is over.

 

Roy

 

[RLMSLL]

It is so nice to see you traveling again, Roy!

 

Bon voyage!

 

Rhonda

[rafinmd]

38 minutes ago, rafinmd said:

It's a very wet day in New York with possibility of flooding later Time to close up the laptops which go in the bottom of the rollaboard.  I may post again from my IPAD but no guarantees.

 

Roy

Thought  I posted this directly here.

 

 Roy 

[USCAdventurer]

roy,

yes, its going to be a very soggy rainy day in new york and up the coast to boston so just make the best of it.  do you have an bumpershoot?

[rafinmd]

18 minutes ago, USC Adventurer said:

roy,

yes, its going to be a very soggy rainy day in new york and up the coast to boston so just make the best of it.  do you have an bumpershoot?

Not sure what a bumpershoot is.

 

 Roy 

[USCAdventurer]

english for umbrella

[rafinmd]

13 minutes ago, USC Adventurer said:

english for umbrella

Just a rain jacket.

 

 Roy 

[USCAdventurer]

actually bumpershoot is american slang for umbrella   the british use the term brelly for umbrella so there you i go.  i learned something today.

[Host Hattie]

Brolly in the UK

[North West Newbie]

Just now, USC Adventurer said:

actually bumpershoot is american slang for umbrella   the british use the term brelly for umbrella so there you i go.  i learned something today.

 

I use brolly.

[BklynBoy8]

NYC is in a state of weather emergency.  Notify NY reporting highways, airports, Subways, city streets and public transportation being affected due to Flash Flood Warnings. Also ferries are being affected.

 

Some terminals in LaGuardia are being closed but airport open.

 

Some highways are being closed by highway patrol.

 

Caution on city streets due to flash flooding.

 

Use caution transiting the city today..

 

Many areas of the Belt Parkway flooded and sections closed.

 

City streets becoming crowded with traffic overflow..

 

Careful in low lying areas of the city..

 

Listen to news reports

[BklynBoy8]

Just reported Ground Stop announced at LaGuardia Airport.

 

Airports starting to increase in delays in NYC, Philadelphia and Boston.

[njhorseman]

1 hour ago, USC Adventurer said:

do you have an bumpershoot?

 

1 hour ago, rafinmd said:

Not sure what a bumpershoot is.

 

1 hour ago, USC Adventurer said:

english for umbrella

 

52 minutes ago, USC Adventurer said:

actually bumpershoot is american slang for umbrella 

Actually the American slang word for umbrella word is bumbershoot. The Merriam Webster entry suggests a possible origin of the word:

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bumbershoot

[LawDog61]

Have a great cruise, I really enjoy your blog!

[bumpershoot]

3 hours ago, rafinmd said:

Not sure what a bumpershoot is.

 

 Roy 

 

Also a term of endearment.

 

Also a member name who is following along.

 

Bon Voyage, Rafinmd!

 

[Love the beach]

Hopefully you got onboard without getting too drenched....Brooklyn was a flooded mess this morning and still raining!

[rafinmd]

A lot of this will be repeated in my regular daily post but after quite an adventure I am onboard.  I did make a quick run to McDonalds (Hash Browns and coffee) with a moderate rain.  When I went out to meet Arecibo about 10:15 it was pouring down.  Traffic was very slow and as we approached the port several streets were closed.  The driver pretty much gave up on getting me actually to the port and left me off at Bowne (I think) street by the gate leading to the ship.  Fortunately at that time there was just a drizzle. 

 

The terminal was an absolute zoo as it looked like very few of the disembarking passengers and after passing the ferry terminal the covered area up to the terminal entrance was wall to wall people waiting to get away from the port and quite a few people had walked towards the B61 bus or other rides.

 

I entered the terminal about 11:15 and the guy told me checkin would start at 11:30.  It didn't.  It did start about 11:45 but by then there were a lot of people waiting and there was quite a wait for security.  The checkin line for Grills Passengers was getting a bit long also and moved very slowly.  When I got to the desk the actual checkin was quite quick and I was given a priority boarding number 4 ticket.  I thought it would be a bit more of a wait in a nicer space than Britannia passengers get but it proceeded directly to the ship.  I crossed the gangway about 12:45. 

 

Lunch started at 1:30 but after watching the safety video and stashing a few things I made my way down to Kings Court to get my card scanned.  They weren't scanning cards yet but I stopped at the Princess Grill about 1:20.  They weren't open yet but he escorted me to my table to wait in comfort. 

 

Captain Hashmi came on the PA in the middle of lunch with an update.  Due to the weather our departure is delayed until about 11PM.  Cards will be scanned at our muster station 5 to 9 PM, and his safety message will be at 9PM. 

 

My steward Bert delivered my big bag from Luggage Forward about 3:30.  I guess it's time to stop posting and start unpacking.

 

Roy

[Noggins]

6 hours ago, USC Adventurer said:

english for umbrella

sorry to correct you there, old chap, but English for an umbrella is actually 'brolly' - don't you know.....

(you need a plum in your mouth to articulate this correctly)

[Noggins]

Goodness me, Roy...

It is great to see you travelling again - and to have you entertain us, as you have for years. But you are a bit of a worry! Whilst you are clearly not one to overplay any niggles for goodness sake do take things easy. Obviously there is nowhere quite like a cruise ship - pardon me, ocean liner - to relax and I hope you will do just that. 

Have a wonderful time.

Adrian 

[USCAdventurer]

Roy, I’m so happy to know you made it to the ship OK today I’m sure it was a zoo at the pier like you described it 

[Happily@Sea]

13 hours ago, USC Adventurer said:

actually bumpershoot is american slang for umbrella   the british use the term brelly for umbrella so there you i go.  i learned something today.

 

I actually knew what a bumbershoot was/is. Very old term - haven't heard it in years.

[BklynBoy8]

7 hours ago, rafinmd said:

A lot of this will be repeated in my regular daily post but after quite an adventure I am onboard.  I did make a quick run to McDonalds (Hash Browns and coffee) with a moderate rain.  When I went out to meet Arecibo about 10:15 it was pouring down.  Traffic was very slow and as we approached the port several streets were closed.  The driver pretty much gave up on getting me actually to the port and left me off at Bowne (I think) street by the gate leading to the ship.  Fortunately at that time there was just a drizzle. 

 

The terminal was an absolute zoo as it looked like very few of the disembarking passengers and after passing the ferry terminal the covered area up to the terminal entrance was wall to wall people waiting to get away from the port and quite a few people had walked towards the B61 bus or other rides.

 

I entered the terminal about 11:15 and the guy told me checkin would start at 11:30.  It didn't.  It did start about 11:45 but by then there were a lot of people waiting and there was quite a wait for security.  The checkin line for Grills Passengers was getting a bit long also and moved very slowly.  When I got to the desk the actual checkin was quite quick and I was given a priority boarding number 4 ticket.  I thought it would be a bit more of a wait in a nicer space than Britannia passengers get but it proceeded directly to the ship.  I crossed the gangway about 12:45. 

 

Lunch started at 1:30 but after watching the safety video and stashing a few things I made my way down to Kings Court to get my card scanned.  They weren't scanning cards yet but I stopped at the Princess Grill about 1:20.  They weren't open yet but he escorted me to my table to wait in comfort. 

 

Captain Hashmi came on the PA in the middle of lunch with an update.  Due to the weather our departure is delayed until about 11PM.  Cards will be scanned at our muster station 5 to 9 PM, and his safety message will be at 9PM. 

 

My steward Bert delivered my big bag from Luggage Forward about 3:30.  I guess it's time to stop posting and start unpacking.

 

Roy

 

Just saw you going under the bridge at 1135 from our backyard..

 

God Speed to Canada......

[rafinmd]

Day QM2-0, Friday, September 29, 2023, Board QM2, Brooklyn, NY(Part 1, embarkation).

 

Crystal Serenity is in Boston.

 

Despite my intentions to be in bed early it did not happen until about 10:30 and I slept until 6AMm, waking to a rainy morning.

 

I did make a quick run to McDonalds (Hash Browns and coffee) with a moderate rain.  

It’s amazing how much I unpacked and needed to repack but I had plenty of time and was ready somewhat before I needed to be.

 

When I went out to meet Arecibo about 10:15 it was pouring down.  Traffic was very slow and as we approached the port several streets were closed.  The driver pretty much gave up on getting me actually to the port and left me off at Bowne (I think) street by the gate leading to the ship.  Fortunately at that time there was just a drizzle.   It’s a good thing as my walk was quite slow.

The terminal was an absolute zoo as it looked like very few of the disembarking passengers and after passing the ferry terminal the covered area up to the terminal entrance was wall to wall people waiting to get away from the port and quite a few people had walked towards the B61 bus or other rides.

 

I entered the terminal about 11:15 and the guy told me checkin would start at 11:30.  It didn't.  It did start about 11:45 but by then there were a lot of people waiting and there was quite a wait for security.  The checkin line for Grills Passengers was getting a bit long also and moved very slowly.  When I got to the desk the actual checkin was quite quick and I was given a priority boarding number 4 ticket.  I thought it would be a bit more of a wait in a nicer space than Britannia passengers get but it proceeded directly to the ship.  I crossed the gangway about 12:45.

 

There were actually 2 gangways, one ramp led up to deck 3 while the other one led down to deck 2.  I chose to go down to 2, both because it was easier pulling the bag down hill than up the grade, and the elevators from deck 2 were empty.  Somewhere along the way I realized that I had left my cane in the taxi.

 

I am in Suite 10080 which I think is the best of the Princess Grill cabins (But Queens Grill has some awesome options.  It is probably the nicest cabin I have ever been in, even outpacing my cabin on Seabourn.  Whether viewed from the window looking in or the door looking out it is very impressive. 

 

 

Next to the bathroom (with full tub) there’s a nice walkin closet in addition to other storage by the door.  

There is a big desk space

David, EVERY Princess Grill cabin has a balcony.  However there are 4 Queens Grill cabins at the front of my deck that have forward facing windows but no balcony.

There are just 2 things I don’t like about the cabin.  With the beds separated, as I have them, the space between the bed and the desk is pretty tight.  The other thing is that the wifi is pretty flaky.  I can get a somewhat passable signal if I prop the door open with a shoe but otherwise it’s pretty much hopeless.

 

I’m attaching the first 2 daily programmes to this post.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2023/09/programme0929.pdf

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2023/09/programme0930.pdf

 

Roy

[AtA]

On 9/29/2023 at 8:36 AM, rafinmd said:

Thought  I posted this directly here.

 

 Roy 

We actually flew into NY JFK from Rome yesterday. As we made our way from terminal 4 to terminal 5 to catch our flight back to FL, we got a notice our plane was canceled. We were able to rebook a flight this morning getting the last 2 extra space seats and we got the last room at the TWA Hotel! A fun hotel! All this to say you were lucky to get onboard as it was definitely a mess out there. 

[rafinmd]

Day QM2-0, Friday, September 29, 2023, Board QM2, Brooklyn, NY(Part 2, onboard)

 

While the report is still for Friday I will mention that by the end of the day Serenity should be in Halifax and I will get a peek at her as we enter the port.

 

Lunch started at 1:30 but after watching the safety video and stashing a few things I made my way down to Kings Court to get my card scanned.  They weren't scanning cards yet but I stopped at the Princess Grill about 1:20.  They weren't open yet but he escorted me to my table to wait in comfort.

 

I am not a foodie and have pretty basic tastes so I’m a bit of a mismatch for the grills.  In addition to the regular menu there is an a la cart section of things that are always available,  I was aware of the possibility of putting in a special request and mine was probably a bit unusual.  In the past, a number of cruise lines have featured chilled fruit soups but they are out of fashion now.  I miss them, and made the request at lunch.  I don’t think the Maitre’d had ever heard of them but he said he could see what he could do.

 

I am at table 118, a 6-top.  At lunch there were just 2 others and fortunately they had somewhat smoother embarkations than me.  For my first meal I chose a pasta dish.  It was a bit spicy for my taste and much more than I could eat but I finished somewhat over half,

 

Captain Hashmi came on the PA in the middle of lunch with an update.  Due to the weather our departure is delayed until about 11PM.  Cards will be scanned at our muster station 5 to 9 PM, and his safety message will be at 9PM.

 

After lunch I continued unloading my carry-ons.  My steward Bert delivered my big bag from Luggage Forward about 3:30, and even put it up on the bed for me.  I pretty well emptied it in the next 90 minutes and put a lot of stuff away although some packing cubes remain to open.

 

I went down and got my card scanned at Muster Station J shortly after 5 and resumed putting things away from my big bag.  Station J is in Kings Court just forward of the Princess Grill.

 

I was down at the Princess Grill shortly after 6:30 and the table eventually filled up.  There were 2 British couples and one single lady.  All embarked yesterday.  My starter was a chilled banana soup followed by Lamb chops and a lemon tart.  All was excellent.

 

After dinner until 9 was a combination of organizing files and goods followed by Captain Hashmi’s safety message.  I thought I would be finished and ready for bed early but it was another 90 minutes until the lights went out.  We also lost an hour overnight so it was actually 11:30 Halifax time when I got to bed.

 

As my parting shot for Friday it was another challenging day but I got through it.  As I finish this post about 3:30PM we have had some rough seas but I’ve been managing much better than I expected even without the cane.  I think I’ve found a bit more resilience than I realized I had.

 

Roy