My Take on 29 May Westbound Transatlantic

[JValdez]

(Please be kind--this is my first time!)

 

The seas on this crossing were unusually calm, the only other time I can recall such a smooth sailing is on the Grand, Eastbound, some time ago . . . the entertainers, especially the dancers, really have come together--tight productions, compared with the cast on the 30 October 05 Eastbound. I was especially excited to finally sign the CC book in the library! Lectures were excellent, with the critic for the Times(?) (I'm only working from first flush at Kennedy, not notes) really good. We were also treated to Jane Russell as the onboard celebrity during her return from London where she received some type of award--she introduced a screening of "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes", and the next day did a Q & A with the cruz director. At age 85, (By her own admission) she's still "got it", although physically she is showing some signs of that great clock--a very good woman; I was not aware that she had started an adoption board and had been involved with at least 51,00 placements!

 

I do have one question--in the Britannia, it seemed that there was one more course during the 29 October Eastbound; usually a pasta-type between the salad and entree--am I dreaming? Not that we went wanting:D, although our wait team upstairs (Yes, people really do sit there!) were a little wet around the ears but more than made up for it in superb attitude and grace.

 

All in all, another super crossing--even with my dear neighbour next door who somehow would slam his balcony door just as I was drifting off . . . maybe he thought that it would help the door close more securely that way . . . I'm already terribly homesick for "My ship" & can't wait to come home to her again!

[Bramcruiser]

Thanks for the review and making the rest of us who have yet to step aboard that more anxious to do so.

[bonni99]

How fantastic to have Jane Russell onboard and to have a showing of Gentlemen prefer Blondes (one of my all time favs!)- must have added a real sense of old hollywood! WOw I am sooo jealous!

[NorthernNeighbour]

How fantastic to have Jane Russell onboard and to have a showing of Gentlemen prefer Blondes (one of my all time favs!)- must have added a real sense of old hollywood! WOw I am sooo jealous!

 

We stayed at the same hotel as Jane RUSSELL in Southampton prior to the cruise (Chilworth Manor, very nice place). Her eyesight is not what it once was so she needed some assistance in navigating about the hotel. She asked one morning for us to assist her and I was pleased to be able to do so since our room was just down the hall. A lovely, down-to-earth person who does NOT have an EGO at all. She prefers to sail (does not like flying) so that was one reason she was on-board (in addition to being asked to do the celebrity interview).

 

About the Brittania Restaurant, we had excellent service for the MAIN SEATING at 20h30 every evening -- but for some reason, the breakfast service there was an "amateur act". Waiters getting orders wrong, working at cross-purposes, etc. The worst part was the morning my wife found a broken piece of glass in her orange juice -- luckily she had not swallowed it (although it did reach her mouth).

 

Since I was on the MS-AMSTERDAM going over earlier from New York and came back on the QM2, I will probably be posting an extensive comparison piece about the voyages.

 

We are glad now to be in the HILTON NEW YORK and dis-embarked since the customs clearance at the Brooklyn Terminal (no fault of CUNARD) is a "cattle-processing" type of operation. Only the US Government could manage to make foreign guests to the country feel as if they had landed on another planet. Which part of "user friendly" do the people in Washington not understand?

[travel-to-go]

We are glad now to be in the HILTON NEW YORK and dis-embarked since the customs clearance at the Brooklyn Terminal (no fault of CUNARD) is a "cattle-processing" type of operation. Only the US Government could manage to make foreign guests to the country feel as if they had landed on another planet. Which part of "user friendly" do the people in Washington not understand?

 

Gosh, Neighbor, Haven't you heard all of the latest fol-de-rol down south here? All about the news is "KEEPING ALIENS FROM THE US" and "SEALING OUR BORDERS"

 

By Aliens, NATURALLY, we mean those of a different planet, hence the "otherplanet" treatment. And We have borders to both our south and our north. Got to keep those pesky Cannucks (and the Canadiens and Maple Leafs, too) on their side of the border. After all, with their depressed economy, those folks are probably sneaking down here in droves trying to take jobs from "HARD WORKING-AMURICANS" as they say down in Texas.

 

After all, if we treated you like visitors, you might want to (horrors!) stay!

 

Karie,

Who is among the 43% who say the "alien issue" is a high priority. I think, considering we stole this country from those who were already here, we are all aliens (except those of native decent) and should all go home to our country of our ancestors' origins.

 

P.S. Sounds like you had a marvelous time. Can't wait to hear more. Sorry about the glass. It happens. Glad she wasn't hurt.

[NorthernNeighbour]

Gosh, Neighbor, Haven't you heard all of the latest fol-de-rol down south here? All about the news is "KEEPING ALIENS FROM THE US" and "SEALING OUR BORDERS"

 

By Aliens, NATURALLY, we mean those of a different planet, hence the "otherplanet" treatment. And We have borders to both our south and our north. Got to keep those pesky Cannucks (and the Canadiens and Maple Leafs, too) on their side of the border. After all, with their depressed economy, those folks are probably sneaking down here in droves trying to take jobs from "HARD WORKING-AMURICANS" as they say down in Texas.

 

After all, if we treated you like visitors, you might want to (horrors!) stay!

 

Karie,

Who is among the 43% who say the "alien issue" is a high priority. I think, considering we stole this country from those who were already here, we are all aliens (except those of native decent) and should all go home to our country of our ancestors' origins.

 

P.S. Sounds like you had a marvelous time. Can't wait to hear more. Soerry about the glass. It happens. Glad she wasn't hurt.

 

I guess we are spoiled in Canada. We have eye recognition machines at the immigration and customs facilities in Montreal -- so when we return from abroad, we just open our eyes for the machines and, voila, we are printed a clearance card to enter, we go collect our luggage and leave the customs hall. We paid $30.00 for being registered for this service and had to go once to be finger-printed and interviewed -- but does that one visit we did for the registration process really save us time when entering from abroad.

[travel-to-go]

I guess we are spoiled in Canada. We have eye recognition machines at the immigration and customs facilities in Montreal -- so when we return from abroad, we just open our eyes for the machines and, voila, we are printed a clearance card to enter, we go collect our luggage and leave the customs hall. We paid $30.00 for being registered for this service and had to go once to be finger-printed and interviewed -- but does that one visit we did for the registration process really save us time when entering from abroad.

 

Silly!That would cost money! We need to use that money for tax cuts (while cranking up the debt) and building big walls to keep y'all out! Oh, yeah- and reading people's phone bills (talk about a boring job!) and making them take off their shoes at airports!

 

Karie,

Who thinks our priorities are a bit backwards lately. anything to distract the American public (not the rest of the world, they're too smart to be fooled by it) from what's REALLY going on!

 

Sorry about our poor treatment, Northern Neighbor.

[patwell]

Northern neighbor....What a great program your immigration has. Too bad ours doesn't believe in something so incredibly easy. Then again, "user friendly" is not a concept anyone in Washington understands. Talk about your alien planets!!! I am looking very forward to your comparison piece as I will be sailing QM2 in Dec and am thinking about HAL late in 2007. ( Now if QM2 would sail the Caribbean out of Ft Lauderdale like she's supposed to, I wouldn't have to be considering HAL!! But that's another "issue")

 

Imagine escorting Jane Russell---wow!! That must have been amazing. I hope she had a great trip. Cheers, Penny

[travel-to-go]

Imagine escorting Jane Russell---wow!! That must have been amazing. I hope she had a great trip. Cheers, Penny

 

Speaking of Jane Russell,

As many of you know, I ordered some bras before my Jan cruise to go with certain dresses which needed support that was not as visible as some others. The package was stolen out of the mail. While I was in Florida last week, I received not one, but TWO calls from the police department stating that I could come pick up my ...ahem.... package! (Which had been held as evidence after they did a sting while I was on the cruise and caught the person stealing packages from the mail)

 

I think that is certainly related to talking about Jane Russell! (Jane was a spokesperson for Playtex Bras, due to her most noticeable assets)

 

BY the way, here's is an interview in the Trib done just before her crossing. Pretty cool, I think.

 

http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/movies/mmx-0606020021jun02,0,892960.story?coll=mmx-movies_heds

 

Karie,

who thinks the lady has class!

[blacksmithcrm]

Do you suppose it is too late for a re-unification? I'll trade a "W" for a Blair at this point!

[Transatlanticfan]

Do you suppose it is too late for a re-unification? I'll trade a "W" for a Blair at this point!

 

 

trouble is u get a Brown and a Prescott with a Blair

Three for the price of Ten

 

regards

Chris and Pam

[stugots]

Yes, the May 29 westbound surpassed my expectations. Service in Britania was superb, both friendly and efficient. Food selection was wonderful. No complaints, only raves!

 

Seas were calm and calmer. Churchill Lounge was a great place to relax for a good smoke and some engaging conversation. I found a delightful Brit and Canadian to discuss global politics with great enthusiasm. Many of us shared to same take on the U.S. policies and course. Entertainment particularly Clare Goban was excellent. Lectures engaging.

 

Only glitch was a very dismissive staff member in Tour Office, and a seeming desire to get everyone off the ship by 8 AM in Brooklyn so they could do their turnaround by 3 PM for a charter. We got called with 4 other groups about 25 minutes early and the stampede effect was exacerbated in the claim and customs area.

 

Our transfer to JFK was "highlighted" by 5 passengers getting dumped about half mile from the Delta terminal at a "bus stop" with no baggage aid by a confused driver. No excuse for that kind of "the cruise is over when it is over, attitude."

 

Otherwise, my wife and I enjoyed exquisite service and made some wonderful acquaintances at dinner and exlswhere. The ship is magnificent.

 

We will return. Hail Britania!