Monday, March 31, 2025

9:39 am GMT-3

This morning’s position at 8:40 am (jotted down an hour ago) was 42°19.1N, 059°58.6. Our speed was 19.7 knots, wind force 7, air and sea temperatures 6°C/43°F, sea state slight, and skies overcast. From the map, we appear to be due south of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.

There’s a lot on today’s agenda. My guys are in the Carinthia Lounge for morning trivia while I go to the Royal Court Theatre to hear Ailsa Anderson, communications and press secretary to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip for 13 years. At noon, we adjust the clocks forward an hour. At 3:00 pm is a matinee performance of a play called Cunard Street, described as “an artful glimpse into Cunard’s storied past in the style of a radio play.” While I attend, Neil and Marty plan to participate in a “silly bowling tournament” by the pool on Deck 12. I may stop by afternoon tea for a bit before getting ready for tonight’s Red and Gold Gala Night.

11:37 am

The lecture was good. I decided to stop up on Deck 7 for a cup of tea and Neil and Marty happen to be here too. We are sitting together by a window overlooking the outdoor promenade deck. Despite overcast skies, cool temps, and a wet deck, there are a dozen or so passengers walking the circuit.

I can’t even tell what direction our ship is moving in. It’s foggy and there’s no noticeable motion!

1:21 pm GMT-2

I’m on our balcony reading my book while watching the ocean go by.

Our cabin’s balcony has a view obstructed by a lifeboat. We chose it purposely as it shields us from the wind and has only a 1-deck drop to the promenade below. I don’t care for being directly above the ocean. [Ed. Fear of heights.] We are midship on Deck 8 in a cabin next door to the one we were in last time. It’s a mirror image, so I won’t need to describe it as I’ve done so previously.

11:42 pm

Tonight I had one of the best meals I’ve ever had aboard ship.

• Escargots à la Bourguignonne with garlic focaccia
• Halibut with peas and bacon, leek and potato rösti, red wine sauce
• White chocolate mousse with passion fruit and caramelized pineapple

Before continuing, I’ll touch upon our afternoon. The play Cunard Street was cute. Three members of the entertainment staff stood at microphones while photos graced the screens behind them. There was live music in the background. There were a dozen or so chapters in the story, such as Liverpool, movie stars on board, and a comical reading of crew rules.

And I finally made it to afternoon tea, my first of this crossing. Neil and Marty joined me. The cucumber sandwich was perfect, and the shrimp and lobster was amazing. I don’t remember the sweet treat I selected, yet I think it was a lemony custard.

Back to this evening. This was the first of 2 gala evenings and the theme was Red and Gold. We accessorized. I chose the black gown I bought for our 2023 crossing and paired it with a silky black and red scarf/shawl I already had in my closet. Neil had a gold tie and Marty wore a red one.

After dinner we went to a show in the Royal Court Theatre. [Ed. This turned out to be our only evening show in this venue.] It was a musical show by a trio of male vocalists called Remixed (stylized R3MIXED) who harmonized on popular songs and show tunes. I didn’t know most of the latter but they were super talented.

After checking out the ball in the Queens Lounge, we continued through the aft set of doors to G32, where Marty participated in karaoke. He selected Twist and Shout, to which the crowd clapped along and gave him a standing ovation at the end.