We rode on
the Queen Mary 2 from Southampton, England to NYC for 5 1/2 days across the
Atlantic. The QM2 is the first true
ocean liner built in about 40 years; all other recent large ships are built
mostly for slow cruising. This ship was
built with ocean crossings in mind, with greater strength and speed. It is quite amazing how a 150,000 ton object
can move across the ocean at approximately 35 mph.
Departure
from Southampton, England on Thursday, July 12 - flying the Union Jack.
Someone
already partying ....
Cultural
Activities on the ship:
1. John
Maxtone-Grahan - maratime historian who gave a number of lectures
2. Dr.
Mary Cleaves - a former astronaut who also lectured
3. swing
dancing in the ballroom
.
In the
middle of the ocean ...
The
British influence: many aspects of royalty on display in the ship; the
customary noon ringing of the ship's bell.
What has
to be one of the longest hallways on a ship ...
Arriving
in New York harbor Tuesday July 18.
This much 'smaller' Staten Island Ferryboat in fact can hold more people
than the QM2. The QM2 holds about 4000
passengers and crew, while the 2 largest ferry boats can carry 6000 in the rush
hour.
A stormy
morning as we arrive in Red Hook, Brooklyn, across from Governor's Island.
