Since we moved to a new home earlier this year, we had decided not to take any major trips for the remainder of 2022, in order to enjoy the holidays in our new house. Since Christmas travel had become our tradition, we have been looking forward to a Christmas at home this year.
However, we had a chance to take a 13 night voyage on the world's only ocean liner, the Queen Mary 2, over Thanksgiving. So, while we will be home for Christmas, we'll be on our longest cruise ever over Thanksgiving!
November 19, 2022
Because this trip had only been planned about 5 weeks before departure, we didn't have as much time to build large amounts of excitement like we normally do. However, we did plan to fly in a day early to have some fun in New York City before the cruise departure.
As is our tradition, we had a limo pick us up (seriously, it's not that much more than 2 weeks in long term parking at the airport!), and did our traditional photo with the airport race car.
However, we had a chance to take a 13 night voyage on the world's only ocean liner, the Queen Mary 2, over Thanksgiving. So, while we will be home for Christmas, we'll be on our longest cruise ever over Thanksgiving!
November 19, 2022
Because this trip had only been planned about 5 weeks before departure, we didn't have as much time to build large amounts of excitement like we normally do. However, we did plan to fly in a day early to have some fun in New York City before the cruise departure.
As is our tradition, we had a limo pick us up (seriously, it's not that much more than 2 weeks in long term parking at the airport!), and did our traditional photo with the airport race car.
After a short wait in SkyClub, it was a quick flight to La Guardia. It's rare that our destinations are one direct flight away!
After landing and grabbing our many many many bags (we had 10 in total, but cruises require multiple wardrobe changes, ha ha), we found our driver to head into Manhattan. We got to our hotel, found our (very tiny) room, and headed out to grab some NYC hot dogs for lunch and walk over to the Dakota and then Central Park.
After walking around Central Park for awhile, we decided to be good tourists and do a carriage ride. While NYC was quite windy, we stayed nice and warm with our provided blanket. Our lovely horse was Alvin.
After we finished our tour, we headed back to the hotel for a bit of rest before our big night out. We headed to Times Square for dinner, at a newly opened seafood restaurant called Blue Fin. The food was great and the desserts incredible.
We then walked around the block to the Richard Rodgers Theater for our box seats for Hamilton. It was a delightful experience, and definitely one of the highlights of the trip.
The show was amazing of course, then we headed back to our hotel for some much needed rest.
November 20, 2022
Embarkation day had arrived, but first, we had some more NYC stuff to do. We headed to Chinatown for some dim sum, and had fun reading our tea leaves. Liz spotted a fox, mine was a smiley face.
November 20, 2022
Embarkation day had arrived, but first, we had some more NYC stuff to do. We headed to Chinatown for some dim sum, and had fun reading our tea leaves. Liz spotted a fox, mine was a smiley face.
After breakfast, we headed to the 9/11 memorial site. It was solemn and touching.
Afterwards, we went back to the hotel to grab our bags and get a ride to the cruise pier in Brooklyn. Check in was a little...shambolic, which was surprising given they do this every week or so. However, eventually, we made it on board around 2:00 pm.
After dropping our bags, our first stop was lunch in the Golden Lion.
After dropping our bags, our first stop was lunch in the Golden Lion.
Then, naturally, we spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the ship, unpacking, and having dinner. The ship was gorgeous and we were glad to finally be aboard. Sail away out of NYC after dinner was amazing.
November 21, 2022
Our first sea day was a lot of fun. We spent several hours in the morning in the indoor pool, as it was still pretty chilly outside (but that began to change the further south we headed). After lunch, we walked around outside for a bit.
Our first sea day was a lot of fun. We spent several hours in the morning in the indoor pool, as it was still pretty chilly outside (but that began to change the further south we headed). After lunch, we walked around outside for a bit.
It was our first of 3 gala evenings that were scheduled, the theme being Black and White night. So, we had a few photos taken.
November 22, 2022
Today started to get warmer as we travelled further south past the Carolinas, but not quite warm enough for outside swimming, so we spent the day exploring, shopping, eating, and went to an afternoon showing in the planetarium (yes, the Queen Mary 2 has a planetarium!)
Today started to get warmer as we travelled further south past the Carolinas, but not quite warm enough for outside swimming, so we spent the day exploring, shopping, eating, and went to an afternoon showing in the planetarium (yes, the Queen Mary 2 has a planetarium!)
After dinner, we went to a ventriloquist show, scoring front row center seats. Well, this backfired when poor Dad got picked on by the ventriloquist. Not only did the female dummy fall in love with him, seranading him up close and personal, but then he had to go up on stage and BE the dummy. For the next several days, everywhere he went "The Infamous Tommy" was recognized. Oh, and afterwards, we won trivia (Liz helped with some of the right answers too!)
November 23, 2022
Finally, we were far enough south for an outdoor pool day! We spent hours and hours having fun at the pool.
Finally, we were far enough south for an outdoor pool day! We spent hours and hours having fun at the pool.
After a few hours, back to the room to get dressed for our second gala night, which was themed the Roaring 20s.
November 24, 2022
After 3 relaxing sea days, we were ready for some ports. First up, St. Maarten. We had been here before in 2019, but because the weather that day wasn't ideal, we weren't able to visit Maho Beach for airplane spotting. This time around, we indeed got to!
After 3 relaxing sea days, we were ready for some ports. First up, St. Maarten. We had been here before in 2019, but because the weather that day wasn't ideal, we weren't able to visit Maho Beach for airplane spotting. This time around, we indeed got to!
We only stayed for about an hour at the beach as it was rather crowded, but we were glad to finally get to do this!
November 25, 2022
Hooray for a new country! Dominica was Lizzy's 12th country. It was a very fun day. We had a tour that first took us to a waterfall where we got to swim, followed by a lovely beach. The highlight of the beach day was finding a piece of driftwood that looked like a gazelle or giraffe or something :)
November 25, 2022
Hooray for a new country! Dominica was Lizzy's 12th country. It was a very fun day. We had a tour that first took us to a waterfall where we got to swim, followed by a lovely beach. The highlight of the beach day was finding a piece of driftwood that looked like a gazelle or giraffe or something :)
After getting back on board after a beautiful day in Dominica, dinner that night was in the steakhouse. Liz was very amused with being presented with a selection of knives for her steak. She also ordered the cheese cart for dessert...
November 26, 2022
Barbados, country #13, was our favorite of the ports we got to experience. We had privately arranged to swim with horses. Not just ride horses on the beach, but RIDE HORSES WHILE THEY WERE SWIMMING. It was absolutely amazing. She and I rode the horses - Old Brigand and Mandingo - for about an hour. Then we were treated to a home cooked (and delicious) Barbadian meal, then she and I played on the absolutely stunning beach for about 2 hours (all this while Dad went wreck diving.
The highlight for Liz was JUMPING OFF THE BACK OF OLD BRIGAND INTO THE WATER, as well as learning that Mandingo loves rum punch. Such a fun time.
Barbados, country #13, was our favorite of the ports we got to experience. We had privately arranged to swim with horses. Not just ride horses on the beach, but RIDE HORSES WHILE THEY WERE SWIMMING. It was absolutely amazing. She and I rode the horses - Old Brigand and Mandingo - for about an hour. Then we were treated to a home cooked (and delicious) Barbadian meal, then she and I played on the absolutely stunning beach for about 2 hours (all this while Dad went wreck diving.
The highlight for Liz was JUMPING OFF THE BACK OF OLD BRIGAND INTO THE WATER, as well as learning that Mandingo loves rum punch. Such a fun time.
November 27, 2022
Country number 14 was St. Lucia, the port for the day. We were due to do a cruise of the islands with some snorkleing, but Liz was complaining of a sore throat. Erring on the side of caution, we decided to cancel going ashore. As she kept complaining of her throat hurting, I noticed she was running a slight fever. We called down to the infirmary, suspecting Strep. I had given her a COVID test to be on the safe side, and it was negative. (Note: we were all 3 recently boosted in the weeks ahead of the cruise, and had continued to be rather cautious on board).
The on board medical team came up to give her a strep test, and also another COVID test due to protocol. The good news was, she didn't have strep. The bad news was, she had COVID. After nearly 3 years of doing our best to avoid it, it had finally gotten one of us, because someone brought it on board. This meant that the next 6 days would be spent quarantined to our stateroom.
Fortunately for us:
1. We had a balcony so we were able to still step outside and get some fresh air.
2. She had a fever for about 18 hours, and then after her fever broke, she felt much better (only remaining symptions were a few days of a mild cough and sore throat).
3. We got 3 meals a day (sometimes more if we wanted tea service) brought to our state room...we had floor and bed picnics :)
4. We were able to seriously RELAX for 6 days...we played tons of Uno, watched movies, read, napped, and took it easy.
5. The end of her quarantine period coincided with our debarkation day, so under the guidance of the medical staff, we were clear to fly home on schedule.
6. She never lost her sense of taste or smell, had body aches, or any of the other COVID symptoms. The recent booster certainly helped with making it a very mild case.
We were glad we'd had such an amazing first week on board. Of course while disappointed by the turn of events, we certainly made the best of it. Not once did any of us argue or complain...rather, we made it a sort of adventure :)
November 28, 2022
Technically today was Lizzy's 15th country, St. Kitts and Nevis (even if we didn't get ashore, we still were there!)
A sampling of the lunch and dinner menus we ordered from each day of our internment. We certainly took advantage of the multiple courses each meal!
Country number 14 was St. Lucia, the port for the day. We were due to do a cruise of the islands with some snorkleing, but Liz was complaining of a sore throat. Erring on the side of caution, we decided to cancel going ashore. As she kept complaining of her throat hurting, I noticed she was running a slight fever. We called down to the infirmary, suspecting Strep. I had given her a COVID test to be on the safe side, and it was negative. (Note: we were all 3 recently boosted in the weeks ahead of the cruise, and had continued to be rather cautious on board).
The on board medical team came up to give her a strep test, and also another COVID test due to protocol. The good news was, she didn't have strep. The bad news was, she had COVID. After nearly 3 years of doing our best to avoid it, it had finally gotten one of us, because someone brought it on board. This meant that the next 6 days would be spent quarantined to our stateroom.
Fortunately for us:
1. We had a balcony so we were able to still step outside and get some fresh air.
2. She had a fever for about 18 hours, and then after her fever broke, she felt much better (only remaining symptions were a few days of a mild cough and sore throat).
3. We got 3 meals a day (sometimes more if we wanted tea service) brought to our state room...we had floor and bed picnics :)
4. We were able to seriously RELAX for 6 days...we played tons of Uno, watched movies, read, napped, and took it easy.
5. The end of her quarantine period coincided with our debarkation day, so under the guidance of the medical staff, we were clear to fly home on schedule.
6. She never lost her sense of taste or smell, had body aches, or any of the other COVID symptoms. The recent booster certainly helped with making it a very mild case.
We were glad we'd had such an amazing first week on board. Of course while disappointed by the turn of events, we certainly made the best of it. Not once did any of us argue or complain...rather, we made it a sort of adventure :)
November 28, 2022
Technically today was Lizzy's 15th country, St. Kitts and Nevis (even if we didn't get ashore, we still were there!)
A sampling of the lunch and dinner menus we ordered from each day of our internment. We certainly took advantage of the multiple courses each meal!
November 29, 2022
Today was the last port, St. Thomas, which we had visited before and weren't too upset about missing.
November 30, 2022
Return sea day #1.
December 1, 2022
Return sea day #2.
December 2, 2022
Return sea day #3. We approached NYC at night, and the lights were dazzling.
Today was the last port, St. Thomas, which we had visited before and weren't too upset about missing.
November 30, 2022
Return sea day #1.
December 1, 2022
Return sea day #2.
December 2, 2022
Return sea day #3. We approached NYC at night, and the lights were dazzling.
December 3, 2022
Disembarkation day had arrived, and so we said goodbye to our stateroom after 6 days of "togetherness" (ha!). The view from our balcony as we awaited our escort off the ship wasn't bad.
Disembarkation day had arrived, and so we said goodbye to our stateroom after 6 days of "togetherness" (ha!). The view from our balcony as we awaited our escort off the ship wasn't bad.
The trip home was quick and uneventful. As she had finished her isolation period and had zero symptoms at that point, we were fine to fly home (we still double masked for the safety of others of course!). We were sad we didn't get to get off the ship at St. Lucia and St. Kitts (especially), so we'll have to find a way to get back to those two places at some point.
But still, even with the way the second week played out, we are glad we went. We had an amazing time, especially seeing Hamilton, visiting Dominica, and visiting Barbados. Then we got that "vacation from the vacation" week, with amazing food brought to our door 3x a day, a medical team checking on her daily, and plenty of rest.
But still, even with the way the second week played out, we are glad we went. We had an amazing time, especially seeing Hamilton, visiting Dominica, and visiting Barbados. Then we got that "vacation from the vacation" week, with amazing food brought to our door 3x a day, a medical team checking on her daily, and plenty of rest.