Crossing complete, captivating, convivial

This blogger returns today from a transAtlantic crossing aboard the lovely Queen Mary 2 ocean liner.

There are so many stories included in this seven-day journey, I will share highlights today.

Most of all, this trip allowed me quality time with my mother, who last month celebrated her 83rd birthday. She is a delightful, congenial, adventurous woman who I am proud to call Mom.  As this crossing was the first for us both, we shared this memory-making journey from New York City’s harbor to the port of Southampton, UK.

Denise & Annette going to dinner, show, & daring games of chance.

The view from our stateroom balcony was only the Atlantic Ocean. Inside the ship, we saw Christmas decor, musicians, travelers from all over the world, and the inner-workings of a grand ship.

Me on the balcony of our stateroom, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
Annette & Denise in Grand Lobby surrounded by holiday decor

One of many highlights included an invitation to a private party to meet the Captain. He shared a noon daily navigational report, concluding with an anecdotal story, and posed for a photo. When I asked him who was driving the ship while he attended this party, he quickly replied, ” Microsoft.”

We dined and danced with nice people from China, the UK, Canada, and the USA. We shared a proper English tea with a couple from the UK.  We lunched with people from Spain, the UK, and Canada who all shared stories and insights of far-away lives.  And, we toasted each other over creative cocktails from every bar and pub onboard.

I took a lipstick application class, a flower design class, and a yoga class. The NDBs I enjoyed included a trivia quiz in a Pub, a dart competition, a pin-the-nose-on-Rudolph, and a ship’s galley tour.  Mom took a class to learn to play Roulette on day 1, which was a lucrative way for her to spend some evenings. So many activities to choose from made each day full from sunrise to sunset.

I made this lovely tropical flower arrangement, under the guidance of my teacher Mikey, and the watchful eye of my mom.

Overall, this was a once-in-a-lifetime trip that I am most grateful for. This concludes my travels for 2018. Cheers to 2019!

Aloha🌺,

Denise

We travel because we need to; because distance and difference are the secret tonic of creativity. When we get home, home is still the same, but something in our mind has been changed, and that changes everything.