The Voyage of a Lifetime: Part Two

As much as an ocean-bound Transatlantic crossing is somewhat of an oddity these days, leisure travel by sea is still a viable business to be involved with the 21^st century; in fact cruising is now a thriving multi-billion pound industry. However, a Transatlantic crossing is a completely different experience to a cruise. It may well be a leisurely way to cross compared to flying, but the rough definition of an Ocean Liner still applies to QM2 when crossing the Atlantic; ‘to maintain a regular timetabled service between ports, irrespective of weather conditions’. As such, cruises are generally at a slower pace, they are nearly always in warm climates and reasonably calm waters, and have frequent stops (sometimes for more than 24 hours) at which passengers can disembark for land excursions before returning to the ship. Thus, passengers generally spend much less time aboard the vessel, and even when they are onboard they are often to be found on deck sunbathing next to the pool. A Transatlantic voyage makes no stops other than the final destination, and the weather can be poor on the North Atlantic even during the summer months, so the experience of being on the ship has to be an enjoyable one with numerous facilities, activities and entertainments to keep everyone happy. This has always been the case, of course, even when crossing by sea was the only way to go, but nowadays Cunard has had to raise their game in order to tempt people to make the journey by ship, and also to accommodate the demands for technology which are now an everyday part of our lives. On the subject of weather, I have read that some seasoned Transatlantic passengers feel let down if the seas aren’t at least a bit animated for part of the crossing as it is all part of the experience as well as an opportunity to see how the ship handles herself in rough weather. On paper I’m not sure that a bit of a storm would bother me (I’m certainly not in the least bit ruffled by air turbulence when flying), but I’ve no idea what the reality is like so we’ll just have to wait and see!

So this is my other reason for wanting to make the voyage on the QM2; it’s simply to be on the ship and experience everything it has to offer (or at least everything which is affordable!). Cunard’s main marketing strategy which runs through every aspect of their promotional literature is that a Transatlantic voyage on the QM2 is a way to relive the glamour of the Golden Age of travel, and again this is all part of the appeal for me. For instance, there are always at least two nights on board where passengers are required to wear formal evening attire for dinner, but whilst you may think that some may find this an unfair demand, the reality is that the vast majority of passengers delight in this integral part of the Transatlantic experience. Even on informal nights, passengers are still required to wear smart-casual clothes for dining in the evening; no shorts, T-shirts, jeans or trainers are allowed, but again this is all part of the Cunard experience (this policy also applies to Cunard cruises in warmer climates in order to set themselves apart from their rivals). Some may view this as being stuffy and old-fashioned, but personally I find it a nice touch which at least guarantees some sort of reliability with regards to the calibre of your fellow passengers and the general ambience on-board the ship. Another Cunard tradition is afternoon tea served in various locations around the ship. White-gloved waiting staff serve freshly brewed tea and coffee with a choice of de-crusted sandwiches, cakes or the ultimate indulgence, cream teas complete with clotted cream! This is an event which occurs every day on board during a Transatlantic crossing, and is often accompanied by a solo harpist or string quartet – how very civilised! These are things which set the Transatlantic voyage apart from any other type of journey these days (except perhaps The Orient Express, something else which I may like to try one day if I save my pennies!), and really capture the ‘Golden Age’ of travel which Cunard endeavours to bring to the experience.

Other than these exceptional items, the ship also offers numerous other facilities in order to enjoy during the 6-day crossing, including a library, a cinema (incorporating a planetarium - the only one at sea), a theatre, massage spa, swimming pools (both inside & out), numerous bars and restaurants, a casino and several other public spaces, some to keep you occupied and entertained and some which are quiet spots where you can relax and enjoy a book or doze whilst looking out to sea. There are even lectures organised by Oxford University with subjects ranging from maritime history and child psychology through to British stately homes and marine wildlife. You can also venture out on deck and play shuffleboard, tennis or practise your golf swing. You can even take a trip up to the kennels at the very top of the ship and watch the dogs being exercised (there is even a lamp-post installed for their convenience!). Aside from these traditional pursuits, there is also an Internet Centre on board (or if you have a lap-top PC with wireless capability, you can register it on embarkation and use it anywhere on the ship), and you can even send e-mails directly from the TV in your cabin! Of course, I haven’t experienced any of this as yet and it may all turn out to be rubbish, but such is my enthusiasm (you could almost think that I’ve been hired by Cunard to promote their flagship!) that I’m willing to put my money where my mouth is and give it a go.

One aspect of the voyage which I’ve not considered until recently is the unique dynamics of the surroundings once on board the ship and out to sea. For five days you can venture out on deck, find a quiet corner where you’re undisturbed by other passengers, and just gaze out to sea and soak up the peace and isolation which the geographical position of the ship grants you. As far as the eye can see there is nothing but the ocean, save for perhaps an occasional ship in the distance or passing aeroplane overhead (or even a whale or dolphin if you have a keen eye), but even these will be few and far between. The knowledge that there is nothing around you for sometimes thousands of miles would surely prompt some reflection on how insignificant (in size if not in value and/or importance) one is in relation to the rest of the planet. But venture back inside the ship and you’re immediately surrounded by the hustle and bustle of what has often been described as ‘a city at sea’, where there can be up to four thousand other people on board.

So all-in-all, there’s so much to experience on a Transatlantic crossing on the QM2 that I couldn’t possibly even consider being bored for a second. It really is the trip of a lifetime for me, and I’m finding it difficult to control my enthusiasm and excitement!

Of course, all this costs money, and it’s always been this factor which has rendered my ambition a dream rather than any possible reality. But all these years later my dream has become a reality as we are now booked on the June 4^th 2007 Westbound crossing aboard QM2. Even though we have a modest cabin (or should I say ‘stateroom’; the old-fashioned term which Cunard likes to use) the voyage is still expensive, but you do at least get what amounts to 6 nights in a 4/5 star hotel with all meals included, free on-board entertainment, and of course transportation to New York and a return flight to the UK (albeit on a mere 747 rather than Concorde). But this is probably going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me, and whilst I could wait until I retire before I do it, there’s no guarantee that I’d be able to make the journey at that stage. So we’re making this voyage now, whilst we can, and I’m sure for years to come will still have many great memories of what is widely described as one of the greatest travel experiences there is.