Queen Elizabeth 2 Autumn Getway I Cruise 2006

Queen Elizabeth 2 Autumn Getaway I

I've always wanted to go on a cruise for as long as I can remember. I used to watch the ships sail from when I was very young and wish I was on board with them. But despite the financial aspects (being permanantly broke) there was also a matter of height - my fear of them and cruise ships are bloody high! I always worried I'd end up spending the entire time inside due to the rails and height which would spoil everything. But after the visit to Arcadia back in October 2005 I knew I would be okay. I'd deliberately taken a photo of the lifeboat below and told people what I'd done so they could see for themselves when I got them back. So that part was taken care of. Now how was I going to go and on what? Canberra is one I would have dearly loved to have sailed on but it was nine years too late. So it was still dreaming about considering extortionate single supplements until a friend of mine with no interest in ships (but she's getting interested) said she wanted to go and go on the QE2 as she could be withdrawn any time after Queen Victoria arrives in December 2007. After looking down the itineraries we decided on Autumn Break I, the last 3-night cruise, from the 13th-16th October 2006 and Caronia grade stateroom 1007 (C2) was booked on my birthday. What a present to myself! Just over four weeks before the cruise and a couple of days after the tickets arrived, we were informed we had been upgraded to Princess Grill stateroom 2117 (P2) with dining in the Britannia Grill. This was a surprise as I know a couple of people who received upgraded staterooms in the past but had to eat in the originally designated restaurant. What a way to begin cruising. We suddenly felt so posh!

And so the great day arrived after ten long months. Rowan came up from Plymouth in readiness, though thankfully no last minute shopping. With me living locally there's no need for an overnight stay in a hotel. Rowan had never seen Lizzie on the flesh before so we got up at 4.30am to see her and Arcadia pass the window. Arcadia arrived first first before docking before 5am as she was docking at 6am. Lizzie passed at 6.15am, due to dock half an hour later but didn't until almost 7am. Disappointingly her funnel wasn't lit. The excitement began! Later, when it was time to leave for the QEII Terminal, we went over on the Hythe ferry which takes you right past her. The excitement increased as we talked about how in a few hours we would be aboard her. Now being a deck lower it also meant an earlier boarding time from the original 3pm to 2.15pm according to the insert in the ticket wallet.

We arrived at the terminal at 12.15pm and was very crowded. We were asked our grade when we walked in and directed to the Grill check-in queue. We were also given a white Priority Embarkartion card but instead of consecutive numbers, had them quite far apart. After security we arrived in the departure lounge and after a text from a friend telling me to go to the old public viewing gallery, we headed up the stairs and outside to get photos of Lizzie in dock. It's a bit grey and grotty and goes part-way along the ship's side, but it's a wonderful spot to see the ship you're sailing on close-up. So thank you, Pam, for the instructions!

At 2pm the first boarding commenced as they called Priority Embarkation cards 1-50. We were a bit worried as Rowan's number was 70 but they said it was okay for her to board as we were together. After having our 'Welcome Aboard' photos taken, we entered the gangway and came out at the Midships Lobby where we were taken to our stateroom on the same deck. It wasn't too far starboard aft, passing the Purser's Desk which was in an easy place to remember, but the corridor felt like it was miles long. There was a sign on the wall next to our stateroom entrance which later would prove very useful in helping us find it when we got lost on one of those many staircases. The stateroom was very much like a hotel room. We had two portholes which, due to maritime regulations, you can't open. A walk-in wardrobe also housed the life jackets and safe. Another wardrobe (built-in) had a mini-fridge but no mini bar, two chairs, table and little stool tucked under the dressing table by the portholes. As we were now Grill we also had a Bon Voyage bottle of sparkling wine as well as four strawberries waiting for us. The bathroom included a bath as well as a shower.

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