On board QUEEN MARY 2 for the third time. This Trans-Atlantic crossing I am heading from Southampton, England to New York City. I had to see the different scenery heading west as compared to my voyage in 2012 heading east from NYC to England.

I documented my first crossing in 2012 in five posts from the “high-seas” (see below), but that was difficult and time consuming due to the satellite internet connections. For this voyage I decided I would be brief while crossing providing a post half way through the voyage. Then, upon return, provide you a daily routine including PDFs of the ship’s daily bulletin, along with more images around the ship. Then you can get a flavor for all that is going on. And, hopefully schedule your own crossing soon.

You may recall that I arrived at my B&B in Southampton about 9PM Wednesday night. My hostess needed my room at 11AM, and arranged for a taxi to pick me up then. Thus, no half-day of exploration, but I did go out for a walk at 9:15 AM for an hour heading to the Central Train Station and part of the newer business district.  In the taxi I got to see the pier areas, and fortunately the medieval wall around the original part of the city. Next crossing I will plan time for 2-3 days exploration in the Southampton area.

Arriving at the terminal about 11:20, my bags were checked aboard and I settled in the lounge people watching. Boarding in-processing commenced at noon.

Passengers are greeted upon boarding by crew in original style uniforms for “costly” photos by the ship’s photographers.

Turning around from this spot is this impressive view of the Grand Court. A string quartet was playing away.

I arrived in my room, and completed unpacking by 12:30.  It was nice to be welcomed back, just as I am at the Red Lion Inn.

I then started wandering, reacquainting myself with the “Queen.” I had lunch on Deck 7 in the buffet area.

Looking back at Southampton. You can see the original medieval wall in the center of this image.

Shortly after 6PM it was sail-away time with band playing. This is looking back at Southampton as we pulled away from the pier. The Titanic departed from the pier to the right in 1912.

Ahead is the Isle of Wight

The library opens 40 minutes after getting underway.  In my earlier reacquainting rounds I checked the locked glass cases and zeroed in on what I wanted. This trip, to save weight, I did not carry any reading material with me. The Queen Mary 2 has the largest library afloat advertising over 10,000 volumes, and I was sure I could find something.  In the beginning of July I found a mystery writer, Janet Evanovich, and since discovering her have read the first 12 titles in her Stephanie Plum series. When you find a author you like, off you go.  I am basically  a non-fiction reader and collector, but can get hooked otherwise. I hoped I would find her aboard. In the QM2 library I discovered her Fox and O’Hare (get it?) series. An FBI agent and a con man. By today, Monday, I have completed the first two books of the three written. RAY RECOMMENDS: Find and Read Kate O’Hare and Nick Fox, and also laugh through the Stephanie Plum series.

And on our way to the English Channel, before dinner I settled into my other “home away from home” – the Commodore’s Club.

Wine, a good book, and watching nothing on the horizon. And, several rounds of appetizers brought. Cannot get much better. Well…

So, now you will have to wait almost a week for my next posting with daily routine, images around the ship, and PDFs of the daily packed schedules. But, if you cannot wait, here are my posts from my 2012 Trans-Atlantic posting. Click, and read away.  Catch you soon, and thank you so much for following. Maybe next time you will join me. Yours, RAY

ON THE QUEEN MARY 2 – 29 and 30 May 2012

CROSSING CONTINUES ON QM2 – 31 May and 1 June

HALF WAY ACROSS THE ATLANTIC – Saturday 2 June 2012

PEACEFULLY AT SEA – Sunday 3 June 2012

LAST POST FROM QUEEN MARY 2 – 4 June 2012