Cunard QM2 World cruise heads from Darwin to Cairns, passing from the Indian Ocean into the South Pacific

Wednesday 26th. February 33 degrees, still muggy 
Back to my normal routine. 45 minutes hard walking followed by a relaxed breakfast, talking to friends. Then heading down to meet Judith for our Ti Chi class.
Captured the odd person who hadn’t signed Elizabeth’s birthday card and offered 10$ towards a present. Yet l was taken aback by one German who said ten dollars was far too much. Can’t believe it.
Rose explained that she pays £15 a session in the UK, and Elizabeth has been doing this since the 3rd January, not expecting anything in return. I don’t think he will be coming again. 
First talk today was on the Aboriginals 
Followed by a talk on the Great Barrier Reef, the effect of the cyclones, ring of thorns star fish and human intervention.
Finish my book and start another, it’s such a relaxing time, laying out in the shade. Leave the sun worshippers to the searing sun to be crisp and dark, all ready for the tannery and the hospital beds in later years, although most of them are already too far gone to worry.

Another 30 minutes walking the deck, but at a more leisurely pace. You can’t power walk in the afternoon, there are too many groups to manoeuvre around. Key theme of their conversation being Cunard and their inability to manager the mood of discontent that is rippling through the ship. Rumours are rife, and only add more fuel to the fire of dissatisfaction. No matter how positive you remain it is impossible not be affected. It takes the edge off what should be a wonderful round the world cruise.

Shower and we have a drinks party with Martin, after which we head to the Pasta restaurant for champagne and a lovely dinner in peace and tranquillity. Not once did we mention the problems that everyone else seems to be consumed by.
Then into the cinema to watch “Judy” a brilliant yet sad film. Needed plenty of tissues. 
And so to bed.

Thursday 27th February 33 degrees, bright sun, odd shower which we are grateful for 
It’s our Ti Chi Teachers birthday today, so l have to make sure her presents and card are all organised prior to my 45 minute walk and breakfast. Meet Judith at Ti Chi and we present Elizabeth her gifts, but she can’t open them at this time because of a tight schedule in the ballroom. There is an art auction that needs to be set up, so we need to crack on. Not a problem, Elizabeth has organised a section of the restaurant for all of us to meet up at 12.30. 
We are rushing around, we need to get showered and changed ready for an invite from the captain to visit the galley, followed by a German brunch. Very interesting and exceedingly tasty, but also heaped full of calories. So we had to have seconds because it was so tasty.

 Then it’s into the restaurant to meet up with Elizabeth and all the crowd for the Birthday celebrations. Rather congested, as many none party goers had already infiltrated the area. Fortunately, most were kind enough to decamp, leaving all of us to vocally spread our birthday wishes. It’s amazing how you can while away your time just chatting and enjoying the crack. 

We left to meet up with friends, Judith going off with Steve to a wine tasting whilst l shoot of with his wife Jane, to go to the cruise critic meeting. We had 30 minutes to spare, so we popped up to deck seven to watch the islands float by as we passed between Papua New Guinea, crossing from the Indian Ocean to the South Pacific.Amazing.

Then down to the meeting room near Connexions. Slight problem, the room held only 50 people. It soon became quite apparent that it was woefully inadequate for the three hundred plus that eventually appeared.
Nevertheless, the emotive meeting did go ahead, but it was rather one sided. People were disgruntled with the way Cunard had handled the situation. Although, l for one thought that they had handled it quite well, ensuring that we didn’t become exposed to the virus. Although it was apparent that they were also looking after their own interests. If we hadn’t had the forced quarantine by omitting the Asian ports, we would not have been allowed in to Australia. Nevertheless the majority of people had wound themselves right up into a frenzy, wanting refunds, free cruises. They must live on another planet. I would agree that Cunard should have informed people that it was reviewing the continuing situation in its fluid state. And perhaps they need to consider some form of adjustment, by means of a future credit. Basically just to keep their existing loyal customers sweet.
Nothing really was decided other than a group would put a letter of discontent to Cunard, addressed from a new action group.

Met back up with Judith and Steve, and guess what. It was food time again. These little breaks to take on calories seem to arrive at remarkably fast intervals.
Quiz, followed by a game of cards. What more could you ask for. 


Managed a walk around the deck before bed. Still quite light, then again it could just be that we went to bed early.

Friday 28th February not so hot today, it had rained so it was only 28 degrees C
Up early, 45 minutes power walking, 5000 steps according to my garmin.
Breakfast with Judith, then a further 20 minutes before we head to Ti Chi.
Two talks, one on art, then into another lecture on Queensland which proved more informative than expected.
Light lunch of salmon platter followed by a few Chinese pot stickers. Then, as they are so good, another plate full. Who says l have no will power.

Went to the future cruise desk to wait for it to open, only to find that after waiting half an hour, the people who came after us both had appointments and went straight in. After another 30 minutes, the same thing happened again. 
It was at this point l questioned why they don’t advise people to just make appointments, instead of showing that it’s open for consultation between set hours.
Realistically, they should keep the opening ours for walk ins and have other times for appointments. Surely that is quite logical.

Then, in a slightly darker mood, it was strolling on deck seven watching islands go by as we crawl through the shallows towards Cairns. It was 35 years ago when we first travelled up to Daintree and Cairns, and l had forgotten how mountainous it was. Then again, as l think back, l can recall us going up in the old train into the cooler tablelands. I am sure we had camped up on the top and had little possums come down, with their big eyes and nobly fingers, similar to ETs, delicately take pieces of fruit from our hands. 

Judith had missed her walk in the morning, so we did twenty minutes round the deck before having a shower and changing ready for a game of Canasta. We are teaching Rose and Ron how to play. Proved interesting, but they seemed to pick it up quite quickly. 
Then at 5.15 it was up to the open deck on 12 for the world group’s Captains party.
It was amazing, they had it all decorated with palm leaves, massive ice sculptures and a fantastic hot buffet of Chinese pot stickers, along with plenty of champagne.
Absolutely gorgeous.