"Cruising the North Atlantic" by Emmjai

We quickly found our cabins and orientated ourselves, learning where port was, and where starboard, and about the ships bow and stern (or fore and aft). All this ship language takes some understanding!

Then up on deck to see wave goodbye to New York.

The departure from New York is awe-inspiring! The picture opportunities! The views,. Past Staten Island and the Statue of Liberty (the haze meant I couldn't get a good photograph). Then a sad moment as we passed Ground Zero.

Soon we were heading out to the open seas, on our way home, but with 5 days of pampering first!

Shortly after sorting ourselves out, we had boat drill, All newly arrive passengers had to done their life jackets, and go to their Muster Station. Fortunately this was also where they served afternoon tea. Imbibing tea and scones while wearing a bright orange life jacket was somewhat surreal!

Enjoy oneself!
We each soon developed our own pattern of how to enjoy the trip. Granny would sit and watch the world go by, chatting to similar minded passengers. The sunny weather was replaced by fog by day 2, (a common problem all the year round on the atlantic crossing) but no one minded. Kirsty joined the 80 or so other junior sailors, disappearing off to 'Kids Club' morning, afternoon and evening. Sometimes she ate at the childrens supper, other times she joined us for dinner. Often she did both! My husband and I went to find the Gym! If we were going to enjoy the food, we had better find a way of using the extra calories! I also enjoyed joining other passengers for an hour of sewing, after tea each day.

My favourite meal (along with Breakfast, lunch dinner,...)
The service was impecable!

My daughter kept reminding us how like the titanic this trip was, while we kept hoping that we wouldn't meet any icebergs (not common in August!) But the old-fashioned service style and pace of life was fun.

The state rooms were also comfortable and an enjoyable place to sit and watch the world go by, either by looking out at sea (Dolphins were seen one afternoon), or at the other passengers.

At all meals there was the choice of eating in your allocated dining room, waiter service and fantastic choice (and if you wanted something not on the menu, that wasn't a problem either!)

Alternatively there was always the Lido, a self service area for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Great for a lighter meal.

of the trip, arrival in Southampton docks. Not as much fun as arrival in New York, but returning home is always a relief after a holiday, no matter how wonderful a trip, because then the planning for the next trip can begin!