Pitching modestly that first night and much of the next day, QE2 headed southeast at speeds ranging from 17 to 21 knots. Monday morning’s shipboard activities included lectures by cruise hostess Maureen Ryan, "History of Cunard and QE2", and our own Ted Scull, "Ocean Liner Voyages", recalling his trips aboard ships of Cunard, Union Castle, Holland America, French, and Italian Lines. Immediately following was our group cocktail party in the Queens Room, one of the last true ballrooms at sea. It was a marvelous opportunity to kindle and rekindle friendships and acquaintances. The day was capped by Captain Ian McNaught’s formal cocktail party for all but Mauretania Restaurant passengers, who would enjoy theirs on Wednesday.

QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 at King's Wharf, Bermuda.
(Photograph John McFarlane)

Early on Tuesday morning, Bermuda beckoned and at about 9:30 QE2 was tied fast to her West End wharf. It was the beginning of a nearly two day call. Many passengers chose to meander to the nearby Bermuda Maritime Museum and other Dockyard attractions, while others traveled by ferry, bus, taxi, or foot to various points of interest on this idyllic island. At 3:15 on Wednesday afternoon, QE2 slipped her lines and headed slowly into the narrow, coral-bordered channel. Highlighting our departure was witnessing the maiden Bermuda arrival of Royal Caribbean’s GRANDEUR OF THE SEAS, stopping enroute to Europe for her summer season.

Thursday began with the solemn Service for the Committal of Ashes to the Deep for former WSS-PONY members and sisters, Eleanor Zito and Kathryn Muller, both of whom passed away last year. The dignified and uplifting service, presided over by Captain McNaught on One Deck aft, was attended by Eleanor’s son Joe and about twenty of our group. As by design, it was a glorious sea day, accented by two superb lectures in QE2’s peerless Theatre: Maureen Ryan’s "The Great Queens and the Debut of the Unique QE2" and Ted Scull’s "The Great Port of New York". It was the perfect occasion for brisk walks on the Boat Deck, languishing in a deck chair, browsing in the library and bookshop, or participating in some of the many activities offered aboard. Most of our ship enthusiast group could be found throughout the day in pockets of conversation, certainly "ship talk" at its very best.

Early on Friday morning, QE2 anchored off of Newport and passengers were tendered ashore almost effortlessly. Virtuoso Voyager Club, a network of premium travel specialists that includes Pisa Brothers Travel, organizer of our trip, hosted a private Lobster Bake for our group of nearly three hundred at a local yacht club. Everyone had a sumptuous time and it served as a brilliant farewell party. QE2 then puttered off for the short return trip to New York, arriving early the next morning.

Traveling aboard QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 is still a very singular experience. The ambience is that of a grand ocean liner, impossible to find elsewhere. The staff, now very international, is impeccably trained. The British officers sustain that Cunard aura that should remain forever and hopefully will. After April 2004, when QUEEN MARY 2 debuts at New York, QE2 will only occasionally call here, at first for her annual Christmas and World Cruises. But, oh, what memories.