Queen Elizabeth 2 - Final Autumn Getaway

Queen Elizabeth 2 - Final Autumn Getaway

I went back onboard and phoned home then killed some time until it was time to go on deck for our 5pm sailaway. It was really hot so I was definitely overdressed. My cardigan went in the bag and coat over it. I was next to a nice Canadian couple so we chatted as we waited for things to start moving. Finally the tugs came away from in front of us while Captain McNaught came on to tell us the weather would be changing and we may not get to Guernsey. Have to see in the morning.

We had a really low-key and disappointing departure. Perhaps it's due to the lack of times she'd been to the port but there weren't even many boats out on the water either. We blasted three times to signify reversing but two merged into one so it was hard to tell.

After turning the 180° and the tugs let go, we headed out giving a couple more blasts then that was it. I went to the Crystal to listen to Patrick and chatted to Bea who was sat near him as usual. When she'd gone I filmed us rolling through the window. We were still near land and it was amazing how much we rolled. Afterwards I got ready for dinner then went to join the queue for the World Club Party in the Queens Room. I wonder about the real benefit of the World Club. You don't get money off onboard purchases like some other lines, including P&O. The party isn't even anywhere near as good as Royal Caribbean's. So apart from the 5% booking discount, what's it for? Anyway as the queue slowly moved there was a gorgeous sunset.

They were squirting your hands before shaking hands with Captain McNaught so I put the invitation between my teeth. Captain McNaught said, "Don't eat it. We do feed you, you know." I sat with Bea, who was busy entertaining people with her future plans when I arrived. As usual with the World Club Party, they tell you who has done the most days. Bea naturally is top of the list so she stood and took a bow. Captain McNaught was introduced and gave his speech. He mentioned he was pencilled in for Queen Victoria and would have to eat his words. Everyone knows he loathes Mary but Victoria more. Even so he couldn't resist making the odd dig like saying he was going from the oldest ship in the fleet to the slowest and the fastest to the slowest.

Once all the speeches and presentations were over, Bea had another audience when an elderly gentleman asked if she was the lady who lives on the ship. She went full pelt about her life onboard since her first world cruise in 1995, even introducing me to him as Mrs Patton, Patrick's wife. He'd let her believe that since we first met on the 10th October. I'm glad I had the video going to record that. I only did because Patrick would often say in emails and over the phone she laps up the attention and loves any excuse to go into her spiel. Lizzie was really rolling now so I helped her out and to the Mauretania. En route she was stopped by several women asking if she was the lady who lived on the ship. Even though she enjoys telling her story and answering questions but I got the feeling she wasn't that keen this time due to the weather. She'd had a hip replacement earlier in the year and wasn't too steady on her legs. They wanted a photo of her and me in it since she told them I was Mrs Patton as well! I thought that was funny. So we then headed to the lift after she had a quick word with a crew member and I with Kathy then we sat by Patrick in the Crystal until it was time to go in. Tonight was the Baked Alaska Parade. I'd only got photos in June due to the camcorder packing up at Geiranger so was pleased for a second chance. Ozzy pulled the chairs out by the tables not being used so a few of us went there to watch.

One of the men on the table behind noted afterwards as the smoke drifted over the restaurant we had the better ventilated part. On my table, we wondered how many non smokers objected to that smoke. If they didn't they're hypocrites. It's still bad for the lungs and makes your clothes stink. I then explained to them why I was sat in smokers corner while not smoking and said I don't care if people smoke or not. I think that was the best dinners I've had on that ship because of the whole atmosphere in that corner, plus our fantastic waiter. After dessert, Ozzy treated us to more of his magic and also some napkin folding. I'd arranged to meet Patrick in the Crystal after his final set but was keeping him waiting as I enjoyed the entertainment. He didn't mind though. He was told by Tim he should prepare to do the church service, which was always held when at sea on a Sunday, so it was looking increasingly unlikely we would arrive in Guernsey. Later we went to the midnight buffet and Stevie turned up with five minutes to spare so quickly got himself some food. When they'd both finished, Stevie was telling jokes and even sang. I like Stevie. He makes me laugh so much.

Then it was time to say goodnight. I remembered to take a photo of the cut carpet in the Midships Lobby. We were rocking quite badly and I couldn't believe we were going so fast. It reminded me of Aurora over New Year except I didn't feel I'd be flung through the side of the ship this time. Would we get to Guernsey in the morning? Have to see but I set the alarm for 8am since we were due for 9am regardless.

During the night Patrick had surprised me. First of all, he said he'd have to take me away for a weekend in December. I pointed out my birthday was on a Saturday, which he thought ideal. Then he proposed! His actual words were, "What would you say if I asked you to marry me?" I was a little curious and asked why (must be being a policeman's daughter). He replied he was just wondering so I said yes then asked why again. Well it wasn't a real one after all, but hypothetical. "Something to keep in mind for the future," he said, hugging me tighter as we went to sleep. He sure knows how to disappoint a girl!

Well we got to the Channel Islands after what must have been a force 7 or 8 during the night and then left again without even making it to St. Peter Port. Rather annoyingly, Captain McNaught's proclamation we'd be spending the day at sea instead was in the public areas rather than in cabins the way Perkins had in 2006 when we had Guernsey trouble. We did see some land as we sailed briefly between Guernsey and Jersey before a quick about turn so never even made St. Peter Port. We'd also slowed down as we tootled to Land's End and back to Southampton. It reminded me of my first cruise where we had a day at sea doing the same thing before heading down to Guernsey! This time is was the other way round and the weather wasn't as good. I'd ordered room service then went back to sleep for a few hours since there was nothing to get up for. Patrick had gone to have breakfast in the mess before preparing the service.

After getting up I went to the shops, not to buy anything, but to get out of the cabin to let Rita do it. It was raining outside and very windy so I poked my head out to get a couple of photos then was swiftly back in. I bumped into the Canadian couple and we joked about how pretty Guernsey was and what a wonderful day we'd spent there.

I decided to kill some time wandering around. The church service was nearly over and Patrick was playing so I waited. They were having a Wardroom sale for charity selling things like keyrings. The queue was horrendous so we went to the Yacht Club for a coffee to wait. We were pitching quite a bit and it was fun watching through the window. When we went back, everything was sold. Amazingly fast!

A pretty uninteresting day so we decided to go back to bed in the afternoon. I was disappointed I hadn't been able to get off to take photos of Lizzie from the tender and shore but at least I could catch up on some sleep. I also quite like sea days, which is why I want to do a transatlantic one of these days when it's a decent price. Dinner was the Lido that night with Patrick. Crew can't go into public areas unless invited by a passenger and have to book a day, time and pay. It was fairly quiet in there for 8.30pm. It is stupid though you have to posh up for a buffet meal! You don't on other cruise lines I've been on. Afterwards I went to collect my menus from Ozzy then Patrick did two sets in the Chart Room. I sat with a nice couple. It was his second cruise but her first and they told me their daughter was loving it as well. He knows he paid over the odds but said it's worth it. When Patrick finished Kathy appeared so we talked a while before she went and we headed to the Lido. The midnight buffet offering was actually better than the meal a few hours earlier!

En route back to the cabin, I came across one of the waiters in the Queens Room playing the piano. He was really good and several of his colleagues were also watching. After putting the case out, it was time for my last night on that ship ever and also with Patrick until we were next together.

I got up on the last morning, leaving Patrick in bed, and we were ahead of time so I dashed out to the deck. It was quite windy with a bit of a chill factor. A few brave souls did the same thing, including John. I was glad Lizzie was lit up. I'd have hated my last arrival home on my girl to be with her headless.

When we were docking I became a bit emotional. This was it. The very last time she'd come home with me on her. She had one more homecoming before leaving forever. It was very sad. But hey, we were port so at least no one else would back into the Itchen to turn!!!!! That would be forever unique to my cruise.

I went back to the cabin to sort the stuff out before leaving. Patrick had gone to get breakfast in the mess but we'd arranged to meet in the terminal after I'd collected my luggage. I bumped into Rita on the way out and we had a brief chat then I went to the stairs to wait. Like June, no point going to a public room when the Midships Lobby wasn't that far away. Again no one told me to clear off.

They were running late due to a crane failing on the dockside so they couldn't erect the gangways. They eventually got it down to about twenty minutes behind by the time my colour was called. Patrick was waiting in the terminal with my dad. My dad had come to collect my things because, unlike the rest of the passengers, I would be going back on. When we'd seen my dad off, we went to the pass office and reboarded.

I didn't get the chance again to see half of what I wanted to because Patrick doesn't half rush. Cabins are a free for all when they're open so he really had nothing to worry about when I popped in to 2075 first of all.

I also quickly slipped into the Aquitania Suite and ended up with blurry photos when Patrick yelled "Oi!" at me. This is better than the ones on Signal Deck. Bet it costs a pretty penny as well despite no balcony.

He led the way to the crew bars but wouldn't let me see the Wardroom even though he'd promised on my last visit. He also told me if I saw any security to hide the camera quickly. No one would have objected to photos I'm sure, especially as all that will go when they get their hands on her in Dubai. All these crew areas need to be recorded! It's the duty of all Lizzie fans!!!!

First stop was the Fo'c'sle Club. This was lovely and even had some carpet from the Queens Room. It was very pub-like and quite cosy. Above the bar were plates with old Cunard ship names on. I didn't realise until I'd got home otherwise I'd have taken more photos. Unfortunately when there's a party going on, you can hear it where my cabin was because there's a door leading to it from there. There was a party one of the nights and it was so loud it made it difficult to go to sleep.

Next it was to Castaways, which I was told is the gay bar. It was very sparse and basic compared to the Fo'c'sle but I expect it has a good atmosphere at night when they're all unwinding.

Final crew bar was the famous Pig & Whistle. Everyone wants to see this so at least this visit, while not seeing certain parts I was desperate to before she leaves, I got to new places.

How disappointing after all the hype. It was exactly the same as Castaways! In fact, I could have cheated and used the same photos. It's a very lively place at night by all accounts. Afterwards it was to the crew gym which made up for STILL never seeing the passenger one.

Off to the mess for a coffee (or tea in my case) but I couldn't resist taking another photo of the bow, this time from the door leading from the mess. It was lunch time so heaving in the main part. I saw Anna so had the chance to say goodbye to her, and also Rita. We had lunch there too but got ours from the other part which was really quiet.

Then I had a surprise when Francis walked in. Francis (along with David who went to Queen Victoria) had been my Princess Grill waiter when I went with Rowan two years earlier. When I saw Francis in December he wasn't my waiter but I wished he had been. He still didn't know what he'd do when the ship went. I hope whatever he does in the future he never changes. He is one of the best. It was wonderful seeing him again. As he'd been there on my first day on that ship, it was perfect he was there for my last.

Then it was time to leave and say goodbye on the dockside. I knew it was unlikely there would be passes on the 11th November so wasn't looking forward to this bit but again I was rushed so I didn't have a change to reflect for a moment. In retrospect it was probably better that way then I didn't get too upset.

We went to the office to return the pass to Nicky. I'll miss her. She'd been great. When we went there in the morning, she asked if I'd enjoyed the cruise which shows her excellent memory because I hadn't seen her since the 10th October. She could have been a jobsworth after the name mix-up for the first visit but went to the trouble of finding out if she could change it. She's a diamond.

This was it. The end of my being on Lizzie after four cruises, seventeen nights and five visits. Seventeen days is nothing considering the amount many have done but it's better than never going at all and regretting it. Plus I had the unexpected bonus of visiting since August which I'd never dreamed of when I checked in for the Fjords cruise back in June. I always knew losing the ship would be hard since she'd been a permanent fixture from my childhood. After sailing on her was bound to be worse and I can understand why Neville, who I met on the flight to Los Angeles in March, didn't do the Canberra farewell cruise. One of the last is much better then it's not so difficult. But with the visits on top of all that the 11th November would now be complete hell. I'm very grateful nonetheless to Patrick and the ship for bringing us together four months previously. I just wish he understood and let me go to the other places I was desperate to see, as well as savouring everything instead of constantly hurrying me along. That will never happen again. This cruise, while not as good as the Fjords, was joint second with December. Perhaps, if I had been completely on my own, I would have been more upset during the cruise as it neared the end than I was. Lizzie's been really good to me since December with all these little bonuses. No ship can ever come close to her but at least those around her size have the same atmosphere and cosiness. I'm really glad I did this one last time cruise and will miss never looking down the new itineraries to book something on her. It won't be the same. RIP Lizzie Beth, and thanks for the marvellous cruising memories, with friends and alone. Nothing can ever beat them.

To see photos of events earlier in the day with Mary, plus Lizzie reversing into the Itchen, click here.

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