Saga Ruby, Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, Black Watch (III), Azura & Rotterdam (VI)
Time for the annual Cunard worldie to begin on the 10th January 2013 but this day would be six ships in.  Saga Ruby hadn't been scheduled but developed a crankshaft problem on the 7th, resulting in hers being cut short for repairs.  She was moved from City Terminal to berth 40 on the 8th.  A mini reunion with Mary, Azura and Black Watch, as those had been in on the 4th December 2012 when I arrived on Azura and sailed on Mary.  Vicky was in after a couple of seasons in America.  The fifth would be Rotterdam, arriving in daylight.  I was on Mary, arriving after my first ever transatlantic (previously done four cruises on her) and we led the way, docking for 5.30am.   Vicky was directly behind along with Black Watch (who we had passed in the English Channel) and both were due at 6am. Azura would be 7.45am, meaning I could get breakfast between ships, and finally Rotterdam was early at 9.30am instead of noon.  That was our disembarkation time so glad to still be onboard though the mist was a shame as you could hardly see her come around Calshot.  My dad was at Hythe marina for the last, so I've put the pictures together.

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© Patricia Dempsey & Kevin Dempsey 10th January 2013
Not to be reproduced without permission