Had a great night sleep. After dinner last night, we watched a bit of TV but it was all about the killing in London so we turned if off. Up this morning for tea and coffee in the room. Weather seems cold but at least it is not raining.
We walked to Starbucks for breakfast. There is one right across the street from our hotel. Then we decided to walk to the port. Well, we started out the right way but the sign did not say to turn so we ended up going the wrong way. We got ourselves turned around and headed to the port. There was one ship in but we did not know which line. Probably a German line. We saw where the QM2 is supposed to be docked. There were tons of taxis and buses waiting for the ship. We think the ship is to arrive around 2 pm.
The walk back to the hotel was not so bad since we went directly to it with a stop at the market for some cough drops and toothpaste. Both Bob and I are getting a cold. It is no wonder. I have never been this cold since I moved to Florida.
We were not able to get a late check out so we will pack up and the hotel said they would store our luggage for us. We will get lunch and then walk a bit and then wait until around 5 before heading over to the port. On our walk we bumped into a couple with the QM2 documents in their hands. They did not get the message. So I guess they will just wait at the dock until boarding time. That may be the case for a lot of people if they do not check their emails on a regular basis. Thank goodness for free internet here in this hotel.
We checked out of the hotel and stowed our luggage with them. We walked about town, to the town hall, around the lake, and finally to a small cafe for lunch. This was a local place. Lots of business men stopped here for lunch. We ate and then continued our walk. Stopped at a hop on hop off bus and decided to waste some time so we got on. It was hard to hear because here in Hamburg, the German speaking guide is on a mike and the rest of us have to use ear buds. But the mike is so loud, you can just hear the English. I asked him to turn the mike down and his answer was for me to turn up the volume on my set. I thought this was dumb. Why should I blow out my hearing.
At around half of the tour it turns out we were the only ones on the bus so the guide came up front and gave us a personal tour. That was the best part of the tour.
We got off the bus where we got on and walked back to the hotel. I thought we were going to read or something to waste time but Bob got a cab and we headed to the port.
Once there, what a mess. The passengers had not finished disembarking and already the few seats they had were taken. So we had to stand and wait for one and a half hours before they started to embark us. We had arrived at the port at 4:15 pm and finally on the ship at 5:30 pm. I have never liked Cunard for their class system and now I am sure about it. When they opened the lines, first called were Gold, Diamond, etc. Then the next were Princess and Queen Grill. Then us. They did have lots of girls checking us in but it still took over one half hour to get through the line.
When we finally got to our cabin, the luggage was already here. That was the good part. So we unpacked and put things away. The cabin is what we expected. We do have a bit of a view. We are located between life boats. I will have Bob take pictures around the ship and post a few each day.
Our dinner is in Britannia Restaurant. Our waiter is Brando from The Philippines, and Tracy from South Africa. They are very nice. We were a little late getting to dinner but not so that they turned us away. We have a nice table for two in the back of the lower deck. Nice, Thanks Lyn.
After dinner we had the muster drill. An issue that I do not like, announcements are in English and German. Don't like that but what can one do. Lots of German folks on this ship. And pushy to say the least. Plus stuffy Brits. One lady at dinner complained to the head that people were not dressed properly to be in the dining room. Give me a break, they just got on the ship.
At any rate, after the drill, we returned to the cabin and Bob went to bed while I read. He is fighting a cold. I am better.
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