A Highlight of 1998

24th Anniversary - "Mediterranean Magic" on QE 2

October - November: Mediterranean Magic on the QE2 We took a fortnight cruise down through the Bay of Biscay and on through the Mediterranean to Dubrovnik and Corfu to celebrate our 24th Wedding Anniversary. The return trip took us to Valletta in Malta which was a maiden port for the Queen Elizabeth 2 - the locals lined all the battlements several deep many of them waving Union Jacks as we arrived. No other civil ship evokes the same feelings and there is always a good reception even in familiar ports.

The QE2 continues to live up to all we expect and more - she is a thoroughbred designed for both the Atlantic run and for luxury cruising. The cruising limited her size to fit the Panama canal which she does with two feet to spare (and the dismantling of a part of a building every time she goes through). The Atlantic run heritage means she is the fastest civil ship of any size and far faster than all other cruise ships. She is built to withstand and travel on through weather which sends others fleeing for shelter. We averaged 27 knots on most of the passages including the Bay of Biscay. Her performance in rough weather was brought home as we swept by another ship in the bay which was alternately showing the antifouling and covering the containers on her decks in water.

As I watch the container ship rise and fall as if in another world a group of senior stewards walk by and I overhear one say "I must have another talk to that steward, it is the second day he has laid out one of the milk jugs facing the wrong way". At 2 minutes to four a harp starts to play and a minute later the room is suddenly filled with waiters and waitresses in stiffly starched uniform and white gloves - nobody would dare to be late. They bear enormous plates of sandwiches and cakes with pots of tea and coffee - the tea ceremony has started once more.