40 years ago, I missed out on the trip of a lifetime. Now, I'm reliving it with my daughter. But this time, I'm not just following in my granny's and brother's footsteps; I'm walking alongside them, on the same ship, the same voyage, but in a different era. This is my story of recapturing a lost journey and the lessons it taught me about life, love, and the enduring allure of the sea.
As the Queen Mary 2 (QM2) gracefully glided out of the harbor, I couldn't help but think of my late granny, Madge, and my brother, Charlie. They had set sail on the QE2 in 1987, a trip that had been a turning point for Madge after the loss of her husband to cancer. Their journey was a testament to the power of adventure and the healing nature of travel.
I was only nine when they visited New York, and I was envious that my brother got to go while I was at school. But now, I'm finally following in their footsteps, albeit in a slightly less decadent way. I'm staying at the William Hotel Midtown, a more affordable option than the Waldorf Astoria, but it still has everything we need, including a balcony and kitchenette. The hotel is brilliantly located, just off Fifth Avenue and a short walk from the Empire State Building, a timeless symbol of New York's grandeur.
The QM2, built in 2004, is the world's last traditional ocean liner. It's 147 feet longer than the Eiffel Tower, and it's a ship built especially to cross the sea. I wondered if it would have the same sense of glamour as the QE2, and I needn't have worried. The moment we stepped on board, we were transported back in time, thanks to the pictures of royals and stars from my granny's era that surrounded us. The vast central lobby, with its gold embossed details and curved staircase, had a timeless elegance.
Each day on board, we were given a daily program of activities that would have been a hit in the 1980s. From ballroom dancing to bridge, the entertainment was clearly aimed at a more mature clientele, but we enjoyed the trivia quiz, dressing up for one of their famous Gala Evenings, the Masquerade Ball, and watching a live dance show in the theater. Granny had been a keen ballroom dancer and classical music lover, and I think she would have thoroughly enjoyed the Cocktail Pianist Emmanuel Vass in the Chart Room. I can picture her sitting there, tapping her foot to the music.
Despite being surrounded by so much glamour, the highlight of our week was probably the incredible service from the wonderful staff in the Princess Grill Restaurant. They rapidly got to know our favorite drinks and we feasted on lobster and flaming Crepe Suzette until we could barely move. I'm sure my granny, who was known as a 'looker' in her day, would have enjoyed dressing for dinner and would probably have worn something sparkly with big shoulder pads.
The QM2 manages to combine the elegance and quintessential British tradition of the past with the perks of today, from great wifi to Matcha lattes. The buffet in the Kings Court was relaxed and, at times, quite frenzied. We enjoyed watching an England World Cup match in the Illuminations Theatre, although we didn't love it when England lost and the German couple who had been sitting on the next table let out a huge cheer. No doubt, my granny and brother, lifelong Aston Villa fans, would have loved it too.
It was the micro-moments that I probably savored the most, though, including the chats with fellow guests – from wealthy New Yorkers to retired farmers from Lincolnshire. On our last night, we raised a glass to my granny and the uncle my daughter never got to meet. Then, we finally plucked up the courage to ask celebrity music producer Benny Blanco (aka Mr Selena Gomez), who Jemima had been mooning over all week, for a picture. He willingly obliged.
That picture captures all that the QM2 offers in one neat snapshot: an impressive, state-of-the-art deck, a smiling celebrity, and a glorious sunset. It's a voyage we won't forget – and one which made me feel that bit closer to my late granny and brother. It's a journey made of micro-moments and reminiscence, a testament to the enduring allure of the sea and the power of family memories.
In my opinion, this trip is not just about recapturing a lost journey; it's about understanding the past, cherishing the present, and looking forward to the future. It's about the connections we make, the memories we create, and the love that binds us together. And it's about the sea, which has always been a source of wonder and inspiration, a place where we can escape the mundane and embrace the extraordinary.
