"The QM2 experience is really about what happens on the ship; ports are almost afterthoughts." ~ Brad Tuttle

 Since there is only one port of call on a trans-Atlantic crossing,

the one where you disembark and bid farewell in Southampton,
the Queen Mary 2 stands on its own in terms of making memories.

Plenty of alternatives abound beyond the overwhelming daily schedule

for those of us who choose to mosey throughout the ship at our own pace.

One lovely spot for snagging a chair is the 8,000 volume library overlooking the bow of the boat.  

 If board games float your boat, you can challenge your mates at eye level of the Atlantic Ocean.

We ended up at the Sir Samuel coffee shop most afternoons for a proper cuppa...

and attempted, twice, to attend a planetarium presentation in the Illuminations Theatre.
It seems they are serious about starting on time and not opening the doors for those arriving late!
Blame it on the time change.
Anyhoo, Ren Man did manage to attend a talk by a Retired Life Boat Coxswain,  
and admired the stars sparkling above his head while listening.

In addition to the four outdoor pools,

the indoor option is handy for the January crossing 
and was pretty popular midday when the live music began.

And then there is the spa,
 where my on board pampering included a facial and massage worthy of praise,
 while my pedicure was the worst, most expensive, ever.
Overall, a relaxing place to hang out,
but that's all I have to say about that. 

Not to bring up a touchy subject when discussing a trans-Atlantic crossing, 
but the list above barely touches the tip of the iceberg of distractions available.
It took strong resolve to back away from a schedule 
and our preference for long leisurely lunches
 trumped the planetarium…
twice.

Happy Tuesday.