As I looked forward to the endless expanse of the blue sea, I recalled a saying by Herman Melville, the author of the famed novel, Moby Dick. “There is nothing like the ocean to put a man at ease with himself”.
Perhaps there is no greater feeling of freedom than setting sail. Indeed, there is something uniquely peaceful about the ocean with its gentle ebb and flow and the soothing sound of the waves crashing against the hull of the ship. And yes, the sea can also be treacherous and unforgiving with gales and storms.
From the myths of ancient Greeks to the tall tales of seafering pirates, the ocean has captured the imagination of storytellers for centuries.
As a travel writer, I have been on many cruises. Here’s the difference: I wanted the adventure of not having to get on and off, the plank filled with other passengers, my passport in hand, traipsing in groups to see the various parts of the cities and countryside. I’ve enjoyed watching South American dancers on the streets, craning to see the ‘big five’ in Kenya, captivated by the Temples as though they were hanging from mountains in Bhutan, the always smiling monks in Bangkok. avoiding bikes in Vietnam, in the Gobi desert in Mongolia, wandering from my Ger (Yurt) to the washrooms at 2 AM, getting my breakfast at a church since all shops are closed on Sunday in the Cook Islands, where the priest asked me to stand up and introduce myself. I didn’t expect the spontaneous applause from the other churchgoers and their wonderful singing voices. But when you are hungry, you do what you can, and it turned out to be an amazing, unexpected experience.. Many more countless mysteries and
Intrigues are now memories which I will always cherish.
Now being of ‘a certain age, I wanted to be catered to, and this was going to be the one-way ship to Southampton, UK and of course, a daughter to meet me at the dock and whisk me to London, where she resides.
Just one more trip, that’s it.
Sounds great?
Naturally, I wanted the best. My choice was the splendid Queen Mary 2, with a long special history of the glory of the past mixed with the simplicity of the present.
I had booked the Princess Suite Level.
One would think that paying a hefty amount for this pleasurable trip, if there were any changes, there would be a telephone call or text, telling that there had been a huge rainstorm the night before in The Big Apple
Being only one and a twenty-minute hour flight from Toronto to New York, where I was to meet someone from the ship to drive me to the New Jersey pier, it never occurred to me that perhaps I should stay at a hotel overnight. I didn’t.
Booked in early and was ready to leave Toronto by 6.15 AM. The planes were delayed and finally all were cancelled..I rushed over to the Kennedy Airport counter and got the last ticket.
I rushed over to the Kennedy Terminal counter and they had one ticket lett. Of course, I took it.
I arrived in NYC with a few hours to make it to the ship. However, the delays from the night before were lined up. Our plane just couldn’t get to the gate and unload the luggage with enough time. More to come.
I missed the ship.
That meant making decisions- staying overnight in NYC, going back to Toronto or continuing to London. The latter won out, but here is the very large BUT. My credit card had been compromised the day before, so I couldn’t even purchase a sandwich.. I discovered the Cashless Society. A friendly young New Yorker seemed to understand the circumstances and offered me half of her pizza.
To add to this complication, it was a Civil holiday in New York. All nearby hotels were sold out, and the closer we got to Manhattan, the higher the hotel prices. But payment had to be by credit card.
Marlon, my clear-thinking driver, suggested I pay him in cash, which I had, and he would give the hotel, restaurant and include the drive from and return to the terminal next morning. on his credit card.
A week later, when I arrived home, my lawyer sent a letter to Cunard for full or even partial payment. They ignored us. I realize that this was correct. They don’t predict the weather. It was my duty.
But when you are paying double-digit thousands of dollars, one would expect a text message or a phone call?
Friends had had a similar situation and did get Cunard to book them on the same one-way to the UK on the Queen Mary 2 at no extra charge. After two letters and negative responses, we gave up.
After all .I am a solo (widowed) passenger and my friends were a couple which suggests that they would spend more on board.
My dream trip never happened. As it is said, “I missed the boat”.
The ocean is a place of adventure and discovery, of danger and excitement, and of beauty. There is no place quite like the ocean, and it will continue to captivate and inspire travellers for generations to come.
My huge amount of money floated off in the Atlantic on the Queen Mary 2 .
I will miss the sheer vastness of this sea as it stretches out as far as the eye can see.