Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Crossing - Day 1

We boarded the Queen Mary 2 yesterday afternoon and it's now the first morning on the open ocean with 12 foot swell and a gently movement of the ship which I find soothing.  The ship is truly elegant in a style that harkens back to Cunard's glory days of transatlantic travel except now, Queen Mary 2 is the last remaining ocean liner.  The ship is definitely laid out differently from your typical cruise ship and it will take a day or two to fully figure out the ship's layout.  We opted for a "sheltered balcony" cabin on deck 5 just in case we chance upon rough weather (we booked 2 months ago). Dinner last night was an elegant affair in the Britannia Dining Room pictured at left. 

Today there are lots of activities ranging from lectures and water color lessons to movies in the movie theater  or theatrical shows and performances by the British National Ballet which will be performing throughout the crossing.  We plan on going the LGBT meetup this afternoon at 5:00 pm.  Interestingly, since we are on a west bound crossing, many days will be 25 hour days as we crossing time zones (eastbound, some days are only 23 hours).  Another point of interest is that since Cunard acquired the White Star Line of Titanic fame or infamy depending on your perspective, the staff all wear White Star pins similar to those we saw in the Titanic museum in Southampton.

I have been interested in ocean liners since I was a child, so this crossing is definitely a bucket list item for me.  By coincidence, today is my birthday and it is a "gala night" with a black and white theme so the husband and I will wear our white tie and tails in the manner of the glory days of the liners of the past.