• Home
• Books
• Meet the Author

Packing for a Cruise

By Janet Go | October 8, 2008

Plan color scheme: Choose a color scheme well in advance of departure and build from there. Accessorize dresses with scarves or overblouses. Skirts and slacks look different with various tops. Buy new wardrobe items only if they can be used with two or three outfits.

Shore Excursions: These call for layering clothes in case of weather changes. In the tropics. sudden rainstorms may occur and in northern and southern coasts in summer, you should take a warm raincoat or windbreaker. Pack a pair of already broken-in walking shoes for unpaved roads or street markets and short hikes. Dress conservatively on shore–don’t stand out as a “rich American.” Tuck a $20 bill in yhour shoe for emergencies.

Checklist: Make a checklist so you won’t forget necessities, such as evening wear, shoes, shorts, casual and dressy slacks and skirts, short-sleeved shirts or blouses for daytime, exercise wear, and a bathing suit. Don’t forget socks, stockings, pajamas, slippers, underwear, sweater, scarves, and accessories.

Carry-on Items: When you depart,carry on your person cruise tickets, passport, photo ID, medication, jewelry, sunglasses, raincoat, travelers checks, travel insurance papers, camera. Wear clothes for the air trip to the port and for the first night onboard the ship. Your luggage may not get to your cabin for several hours after departure.

Don’t worry if you forget something–your cabinsteward can probably find it for you or you can buy it at the ship’s store or in the first port of call. Bon Voyage–have a fantastic time!

Topics: In the news | 1 Comment »

Queen Bids Farewell

By Janet Go | August 11, 2008

In June 2008, five months prior to leaving the Cunard fleet, Queen Elizabeth 2 welcomed Her Majesty The Queen for a farewell ceremony in Southampton. The Queen met nine Captains and members of the ship’s crew, some of whom entered service aboard the ship in 1969, at a luncheon with 300 guests. On the bridge, The Queen gave a signal to sound the whistle to salute Queen Mary 2, which was also in port. The Queen has taken a close interest in this vessel for 40 years, since she launched her and reviewed her four times. The most famous vessel in the world, QE2 has been the flagship of the Cunard fleet for 41 years. She has traveled over 5.6 million nautical miles, carried more than 2.5 million guests, completed 25 world cruises, and cross the Atlantic 803 times.

 The ship leaves Cunard service in November 2008 to start a new life in Dubai as a first-class hotel and entertainment destination. She will leave Southampton for the last time November 11 en route to her new home at Dubai World.  Six farewell cruises sold out en route.

After extensive renovations and preparations, the 963-foot-long ship will be moored, like an ornament on a Christmas tree, on Palm Island, the largest man-made island ever created. She will be well preserved and Cunard memorabilia will be displayed on board. 

New owner, The Palm Jumeirah, will reburbish the QE2 to recreate her original interior decor and fittings and will include a museum celebrating the rich history of the ship. There will be shore excursions touring the QE2 during world cruises by passengers aboard the Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria in Dubai. These ships have taken over the QE2’s UK and world cruising roles. In 2010, the world will have a new Queen Elizabeth. 

Topics: In the news | No Comments »