Report from the captains log, lol. Every day at 12 midday the captain announces our position and where we are heading, where we have been and the weather to be expected. Sort of like a daily update on the voyage.

Day 7 – March 10th 2014

En route to Japan (Formal night)

“Today we have been one week at sea”

Writing this is becoming my captain’s log as such… I do enjoy writing these updates as each time I write I relive the events of that each day.
Right now it is 6.34pm and we are in the middle of the Philippine seas heading towards Japan. We have not seen land for two days and it’s an awesome feeling to look out to the horizon and see nothing but the shimmer of the water.

Early morning sunrise from our balcony

“what I can describe as a “mill pond” it was so flat and shinny”

Today we are cruising on what I can describe as a “mill pond” it was so flat and shinny… The captain called it the Doldrums, a stretch of water that lies between the trade-winds of the south and the north. The northern winds blow clockwise and the southern anticlockwise, creating a perfect calm for the part in between…

Panorama from our balcony cruising the Doldrums on Queen Elizabeth

“on the same table were a couple from my home, the Isle of Wight”

This morning Moni was up bright and early having spotted the sun shining into the mirror. I found her out on the balcony reading. I was a little more tired today. Breakfast this morning was in the Britannia on a table of six. The waitresses made a complete mess of the orders and we made fun of the situation so they would not feel bad. Everybody was given the wrong meals and it was swapped around so we ended up with what we ordered, then they dropped some eggs plus more shenanigans… But we had a great laugh with them.

Funny, though, that on the same table were a couple from my home, the Isle of Wight (Ventnor) in fact after talking to them, I found out that a few more couples were on from the IOW, a small world.

Galley Tour on MS Queen Elizabeth

At 9.30am, we had the opportunity to do the galley tour something that we never miss if the ship offers one. Many of the passengers gathered in the Britannia and listened to the chefs roll call of his key staff.

At 9.30am, we had the opportunity to do the galley tour something that we never miss if the ship offers one. Many of the passengers gathered in the Britannia and listened to the chefs roll call of his key staff.

Galley Tour Chefs Introduction

Then in three groups we made our way through the galley (kitchen). As per normal, you only get to see a small area of the operation. As you could imagine the place is immaculate. Only a few chefs in the pastry area were working, all of the hot kitchens is empty. They will be busy in another kitchen area away from prying eyes no doubt.

“Cunard Queen Elizabeth Executive Chef on the galley tour”

Images from the QE Galley Tour

We spent a few minutes talking with the chef with a few insights into his duties and role of the chefs on board and how he can monitor all sections from his office. The exit of the galley tour is via the verandah restaurant.

Cunard Queen Elizabeth Executive Chef on the galley tour

“Look how long this kitchen is”

Galley tour on MS Queen Elizabeth

You might also like to check out our review of the Galley tour onboard Celebrity Millennium, click the picture below.

All the talk of food and seeing the pastry chefs hard at it inspires us to indulge in some coffees and strawberry tarts in the Cafe Carinthia.

Coffee & strawberry tarts in Cafe Carinthia

Today at 11.23am we crossed the Northern equator. This is an occasion that is celebrated in a strange way. Neptune and his accomplices hold a ceremony by which the first timers crossing the northern equator kiss fresh fish, get into the pool with clothes on and are then covered in food debris!! a messy event. Needless to say that we missed it as we were doing something else, how convenient… By the time I arrived, The pool was empty and having a total clean out with the gurney.

Pool cleaning after Neptune’s visit

It was formal attire this evening and we once again dressed up. I feel like I’m dressed up all the time considering I were a suit each night after 6pm. I actually enjoy this and really appreciate the sophisticated atmosphere it creates.

The view out to see from deck 11 on QE

Commodore Club drinks & canapes

We have pre-dinner drinks in the Commodore Club this evening… A very nice relaxed atmosphere, with the pianist playing in the background. Most of the gents have bow ties on and look smart, the ladies have the bling out!! Although a couple of bogans let the side down.

Our cocktails taste a treat and with them come canapés, mixed nuts, home made crisps and other warm nibbles. I need to leave room for dinner!!

Commodore Club drinks & canape’s

Dinner in the Britannia restaurant

I have been eating well, and now and then I do have the extra appetiser or desert. The meals size in the Britannia is perfect so not to feel too full, even though I do tend to have a few too many extras. We have the same table each night and so the same guests. This can be a bit unfortunate if you’re stuck with a whinging pom. However we have a great table and the people are down to earth and we have stimulating conversations.

On the formal nights, the two boy’s eat somewhere else as they don’t have dinner jackets. Also, tonight Peter & Carol were missing, leaving just Rosslyn & Lyle with us even so we have a great evening together.

Britannia dinner

The 8.30 dinner seating is a lot quieter than the 6.30 one, this must be the oldies all eating early. It suits us fine as it allows us to see the sun set and also not have to rush before dinner so pre-dinner drinks in the various bars are a great atmosphere. It also allows us to see the late theatre show at 10.30pm.

Tonights show in the theatre which incidentally is just like a London theatre with boxes and upper tier was awesome. Fiona …. (I forgot her name) an incredible opera singer sung many popular pieces which received rapturous applause. We managed to grab briefly a few words with her after the show, she is very pleasant.

Royal Theatre box & show

Leaving the theatre we walk past the Golden Lion Pub where karaoke is on… What a contrast, high-class opera to terrible awful sounds, we don’t hang around for long and rather head to the Empire Casino for a flutter on the tables.

Only $6 down for the night after an hours fun, off to bed at 12.40am.