Copyright euroweeklynews
From Málaga to California — No Planes, Part III Cunard’s tale began in 1839, when crossing the Atlantic was pure adventure. Fast-forward to January 8, 2004, and Her Late Majesty christened QM2, the largest ocean liner ever built — orchestras, curtain drops, and proof the British still throw a proper launch party. This ocean liner had crossed and re-crossed the Atlantic — and there I was, still buffet-less. But honestly, who cares? People always ask, “What do you even do on an ocean liner?” It’s just… boom, point A to point B. No ports, no hopping around. Other cruises? Oversized sea taxis with bigger parking lots. Ha! No. This ship is history, culture, and classy, discreet glamour — not the glitzy glitz on sale everywhere. Seven days of rough seas, calm seas, and the occasional “please, not another wave!” As your day starts with room service, served on china plates so heavy you wonder if the staff hit the gym before delivering your order. So the day begins — not for my fitness, but curiosity had me reach my first 10,000 steps ever… yes, on a boat. A few laps around Deck 7, zigzagging among runners, amateurs, and me — the stubborn slow-walker in the fast lane (thank goodness they can’t sound the horns). Funny how you think time will drag — seven days at sea, staring at the water, right? Wrong. Time slips away faster than your Wi-Fi connection in mid-Atlantic. And speaking of time… Then the bells rang — and I thought, oh my gosh, I knew this ship was massive, but I never imagined a village church had been brought along! Following the sound to the main lobby, the elegant chime introduced me to the eight bells. The eight bells mark the end of a watch, a ritual sailors have followed for centuries. On QM2, they don’t chime every half-hour; you hear them just once a day. As we glide across time zones, clocks quietly adjust, and before you know it, your body clock is dancing to Atlantic time. When the bells ring, it’s as if the ship herself clears her throat: “Ladies and gentlemen, another splendid hour at sea. Carry on with your cocktails.” The genius? QM2 shifts clocks just one hour a day, so by the time you reach New York, you’re practically in sync — ready to hit Fifth Avenue wide awake. Forget jet lag: travel with rhythm, manners, and proper cutlery. No zombie shuffle, no collapsing, no dozing at the Statue of Liberty (hat firmly in place). Your body travels with your mind — fully awake, fully present, fully you. Now that’s transatlantic travel. Take that, plane travel — your peanuts, turbulence, and middle-seat misery can sit this one out. QM2 slices through the Atlantic like a luxury missile, the ocean sparkling, the entertainment endless… and somewhere, that elusive buffet waits for me. To be continued…
