With just over three hours of 2011 left we both left the Buffet and headed out on deck to see the Firework display, it was also a good way of ensuring that everyone was out of the Grand Salon and up on deck. To be in Long Beach (and it was winter!) that last thing l expected was fog, and it wasn't just any old fog but thick fog.If you've ever visited Long Beach you will be aware of just how bright a place it is at night, well we couldn't see anything! the firework show started and we could hear the bangs, but heck we couldn't see anything.
Its fair to say most folks were out on deck, and it was really nice to see the ship alive with passengers, in fact given the weather you would have thought we were mid Atlantic.
The forward bow area had their vip party (extra charge) well under way but it was fun to mingle with some of the other guests, and inspite of the fog, the firework display continued on. A general walk round the ship was enough to realise that the rest of the parties were in full swing, the bars were doing a good trade and everyone was in good spirits, and during the whole evening l couldn't say l saw anyone who was obviously drunk, had this been Scotland, l dare say some might not have even made it to midnight.
We settled on the Dueling Pianos in the Queens Salon, Given the choice of venues there and the Observation Bar seemed the place to be. The Pianists were very good, with a lot of audience participation and great music and every seat taken, and many more standing. (turns out they were in Vegas the next week) Even with the crowds the bar service was pretty quick, but l had a special bottle of Vintage Veuve 2002 which was already in the cabin in the ice bucket, and now seemed as good a chance to go and get it, which l did, the bottle cover was an extra touch & it kept it cold,plastic glasses for safety sake and with that made my way back to the Queens Salon to get my cousin and we would move to the Observation Bar.
Passing through the Main Hall Everette and Greg were on duty in their finery, giving out directions,alas they were working and had to decline a glass of fizz, but on my next visit l will make up for that..
The Observation Bar was as expected busy with the Jazz band and New Year 2011 was quickly slipping away, l never really cared for New years Eve, the end of one year and lord knows what the next one would hold, and if that wasn't enough l was usually working, but this time, even with the different location the emotions do run a bit high, and l still couldn't get the Poseidon Adventure out of my mind, corny l know.
The champagne was popped and duly sampled, the atmosphere was nothing short of amazing, here was little old me half way round the world with my cousin, both of us from the same Island in Orkney, and yet now he lived some 40 km away from here and together onboard the magnificent Hotel Queen Mary this New Years Eve. l could scarcely believe l was here, But here l was,now seemed as good a time to charge the glasses, the Band were starting the countdown New Year 2011 was going out in style....
2012 came in with a resounding Cheer as Happy New Year was shouted out and the blowers were blown, heaven knows if the whistle sounded,we wouldn't have heard it anyway but time to wish those nearby a Happy New Year, the champagne tasted even better this time round, a toast with my cousin to 2012 and absent friends, a fleeting thought of SS Posiedon, the atmosphere really was quite something else, nothing like the New Year back home with the pipes etc, this New Year was just so different in every way, A quick phone call to the family back home,no blocked lines as is normally the case and it was shortly after 8am with them so l could wish them a proper Happy New Year.
