My shore excursion is currently taking place in a train, equipped with satellite wifi, where I am told that I am whizzing along at 300 km/hr.
Which of course takes me to QE2's speed. Some 34 knots. Impressive, and last year unbeaten by any merchant navy ship (please correct me if I'm wrong!).
Now, many have talked about the speed of a ship vs the enjoyment of a cruise. As for myself, I enjoy both speed and leisure. One after the other. Or before the other. Or at the same time!
Running along at high speed on the high seas, leaving other ships behind, knowing that the accelerator has it in it to catch up for any delays, going ahead even during a storm at only slightly reduced speed. The wind in my hair on deck. Exhilarating!
Or moving ever so slowly among lobster pots or up a fjord, hardly creating any wake at all, the passengers enjoying the moment with hardly a breeze...
Both are wonderful, to me. Every night on board, I have ended up with a final walk on Boat Deck, QE2 slicing through the waves in the dark, plenty of wind and waves around. And a thankful heart within.
Thinking of other ships I could now book for a cruise, it is the sense of speed that I would be missing as much as every other aspect of QE2. Those ships that, even if they want to, cannot accelerate much beyond 17 knots... that takes some of the joy out of the voyage!
What do y'all think?