Mine, and Queen Victoria's Maiden Voyage

I just got home from our recent trip to Europe. Rusty and I spent the whole month of December in England, France and the North Sea. Our reason for this trip was to spend it on the Maiden voyage of Cunard's newest cruise ship the 'Queen Victoria'. This was my maiden voyage also since this is my first cruise and Rusty's second. The trips' destination was Christmas Markets of the north sea with stops in Rotterdam, Copenhagen, Oslo, Hamburg and last Brugge Belgium. Leaving South Hampton England we were treated with a magnificent fireworks display. It was a big deal for Cunard to launch their new flag ship, and with Camilla (Charles new Princess) doing the honors of Christening the ship on her first and maiden voyage with the champagne bottle and all the fan-fair, it was SOMETHING! A ceremony the locals came out to wish us off. The overnight journey docked in Rotterdam The Netherlands the next morning where we went ashore to explore the city. Passengers were invited to sign-up for tours of the city in groups but Rusty decided to go on our own. We rented bicycles in town and rode around to the sights that Rusty had researched previously. It was a blast! Rotterdam was surprisingly nice. I must admit that I did drive Rusty nuts when I had a panic attack that we would get lost and not make it back on the ship before it set sail that evening. I do know that Rusty is great at finding his way around, even in places he's never been, but I was worried that this time we'd be late and the ship wouldn't wait. Well he did get us back in time and the ship did wait for other passengers that were late. What a relief to know and I really must trust Rusty, because he has not failed yet. Back on board we relaxed with the 'Friends of Dorothy' in the Captains Lounge. Everyone talked about their day in Rotterdam and some took the train into Amsterdam for a short and very quick visit, (these people were the ones that the ship needed to wait for). As everyone told of their adventures of the day, some loved it, others complained of having to wait here and there or were rushed off at something they had wanted to spend more time at. We told of the bikes we rented and how we rode to all the sites to see in this city, and there are many to my surprise, Now it is time to dress for dinner, (this means formal). So now back to our cabins to get cleaned-up and put on our tuxedos for dinner in the grand dinning hall, I just love dressing well, We do dress up nicely, and look great together.

More about the Cruise later