Day 1 of the Half World Cruise.
We arrived at the Los Angeles World Cruise Center at San Pedro. It was not hard to find the dock. The QM2 even from a distance is a very impressive sight. It is at this time the third largest cruise ship and the number one ocean liner. What is the difference? The ocean liner has a different shape, design and layout.

For instance:
All balcony cabin up to deck 11 have “In Hull” balconies with metal walls instead of glass.
More and larger stabilizers
Larger engines
No top deck lido deck restaurants and swimming pools
A library with 6,000 plus books More than 15 major international daily newspapers.
A table game area with more than 50 games and jigsaw puzzles
More about the differences later.

We did not know what to expect for the boarding experience. For that reason we had completed all we could on line. We gave over our bags and were given a form to complete stating that we were healthy and had not has any 'Gastro” problems in the last 48 hours. Then came a lady who presented us with a piece of paper with the number 18. There were 1,100 passengers boarding in Los Angeles. It took about one hour for us to be called. During this time we managed to talk to several couple from Australia, U.K and other point who were waiting to board all of which were not happy with the process.
Once we were called we proceeded to a line for processing. We reached the front in about 30 minutes. Had our picture taken and our credit card swiped in about 5 minutes. Up the elevator and on to the ship to the cabin where we found a bottle of Champagne some canapés and our luggage. (It pays to have a good travel agent.)

By the time we had unpacked it was time for Lifeboat drill, from there to meet some fellow cruise critic passengers in the Commodore lounge. We had thankfully been place on early dining so we only had a few minutes to get there! A table of 8. 2 Australian couples, one couple had been on since Ft Lauderdale. One couple from Hawaii who had to fly to Los Angeles to board the ship to sail back to Honolulu?

Let me explain that Cunard is Different.

No, I mean Different............................................
Men actually wore Jackets on the first night in the restaurants.
There are many formal nights
The daily program states that after 6:00 pm. You are not allowed to wear shorts or swim wear anywhere on the ship. I do believe that there are groups of Cunard staff members traveling the ship after 6:00 pm. They have giant nets to throw over incorrectly dressed passengers.
In the restaurant we were told that they do not put the baskets of bread on the table because it was a health hazard?

There are 4 non surcharge restaurants which require reservations. The menus change daily. There is a demonstration restaurant and I wanted to attend on the night of Indian food. You have to book days in advance. This is fine but the menus are not published in advance? You have to call to book but the line is always busy. I finally did get through and reserved 3 nights.

After diner on the first night the first show was a ventriloquist Dan Horn who was exceptionally good but not that well received from a tired audience.
The entertainment Director Warren Smith informed us that there were 1,100 Aussies on board, a few hundred from NZ and 600 or so Americans and Europeans.
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