I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing the Queen Mary 2 from Mr. Eckblad’s apartment window. There’s something really odd about looking down a city street and seeing a luxury cruise ship docked at the end…
My Lady, The RMS Queen Mary 2
The Graduate had Mrs. Robinson. Frank had Lady Luck. And me, I’ve got the RMS Queen Mary 2. That loveliest of ships who appears without warning, only to turn around and leave as unexpectedly as she came. It’s the same story every time: My heart swells with love when she pulls into port, and breaks when she returns to the open sea. Yesterday Her Majesty was here, but today she is gone.
No ship that sails the high seas is quite so fair as The Queen. Her long hull, sleek lines and sharp colors are unmistakable. And bite your tongue before referring to Her as a ‘Cruise Ship’. The Queen is not one of those bloated white pills that floats aimlessly around the Caribbean. If Cunard Lines had wanted a boat that looks like Miami, they wouldn’t have hired a ship builder in Saint-Nazaire, France.
No, The Queen Mary 2 is an ‘Ocean Liner’; was commissioned because Cunard Lines wanted an ‘Ocean Liner’. And not just any Ocean Liner. They envisioned a passenger-ship with grace, style, elegance, and purpose. They wanted her to be the grandest in the world. The Fairest. After all, what second-best ship deserves to be Queen?
My Lady, The Queen Mary 2, insists on docking at the port of Red Hook when she visits New York City - directly out my window. Call it love at first sight. But like any sordid love affair, there is no happy ending in sight. You see, The Queen is a working gal. She only stays as long as necessary before sailing off into the wild blue yonder. Maybe some day I’ll join her.
I plan to log The Queen’s comings and goings, as well as those of other such vessels. You can expect my reports as part of your regular MEaT deliveries from here in Red Hook.
A ‘cruise ship’? A CRUISE SHIP?!?!? I thought I made it VERY CLEAR that she is an Ocean Liner. En Garde.
