June 9th TA - Journal in progress

[jtimmer]

this is a very long post, comprising of a journal of our crossing (so far)

 

Journal

Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Voyage – Eastbound

June 9th – June 15th, 2006

 

Day One – Friday, June 9

The kids woke up at 6 am and were already bouncing off the walls with excitement. At 7:45 am our car arrives, and we are on our way to Logan airport for a 10 am flight to La Guardia. We had allowed for an hour plus to get to Logan, given that we were leaving at peak traffic time, but we were lucky and arrived at 8:30 am or so. That was early enough to (just) make the 9 am shuttle, and so we arrived in NY an hour ahead of schedule. We flew right over Manhattan, which was exciting for the kids.

We landed at 10 am, right on time. We had our main luggage shipped ahead (part of Cunard’s White Star service), so we only had carry-on luggage. As a result, we were out of the plane and at the curb within minutes.

Our driver was waiting for us and we were on our way to the Brooklyn Cruise terminal. The drive to “Red Hook” was easy, just a clear shot on Brooklyn/Queens Expressway (278). As we approached the terminal we could start to see glimmers of the mighty ship. It is huge and impressive

We arrived at the terminal at around 10:45 am, checked in, and waited for boarding, which was at noon for us (boarding goes in stages, depending on what deck and class of service you are in). At exactly 12 sharp the doors opened. We walked down a corridor, then up an escalator and onto the ramp and into the ship. A truly spectacular sight, given the sheer magnitude of the QM2.

One thing the kids immediately noticed as we walked in off the ramp was the size of the fenders (rubber bumpers that keep the ship from making contact with the dock). They are the size of trucks and larger than our entire boat back at home.

As we entered the ship (on deck 3), we were greeted by a receiving line of crew members, in customary fashion. This is the grand lobby, which is several stories high. It is also where the shops are, including Hermes(!) and Harrods. Up the elevators we went, to deck nine and ten, and we checked out our cabins. We are in a category Q5 suite.

There are three classes of service on the QM2: Britannia (regular cabins and dining in the main dining room), Princess Grill (junior suites and dining in the Princess Grill), and Queens Grill (suites and dining in the Queens’ Grill). It’s the only ship line that still has a class system (sort of like first class, business class, and economy).

The suites were roomy and nicely appointed. The suite is pretty large by ship standards, over 500 square feet. It has a full balcony, large bathroom, sitting area, and a little bar area. There is even a walk-in closet. We were greeted by our butler, Mihaela, and we also stopped in the concierge lounge down the corridor to meet our concierge.

After we got settled into our cabins, we went to deck 7, which is the wrap around deck (the only deck where you can walk around the entire ship). From there we went up the stairs to deck 8 (aft). There is a pool there as well as a bar. We had our usual drink of choice (cranberry & soda), and chatted with the bartender about the cruise that just ended that morning. It was a private charter by Merrill Lynch for their top producing brokers (top 1 pct). Coincidently, a friend of ours was on that cruise. Evidently it was quite a boondoggle. The bartender was telling us about the sheer magnitude of boozing that was going on the day before on that deck. He even had a blender give up on him because of all the piña coladas and frozen margaritas that were made.

We had lunch at 1 pm in the Queens’ Grill. A nice meal and an opportunity for us to meet our wait staff (which will be with us at all meals throughout the crossing). Our head waiters were from Italy and India. The assistant waiter looked like a character in a Mel Brooks movie. As is the case with most ships, the crew on the QM2 is a virtual United Nations.

The nice thing about being in one of the suite classes is that we have your own table for the entire journey (no one else will sit at our table), which means we can eat at whatever time we feel, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Also, the nice thing about having a Canyon Ranch Spa Club on board (other than all the spa services) is that you can eat meals prepared along the Canyon Ranch philosophy.

After lunch, it was time to explore the ship. We checked out the theatre, planetarium, ballroom, Commodore’s club, library and bookshop, gym, Canyon Ranch Spa club, and the shops down in the grand lobby. One thing we really noticed is how incredibly long the hallways are. They go on forever, it seems.

Canyon Ranch is a key feature of the ship (and the only way I was able to convince my wife to go on a ship to cross the Atlantic Ocean). CR has two resorts, in Tucson, AZ, and Lenox, MA, and three Spa Clubs, one of which is on board this ship.

Fortunately, we had booked all our spa services about a month ago, because it was sheer pandemonium with the numbers of guest trying to book treatments before they were sold out.

On our way back to our cabin, we checked in with the concierge on deck nine. This is a key feature, because here they will take care of any issues we might have. We booked a few more treatments, and checked on our luggage (which was just now starting to arrive in our cabins).

At 5 pm sharp, the horn was blasted to announce that we were leaving port. We all met up and went to deck 13 (the top of the ship). To get there, you take one of the four elevator/stairwell banks (A through D, identified by letter and by the color of the carpet). Up on deck 12, we took a set of outside stairs to deck 13, and from there we climbed another set of stairs to a small observation deck, about mid ship, in front of Cunard’s signature red funnel.

From there, we had an excellent view of downtown Manhattan and also the Statue of Liberty. There was a lot of police activity on the water and in the air (helicopters), and we even saw some armed NYPD officers walking on deck 13. We passed by Lady Liberty on the starboard side and made our way to the Verrazano Narrows Bridge.

It was announced that coming towards us under the bridge was a brand new (Royal Caribbean or Norwegian?) cruise ship that had just sailed in from Italy on her way to NYC (with crew only), where she would start her inaugural cruise. As she passed us on the port side, she blew her horn three times, after which the QM2 blew her horn three times (loudly, as we were just forward of the funnel). It was a great sight to see this brand new ship come by. But, our ship was better!

Shortly hereafter, we passed under the VZ Bridge. The QM2 was build specifically to cross from NYC to Southampton and back, and one of the requirements was that she needs to fit under the VZ Bridge. So, the ship’s funnel had to be designed in such a way that she would pass underneath, which we did of course, but just barely (I believe a clearance of only 10 to 20 feet).

As soon as we passed under the bridge, people clapped and started to disperse. We went back to deck 8 briefly, where there was a Caribbean band playing. There were some kids swimming in the pool, and a few people dancing.

We headed back to our cabins to finish unpacking and to unwind and get ready for dinner. The winds are picking up now that we are clearing land. The sky is party cloudy and the seas are relatively calm.

It’s now around 6:30 pm, and it’s time for dinner. Tonight is casual night on the QM2. On Transatlantic crossings there are three types of evenings: casual (dress shirt and pants for men, with blazer optional but no tie), formal (tuxedo or dinner jacket for men), and informal (jacket and tie for men). On this crossing there will be three formal nights (including two balls, the Black & White Ball and the Ascot Ball), one casual, and two informal. I brought both my tux and my white dinner jacket. My wife has several gowns and cocktail dresses with her.

The light is getting low, and there is some rain in the distance. It’s windy out there, now that we are in the open sea. But, the weather was much better than forecast today, so we got lucky. It was supposed to rain and thunder, but instead the sun was out for the most part and it was a humid 70+ degrees. So far the seas are calm and the first night is expected to be smooth, with five to nine foot waves. That would be a lot for our little 36 foot boat, but it’s nothing for the QM2. The ship is now cruising at a speed of about 23 knots.

We had a nice dinner. My wife had Dover sole, prepared tableside. I had a tenderloin steak. The Queens Grill is the kind of restaurant that you would expect on the Queen Mary 2: excellent food and even more excellent service.

After dinner, our nanny and the kids got ready for bed, and my wife and I did some exploring. We checked out the ballroom, where the band was playing a “cha cha” (we were too tired for dancing but vowed to do so the next night). We went out on deck 7 and took in the fresh air. It was a beautiful night, although we could all definitely feel the motion of the ship (even with only five to nine foot swells).

We set our watches forward one hour before retiring for the evening.

Day 2 – Saturday, June 10

We all slept very well despite the motion, and nobody was seasick. We had breakfast around 8:30 am. Afterwards, our nanny took the kids to the kids’ area on deck 6 (called the Zone). Apparently there are some 200 kids on this crossing, much more than I expected. My wife went to the gym and to walk around deck 7, while I headed to the Commodore Club on deck 9 to write in my journal. The Commodore Club is really cool, wrapped along the bow of the ship. There is a big replica of the QM2 behind the bar.

Later that morning we met up at the library on deck 8. This is one of the most popular places on the ship. It is beautifully appointed, has 200,000 volumes, and is at the bow of the ship. There is also a nice bookstore there, full of Cunard and QM2 memorabilia.

At noon, the Captain announced our position, course (88 degrees), and speed (still 23 knots). Seas are moderate, as is the wind. Temperature is in the sixties, with a combination of sun and clouds. The ship’s in-cabin TV system has the weather and the ocean’s conditions on it, as well as a map with the route plotted (great for a chart junky like me). So, we can see what the sea, wind and temperature conditions are, not only for today but also the past five days. The sea is rated a “4” which is moderate. The wind is a “6”.

We are clearing the western part of the Atlantic (under Nova Scotia) and are heading over the Continental Shelf now (depth is something like 2 miles). We are heading east north-east at about 86 degrees. We will head straight east until we clear Nova Scotia, and then we will head more northerly and travel in a circular motion north-east and then east, in order to capture the Gulf Stream.

At 1 pm we all went to the Planetarium on deck 3 (called “Illuminations”) to see a show about the galaxies narrated by Harrison Ford. The kids enjoyed it very much. Afterwards we had lunch.

Following lunch, we gave our nanny a break. My son and I went swimming in the pool on deck 12, followed by a game of ping pong. My wife and daughter went to the gift shop and played cards.

Later that day it was time for us to go to Canyon Ranch, on decks 7 and 8. Only there was some confusion as to the actual time that our treatments were supposed to take place. We had booked 3:30 pm, but somehow it had changed to 3 pm. So, my wife only got half her facial and I was rescheduled until tomorrow.

At around 6 pm our butler stopped by to bring us the daily pre-dinner canapés. She is very good. If we page her, she shows up within a minute or so. We have unlimited supplies of non-alcoholic beverages in our mini bar, and we were also offered a ton of complimentary alcohol. At last count, we have two bottles of Veuve Cliquot, a bottle of wine, and we can select two more bottles of liquor from a list. I’m sure the crew will enjoy it when we leave it for them.

Dinner is formal today, black tie for men, gowns for the ladies. Tonight is the Black & White Ball. Just about everybody on board is dressed to the nines. Beforehand, there was a meet-and-greet for Grill passengers with the ship’s Captain in the Queens Room, which is the ballroom on deck 2. We stayed down there for a little bit and then went back to deck 7 for dinner.

We had our first (and only) celebrity spotting. Uma Thurman is sitting a few tables down from us with her two kids. Apparently she is staying in one of the duplex suites on deck 10.

It’s now 9 pm. After the kids are in bed, my wife and I returned to the Queens room to go ballroom dancing. However, there didn’t seem to be anyone under 70 on the dance floor, so we felt a bit out of place. Even the tempo of the music appeared to have been slowed down.

We checked out the disco, but that was empty too. Where all the passengers? The crossing is fully booked, which means there are 2,500 passengers on board. They must be in the casino or in the pub (which is showing World Cup games via satellite). Also, the second seating is probably still going on.

So, we headed up to the Commodore Club for a drink. There was a good pianist there, playing Gershwin. We headed back to our cabin around 10:30 pm.

Time to call it a night, and to set our watches ahead one hour.

 

Day 3 - Sunday, June 11

I woke up around 8 am, surprised by how late it was. I went out for my cappuccino (from the Sir Samuels lounge on deck 3, opposite the Chart Room) and then for a walk around deck and back to the cabin. Three laps around deck equals 1.1 miles. Debbie and I are planning to go around nine times today, and 12 tomorrow, and so on and so on. After my walk, I meet my wife at breakfast in the Queens Grill.

The winds are pretty strong. There is some rain, and the seas are moderate. In fact, last night the seas were rough enough to cause the cabinet doors to swing open in the middle of the night! The Captain announced at 9 am (as he does every day) that the outlook was for more of the same, but with some improvements later in the day.

After breakfast, we went for our brisk walk around deck, nine times (which equals 3 miles). After that, we picked up the kids to give Nicole a break. We had to go Britannia (the main dining room) to clear U.K. immigration. That took only a few minutes. From there we headed off to the Queens Room (just aft of Britannia) to play Bingo. That was a lot of fun, even though we didn’t win.

We left Bingo and had a cappuccino at Sir Samuels. Very good espresso drinks on board. We were afraid that we were going to have Starbucks withdrawals during our crossing. From there we went to the gift shops on the same deck. We bought a few souvenirs and also went to the Hermes. Hermes has produced two items specifically for QM2 passengers, a beach towel and a scarf. We got a scarf as a memento.

After lunch, we had several Canyon Ranch spa appointments. I had a facial and an Ashiatsu massage. The kids went swimming on deck 12. It hasn’t been great outdoor weather, with the wind and now also fog, but the pool on deck 12 has a retractable glass roof. We had dinner around 7 pm. It was another formal night. I had my white dinner jacket on. Lots of white dinner jackets on board.

After dinner, we went to the Commodore Club for a while, then to the Queens Grill Lounge for some piano entertainment, and then to the ballroom for some dancing. The dances were a little hard to figure out, because the music is somewhat generic sounding, but we danced a Waltz, a Foxtrot, and a Mambo.

We retired around 11 pm, which was now midnight as we set our watches ahead an hour again. We will do this two more times over the next two nights. A quick look outside on our balcony reveals that it is still very foggy, windy and wet (not rain, but fog moisture). The ship’s mighty fog horn is sounding every few minutes. What a great sound!

 

Day 4 – Monday, June 12th

I am awoken by the sound of the Captain’s address over the PA system. What? It’s 9 am already! The Captain announced that conditions were foggy and that this would persist for most of the day, with calm seas. We had planned on having the kids sleep in and order breakfast in bed, so there was no need to call them. We head for breakfast. Afterwards, My wife and I went for 12 laps around deck, for a 4 mile walk. The weather is weird. On side of the ship there is no wind, then we turn the corner and practically get blown off the ship! It’s dry in some spots and wet in others (the fog, I figure). I hit the gym for some strength training after that.

We check in on the kids, and they had only just woken up and were now having breakfast. It’s 11 am! We will have to get them to go to bed earlier tonight and wake up earlier the next few days. Otherwise, they will not adjust to the time change and that will make disembarkation at 8 am on Thursday a challenge!

The kids are going to the planetarium again at 1 pm today. My wife and I have a leisurely lunch at 1 pm, and the rest joined in around 1:30 pm. The kids are not hungry at all, so they are off to do a self-created treasure hunt throughout the ship.

After lunch, my wife is off to CR for some more pampering, and I go off and write in my journal. The hours are going by way too fast. I want to stop the clocks and freeze time, but unfortunately we are already halfway through our crossing. We are now past Newfoundland and really in the middle of the North Atlantic. I printed out a map of the Atlantic’s sea conditions in the computer room and there is a low pressure front just west of the U.K. that shows 25 foot waves. I wonder if we will get that weather or whether we will stay clear of it. Part of me wants to see the action, especially now that we have gotten our sea legs.

[pepperrn]

this is a very long post, comprising of a journal of our crossing (so far)

 

Journal

Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Voyage – Eastbound

June 9th – June 15th, 2006

.

 

This has got to be one of the very best journals of a crossing that I've read. Very little seems to have escaped you. I have a feeling that we'll all be pointing future requests for crossing information to this post. There is information about what there is to do each day, what the sea conditions can be like, the service and dining, the layout and... well, everything it seems!

 

You've captured the very essence of the romance of a great North Atlantic crossing. So looking forward to part 2.

 

Very best wishes and thanks.

[patwell]

I agree...Pepper said it perfectly. keep it coming for us landlocked types.

Cheers, Penny

[DocM3]

Really enjoyed your journal and looking forward to Part ll. Brought back many memories and helps built the excitement for our next TA - Not till 2007 though BooHoo!!

[Betsy's Mom]

Really a wonderful journal of your trip. We board in about three weeks and are envious of your trip.

B.

[Decebal]

Thanks for the AMAZING post.:D What a way to start my Monday. Please keep up the journal, it's fascinating. I think you are the first to post while traveling Queen accomodations.

 

One question? Are the Queen and Princess suites hard to get, is there a waiting list for them?

 

Enjoy the trip along with your family, and thanks for sharing........ I am still drooling about that Hermes scarf though. Now that's what I call a true souvenier! LOL!!!!

[deck chair]

HI!

 

It is so fabulous that you have shared your voyage with us. Thank you for that. I'm wondering, if you know, if KINGS COURT still a zoo or has it been fixed? Also, Any word on what part of the main dining room will be turned into the so called CLUB level dining spot in 2007? Thanks.

 

PAtrick

[jtimmer]

King's court is total chaos. Not only that, but many people give new meaning to the term dressing down when in King's Court. So, it is really like a cafetaria. Abut of anti-climax on such a beautiful ship.

[Pincus]

Thank you for including us.

 

Am also glad that QM2 is handling the swells so well; she is a magnificent ocean liner. She does not fear any "chart."

 

Your words are making the anticipation of our spring '07 crossing come alive.

 

Thanks again.

 

Pincus

[whherron]

One question? Are the Queen and Princess suites hard to get, is there a waiting list for them?

 

Not at all. I booked a P1 for my cruise next year. Now, you are going to need several thousand dollars per person...

 

Oh, I see what you mean...a complimentary upgrade (grin).

[travel-to-go]

jt,

Thanks for your exciting and comprehensive journal. It sounds like you've got everything planned out for the perfect holiday, and so nice of you to afford some nice time off for the nanny AND some quality time with each of the kids. Sounds like a great and loving fmaily. I love the detail- I, too am sort of a chart fiend (Have you been to the chart room yet? not near as much fun as going to a Chart House Restaurant with some of the old charts under glass on the tables.) I tend to bring gadgets and charts and such (usually aviation charts) with me on board. I stopped up at Yarmouth Maine recently at Delorme (Maker of Street Atlas software and maps and fishing and trapping books and maps, and baoating charts of all sorts- NOAA stuff, Netional Geodetic Survey stuff. Scads of cool stuff0 And they also have an online website Delorme.com If you get a chance- it is just above Portland and right off the highway, in Yarmouth. You will love the place! Like a kid in a candy store! I have a coated hurricane map (to be used with grease pencil) I picked up there whcih I can chart Alberto on sitting right next to me!

 

So what kind of boat do you have? sail or motored?

 

Do keep us up on your journal entries. They are simply marvelous! <sigh> It's almost like being there- well, not, but I guess we can't have everything!

 

Karie,

who is REALLY getting antsy for her 4 day Labor Day.

[jtimmer]

I know Delorme well. I have Topo USA on my pc, and took delivery of my boat down the street in Yarmouth. It's a Sabreline 36 Express Cruiser (power).

 

BTW, I just got up and am sitting in Sir Samuels drinking a double cappucino before I wake up the rest of the gang. Looks like we will get some sun today. The ocean is quiet. It was foggy for the entire day yesterday. Just to give you a sense of how big the ship is, at the bow the fog horn was very loud but at the stern we could barely hear it.

[berry22192]

this is a very long post, comprising of a journal of our crossing (so far)

Journal

Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Voyage – Eastbound

June 9th – June 15th, 2006

 

 

Bravo! Without a doubt the best post I've read on these boards. Thank you Mr Timmer for allowing us to see your interesting and informative journal. I'm looking forward to future installments.

 

Chris

And, oh, should you want to hire a 'Manny' for a World Cruise (or any portion thereof) please let me know (I asked first :) ).

[deck chair]

HI Mr. Timmer:

 

Thanks for the info regarding the zoo that is KINGS COURT. Its amazing to me that area was so poorly conceived. Is it every going to be fixed? I'm looking forward to the new class of cabins being introduced in 2007 that will provide single seating in the DR without having to pay for grill cabins. You can then avoid the KINGS COURT, go directly to that new "club" section in the DR and not have to wait in line to get into the main DR for lunch and breakfast. Why they didn't provide a CARONIA grade cabin class in the first place on QM2 is beyond me.

 

If you can tell me, are there public areas inside the ship that do not have annoying piped in music, spots where you can enjoy peace and quiet?

I hope you enjoy the rest of your trip. You have been most generous sharing your trip with all of us. Thanks.

 

PAtrick

[CruiseFever]

I wish I'd read this before our crossing....very informative

[Ballater]

Thanks for your wonderful journal. We took the T/A westbound, just before the Merrill Lynch voyage, and enjoyed it immensely. If you see Sasha, the Head Waiter and the person who most likely prepared your wife's Dover Sole, please tell him that the "Happy Family from Table 33 that sang Happy Birthday to Him" say a hearty hello!

 

Here's my weird question. I've heard that there is some sort of "secret" elevator for use by Queen's Grill passengers to take them to the dining room. Do you know anything about this? I've seen in mentioned on CC, and I think on the Cunard site as well. (Not sure if they are talking about the scenic elevator near the Boardroom. BTW, there's one fabulous place to sit if you can catch it in the morning when the fire's on an no one's there...my pick for the best little-known spot on the ship!)

 

Thanks...enjoy the rest of your trip. We were lucky enough to have booked the westbound...so we backed up our watches/clocks one hour each night! That was fabulous...

[jtimmer]

in response to the question about music in the public rooms. It's not loud at all and didn't bother me. The library is probably your best spot for peace and quiet.

 

I did not see any secret elevator to the QG. It's just elevator stack D at the back of the ship.

 

The rest of the journal should be posted sometime this weekend. We disembark tomorrow morning (sadly!)

[susietb]

There is a small elevator on the QE II that goes from the signal deck cabins into the Queens Grill Lounge. Perhaps this is the one you've been hearing about.

[pb82]

If you're an Uma Thurman fan, you'll enjoy reading another passenger's encounter with her at http://mealsihaveeaten.blogspot.com/.

[CruiseFever]

in response to the question about music in the public rooms. It's not loud at all and didn't bother me. The library is probably your best spot for peace and quiet.

 

I did not see any secret elevator to the QG. It's just elevator stack D at the back of the ship.

 

The rest of the journal should be posted sometime this weekend. We disembark tomorrow morning (sadly!)

 

 

Is this like the secret elevator that comes out in the library?

[signman]

Hard to believe that an announcement from the bridge of a ship owned by Carnival and operated by Princess wouldn't clearly announce that the brand new ship entering New York Harbor for the first time was the Crown Princess, thus leaving our author to speculate that it was a RCCL or NCL newbuild.

[mariaemp675@hotmail.com]

Chris, Is this true or is it part of Harry Potter or Clue?<lol>

 

By the way Chris, did your friend ever get that little black number from Nordstrom to wear on your cruise? I am curious because I went on their website the other day and didn't see anything as nice.

 

Maria - who is looking at her little ship map - sort of like looking for Waldo

[CruiseFever]

Chris, Is this true or is it part of Harry Potter or Clue?<lol>

 

By the way Chris, did your friend ever get that little black number from Nordstrom to wear on your cruise? I am curious because I went on their website the other day and didn't see anything as nice.

 

Maria - who is looking at her little ship map - sort of like looking for Waldo

 

Oh yes, very true.

 

As I remember, after you get off the public elevator on that deck you can walk straight into the store or turn left and walk straignt into the library. Step one foot into the library and turn right. You'll pass another entrance to the bookstore. Look straignt ahead and slightly to the right and there is a reading area that is full of audioanimatronic figures from Disneyworld pretending they are reading. I thought they were human the first 20 times I tried to go there to sit and read but figured out they were just for show. To the right of that area, in the corner, is an elevator. I don't know where it goes (although my money is on it going to some nice accomodations, hard to imagine its an express elevator to the library for the laundry workers) but it is there.

 

On the little black number from Nordies, no, she found a treasure trove of what looked to be and proved to be in action, from Talbots online (who happens to have a 30 to 50% off sale going on now btw). If this was 1978 when were not quite as fluffy that probably would have been a good bet.

[CruiseFever]

Hard to believe that an announcement from the bridge of a ship owned by Carnival and operated by Princess wouldn't clearly announce that the brand new ship entering New York Harbor for the first time was the Crown Princess, thus leaving our author to speculate that it was a RCCL or NCL newbuild.

 

Funny, I was just talking to a friend we're going on the Crown with who lives in CT earlier today. We both remarked about how little fanfare there was for the Crown Princess, surely a really nice ship. I think it might have been because just weeks before the whole city of New York and half the nation's eye were caught by the (more newsworthy ?) Freedom of the Seas. We did Freedom right the day after the Queen and that is one pretty ship...almost exact opposite experiences though.

[pepperrn]

Oh yes, very true.

 

As I remember, after you get off the public elevator on that deck you can walk straight into the store or turn left and walk straignt into the library. Step one foot into the library and turn right. You'll pass another entrance to the bookstore. Look straignt ahead and slightly to the right and there is a reading area that is full of audioanimatronic figures from Disneyworld pretending they are reading. I thought they were human the first 20 times I tried to go there to sit and read but figured out they were just for show. To the right of that area, in the corner, is an elevator. I don't know where it goes (although my money is on it going to some nice accomodations, hard to imagine its an express elevator to the library for the laundry workers) but it is there.

.

 

Hi, I think (and I know someone will tell me I am "wrong, so wrong") that this is the starboard outside elevator. I was picturing myself following your directions and thinking "but I'm sure I came iinto the Library that way once", it's down a very short "dog leg" sort of passageway. If I'm wrong and you've acounted for this elevator and are talking about another one I missed then I'm very sorry. It will be my memory at fault rather than your excellent directions.

 

There are, of course, many, many "secret" elevators behind the scenes. I'd love to see full deck plans.

 

Very best wishes,