Page 145 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL SUMMER 2019 PORTUGAL

eral dining venues to choose from, normally ries,” Pat said. “Many guests had traveled
we dined early each night in the Britannia, many times on various Cunard ships—some as
opting for open seating with a table for two. many as 40 times!
Often the tables were close together so we en- “After dinner, Tony and I loved to have a
joyed chatting drink in the Win-
with other passen- ter Garden, listen-
gers, including Pat ing to the music as
and Tony Pritchett the ship gently
from glided past the
Bournemouth, various environ-
England. ments in the early
A retired cou- evening. Then off
ple, the Pritchetts to the theater to
were enjoying watch amazing
their third shows!
cruise—and, like “All of the
us, this was also shore trips were
their first one with greatly enjoyed
Cunard—a cruise and we had fun
company that has exploring new
been around since ports. We have
1840! visited Edinburgh, Liverpool and West Scot-
“We traveled by taxi from our Bournemouth land previously. We booked two shore excur-
hometown to Southampton—about 40 miles— sions through Cunard: Edinburgh Castle and
on a beautiful, sunny day,” Pat told us. “As we Kinsale, Southern Ireland. We did our own
approached the cruise terminal the magnifi- tours on the other stops. One of my favorite
cent Cunard Queen Victoria ship came into journeys was the slow, majestic sail on calm
view. As the taxi came to a halt, our cases were seas into colorful Cobh Harbor in the early
whisked away and delivered to our comfort- evening with the beautiful village before us.
able stateroom. The adventure on our first 12- “Our memory of this trip is of a relaxing,
night Cunard cruise had begun!” cosseted holiday and being spoiled every day.
The couple enjoyed the daily, “fun” after- “We experienced magic!”
noon tea; the interesting guest speakers, and
the fabulous musical entertainment in the ele-
IF YOU GO
gant three-level Royal Court Theatre (which
reminded me of a smaller version of London’s
Royal Albert Hall). For most productions the www.cunard.com
private boxes are available—for a fee—with Titanic Belfast
champagne and chocolates served by an atten- www.titanicbelfast.com
tive waiter. Next time! Titanic Experience Cobh
“The passengers we met were all friendly www.titanicexperiencecobh.ie
and interesting and we heard many life sto-

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