In 2011, my Mum was told she couldn't fly due to an ulcer on her leg. As she wanted to go away and see my apartment in Cape Canaveral, Florida, I booked two return trips on the Queen Mary 2 to New York.
Queen Mary II.
We cruised from Southampton to New York, drove down the east coast of America and stopped at my apartment at the Villages of Seaport in Cape Canaveral for three weeks before driving back to New York to join the Queen Mary again and cruise back to Southampton.
I enjoyed the cruise on the Queen Mary, and although I think Mum enjoyed it, she said she didn't like that I always had to help her everywhere. The Queen Mary 2 is nearly a kilometre long, and as we were at the opposite end of the ship to the dining room, I walked at least 6 kilometres a day, taking Mum to and from the dining room in her wheelchair.
The food onboard the ship was fantastic, and there was plenty of it. We ate in various restaurants, but all meals were included in the price of the cruise. Unfortunately, the drinks were not, and we spent more on our bar bill than the cruise cost.
On our first night onboard, we were introduced to the Admiral of the fleet. He met us as we were going for dinner. Not judging distance too well, I pushed Mum, in her wheelchair, right over his feet as he shook her hand. I did apologise and asked if I would have to walk the plank, but he let me off.
There was some fantastic entertainment onboard, with big shows, guest speakers and more minor acts in the ship theatre. A piano player in one of the bars had a soft spot for Mum, regularly singing whatever she wanted and buying her a drink. He asked me if he could escort Mum to our room one night so I could stay out and have a drink alone, but Mum declined his offer.
We stopped once overnight on the drive down to Florida before continuing the next day. On the long drive, we were cruising along following another car when we were flagged down for speeding. The car we were following just accelerated and kept going. The police car chasing us mouthed for us to follow him and pull over when we caught him up, and he then chased the other driver. Several miles later, we pulled in behind the police car that had pulled in the other driver. I gave him my details and explained to him that Mum couldn't get out of the car without the wheelchair, and he let us off with a warning before going back to the other driver and giving him a ticket.
Our stay in Cape Canaveral was relatively quiet, as we stayed in my apartment and spent time by the pool or on the beach. We watched a rocket launch at Cape Canaveral from the beach by the apartment and ate at local bars and restaurants. Time flew by, and it seemed no time before we had spent three weeks in Florida, driven back to New York, cruised back to the UK on the Queen Mary 2, and were back at Mum's house in Fareham.
Queen Mary II Photos.
These are the photos that were taken when I crossed the Atlantic on the Queen Mary II, drove down the east coast of America and took my mum to my home in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Click on any image to see a larger version and a description of the photo.
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Jean Morris & Alan Morris having some Champagne after meeting the Admiral of the fleet on Queen Mary II.
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Alan Morris on the balcony of his cabin on the Queen Mary II. Dressed ready to meet the Admiral of the fleet.
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Jean Morris on the balcony of her cabin on the Queen Mary II.
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Alan & Jean Morris in a bar on the Queen Mary II before going to dinner.
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The Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island in Upper New York Bay as we sail into New York on the Queen Mary II early in the morning.
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The New York skyline against a beautiful sunrise as we sail into New York on the Queen Mary II.
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The Statue of Liberty & Manhatten, New York, as we sail into New York on the Queen Mary II.
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The New York skyline against a beautiful sunrise as we sail into New York on the Queen Mary II.
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New York skyline against a beautiful sunrise as we sail into New York on the Queen Mary II.
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New York skyline against a beautiful sunrise as we sail into New York on the Queen Mary II.
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Jean Morris, on the balcony of her cabin on the Queen Mary II as it sails into New York.
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Alan Morris, on the balcony of his cabin on the Queen Mary II as it sails into New York.
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A crescent moon hangs over the New York skyline as we sail towards New York as the sun comes up.
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New York skyline against a beautiful sunrise as we sail into New York on the Queen Mary II.
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Manhatten, New York, from the Queen Mary II as we sail into New York.
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The Queen Mary II docked in port at Hook, New York.
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Alan Morris cooling off in the swimming pool at the hotel he stopped in on his drive from New York to Florida.
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Jean Morris by one of the swimming pools at The Villages of Seaport at Cape Canaveral, Florida.
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Jean Morris, doing what she loves, tidying up. This is in her son Alan´s apartment at the Villages of Seaport, Cape Canaveral, Florida.
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Alan Morris working on his computer on the balcony of his apartment at The Villages of Seaport, Cape Canaveral, Florida.
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Jean Morris at Manatee Park in Cape Canaveral.
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Alan Morris at Manatee Park in Cape Canaveral.
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Jean Morris at India Atlantic Beach, Florida.
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Alan Morris at India Atlantic Beach, Florida.
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Jean Morris on the beach at The Villages of Seaport, Cape Canaveral.
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Jean Morris in the Atlantic Ocean at the beach by The Villages of Seaport, Cape Canaveral.
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Rocket launch at Cape Canaveral, seen from the beach at the Villages of Seaport.
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Jean Morris watching a rocket launch at Cape Canaveral, at the Villages of Seaport.
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A rocket plume rises into the sky at Cape Canaveral behind Alan Morris at the beach at the Villages of Seaport.
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A rocket plume rises into the sky at Cape Canaveral behind Jean Morris at the beach at the Villages of Seaport.
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Jean Morris on the beach at the Villages of Seaport, Cape Canaveral.
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The Carnival Dream cruise ship leaving Port Canaveral, Florida.
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Jean Morris pointing at The Carnival Dream cruise ship leaving Port Canaveral, Florida.
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Alan & Jean Morris on the beach at the Villages of Seaport, Cape Canaveral with The Carnival Dream cruise ship leaving Port Canaveral in the background.
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Jean Morris at Squid Lips restaurant next to the Indian River in Melbourne, Florida.
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Hired car & hired disability scooter outside my apartment at The Villages of Seaport, Cape Canaveral.
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Fishing boat going to Port Canaveral & speed boat leaving Port Canaveral.
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Alan Morris at Jetty Park, Cape Canaveral.
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Jean Morris at Jetty Park, Cape Canaveral.
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Cape Canaveral Beach from Jetty Park.
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Tug boat leaving Port Canaveral.
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An Anhinga bird perched on Rocks at Jetty Park, Cape Canaveral.
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Jean Morris reading a book in Alan's apartment at The Villages of Seaport, Cape Canaveral.
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Jean & Alan Morris at Grills Seafood Grill & Tiki Bar at Port Canaveral.
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Alan Morris on the balcony of his apartment in The Villages of Seaport, Cape Canaveral, Florida.
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Jean & Alan Morris on the balcony of his apartment in The Villages of Seaport, Cape Canaveral, Florida.
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Jean & Alan Morris in Alan's apartment in The Villages of Seaport, Cape Canaveral, Florida.
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Jean & Alan Morris outside Alan's apartment in The Villages of Seaport, Cape Canaveral, Florida.
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Jean Morris on her bed at the Villages of Seaport.
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Alan Morris on his bed at his apartment in the Villages of Seaport, Cape Canaveral.
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Alan Morris in his apartment at The Villages of Seaport, Cape Canaveral.
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Jean Morris in the Kitchen of Alans' apartment at the Villages of Seaport, Cape Canaveral.
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Alan Morris in his apartment at The Villages of Seaport, Cape Canaveral.
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Jean Morris in Alans' apartment at The Villages of Seaport, Cape Canaveral.
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Jean Morris drinking champagne in the cabin on the Queen Mary II.
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Alan Morris drinking Champagne in the cabin on the Queen Mary II.
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Coastguard alongside the Queen Mary II as we sail out of New York.
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Jean & Alan Morris on the Queen Mary II deck as it leaves New York.
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Alan Morris, with a beer, on the deck of the Queen Mary II as it sails out of New York.
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Jean Morris sat in her wheelchair on the deck of The Queen Mary II as it left New York.
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Alan Morris on the deck of the Queen Mary II as it leaves New York.
