Passage to America

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The USS Macon sails over lower Manhattan, on October 9, 1933. (AP Photo/U.S. Navy)

The USS Macon sails over lower Manhattan, on October 9, 1933. (AP Photo/U.S. Navy)

A short while ago we were attempting to get my US visa, buy a house, sell this one, and then fly ourselves and four pets to the US by Christmas.

That’s now a non-starter.

No prizes for guessing why we’ve had to postpone. Just accept that there was the lack of fraternal support over here, regardless of the excitement across the Atlantic.

So we have postponed my medical – the next stage in the visa process. We’ve also put a hold on the whole housing issue. Now we have to face months more of living in a difficult situation.

However, we have made a momentous decision, not least because flying the four fur babies was not only daunting, but also stressful for them – and expensive. It was going to cost us £4,000 to fly them, and then £16,000 to get us there, since it’s better to fly business with my disability problems.

Queen Mary 2 in New York Harbor

Queen Mary 2 in New York Harbor

So our passage to the United States will now be on September 20th 2016. And if you haven’t worked out the method, then you missed the visual clues.

Yes we are flying by airship.

Of course not. We are sailing for seven days on Cunard‘s Queen Mary 2, from Southampton, England to New York. Luxury yes, but cheaper than flying. Great accommodation, wonderful facilities and places to explore, delicious food,

Cunard, Queen Mary 2 - Stateroom

Cunard, Queen Mary 2 – Stateroom

The jaw dropping Grand Lobby on the Cunard Queen Mary 2

The jaw dropping Grand Lobby on the Cunard Queen Mary 2

Britannia restaurant by Carlo Mirante

Britannia restaurant by Carlo Mirante

AND most important of all: the liner has special kennels for dogs and cats.

They get to have their own area to move around and play in, with their own Kennel Master. It even has an outdoor ‘poop’ deck for the dogs. They may not want to leave the ship.

Queen Mary 2's Kennel program

Queen Mary 2’s Kennel program 

Gypsy by Catherine at Ancora Crafts

Scully by Catherine at Ancora Crafts

All very exciting, and it gives us something to aim for, even though it’s tinged with disappointment at not being with the family for Christmas. More time to learn Welsh, perhaps.

And leaving England behind this way means that one of my last views will be of the Isle of Wight, where I spent many happy summers as a child. Summers when we saw the great ocean liners arriving and leaving, like the Queen Mary.

The Cunard liner RMS Queen Mary at Southampton in 1960s - copyright Chris Howel at shipspotting.com.

The Cunard liner RMS Queen Mary at Southampton in 1960s – copyright Chris Howel at shipspotting.com.

15 thoughts on “Passage to America”

  6. I’m sorry everything is being delayed and hope things work out. But how exciting to be coming here by a ship. I’d rather do that too, if I had to transport my kitties. I’d be terrified to put them on an airplane. Although, they’d also be afraid on a ship. lol Happy voyage!

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    • More we thought about the airplane, and investigated it, the more we felt that it was not the way to get our babies to America. Not sure our kitties will be fazed the sea crossing – they slept for most of an eight hour car journey without needing the litter, which they will have 24/7 on the ship. As for motion, they like riding on my wheelchair 😉

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  8. Hi Roland.

    Sorry I was out of touch fro so long. Life has been a bit crazy over here lately, but I hope it’s finally setting and I can go back bugging all my blogger friends 🙂

    So sorry to hear about the delay, but as others have said, you’re really going to have an experience once it comes. I’m so envious seeing those pictures!

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