P.S.

So what is the first most wonderful thing to do on this ship? Sitting in the nude on the balcony.The glorious sun kissing my naked body,the ocean running away from the ship into the distance.The peace, the quiet.The neighbours, who do not mind seeing the odd bit of flesh! Why should any-one mind a naked body,you may ask. Well, let me tell you a story.On Azura in September last,I was in my sun lounger on the balcony in the altogether, when I heard the balcony door in the next cabin, open.I covered myself up strategically.The neighbour coughed. It was a woman.I did not stir. A minute or so later, she coughed again, at first several times, then this developed into a serious fit. I did not move.I knew it was directed at me.But I was decent,certainly more decent, than any-one by the pool.The balcony door opened again.Do not come out here,she is naked,the woman said. I remained still. The next day I met them coming towards me in the corridor.I smiled and nodded.She looked at me...well, if looks could kill...Is that her, asked the husband.I didn't hear her reply.It was a very unpleasant moment,so unnecessary.From then on all bets were off and so were my clothes .Every time I was on the balcony I strategically uncovered myself. I said earlier I had misgivings about taking a cruise on Azura in Sept.The reason being that I took a cruise on Azura to the Caribbean the year the ship was launched.It was very disappointing.The service left a lot to be desired, the food was mediocre. Teething troubles,I said to myself, and when I set a foot on Azura on 12th Sept. to sail for 14 nights to the Med, every single day was an affirmation, that the troubles then really were just teething troubles, a distant memory.This time the food was good, the service excellent.I loved every single moment on the ship.I didn't even mind the odd buffoon.And believe me,those you get on every ship aplenty.This is my second time on the QE.The first cruise was a great disappointment,I do not even remember the itinerary,I only remember the dirty tables in Lido, the mostly unpalatable food,the service that left a lot to be desired.The QE seemed then like a poor sister of The Queen Mary and The Queen Victoria.Now, four or so years later,it seems not like a poor sister,but a second cousin twice removed. Teething troubles have developed into bleeding gums.The food still a hit and miss affair, the service similar,if it is good it is very good, if it is bad,it is awful.The stateroom itself is kept reasonably clean by Dindo, yes,that is my state-room attendant's name, Dindo.But the balcony hasn't been cleaned for months, it is filthy,dirty water not draining from the guttering,brown sediment at the bottom, the floor covered with paint peeling off the uncomfortable lounge chairs and off the table.The area looks utterly disgusting. Water drips from the ventilation on my bed. I hope the vent system is regularly checked for the Legionair's disease.