Who goes on a transatlantic cruise? The answer is, absolutely anybody. The day's programme is packed with activity from step aerobics to acting classes but to me, the most fascinating pastime during the six day voyage is without doubt people-watching.
Queen Mary 2, the only liner in the world to make regular, scheduled transatlantic crossings, is a complete city at sea, a society in microcosm. Most passengers are American or British but in less than 24 hours I've heard Spanish, Italian, German and French spoken as well and that excludes the crew, whose nationalities range from South African to Indian to Filipino. It's true that the majority of people here are of a certain age but there are young couples as well (one pair who have just gotten engaged over dinner and celebrated by performing karaoke), and families with small children (the ship has an excellent and little-publicised children's club). There are multi-generational groups with grannies and babies, lottery winners, honeymooners,renewal-of-vow-ers and parties of friends, as well as several very glamorous looking gay couples; transatlantic cruises are, apparently, traditionally popular among distinguished gay men.
And just when you think you've seen it all... at lifeboat drill, one couple turned up in swimwear and towelling robes (there is a force 7 wind blowing outside and we'd been told to wear warm clothes) and another lady in a floor-length mink. There are women whose hair and faces don't move, even on the gusty open decks, couples in matching his 'n' hers velour tracksuits and an entire family with multiple facial piercings, teenagers included. Then there are the gym babes who practically live in the massive Canyon Ranch Spa, sporting toned muscles and skinny Canyon Ranch T shirts with diamante logos.
Sartorially speaking, daytimes may not be a parade of style and beauty, especially on a stormy day like this with heavy seas, when it's all you can do to stay upright moving around the ship, let alone worry about wearing heels. But on the three formal nights of a transatlantic cruise, the tracky pants are exchanged for tuxedos, glittering evening dresses, serious bling and big hair. This is one occasion on a cruise when you can't go wrong with a long dress and plenty of sparkle.
It's the glamour of nights like these that unite everybody on board with a sense of occasion - the very reason many people choose this most elegant and traditional way to travel.
