We've planned our 5th cruise for the year!

 

Sometimes, RQS is the person who finds a hidden bargain which benefits the two of us.  This weekend, she saw a cruise price of $982/pp for the above cruise, while I was seeing a price of $1399/pp for the same cruise.  As much as I'd say that $982/pp for a 12 day cruise, I had my reservations.  First, I'd be taking this trip as Mario, as most Caribbean islands have problems with the LGBT community.  Second, this trip would be on the Queen Mary 2, and there would be 3 formal nights onboard the ship, for which Cunard expects me to wear formal garb.

Before I left RQS this past weekend, we agreed that she would make the deposit on this cruise, and that we both would be getting a soda package and a streaming Wi-Fi package. This way, we'd be able to do what we want on our devices when onboard the ship, and yet be able to contact friends and family if needed.

A good thing about this cruise is that we'll be on the same ship I want to take for a transatlantic crossing.  Given that RQS saw two women ballroom dancing together on a cruise blogger's video, I don't think she will have any reservations against taking the crossing on this ship with me presenting as Marian.  But first, we have to take this cruise, and wait until the Orange Snowflake's war on Transgenders is over.

- - - - - -

In the old days, all transatlantic crossings would sail from Europe to the West Side of Manhattan.  The Hudson River was littered with ports, with one (or more) piers serving each line servicing the routes to New York.  However, there are only 2 active piers in Manhattan, 1 in Brooklyn, and 1 in Bayonne, NJ.  We could never return to the "good old days" of transatlantic crossings even if we wanted to - the capacity to service the ships is no longer there.

As I write this, the SS United States is on its way to be turned into an underwater tourist attraction - an artificial reef.  This is a damned shame, yet unavoidable.  There was no way to make it possible for this ship to be economically viable in today's environment.  It makes much more sense to spend more money to build larger ships overseas, and use them for tourist purposes.

Luckily, RQS and I will get the chance to sail on the last remaining ocean liner in the world.  Even if it disappoints, it will still be a rewarding experience.

Philadelphia Trip - 09/09/24

This would likely be the saddest sight we'd see on this trip - the S.S.United States, just before it is expected to be towed away from Philadelphia to a place in Florida where it will be sunk and turned into an artificial reef.  For people who enjoy trips upon the water, knowing that this once great ship is likely being scuttled and turned into an artificial reef soon.

- - - - - - -

When we awoke, we got moving relatively quickly, as we were meeting RQS's cousin after breakfast to do some sightseeing.  Luckily, there was a place down the street where we could get some breakfast, and we walked over there around 9:30 am.  By the time we were done with breakfast, we still had time to kill before her cousin arrived at 11:00 am. Before I go too far, getting into RQS's cousin's car is like trying to load clowns into a clown car.  Mini Coopers are small to begin with, and both RQS and I had to perform unnatural body movements to get in and out of the car.  So both of us felt cramped as we drove the 20 blocks to reach the Mütter Museum.  

The Mütter Museum is a museum of medical oddities, but not in a way you'd expect from a circus sideshow.  Instead, the exhibits are tastefully presented, with respect for the people whose bodies these artifacts are taken from.  One can view many medical maladies, and see how the body and skeleton is affected by them. This is not a museum whose collection would be assembled today.  Yet, it is a valuable guide to how doctors would learn about these ailments over a century ago.

Next, it was off to drive past the "corpse" of the S.S. United States.  This ship was stripped of almost everything important years ago, and is now a rusting hulk on Philadelphia's shoreline. The conservancy that owns the ship has been in a dispute with the owners of the pier where it is docked over docking fees, and the ship was scheduled to be evicted this week. Yet, I can't but help hope that someone will rescue this ship and find a way to preserve it before it is turned into an artificial reef. On the way back to the hotel, we passed by the area which will be cordoned off for the presidential debate.  It's sad to need such security these days, but American politics are too polarized to take any chances with the candidates' lives.  

Later on, it was off to dinner at a Vietnamese restaurant.  It was Restaurant Week, so we chose the special from their list of offerings.  Although the food was good, I'm not sure if I'd eat there again, as the service was slow and not up to our standards.  Once we got back to the hotel, the "fun" began....

As I've mentioned here before, I have GI Tract issues.  (I'll have to change my diet, as I need to introduce more roughage my meals.  But I digress....)  Unfortunately, I clogged the toilet, and we couldn't get late night maintenance - and we were told to use the toilet in the club room for the rest of the evening.  AARGH!  Even the use of a plunger didn't help.  (I have a stronger one at home.  The cheap one here was worthless.)  There was no way we'd get dressed to go to another floor to relieve ourselves, so we figured we'd figure out a way to make do until maintenance would arrive at 9:00 am the next day.