So I'm back with part 2 of my Transatlantic cruise to New York on the Queen Mary 2 as a guest of Cunard for Transatlantic Fashion Week. Gosh that's a mouthful ha ha. If you haven't read my Part 1 post then do! It covers what I got up to the few few days. This post is set to be a tad longer than the last as I have more days to cover although I will admit there are some holes in there where clearly I was having way too much fun to take photos!!
Also if you didn't catch my What I'm Packing Post then have a nosey as it gives a bit more info on the cruise itself and why I was invited.
There is a slight mix of photos in the post, my pictures shot on the Olympus Pen and pictures by the fabulous Chris Ison who was the photographer on board. Thanks to him for the snaps of me in my evening outfits, drinking champers and sitting in a jacuzzi (its a hard life eh?, for me I mean not him lol)
DAY FOUR
So Sunday was the day I was most excited about. As part of Transatlantic Fashion Week the invited designer Julien Macdonald was presenting a catwalk show featuring pieces from his collections from the last few years and I had a front row seat! The show was incredible. Bear in mind I've seen some of these dresses come down the catwalk at London fashion Week usually right at the back of the crowd, peering over someones head desperate to see. This time I was right up close and the detail on his dresses is incredible. I mean honestly stunning. I loved the whole show. I especially loved that it was salon style so the models walked right around the ballroom so everyone could see but they started right in front of me and in fact I had a view to them coming out out and Julien himself checking each one over before they set off. It honestly was a dream.
After the catwalk show we were treated to an AMAZING champagne masterclass in the Laurent Perrier lounge. The gorgeous Kinga taught us all about champagne and we were able to sample 5 different varieties along with small dishes that had been chosen to match each champagne. It was so lovely and I must confess left me a tad tipsy, which I stayed right through to dinner that evening in Britannia restaurant where we ordered Laurent Perrrier Rose as it was our favourite from the tasting and ended up dancing the night away after one too many mojitos in the ships nightclub G32.
DAY FIVE
Day five started with breakfast in bed again and with a lightly heavy head I must confess but I headed off with the girls to the Q&A with Julien Macdonald. It was so interesting and I learnt so much I didn't know about him and his journey to become the designer he is today. He was incredibly warm and funny and it was a great show.
Also that morning we watched the catwalk show by the graduates of Parsons Design school in New York. A really interesting show with some gorgeous pieces from new young designers including some really pretty colourful graphic pieces by Jee Hyun Cho.
As Monday was our evening off from any kind of arranged dinner or activities we all decided to test out the afternoon tea served in the Queens Ballroom. We were a tiny bit disappointed that we didn't have a very photogenic tiered cake stand on our table as instead waiters bring trays of food and you can choose what you like. But after the 10th cucumber sandwich we didn't care.
OUTFIT DETAILS
tee | trousers | bag | sunglasses
After eating our own body weight in cake me and Sharnaz headed on deck to have a wander of the ship. It was such a beautiful day. Up on the top deck is the ships kennels which we saw on the tour but today there were dogs outside and that was my day made to be honest. I had a good coo over all the doggies.
Later that evening we headed out again to watch the sunset and see the old propeller blades on deck which are such a gorgeous feature. We were lucky enough to spot dolphins that evening too as the sun set which was so magical.
That evening we all hid out in our rooms, indulged in room service whilst we relaxed in our fluffy bathrobes.
DAY SIX
Day six started with a laze around the indoor pool and pina coladas (virgin) a pretty great way to start the day. We had no pre organised activties this day so we just hung out and relaxed and later I headed to the onboard salon to have my hair done in preparation for that evening's formal night which was roaring 20's. I had chosen my dresses before I found out the themes but my gorgeous Debut at Debenhams dress did have a 30's vibe about it so with the help of some soft waves created by the hairdresser and the prettiest Accessorize bag I felt like I had a hint of the 20's about me. I loved this dress and this outfit I think it was my favourite of the week.
We ate dinner that night in the Britannia Restaurant once again followed by cocktails in the Commodore club and I must confess more dancing and mojitos in G32. However I did also get to chat to Julien Macdonald that evening ( a little tipsy, both of us fyi!!) which was so wonderful.
DAY SEVEN
Day seven our last full day on ship was the best day we had onboard. The sun was shining, we all hung out on sun loungers enjoying the weather, chatting and sitting in the jacuzzi. We all then ate lunch at the burger place on the very top deck which I'm reliably informed rarely opens due to wind so we were really lucky. It was so lovely and so chilled.
That evening we ate our last meal in Britannia restaurant who by the way catered to my gluten free needs all week so well. I did have to choose what I wanted to eat the night before but they made me gluten free bread rolls every day and were really helpful.
After dinner and a couple of glasses of wine I headed to bed ready to get up early to see the ship arrive into NYC a sight most of the ship gets up at 5am to see.
DAY EIGHT
We all headed onto deck at 5am in our fluffy robes to watch the ship arrive into NYC and see the famous NYC skyline. Later we had photos on the deck with Chris with the incredible New York buildings behind. Thank you to him for capturing so many beautiful shots on the trip.
After that we grabbed our luggage and it was time to head off the ship. We were transported over to the Renaissance Midtown where we were staying and also where we would be enjoying afternoon tea with the incredible fashion icon Iris Apfel later that day. To explain Iris had meant to be on board for the cruise as part of the Transatlantic Fashion Week but was unable to, so instead Cunard organised for this very intimate event. It was incredible to meet her, she said she loved my outfit and I had worn my favourite yellow jumpsuit as I know she loves bold colour. We got to sit and chat with her as well as celebrate her recent 96th birthday with cake!
We had dinner that evening as a group and then next day after a lovely morning with Chris the photographer exploring the Dumbo area and a fun afternoon with Sharnaz having lunch and a wander I headed back home.
It honestly was the trip of a lifetime and I'm so grateful to Cunard for inviting me. If you fancy heading off on a transatlantic cruise to New York for Transatlantic Fashion Week 2018 then definitely check it out !
I hope you've enjoyed seeing what I got up and don't forget there is a vlog to come where you'll see all my outfits and what I got up to. So make sure you are SUBSCRIBED
Debs
x
4 Comments
So enjoyed your part 2 update
Too many cucumber sandwiches, love it 😍
Lovely pictures
Thank you
Have reposted your blog on FB ‘we are cunard fanzine ‘ our group so all can enjoy including Paul Cunane 😄😎🍷🍷
Rob
Hi Rob, thats so kind thank you so much for reading AND reposting xxx
İts very nice. Thanks
Thank you for sharing this beautiful experience with the QUEEN MARY 2 – I have sailed her many times, transatlantic and on cruises, and the fashion photographs are wonderful to see, the ship and cruise photo superb.