Homeward Bound
Porthole Cruise Magazine|April 2017

A meaningful crossing aboard Queen Mary 2.

Ben Lyons
Homeward Bound

The boom of Queen mary 2’s whistle was meant as celebratory, heralding the start of a new voyage. To us, it was a mournful farewell to familiar shores. As we sailed away under grey skies from Southampton — and, more broadly, Europe — the drizzle settling on our cheeks certainly masked a tear or two. For my wife, Kathryn, and me, there were conflicting emotions as we set sail for New York.

A LOOK BACK_For two adventurous, eye-opening years, we had lived in Istanbul, where we enjoyed hikes in Oman and ski weekends in Italy. From our apartment, we gazed across the Bosphorus, and the Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace defined our skyline. In New York, the only skyline from our apartment was a neighbor’s brick wall; returning home was not the joyful affair we had anticipated.

To help transition ourselves from the Old World to the New, we decided to go over land and sea. Packing our bags and dashing off to the airport, only to land 11 hours later at JFK airport, couldn’t capture the enormity of our move. Instead, we traveled by train across Europe in three days, took an overnight ferry to the U.K., and then boarded Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2. At least, we reasoned, we could look forward to being on the ship.

Denne historien er fra April 2017-utgaven av Porthole Cruise Magazine.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra April 2017-utgaven av Porthole Cruise Magazine.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA PORTHOLE CRUISE MAGAZINESe alt
GALAPAGOS OF THE EAST
Porthole Cruise and Travel

GALAPAGOS OF THE EAST

Koalas are just the beginning on Australia’s fauna-rich Kangaroo Island.

time-read
5 mins  |
July/August 2021
PLUG IN AND POWER UP!
Porthole Cruise and Travel

PLUG IN AND POWER UP!

More and more, ports and cruise lines are working together to keep the lights on and keep the pollution down

time-read
4 mins  |
July/August 2021
Making Up For Lost Time
Porthole Cruise and Travel

Making Up For Lost Time

After everything we’ve been through, who’s saying no to a postpandemic world cruise or grand voyage offering months at sea?

time-read
5 mins  |
July/August 2021
MEXICO'S COASTAL ESCAPES
Porthole Cruise and Travel

MEXICO'S COASTAL ESCAPES

With Mexico rolling out the red carpet and opening flight borders to Americans, now is the time to redeem the pent-up wanderlust of the last year.

time-read
4 mins  |
July/August 2021
Countess In!
Porthole Cruise and Travel

Countess In!

Porthole Cruise and Travel enjoys slice after slice of Americana while sailing the new American Countess.

time-read
5 mins  |
July/August 2021
The Joy of St. Croix
Porthole Cruise and Travel

The Joy of St. Croix

Of all the Caribbean vibes, St. Croix’s is unique.

time-read
4 mins  |
July/August 2021
Unique Hotel Boutiques
Porthole Cruise and Travel

Unique Hotel Boutiques

Gone are the days of sad hotel gift shops that sold little but after thoughts. Today’s hotel shopping is varied and eclectic, offering status items and one-of-a-kind finds alike.

time-read
3 mins  |
July/August 2021
Sipping on the Sand
Porthole Cruise Magazine

Sipping on the Sand

The unique beach bars near South Florida’s cruise ports are a perfect reflection of the shorelines they represent.

time-read
1 min  |
March/April 2021
St. Thomas, Sophisticated
Porthole Cruise Magazine

St. Thomas, Sophisticated

A former cruise director revisits the tiny, charming paradise he adored...only to find even more to love.

time-read
4 mins  |
March/April 2021
Traditional Tlingit Tastes
Porthole Cruise Magazine

Traditional Tlingit Tastes

In Hoonah, Alaska, food is about much more than just what's on the plate.

time-read
5 mins  |
March/April 2021