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We arrived in New York at 6am this morning. We are just waiting for the call to disembark and we will be starting our road trip to Texas!
We will try and update the blog on route and perhaps some more photos can be posted too.
Wish us luck - only 1600 miles to go.
Richard, Robbi, Denny, Charlie and Munchkin
While a transatlantic crossing aboard a grand ship such as the QM2 is certainly a stylish way to travel for us, the true reason for us choosing this mode of transport was of course the boys. The difficulties of trying to find a safe way to bring them to the States were more than we had imagined. This seemed the perfect solution.
I must say that the treatment the boys have received has met and exceeded our expectations. While it is difficult for us to be impartial where our little guys are concerned, we cannot help but report that they seem to have enchanted the entire ship. Every day when we go to visit them we have crowds of people on either side of their deck area lining up to catch a glimpse of them as they frolic and play. Children and adults alike giggle as the boys run up to them and Charlie howls. Of course his howls quickly subside as Charlie and Denny jockey for position to lick the hands of passengers leaning over the gates trying to pet the boys. Cameras and video cameras always seem to be at the ready to catch the boys in action.
As part of the "Pampered Pets" program on board, the QM2 staff has provided Denny, Charlie and Munchkin with gift bags. Included for all three was a bowl and scoop with the QM2 logo. Munchkin was presented with a leather collar with a QM2 charm on it, while the boys received coats embossed with the same logo. In addition, the boys participated in a photo shoot on deck Friday afternoon. It was a bit chaotic and terribly windy, but all the spectators enjoyed watching us trying to corral the boys for a moment of peace for posterity.
Saturday morning Richard and I were having a quiet moment enjoying a cup of tea in the Winter Garden when a lady approached us and asked if we were "the ones with the dogs." I answered that we did have dogs on board, at which time she responded "Oh, the pictures are fantastic!" Apparently our photos were on display in the photo gallery along side of the formal portraits and embarkation shots of all of the passengers. We decided that we would head down there to see for ourselves. While we were attempting to find the photos of the kids we saw a lady holding one of the photos in her hands. She then turned to go to the cashier and attempted to buy the photo!
We looked through the assorted shots and were delighted to see several that we felt showed off the character and beauty of our little guys. We had been presented with a voucher to redeem for a free copy of a photo, but had neglected to bring it with us that time. So, we decided to return later. Last night we stopped back by after dinner. As we entered we saw the attendant looking at the pictures of our boys. She laughed and said she was admiring them and we commented that it seemed others had been as well. She reported that several passengers had requested copies to purchase for themselves. However she stated that other passengers were not allowed to buy copies. Pity, we would love for anyone who wants to enjoy looking at our boys to be able to do so. Perhaps we should post the boys' website for people to go to so they can see our little guys anytime they would like!
As a result of these photos, we seem to have become a talking point among a number of other passengers. We have heard several people talking to each other saying "they're the one with the dogs" while pointing at us.
We have yet to pick out which photo (or photos) we will be taking, but unfortunately we will not be able to share them with you for a while as they are prints and we are unable to scan anything while on the road. However, we do have more photos that Richard has taken with his digital camera that we can upload and share with you now.
As we post this we are just a few hours away from Ambrose lighthouse off the coast of New York. As we pass this the ship will take on a pilot to guide her through the coastal waters and safely into harbour. At about 5:15am we should be passing the Statue of Liberty where we can truly say to Denny & Charlie… "Welcome to America!"
It may have taken us a little longer than we thought to get connected to the internet on board the Queen Mary 2, but we have eventually found the time in our hectic on-board schedule to bring you all some photos and an update on our travels.
With a great deal of help from Richard's parents, we managed to close up the house in Sonning and make our way to the Southampton docks on one of the hottest days of the year in England. Thankfully our limo to the docks had air conditioning, and the furkids were able to comfortably enjoy the ride in their new carriers. Unfortunately the Southampton terminal where we were dropped off did not, so we were forced to spend several minutes in the sweltering heat while we waited for the kennel personnel to arrive and take the kids. Thankfully the rest of the embarkation went exceptionally smoothly and before we knew it we were on board. In fact, it all went a bit too quickly - we ended up only able to say the briefest of goodbyes to Richard's parents as the furkids were being wheeled away.
We were ushered past the general entrance and went directly on board to the kennels with our babies. The kennels were pre-marked with their names and blankets already in place for them to settle in. We were advised of the time we could return to see them and we said a quick goodbye and went to check on our own accommodations.
After we settled in ourselves we went back to check on the kids and were quite relieved to see that they were adjusting well. As Munchkin is the only cat on board at present, she was given a double kennel to herself. The boys were placed in the kennels directly beneath her and as requested the partition between their 2 kennels had been removed so that they could share their spaces. Their toys had already been removed from their carriers and placed in with them. We spoke with Robinson, the kennel man, regarding their routine and feeding schedule. He seemed genuinely interested in their well being and we felt much better after meeting him. We were able to spend a bit of time with the kids before we went off to shower and get ready for dinner.
The following day we came during the appointed visiting hours to spend a bit of time with the boys & Munch. We could tell that Charlie had already taken to Robinson and this new adventure. Denny seemed a bit more unsure, but we could tell by his demeanour that he was not frightened or fearful. During our later visits we could see him relaxing more and more.
Off the room with the kennels is an indoor playroom that the dogs are taken to when they cannot go outside. Outside the kennels is a section of deck that has been reserved just for the dogs. There are gates placed at either end so that passengers are not walking through and disturbing the animals. Visitors may request to come and see the kennels but the staff defer to the wishes of the boarded pets' owners before allowing anyone in the area.
On the second day we set up chairs in the indoor playroom and had the boys sit on our laps to get some cuddle time in. It was precisely what they needed. Denny visibly relaxed and became the sweet cuddly pug we know and love. We have continued to do this both on the deck and in the indoor play area on each of our visits and I cannot tell who enjoys it more - the boys or us. Meanwhile, on each visit I take Munch out of her kennel and walk around with her a bit. I took her out on the deck once, but it seemed a bit overwhelming for her so we haven't done that again. She seems content to just nuzzle my shoulder for a while. Good ole Munch - she's quite the international traveller now.
We have lots more to talk about and many many more photos to show you too, check back in tomorrow and we will be posting a little more. We only have one more day at sea before we arrive in New York and then the real adventure begins - the trip of a lifetime has only just begun!
You may have noticed from the WebCam image that the Denny and Charlie cam is now offline... for now.
We are just about ready to go and the final items have been packed. The mini-bus is due to pick us up tommorrow lunchtime and we should be aboard the QM2 at around 2pm GMT.
We will try and post at least a little snippet each day of our trip, but I cannot make any promises!
We are really looking forward to this trip! See you in TEXAS!
Richard
It's all coming together now. My VISA is finally sorted out, the new dog carriers are here and the last of the items we were selling on eBay have finally gone.
Robbi and myself feel like a massive weight has been lifted from our shoulders in the last 24 hours, the fact that all the little niggly bits have finally been resolved is a great feeling.
In only 4 days time we will be boarding the QM2. I just know it's going to be an emotionaly time for all of us - including my parents who are making the trip down to Southampton to see us off on our adventure. Right now I have a feeling of aprehension and excitement, both are fighting with each other and my stomach is in knots!
My parents are intending to come over to our new home for Christmas and New Year, and we are already making plans to make this years event a very special one.
Anyway, this is my last day at the office. We are heading into London tonight for a few drinks and something to munch on. I am going to miss this place.
Richard
Panic? Me? 
Of course! It’s only 5 days now till we board the QM2 and head off into the sunset. The ship leaves at 6pm on Tuesday 18th July and I have got to admit I am absolutely in a state of bewilderment!
The actual realization that I am lifting up my whole life in the UK and heading for a new one in the USA has finally started to hit home. Its little things you know, like seeing a trailer for a television program due to be shown on the 20th July…. I know I won’t ever get to see it! Weird, very weird.
At this moment in time, we are still awaiting my passport to be delivered from the US Embassy in London; a slight cock-up with my medical records has caused a 2 week delay and the stress of not having the thing in my grubby hands is getting both myself and Robbi in a bit of a mess at the moment. We know they are working on it, they told us they are, but you cannot help thinking the worst in situations like this.
Denny, Charlie and Munchkin now have their Pet Passports issued. The final visit to the vet is on Monday morning for their obligatory Heart Worm and Tick treatments, a minor issue, but it means they can have that final stamp in their passports which means they will be good to go. 
Richard