Journey Back In Time: 1967

 An assortment of Cunard, White Star Line, and P&O Orient Lines

programs, menus, and passenger lists.

Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders

Experienced cruisers know all about disembarkation day: luggage out by midnight the night before, a visit to the Front Office to settle any last-minute onboard account items, a carry-on bag packed, plane tickets for the next day printed off from the ships computers.   Maybe a late evening of going for one more dip in the pool, or one last drink in your favorite bar, or just another stroll around the promenade deck.  All of this in preparation to be up at the crack of dawn the next morning, and in most cases, off the ship by 8AM.

However, the last day of the RMS Queen Mary's Eastbound Transatlantic voyage from New York to Southampton on Monday, August 28, 1967 was something of a different affair: instead of being kicked off in the wee hours of the morning, Queen Mary was scheduled to tie up at Southampton's Ocean Terminal at 5:30pm - leaving passengers with a relaxing day at sea as their ship entered the English Channel. 

What could passengers do with that free time before having to set foot on land once again?  Here is an excerpt from the Cunard Programme For Today from August 28, 1967:

RMS QUEEN MARY - TOURIST CLASS - MONDAY, AUGUST 28, 1967

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Stateroom Baggage

Southampton passengers are requested to leave their baggage (with the exception of their requirements until arrival) packed and ready for removal from staterooms by Noon today.

Due to H.M. Customs Authorities requiring an accurate stores list immediately on arrival, passengers are advised that the sale of cigarettes, tobacco and cigars will close at 4.30 p.m. and that the bars will close finally at 5.00 p.m.

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am.

7.00 - Swimming Pool Open       "E" Deck Aft

7.00 - Noon and 2.00 - 4.00 p.m. - Gymnasium open      "E" Deck Aft

9.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. - For the 'Teens and Twenties      Beachcomber Club, "A" Deck Aft

 

10.00 - R.M.S Queen Mary is expected to dock at The Gare Maritime, Cherbourg.

Immigration officers will board the vessel at the Quay.  Passengers disembarking are requested to assemble for passport inspection in the Smoke Room, 'A' Deck, shortly after arrival.

Please take your Landing Card and Customs Declaration Form with you. 

11.00 - Keep-fit Class      Gymnasium, 'E' Deck Aft

11.30 - Lilian Eden at the Organ (relayed)      Garden Lounge

Noon - Music From The Shows      Smoke Room

pm.

1.00 - B.B.C News Broadcast      Smoke Room

2.00 - Recorded Concert: Schubert Symphony in C Major      Smoke Room

3.30 - Music for Tea-Time with the Ken Vick Combo      Smoke Room

An evening meal will be served in the Restaurant

Main Sitting: 4.15 p.m.

Late Sitting: 5.15 p.m.

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ARRIVAL

5.30 - RMS Queen Mary is expected to dock at the Ocean Terminal, Southampton

Disembarkation will commence at 7.00 p.m.

Families with young children are requested to assemble in the Cinema at 6.30 p.m.

All other passengers should assemble in the Public Rooms

Please arrange to clear your baggage through Customs before 7.45 p.m. 

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MOVIE PROGRAMME

In the Cinema, "B" Deck, at 10.00 a.m. and 2.15 p.m.

"THE BOBO"

Featuring Peter Sellers, Britt Ekland, and Rossano Brazzi

Showing Time: 1 hour, 43 minutes.

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