Formal dinners at the Britannia Restaurant took place about half of the nights during the 29 day voyage. We had early seating at Table 260 which meant that we had to enter between 6.00 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. if we wished to take advantage of this option. Otherwise, we either had to pay for dinner at the Todd English Restaurant or fight off the crowds at the various Buffet sections of the King's Grill on Deck 7.
The first waiter we had at the Britannia was surly and uncommunicative to the point of making one feel uncomfortable. It is possible that his manner was caused by incipient illness for, two days after we set sail, he disappeared and was replaced by Edwin, a charming man from the Philippines.
What happens to members of the crew when they become ill or die? One would have assumed that Cunard would take care of them and either nurse them back to health or ship their bodies home to their families.
Evidently, this is NOT the case for the most part when the illness is serious or terminal. They are put ashore to fend for themselves. At least, this is what I was told by Priests who ministered to the Roman Catholic congregation and to Roman Catholic Crew Members on the Queen Mary 2.
The fact that Cunard and other lines do not assume responsiblity is the reason why the Apostleship of the Sea was created. It is an organisation that operates at the major ports to assist Crew Members who fell ill or die.
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