In the scenic port of Ålesund, Norway, crew members from Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 and Carnival’s AIDAbella came together for a friendly basketball game during a shared port of call.
Despite the rain, both ships were eager to make the most out of their shared time. Upon arrival, QM2’s crew was greeted by Marco, AIDAbella’s HR manager, who graciously welcomed them aboard. Marco’s hospitality set the tone for the day, beginning with a review of house rules and a brief orientation. As the group reached Deck 13, the skies finally began to clear!
The whistle blew, marking the start of the first quarter. QM2 won the tip-off but faced immediate resistance as AIDAbella’s crew stole back possession and scored the first point. The game intensified, with relentless play on both sides. Points and penalties were exchanged in a spirited battle, showcasing the athleticism and teamwork of both ship’s crew. The first quarter ended in a nail-biting score of 9 to AIDAbella and 7 to QM2—a very close contest!
Just as the second quarter was about to begin, the weather took a turn. Cold rain made conditions on the court unsafe, and despite the crew’s best efforts to continue, the game was called off.
Though the match was cut short, the encounter offered a welcome opportunity for crew members to connect, share time off the clock, and build rapport across ships. A future rematch may be on the horizon—hopefully under better weather conditions!