To go boldly where no man has gone before!

This week sees actor, George Takei, who played Lieutenant Sulu sail onboard the Queen Mary 2 as part of their Insights programme.

I was surprised in my research to learn of the struggles that this gentleman has faced over the years. I only knew of him from his time as Sulu in Star Trek as I was an avid Trekkie in my time and also from his stint in “I’m a celebrity get me out of here” but there is so much more to him.

He was born in Los Angeles to Japanese American parents in 1937 and at the age of 5 with his family he was sent to an internment camp when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour. He remained there for three years. At the age of 68 he revealed he was gay and has become an activist for the LGBT movement.

He is currently sailing on board Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 from New York to Southampton and his new film “To Be Takei” will be premiered on board.

Cruise Critic caught up with him on board and questioned him about cruising as follows:

CC: Can you tell us about your first cruise experience?

George Takei: My very first cruise was an Alaska cruise. I had never been to Alaska and the word isn’t exotic, but it’s a whole different part of the world: glaciers and seeing salmon caught and cooked right there by the riverside was really a unique experience.

But this is my very first time on a legend, Queen Mary 2, and the elegance that we’re wrapped in is going to be a very special experience.

CC: What are some of your favourite things about cruising?

Takei: For one thing, you eat elegantly. The eating is very good. It’s also relaxing, although with this one I’m going to be working. But a cruise is a wonderfully relaxing way to travel. Also, you avoid jet lag. We have a standing policy as we love the theatre, and London theatre is very, very rich; we never go to the theatre on the first night of our arrival because of jet lag. But on this journey we will be going to the theatre on the first night (when they reach London) because you avoid jet lag by taking human steps, an hour at a time over an eight day period, so it’s a much more comfortable way to go to London. The other thing that’s wonderful about cruising is the people on a cruise ship are all prepared to enjoy themselves. They’re relaxed; they don’t have their guard up, and you make friends. We’ve maintained friendships with friends that we’ve made on prior cruises.

CC: What advice would you give to a first time cruiser?

Takei: If you enjoy travel in a leisurely way surrounded by elegance and dining sumptuously, cruising is a lot of fun. And it’s an opportunity to travel without packing and unpacking and seeing a lot of different sites. On this one we’re going to one destination, but on most cruises like in the Caribbean or Alaska, you stop at different places.

CC: Is there any item you must pack to bring with you when you go on a cruise?

Takei: Because we’re doing this cruise we packed a lot of clothes. Ordinarily we don’t, but this time we have five pieces of luggage. We can’t be seen twice in the same outfit. I’ve got a different jacket for each night.

I have to say I wish I had been on the cruise as George Takei comes across as a wonderful and kind gentleman who when adversity was thrown in his way rose above it all to show what being human is all about.