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Across the Sea... and BackAcross the Sea... and Back
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A 38-day adventure by Laura Read more
  • 33footprints
  • 8countries
  • 38days
  • 262photos
  • 0videos
  • 21.7kkilometers
  • 1.3ksea miles
  • 1.6kkilometers
  • 360kilometers
  • 211kilometers
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  • TravelerAcross the Sea... and Back
    Day 1

    On Our Way

    April 19, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    Caught an Uber to Union Station for our train to New York.

    I am such a fan of RedCaps- especially when one has a bunch of suitcases- one of which is full of schmancy clothes which will stay packed until the return transit. We used their services in both train stations- and it made life so much easier.

    The train ride was blessedly uneventful. On arrival we took a taxi to our hotel. After a couple of minutes, we left our room and headed to the taping of Gutfeld, wit no Gutfeld, but guest host Jimmy Failla

    Then dinner at a diner. I ordered a meatball with tzaziki, and ended up with a huge scoop of tzaziki and a bushel basket of pita wedges.    Read more

  • TravelerAcross the Sea... and Back
    Day 2

    Getting Underway

    April 20, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    We caught a taxi from the Hampton Inn Times Square North to the Manhattan Cruise Terminal.

    Check-in was pretty uneventful, and we were able to go directly to our stateroom, because the ship had a 4-day, guest-free transit from Florida. The crew had a chance for good sleep and relaxation to start their Transatlantic transit and European season. It will be a long time before she's back in The States.

    We have an Ocean+Lifeboat View stateroom near O'Sheehan's. Great room- and we can hear the Atrium music perfectly in our room.

    The views at sailaway were beautiful- the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the New York Skyline, with the Staten Island Ferry.

    We had dinner at Los Lobos- the Mexican specialty restaurant. Amazing! Delicious! Really, really good.    Read more

  • TravelerAcross the Sea... and Back
    Day 3

    At Sea- Cruise Critic M&G

    April 21, 2023, North Atlantic Ocean

    Busy morning- we had a Sit & Stitch get-together in The Cellar wine bar. Nice group- knitters, crocheters, stitchers.. we'll meet there on our sea days.

    Then to the Meet & Greet, to network with other cruisers in the Cruise Critic and Facebook groups and meet the officers. It was a successful get-together, and I was really glad that a lot of people showed up.

    The rest of the day was pretty laid-back. Took a nap , and answered a knock on the door to be met with a bottle of prosecco and plate of canapes from the General Manager.

    Dinner was in the Aqua restaurant. Pretty yummy. I had spring rolls, hake, and chocolate mint mousse. W had New England clam chowder, hake and Boston cream pie.

    There was a notification- due to threat of icebergs, we will not visit St John's Newfoundland, or St Pierre & Miquelon. While I'm disappointed, it's a valid decision based on the track record of iceberg vs passenger ship.

    Extra needlework days🤷‍♀️☺️    Read more

  • TravelerAcross the Sea... and Back
    Day 4

    Halifax, Nova Scotia

    April 22, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C

    We got the HoHo bus tickets, and stopped at thearitime Museum of the Atlantic. Exhibits include Titanic and the Halifax Explosion in 1917. A Belgian relief ship and a French munitions ship collided. The munitions ship exploded, killed over 2000 people and burned down much of the city.. I saw a model of Mauritania- the ship that brought my Gramma Folk to America in 1920.

    At the end of the bus run, we went to The Bicycle Thief for lunch. SO good- I can highly recommend it.

    Going back to the ship I found the Tartan Wool shop- and a skein of yarn jumped into my arms. I was unable to protect myself-- it had merino and cashmere and nylon, oh my!

    Came back to a healthy treat, compliments of the Concierge.    Read more

  • TravelerAcross the Sea... and Back
    Day 5

    Sea Day Sunday-Rockin' & Rollin'

    April 23, 2023, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 5 °C

    Busy sea Day! I started out with the stitching group. We have some 25 stitchers- knitters, crocheters, needlepoint, cross stitch, and other artistic interests. We met in the wine cellar, which was a bit tight for us. I arranged with the Events Coordinator, Annika, to use a meeting room that will give us more space.

    Then the Veteran's group met- a good sized group of men and women. Found out about a cocktail gathering later today that we were able to join.

    We had dinner in Aqua, then went later for dessert crepes in the buffet. Yummy!

    It's cold- and with 30-40 knot winds, and 6-8 meter waves, the barf bags were out this morning. We have quite a bit of movement, lots of creaking, and the wind in the doors on the 7th deck sounds like nonstop vacuum cleaners.

    I've been advising numerous guests to eat green apples and drink mint tea- both of which are available at the buffet. (Here's hoping my tummy stays as dependable as it's been so far.)    Read more

  • TravelerAcross the Sea... and Back
    Day 6

    Monday Sea Day

    April 24, 2023, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ 🌬 3 °C

    I had a nice breakfast in O'Sheehan's before our stitching group met. I checked with the Events Coordinator yesterday to see if we could find another place to meet. She said we could use one of the meeting rooms. I went to check it out this morning- and it's full of art. So back to the Cellar- which was fine, as a bunch of us spread out among the window benches instead of all trying to stay in a circle. We also had to get the lights turned up- and all was well.

    We're still rocking and rolling. I'm pretty used to it.

    We had lunch in the Venetian dining room. I looked out the stern windows and the up and down movement was very apparent. Lunch took a long time. I think the server was overwhelmed. The head waiter and Maitre d' ended up bringing us our food- and we left about an hour and twenty minutes after arriving.

    I went to the matinee comedy show featuring Julie Barr. She's quite good. The theater is in the bow, and the slamming against the waves was quite an experience.    Read more

  • TravelerAcross the Sea... and Back
    Day 7

    Busy Tuesday Sea Day

    April 25, 2023, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ 🌬 2 °C

    Today has been much calmer- but still bumpy. And we saw the sun,!😁

    Sea days are relaxing- and people get bored...right? Well, I seem to get myself well-booked, and we had another time change, to boot.

    Our stitching group meets at 9:30- which was tough this morning, after our third "spring forward" in four days. At 11 was a Veteran's gathering, followed by a Latitudes (NCL Loyalty program) gathering at 11:30. We had lunch- I was starving because I got up too late for breakfast. I had a Monte Cristo- yum! We then had a 4:30 gathering to commemorate ANZAC day. I hung around for a few minutes to serve as a ringer for a trivia team. I knew the first answer- Tonto was played by Jay Silverheels. You're welcome.

    Dinner at Cagney's.    Read more

  • TravelerAcross the Sea... and Back
    Day 9

    Reykjevik, Iceland

    April 27, 2023 in Iceland ⋅ ❄️ 2 °C

    What a day!!! We got in earlier than planned, and our excursion wasn't until after noon- so were onboard during the morning safety drills. We had a front row seat to watch the lifeboat drills.

    Our excursion was planned by Andrew Pitt from Ottawa. He did a fantastic job setting up the Golden Circle tour. We saw a spot that opened up during the 2000(?) Earthquakes- I was able to stand in North America and Europe at the same time! (Or at least straddle the fissure between their tectonic plates.).

    There were waterfalls. And geysers. And a farm with sheep and goats and Icelandic horses. And areas where the tectonic plates were quite far apart.

    Of course I had to buy some yarn... And a sweater that sang to me.    Read more

  • TravelerAcross the Sea... and Back
    Day 10

    Friday Sea Day

    April 28, 2023, North Atlantic Ocean

    Another fine sea day. I shared my yarn and sweater purchases with the needlework group. The blue is the only dyed skein. The rest are all natural sheep colors.

    We had a lovely lunch in Venetian. I went back to the room for a nap, then chose to stay in the room because the Atrium music was so loud. (I wrote a note to the Asst Cruise Director suggesting that 75 decibels was uncomfortable and made it impossible to carry on a conversation or talk with Guest Services without shouting. I asked if it could be lowered a bit. A friend asked if I received an answer. Since the music is still blaring, I believe the answer is "no.")

    We had dinner at La Cucina. W went back to the Atrium. I went back to the stateroom. (Where I am very happy, by the way.)    Read more

  • TravelerAcross the Sea... and Back
    Day 12

    Belfast

    April 30, 2023 in Northern Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    We had a great day in Belfast.

    Went to the Titanic Museum in Belfast- highly recommend. Titanic was built here. The walking tour and museum are very detailed and totally interesting. There's enough technical info for those who are so inclined, and really engaging human interest, as well as historical and cultural context.

    See pictures for captions

    We started our tour in the Titanic Hotel, which is in the building that housed the offices of the company that built Titanic.

    Interesting fact #1: there was no "steerage" in Titanic. Passengers were first, second, or third class.
    Interesting fact #2- the third class rooms were nicer than the homes of most of its passengers. (Running water and plumbing, and dining tables with waiters.)
    Interesting fact #3- the gates which showed passengers being cruelly locked below deck - they were waist high.

    When we returned to the ship, we had dinner with our new friends Andrew and Sarah from Ottawa.    Read more

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