Across the Sea... and Back

A 38-day adventure by Laura Read more

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Trip start
April 19, 2023
Across the Sea... and Back Traveler
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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Dublin- Part Deux: Avoca/BallyK
May 1, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C
Avoca- the real Ballykissangel! Saw Fitzgerald's, The Church, Kathleen's store, view of the town. We went to Avoca handweavers- oldest weavers in Ireland.

https://www.avoca.com/en

And a very lovely woman, her son, and their 4 dogs. She told me about the resurgence of the Red Kite birds- I learn new things every day.Read more
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Dublin, Part Un: Glendalach
May 1, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C
This was a tender port- we anchored off Dún Laoghaire (pron. Dun Leery). It was a little choppy- but just fine.

Driving around Dublin on a bank holiday- Everything's closed. On the plus side, no traffic!

Oscar Wilde, Oscar's house, US Ambassador's digs, Guinness, Glendalaugh, and Irish critters. (Me hugging St. Kevin's Cross- supposedly I'll get my wish!)

We didn't go to Guinness- but we'll be back in a week and a half- and we have tickets.

Part Deux.... BallyK!!!Read more
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LeHavre-part un-Giverny
May 3, 2023 in France ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C
What a day!
Giverny- home of Claude Monet. Japanese Garden, more gardens. Flowers on flowers.
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LeHavre part deux- Rouen
May 3, 2023 in France ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
Rouen- Cathedral. Jean d'Arc. Monet paintings of cathedral façade. Had a bev in a café. Dinner in LeBistro, and a nice chat with dear new friends Sarah and Andrew. (Canadian- not Brit).
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Southampton
May 4, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C
We went into the center, and saw the old walls and gate. We also checked out WestQuay Mall which contains Marks & Spencer, and lots of interesting stores. Had lunch at "Your Pub, Your Grub." Saw a lovely garden, and headed back to the ship.

Got some goodies!

Dinner at Los Lobos... So good. So much. Had to skip dessert🤷‍♀️Read more
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Edinburgh
May 6, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C
We had a bit of delay because of the "Harr"- the misty fog . Tender rides were bumpy, and boarding was an event. Returning to the ship was very rocky. People pay a lot of money for a ride like that at an amusement park.

Took the bus to downtown where we boarded the Hop-on-hop-off bus. Many sights:
Sir Walter Scott, Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood castle.

We stopped at a pub for a half pint, and a shot of a very nice scotch- Ailsa (I had a taste). I had some of an Inch cider- yummy, and W obliged by finishing it for me.

Heriot's school (Hogwarts). So many historical sites and stories

Read the captions.Read more
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Invergordon/Inverness
May 7, 2023 in Scotland
Took the WOW tour to Caldor Castle. My favorite places were a very simple bedroom, and a very beautiful hand-carved bench, behind a door, over a bridge, by a small creek. I could spend a lot of time there.

Next was Culloden Battlefield, where the British Government troops beat the tar out of the Jacobites. The visitor center has info on the Scottish clans that fought. (Having precious little, if any, Scottish DNA, I didn't have anyone to search- but interesting, nonetheless.)

We proceeded to the Clava Cairns- huge mysteries how? why?

Loch Ness was next, and a visit to Inverness. We picked up some scotch whisky (Scottish spelling) and tasted a very nice local one that we did not purchase.

We had a Latitudes Reception.Read more
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Kirkwall, Orkneys
May 8, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ 🌬 9 °C
A quick but fun visit. We're in quite early, and for a short time. We took the tender to town at about 7:15. As expected, everything was closed- AND it's a bank holiday to boot. It was a light drizzle- or very heavy mist, which seemed appropriate.

We saw the St Magnus Cathedral, the ruins of the Bishops' and Earls' palaces, cute streets, a lot of charity stores that would be great fun to shop.

We found the Pomona Café where we had a light breakfast, and a small shop next door where we picked up some edible souvenirs.Read more
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Belfast- Giant's Causeway & Bushmill's
May 9, 2023 in Northern Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
We arrived again in Belfast, and set off on a trip to the Giant's Causeway. Along the way, we stopped at the ruins of Dunluce Castle. Then, to our delight, we found ourselves in Bushmill's, where we experienced what my brother refers to as "English Whiskey" in deference to our dear departed mother whose eyes shot arrows at the mention. We tasted a bit, and Wayne got a measure, while I enjoyed a toddy. Can't let politics stand in the way of whiskey.

Then to the Giant's Causeway, formed from columns of basalt from volcanic activity 60 million years ago! Most of the columns are hexagonal, and they are cozied up together. It's VERY impressive, and well worth the visit.Read more
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Glasgow via Greenock (Inverclyde)
May 10, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ 🌧 10 °C
We docked in Greenock, and took the local train into Glasgow where we boarded the HoHo bus. I was surprised to see Krispy Kreme (a very fancy looking one,) Five Guys, and Tim Horton's. Well- not as surprised to see Tim Horton's, but it was the first we'd seen this trip. Five Guys are EVERYWHERE!

I saw a Paddington Bear who seemed to be lost, and we ended our visit with fish & chips atRead more
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Dublin Redux- Jameson and Guinness
May 11, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ 🌧 13 °C
We started this drizzly, rainy day at anchor in Dun Laoghrea (Dun-Leery) and somewhat delayed tenders ashore. We took the local train along the coast to Dublin.

A visit to Jamison Distillery- or rather, where Jameson used to distill. The "experience" included history of the family and company, distilling techniques, a tasting, and a bev at the end of the tour.

We had some lunch at a cafe in the courtyard- frequented by local businesspeople.

Then on to Guinness Storehouse, with the brewing experience, and a visit to the "Guinness Academy" where we learned to "pull a perfect pint.". We even got certificates!

Then back to the train and the ship.Read more
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Cobh and Cork
May 12, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C
The port of Cobh is the BEST! The train to Cork is steps away from the ship.

Before going to Cork, we visited the Titanic Museum a short walk from the ship. It was from Cobh that the last passengers boarded Titanic- and most likely where a possible distant relative, Ellen Mary Toomey, boarded- and was one of those who survived the disaster. She had returned to Ireland to visit family, and was supposed to return to The States earlier, but a coal strike delayed her departure.

We took the very handy train into Cork, and took the HoHo bus around town.

We returned to Cobh- and had a great experience at Kelly's.Read more
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...And Back to Cobh
May 12, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
And what a treat awaited us-- genuine Irish pub, with a singer of songs, and a well-pulled Murphy's. (When in Dublin, Guinness. When in the south, Murphy's.) Wayne also had a Jameson's, and I had a sip.

It was a perfect end to our time in Ireland, and we felt fortunate to have found it.Read more
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Portland and Weymouth, UK
May 13, 2023 in England ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C
Portland is another gem that I didn't know about.

The local government provided free shuttles to Weymouth.

We got off the bus near Portland Castle, and visited the D-Day museum. It has a lot of actual equipment, and related experiences of people in Portsmouth during preparations for D-Day. A large number of US troops prepared for the invasion in this tiny area- and there is great appreciation and affection for those who participated in the evolution.

Of particular note was the recollection of a woman who was involved in prepping armaments. When working, they did not wear their uniforms, but rather coveralls and tucked-up headscarves. She saw a car driving by, and inside were King George VI, Churchill, and General Eisenhower. She was in a quandary, because she felt she should salute her sovereign and commander-in-chief, but she didn't have her cover on. She apparently fumbled around a bit, and finally saluted, amusing the car's inhabitants who got a chuckle out of her dilemma.

We then proceeded to Weymouth, which is a delightful town. It was a beautiful day, and a lot of locals were out enjoying themselves. At the recommendation of a couple we met, we laid into some Fish & Cops, as one does, and then went to a pub for a beer & a cider. And saw a crochet-bombed bicycle.

Then back to the ship.Read more
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Southampton, Salisbury...
May 14, 2023 in England ⋅ 🌫 8 °C
We finished this leg of the trip in Southampton, and caught a coach to London with a great excursion along the way.

Our first stop was Salisbury- where we weren't able to see the Magna Carta because of Sunday worship. Salisbury is a beautiful city, and the Cathedral is breathtaking. Many half- timber buildings.

Salisbury Cathedral was not bombed during WWII- because the Axis forces used the steeple as a navigational aid. Damage caused in the area was a result of planes jettisoning their unspent bombs. I learn so many things every day.

We saw the school where William Golding taught. Apparently his classroom really was Lord of the Flies, because the boys were left to their own devices as he spent the class time writing.

We were able to grab a coffee at Boston Tea Party- it was really good.Read more
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