OUR NEW ENGLAND AND CANADIAN CRUISE
September 15-25, 2010
Sometimes I “outsmart” myself. We were pleased that we got away on our trip with one large suitcase (which we checked) and two carry on suitcases. Knowing that I would not need a purse on the cruise, I kept our documents in the outside pocket of one of the smaller suitcases for easy retrieval.
We got to the airport, showed our electronic tickets and after we went through the security screening, we ran into my brother Leroy and his wife Marilyn and my cousin Dale and his wife Leah. We were all on the same flight to New Jersey. The family reunion had begun.
I was happy when the stewardess on US Airways offered to check through our two smaller bags free since the flight was full as well as the overhead storage bins. We had a transfer in Phoenix and that meant that we would not have to keep our luggage with us when we changed planes – it would be checked clear through to New Jersey. Sweet.
All went well until it was time to board our plane from Phoenix to New Jersey. It was then that I realized I didn’t have any identification! All of our documents were in the checked suitcase! That dilemma worked out since the clerk was able to look up our information in the computer, but we did have a moment of anxiety at the gate when she asked for our ticket or passport or ID.
As we approached NYC on our flight, I saw the beautiful full moon and wanted to sing the song from “Arthur” – When you get caught between the moon and NYC, the best that you can do is fall in love”.
In New Jersey, we boarded a bus to the Sheraton Hotel. On the bus, our travel agent passed out our hotel room keys and we didn’t have to stand in line and register at the hotel. That was a nice benefit of Traveling with Alan.
September 16, 2010
Alan writes in his weekly newsletter: “Starting the following morning, our group members started flying in from all over the U.S. and Canada. By midnight on Wednesday night, all 540 of our tour members had arrived and were checked-in to the Sheraton Newark Airport. The next morning, we had a breakfast buffet for the whole group in the hotel's ballroom. Later in the morning we began boarding our coaches for the transfer to Port Liberty and the Explorer of the Seas. We sailed that evening. That evening there was a big storm in the New York area and we had a bumpy ride....but not too bad!”
I guess “not too bad” is a matter of opinion. It turned out that a tornado hit New Jersey about an hour after we left the dock and blew the “tent” (covering the waiting area on the dock) about 200 feet away! Later that night, as we sailed towards Portland, Maine (our first port) I watched the storm from our balcony on the 9th deck. The lightening brightened the sky about every two seconds (you know me, I count).
Sleep eluded me as I rolled from side to side in between jerks which reminded me of taking a train ride when the coupling connecting the rail cars seemed to be too loose. Ben sleeps though anything so he was fine. We didn’t get sick – just felt uneasy.
All twelve of us met with Alan earlier in the day (we didn’t sail until 5:00 p.m.) to see about our dining arrangements since we had been scheduled for different seating times. He was able to get a table for all of us at the 8:00 seating. We really appreciated that since we were looking forward to those special times together. .With over 3,000 guests on the ship, a set time and place to meet was important.
I had hoped that we’d get to see the Statue of Liberty as we left Liberty Port in New Jersey. We did. She looked much smaller from the vantage point of the ship than she did when we visited her (in person) years ago. As we departed, we also saw a monument from the Russians to the United States in memory of the lives lost in the 9-11 disaster. I didn’t appreciate its beauty until we returned to NJ and I had a better view.
The split structure, representing a tower, with a falling tear drop was impressive. The names of the victims were inscribed on its base.
September 17, 2010 – At Sea
Today is my Mother’s Day, the day my son Tim was born. It was a day at sea. We ate, of course, and some of us gathered to play a game that cousin Lynora brought. In the evening, we enjoyed our first “dress up” night, met the “crew” on the bridge of the Promenade and listened to a live band before going to dinner. Shrimp and Escargot were just some of the appetizers!
September 18th Portland, Maine
On Saturday morning, we landed in Portland, Maine. In Portland, we docked right in the center of the Downtown Waterfront area. To my surprise, I looked out my window to see a beautiful, sunny day! We didn't have our own tour in Portland so many of our group members signed up for a ship tour. Others went out to the Land's End factory outlet and many just walked around the city. (Alan)
A few facts: Maine became a state in 1820. Augusta is the Capital of Maine and by area, Maine is the largest of the 6 New England states – 33,265 square miles. Portland boasts about 66,000 residents and is on a peninsula beside Casco Bay on the Gulf of Maine and the Atlantic Ocean. The Portland peninsula was established by the British in 1632 as a trading and fishing settlement. It was originally called Machigonne by the Native Americans that inhabited it. Modern buildings mix with Old World charm –ornate architecture and cobblestone streets. This is the boyhood home of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. (Guide to port info).
This was our first East Coast sunrise. It was worth getting up early for it. Musicians greeted us as we got off the ship and we elected to take a bus tour of the city with on and off privileges. We rode the entire circuit before getting off to explore areas of interest. Of course we had to check out Dunkin Donuts (Ben’s former competition) and visited with Mike Murphy at his hot dog stand. Check out his prices! Old buildings mixed with the new.
We had been to Portland before, but were “just a passing through”. We got to see the L. L. Bean store. Ben looked around while I met new friends. He said the prices were pretty high.
September 19, 2010 – Bar Harbor, Maine
September 15-25, 2010
Sometimes I “outsmart” myself. We were pleased that we got away on our trip with one large suitcase (which we checked) and two carry on suitcases. Knowing that I would not need a purse on the cruise, I kept our documents in the outside pocket of one of the smaller suitcases for easy retrieval.
We got to the airport, showed our electronic tickets and after we went through the security screening, we ran into my brother Leroy and his wife Marilyn and my cousin Dale and his wife Leah. We were all on the same flight to New Jersey. The family reunion had begun.
I was happy when the stewardess on US Airways offered to check through our two smaller bags free since the flight was full as well as the overhead storage bins. We had a transfer in Phoenix and that meant that we would not have to keep our luggage with us when we changed planes – it would be checked clear through to New Jersey. Sweet.
All went well until it was time to board our plane from Phoenix to New Jersey. It was then that I realized I didn’t have any identification! All of our documents were in the checked suitcase! That dilemma worked out since the clerk was able to look up our information in the computer, but we did have a moment of anxiety at the gate when she asked for our ticket or passport or ID.
As we approached NYC on our flight, I saw the beautiful full moon and wanted to sing the song from “Arthur” – When you get caught between the moon and NYC, the best that you can do is fall in love”.
In New Jersey, we boarded a bus to the Sheraton Hotel. On the bus, our travel agent passed out our hotel room keys and we didn’t have to stand in line and register at the hotel. That was a nice benefit of Traveling with Alan.
September 16, 2010
Alan writes in his weekly newsletter: “Starting the following morning, our group members started flying in from all over the U.S. and Canada. By midnight on Wednesday night, all 540 of our tour members had arrived and were checked-in to the Sheraton Newark Airport. The next morning, we had a breakfast buffet for the whole group in the hotel's ballroom. Later in the morning we began boarding our coaches for the transfer to Port Liberty and the Explorer of the Seas. We sailed that evening. That evening there was a big storm in the New York area and we had a bumpy ride....but not too bad!”
I guess “not too bad” is a matter of opinion. It turned out that a tornado hit New Jersey about an hour after we left the dock and blew the “tent” (covering the waiting area on the dock) about 200 feet away! Later that night, as we sailed towards Portland, Maine (our first port) I watched the storm from our balcony on the 9th deck. The lightening brightened the sky about every two seconds (you know me, I count).
Sleep eluded me as I rolled from side to side in between jerks which reminded me of taking a train ride when the coupling connecting the rail cars seemed to be too loose. Ben sleeps though anything so he was fine. We didn’t get sick – just felt uneasy.
All twelve of us met with Alan earlier in the day (we didn’t sail until 5:00 p.m.) to see about our dining arrangements since we had been scheduled for different seating times. He was able to get a table for all of us at the 8:00 seating. We really appreciated that since we were looking forward to those special times together. .With over 3,000 guests on the ship, a set time and place to meet was important.
I had hoped that we’d get to see the Statue of Liberty as we left Liberty Port in New Jersey. We did. She looked much smaller from the vantage point of the ship than she did when we visited her (in person) years ago. As we departed, we also saw a monument from the Russians to the United States in memory of the lives lost in the 9-11 disaster. I didn’t appreciate its beauty until we returned to NJ and I had a better view.
The split structure, representing a tower, with a falling tear drop was impressive. The names of the victims were inscribed on its base.
September 17, 2010 – At Sea
Today is my Mother’s Day, the day my son Tim was born. It was a day at sea. We ate, of course, and some of us gathered to play a game that cousin Lynora brought. In the evening, we enjoyed our first “dress up” night, met the “crew” on the bridge of the Promenade and listened to a live band before going to dinner. Shrimp and Escargot were just some of the appetizers!
September 18th Portland, Maine
On Saturday morning, we landed in Portland, Maine. In Portland, we docked right in the center of the Downtown Waterfront area. To my surprise, I looked out my window to see a beautiful, sunny day! We didn't have our own tour in Portland so many of our group members signed up for a ship tour. Others went out to the Land's End factory outlet and many just walked around the city. (Alan)
A few facts: Maine became a state in 1820. Augusta is the Capital of Maine and by area, Maine is the largest of the 6 New England states – 33,265 square miles. Portland boasts about 66,000 residents and is on a peninsula beside Casco Bay on the Gulf of Maine and the Atlantic Ocean. The Portland peninsula was established by the British in 1632 as a trading and fishing settlement. It was originally called Machigonne by the Native Americans that inhabited it. Modern buildings mix with Old World charm –ornate architecture and cobblestone streets. This is the boyhood home of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. (Guide to port info).
This was our first East Coast sunrise. It was worth getting up early for it. Musicians greeted us as we got off the ship and we elected to take a bus tour of the city with on and off privileges. We rode the entire circuit before getting off to explore areas of interest. Of course we had to check out Dunkin Donuts (Ben’s former competition) and visited with Mike Murphy at his hot dog stand. Check out his prices! Old buildings mixed with the new.
We had been to Portland before, but were “just a passing through”. We got to see the L. L. Bean store. Ben looked around while I met new friends. He said the prices were pretty high.
September 19, 2010 – Bar Harbor, Maine
On Sunday we were in Bar Harbor, Maine. The ship ran a great tender operation and, once again, the tenders took us right to the heart of the city. It was another beautiful day. Many in the group decided to take a tour into Acadia National Park, while others just enjoyed the nice day in Bar Harbor. (Alan)
Bar Harbor is a quaint village on the eastern seaboard. The rich (Rockefellers, Vandebilts and Astors) all built their grand mansions and cottages in this summer playground. We took Oly’s Trolley which took us to Acadia National Park and Cadillac Mountain.
September 20, 2010 – Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
This is the first time we have been in New Brunswick, Canada so everything is new. After breakfast, we got off the ship and were greeted by the Canadians. They presented every woman with a long stemmed rose and gave the men a souvenir pin. All three of my cousins and their mates were on the bus with us for the 5 ½ hour tour that Alan had arranged. Leroy and Marilyn were on a separate bus and Darrell and Char did their own thing. Had there been fall foliage, it would have been a beautiful drive.
Saint John became the first incorporated Canadian city in 1785 and a few decades later, thousands of Irish immigrants joined the Loyalists who had fled to the north after the American Revolution.
We did go to the Reversing Falls to witness the power of the Bay of Fundy tide overcome the natural flow of the river (Alan's words). We had a light lunch (chowder) at the beach at "The Caves Restaurant" and returned to Saint John (they spell out the Saint) and stopped at the Old City Market where many local vendors were selling their fruits, vegetables and home made items. We bought some fudge from Henrietta and a hat from Sebina. She was sitting there, crocheting them and we found one we liked. These markets do not have imported goods
September 21, 2010- Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Peggy’s Cove is indeed one of the most beautiful spots we have seen. Our 6 ½ hour tour included a drive out to Peggy’s Cove where we were treated to a 1 ¼ pound lobster dinner at The Sou’ Wester. The lighthouse at the cove is considered to be one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world. Darrell and Char (my schoolmate from CBA) did not take our group tour but elected to take an individual tour on a limo after snagging three other couples to join them. It turned out that we were at the cove at the same time. Darrell and Char were the ones who introduced us to cruising in March when we went on the Mexican Riviera Cruise with them. This cruising craze is all their fault! They live in Idaho and joined our family reunion for this trip. What a pleasant addition. Everybody loves them.
On the way back to Halifax, we stopped at the Fairview Lawn Cemetery where 121 of the victims of the Titanic are buried. We also stopped at the Fort at Citadel Hill and the Public Gardens.
Halifax, Capital of Nova Scotia, was the “Ellis Island” of Canada. Thousands of Irish and Scottish immigrants landed in Cape Breton and later, it was a haven for black runaway slaves.
I am writing to you today as we are sailing away from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. It has been an unbelievably beautiful day. The skies are clear and the sun is shining. It's about 68 degrees outside......it doesn't get much better than this! We are aboard Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's Explorer of the Seas. This ship is amazing with her big indoor "Royal Promenade" along with all of her special amenities like a rock-climbing wall, an indoor ice skating arena, a miniature golf course, and much more. (Alan)
September 22, 2010 – Day at Sea
Before our second “dress up” dinner, Ben attended the Peter Max Fine Art Gallery Express Auction. He reported that no items were sold. The starting bids were between ten and twenty two thousand dollars. Later we spoke to a lady who had also attended the auction. She had some of his work – probably not originals. During our cruise, Ben attended his second towel folding class and got instructions for Leah and Lynette who want to learn how to make them for their grandchildren.
September 23, 2010 – Boston, MA
Our 5 ½ hour coach tour of Boston covered much of the area that we had seen when we worked on the east coast, but it was a nice “review”. We got to see Bunker Hill where our guide told us all about the Revolutionary War. (I think he must have been there since he seemed to know so much about it). He was a former teacher and I’m glad we didn’t have a test on the material he presented. We saw “Old Ironsides” – The USS Constitution and it is still being refurbished. He took us through Cambridge and we had the various buildings at MIT and Harvard pointed out to us, including the Harvard Law Review. We saw the Capitol building, old street lights which still use gas, passed the “Cheers” pub and had so many other sites identified. Lunch at the Quincy Marketplace and Faneuil Hall was relaxing. Much of the newer Boston has been built on land fill. This historic city deserves lots of time.
September 24, 2010 – Day at Sea
Our last day at sea was a time to have an early lunch at the Johnny Rocket Café with Darrell and Char. The cover charge was $4.95 and one could have as many onion rings, French Fries, hamburgers, hot dogs and desserts as desired but beverages were extra. Of course we had coupons for being “gold members” of RCI. It was a small, fun place to eat – complete with 1950s décor including tableside juke boxes. We never did hear the selection that Char made but the waiters’ dancing created a lively atmosphere.
Our “final dinner” was a time for all twelve of us to be together and thank our waiters for their fine service. I felt like I had been at “camp” for a week and it was time to say goodbye to the counselors.
We thanked Cassandra, our room attendant from Jamaica, who seemed to be outside our door every time we departed and greeted us with a cheery hello and wishes for a good day. She had a seven month contract with RCI and was responsible for 12 rooms. The number of rooms to clean varied according to the number of filled rooms on a cruise. By tomorrow evening, she will have a new slate of guests and repeat the process.
By bedtime, our bags were packed and placed in the hallway where they will miraculously appear (or not appear) on the dock after we disembark. Leroy and Marilyn still have not retrieved one bag which appears to have been picked up by another passenger who is also missing her bag.
September 25, 2010 – Cape Liberty, NYC and flight to Sacramento
One more breakfast together – then we met at the theater where we’d receive our instructions for departing. Can you imagine over 3,000 people leaving the ship in an orderly fashion only to have another group come on board a couple of hours later? It’s amazing.
We had a great tour guide on our trip to NYC. She was an actress, singer and tour guide. She encouraged us to ask questions after giving us a run down on what we’d be seeing. As we entered the Holland Tunnel which connected New Jersey to Manhattan, we hollered from the middle of the bus “Can you sing “New York, New York”. She did and those of us who knew some of the words joined her. We finished the song just as we broke out into the sunshine of New York City.
We had a nice stop at Ground Zero and were able to view the site from the upper level of one of the World Trade Center buildings. It was very sobering and brought back so many memories of that fateful day.
We had another stop at Macy’s in Herald Square. We spent quite a bit of time outside, sitting on the street median just watching all of the traffic – people, cars and taxis. Our guide had told us that there is now a law against honking one’s horn, but we heard several horns anyway.
Our tour included a $10 voucher for lunch in Macy’s, but if I had it to do all over again, I would have spent those precious moments outside exploring the area.
Our bus picked us up at 2:00 p.m. and took us to the airport for our return flight to Sacramento at 4:45. Airport security seemed more intense at the Newark airport – perhaps because it was from this airport that some of the terrorists flew to Pennsylvania – or maybe it was just because it seemed to take us longer to get through the scanning process. Computers, liquid jells, shoes, cell phones and pocket contents all had to be removed. .We observed that if one’s suspenders set off the alarm and had to be removed one should hold onto one’s pants while being re-scanned. Enough said. Well, I must add that every time we have that visual image in our minds, we shake with laughter. Even the “victim” was later able to see the humor and laugh with us..
Having learned about the possibility of having carry-on bags checked for free if the flight was full, I asked the attendant at the door to the plane if the plane was full and was granted the opportunity to have our two carry ons checked through as well.
Good news: I could fasten the seat belt! The gentleman sitting next to me on the trip to Phoenix was interesting. He said his daughter got married on a cruise and admitted that he paid for it – including 56 guests! He has lived all over the world and we had a great visit.
We landed in Sacramento about 10 p.m. (1:00 a.m. EST) and were home shortly thereafter thanks to Ben’s sister’s prompt pick up.
SUMMARY
A cruise is a great way to enjoy a family reunion. No one has to play host, cook or plan the itinerary. There is time to have in-depth conversations, see each other under different circumstances, learn more about each other’s families and interests and also compare ideologies. Our relationships through this cruise have grown and I’ll always be thankful for everyone who made the effort to come aboard.
For me, there is nothing like observing nature on a cruise. The sunrises and sunsets are beautiful. On this cruise, we used our balcony for such views as well as for the times we pulled into and out of port. The entertainment every night offers something for everyone. - from an ice skating show, to comedians, to singers and dancers. We always get a kick out of the “Newlywed Game” and this one was the best.
At nearly every event, professional photographers offer the opportunity to have your picture taken. This is the first time we have had our picture taken with the Captain.
Whether we ate meals at the Windjammer (buffet) or in the dining room, we ate to our hearts content and to the dismay of our stomachs. One can even have room service with no additional cost but we still have not used this feature. Usually Ben joined Darrell for early coffee and chatting – something he will miss at home. Why do such good friends live so far away? So that we will have to travel together again?
This time, I did not use the swimming pools – just the hot tub once. Every cruise is different. Shopping is available everywhere – even on the ship but I’m not much of a shopper.
Before dinner each night, someone at our table would give thanks for our family and for the food. One night, the head waiter came to greet us just at that time and someone asked him if he’d like to offer thanks. We really put him on the spot which probably wasn’t very nice of us (he had never done it before) but in a way, it gave us a special connection to our friend from India. From that time on, he made sure he got to our table either early or late! I think it was mentioned that 38 languages were represented in the crew. Alan, our tour guide, also visited our table on a regular basis for instructions and questions.
This was the first cruise for five of the twelve in our group, and I think I can safely say we have new “recruits”.
Love,
Esther
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