New York And Home

     Typical final day today. Up early and down to breakfast in the Dining room .

Statue Of Liberty

We needed to clear our room by 8 and we had an 8:30 departure. I finally had a chance to get outside as the day was warm and sunny, From where we were docked we could see the Statue of Liberty and the downtown core with the rebuilt Trade Centre. We were ashore, found our luggage, cleared U.S. Immigration in no time, found our bus and were seated for our transfer to La Guardia airport all within about 30 minutes. The bus driver was a hoot. He gave us a running commentary on everything happening in

Downtown Core

Brooklyn.

     La Guardia is an old style airport. We suppose to take a late afternoon flight but we were at the airport so early that we were about to jump ahead 2 flights and left on the late morning hop to Toronto. That saved about 7 hours of waiting which is very appreciated.

    So that ends cruise 23 on Princess. The Regal Princess is a very clean modern ship. We found the crew to be very happy and I think that is a reflection of the attitude that Captain Tracey has. He always gave the noon report and went far beyond what we have seen in the past in terms of communicating with the passengers. We would gladly sail on the Regal again. We have a few ideas about a future cruise (Greenland anyone?) but that is in the future. Cheers!

Heading To New York

    We finally have some nice warmer weather. It is sunny and warm as we head to New York for a 5 am docking. We are scheduled to leave the ship at 8:30. The day was much like all other sea days with an early breakfast and the 45 minute Zumba exercise class. That seemed to help with my ongoing cold. We are getting better but still sniffing! A ballroom dance class review followed. The instructor (from Ontario) did a great job on both zumba and the ballroom class. We reviewed 4 dances and hope that we can remember the steps.

      Packing followed. I think leaving ship is as hard as arriving because you can't

Sunrise

seem to be able to get everything in the suit cases! However, they are packed and will be gone from the room very soon. Lunch in the dining room and then another “eating” lecture - this one on stress and stress relief. We both could see some of our stressers in the talk. Later in the afternoon we had another line dance class and I am glad to say that Princess has finally gotten away from the “oldies” that they taught for years. I think the instructor did 4 different dances every class. They were simple but at least they were new. We did pick up a line dance for a “standard” dance song that all the bands in Highland Lakes Florida play. The rest of the afternoon went quickly.

 

Photo of Photo

  I took a photo of my photo that is framed on deck 8 of the Regal. I submitted it years ago and found it on our last trip. Night routine was the usual, cocktails, a Voice of the Ocean sing off, dinner and finally a very very funny comic in the Princess theatre. We gain an hour tonight and we hope the extra hour helps our colds. We fly to Toronto Tomorrow.

Touring Halifax

   When I looked out at 2 am this morning we were already anchored off Georges Island waiting for the royal Caribbean to sail so we could go alongside. The extra speed and the hours that the Captain made up in the crossing allowed us to be here 6 hours early. Got to the hospital in time. We were docked by 7:30. The day turned out to be sunny and warm in contrast to the overcast skies that we has had for 5 days.

    We were to meet our friends (B & L) at 9:30 and as we walked to the statue,

Peggy's Cove Lighthouse

they were already in the parking lot. What followed was a wonderful relaxed day going to Peggy's Cove. Rather than rush around to other spots we spent the entire morning in that area. We thought that we would get there early but the tour buses were rolling in and out the entire morning. There was a Holland America and Aida ship in so it was hard to get to the Lighthouse. Instead we

Peggy's Cove Harbour

just wandered around the rocks in the area. It was close to noon so instead of going somewhere else to eat, we ordered Lobster rolls from a local vendor. The lobster was very tasty and better than the lobster that we have had on the ship. After we drove around the bay for a stop at the memorial for Flight 111 which went down in the bay. It is a very simple stone memorial and a private tour was there at the same time so we heard about how the 2 stone slabs were orientated with a third

marked to triangulate the exact location where the plane went down.

    As the afternoon moved on we returned to the Halifax waterfront and said goodbye to our friends from Highland Lakes, Florida. They are leaving for Highland Lakes this weekend! We walked the waterfront trail which has had plenty of construction since we were here 3 years ago. We stopped at the Pier 21 museum where I got some material about my mother's landing in Halifax. We had my dad's information from a few years ago. The young lady was able to find the info quite quickly considering I had a few “facts” wrong! Pier 21 bills itself as one of the 7 wonders of Canada! Finally we made our way to the ship and had – what else – a pot of tea and a cookie. Then it was time to relax before we head to New York for our Saturday arrival. All in all it was a great way to spend our last port of call. Thanks to B and L!

 

Our Friends

  We sailed out of Halifax with memories of the '60's as we passed the

landmarks. It is basically the same except I think our cabin is bigger than those frigates that I sailed on. I much prefer this ship! No work and great food.

    The evening routine followed the usual pattern, a pre dinner drink and good food. The entertainment was “Magic Unhinged which I find entertaining but Judy not so much. The illusions were very hard to see in the large Princess Theatre. Judging from the reaction of the crowd I don't think they were impressed. Then at 11 it was the balloon drop, another not so much favourite. We stayed well away from the breaking balloons! We did receive our “leaving instructions” from New York and we off the ship at 8:35 for a 4 pm flight! Still fighting colds!

At sea Day 5 Wednesday - Medical Emergency Again

    After another cold and foggy overcast day we are only a few hours from 

Angry Sea

Halifax. There was some rolling in the night but I never felt any of it. There was quite a swell all day but the ship and the swell were both headed in the same direction which was good. We had slowed and with the stabilizers out the ship was pretty steady.

    We had a nice breakfast conversation with a retired U.S. Government employee who worked in the transportation department. We were able to converse about some things that I remembered from my navy days. We had the 40 minute Zumba exercise class followed quickly by a waltz dance class. Actually we did pretty well at it. I also met a line dance crazy woman (Judy is her name) from Australia and had a good conversation. They use the same Utube resources that are used here.

      Lunch was followed by a good eating lecture. This one was on exercise and how to approach it. Actually for us it seems that we are doing the right thing. It is

Judy At Wine Tassting

in the eating that we are way off base. As part of the elite package we went to the wine tasting that we have been to many times. They serve 5 wines from various parts of the world. That was in the middle of the afternoon so by the time it was over, we were ready to take a brake from the very little activity that we did today. I sat with the line dancer from Australia for awhile talking about dancing in the Sydney area. She was interested in how we did things in Canada. She said she dances up to 5 times a week with a social every weekend somewhere in Sydney and then a big state dance every year. She also dances with one of the Australian choreographers. It was an interesting conversation.

     We gain another hour tonight which is helpful. We are in Halifax tomorrow and will meet friends at 9:30. There was another Effy jewelry sale today call sip and sale. More champagne. That is just what our 2 budding colds needed! Early in the evening the Captain asked for blood donors as they were needed for a critically ill patient. Enough people did come forward. Later during dinner he announced that he had increased speed and would arrive in Halifax 6 hours early to land the patience. Since the berth is occupied, we will be going to anchor in the inner harbour and then move to the berth for or appointed arrival time of 8 am.

We decided to skip the singer and try to get some rest for our colds. Interesting, the last time we were here after crossing the Atlantic we both had colds!

At sea Day 4 Tuesday

    We continue to steam along on our way to Halifax. The seas remain about the same and the ship is relatively stable. The outside temperature is getting more comfortable and the sun seems to be shinning more. We are currently south west of Newfoundland approaching the Flemish Cap which is the edge of the continental shelf. We seem to be ahead of where we have to be with 36 hours to go before we dock in Halifax.

    We did have breakfast in the dining room and then headed to our zumba exercise session. It is getting easier. After zumba we stayed for the dance class which was the jive. Actually when the song was slower we did ok but when the speed picked up, we and most other dancers left the floor. Still it was a much better class on the jive that we have had in the past.

    We finally met with a couple from Michigan and Florida that we have been wanting to meet. A friend who knows both of us suggested that we meet. We had lunch in the dinning room and had a great conversation with them. Today was the first time that we were able to get together. The port days were just too busy to get it done.

Formal Night

   We attended a lecture on the engineering of the Regal Princess. It was a 30 minute video that showed and explained the way the ships moves, the water systems, air condition, waste water, etc. Some of the information was a bit too technical. They did explain about the power surge that caused our delay in Norway as well as the new systems that will be in the newest ships. He mentioned that in 2023(?) some new bigger Princess ships will be coming out with some very environmentally friendly systems in them. We did catch the end of the line dance class. They have finally gotten away from all the old stuff that they have done for years. Still dated but at least a little more upbeat.

   Tonight was the last of the 3 formal nights. Our appetizers arrived at 5 as requested. Tonight will be a thank you and see you again party with complimentary cocktails. Apparently there are people leaving in Halifax. The captain who loves to talk gave a “farewell” speech for those who will be leaving (I suppose that includes us). He gave the statistics for the cruise such as the amount of sugar used, beers consumed, eggs, etc. The ship has gone through over 3000 bottles of wine. That works out to be almost 1 bottle per person. Effy had another champagne night which they seem to have every sea day. Last night I won a gift bag while having a glass!

Chocolate Journey Dessert

    Dinner tonight was a choice between lobster and chateau briand. We had another birthday party at our table as well. The last production show of the cruise called “Fiera” was tonight. It one of the better shows that we have seen in the past. One more sea day and then we will be in Halifax. We gain another hour tonight which is always welcomed but our cruise is quickly coming to an end.

At sea Day 3 Monday

    We were up early again today to see clearing skies. The wave height was up to 3

Morning Sea

meters today but the Regal seems to be able to handle it well. The wind on deck is around 45 knots and the Captain seemed to pick the best route for fair weather. Despite it being windy the temperature is around 65F. Maybe we will be able to get out on deck in the next few days. After a light breakfast, we did our 45 minute zumba routine. It was a good session as the leader is far better than the other 2 that we have had. It is good to get in some real exercise. I went to a presentation on using your camera. It was pretty basic but ended up as a “commercial” for their platinum studio where they do black and white photos. Judy attended her mindful eating lecture, then we attended the Rhumba dance class. It was pretty easy since we have that beat in line dancing.

     We ate at Alfredo's the pizza venue. They serve thin crust made to order pizzas, that is very good. We also attended another ship information lecture. This one was on the size, speed, engines, etc of the Regal as well as the navigation equipment and the layout of the bridge. Included was the watch system and the education that ship officers have before they proceed up the ladder of responsibility. It seems that these lectures are taking the place of having outside experts speak on a wide variety of topics. Perhaps it is another way that the company can save money?

   

Where's Judy

 A late (lame) line dancing session was held in the Atrium. It was crowded as usual! Because of the second captain's circle party, the lounge was not available for pre dinner drinks. We wandered around the atrium and did stop in at the Effy store for a few glasses of champagne. I won a draw prize. Just what I need. We decided to skip the late show and watch an on demand movie. We are considering booking another cruise while on the ship since offer extra incentives although we have not gotten a cost as of yet.

At sea Day 2 Sunday

     We were up early (another time change helped) today to see clear skies and

Sunrise

calm seas. The Captain took us well south out of the range of the disturbance and now we are headed on a more direct route to Halifax. In fact by adding 300 miles to the trip he will save fuel because he can pick up a favourable wind system that will help us along. Crossings are all about saving fuel. He is also speeding along so that he can save some time in case Florence is a problem as we approach Halifax. We will get into Halifax because he said his wife is waiting for him!

The routines for these sea days remain the same. We had breakfast in the dining room where we sat with a couple. The man originally grew up in Detroit although the couple now live in California. There were back in Michigan a few weeks ago visiting family in the Saginaw area and actually drove to New York where they left their car and will drive back across the country.

    We did zumba with a third cruise staff doing it. The floor was not quite as crowded as the yesterday but there is not much room to move. We stayed on for the Salsa lesson after that. Talk about a small world. A woman was looking at us do the salsa. I though she liked the way I did it but it turns out Sandy recognized Judy's shoes (and of course my dancing!) Actually she was a part of a group that danced together on our Pacific crossing. We discovered they did line dancing in Skywalker's Lounge every day for about an hour. That group is not on this cruise but we sat and talked for a long time. They live in the Toronto area and cruise all the time. I would sure have liked it if she had recognized me from my dancing! Judy went off to the food lecture and I stayed behind with Sandra and helped her with the line dancing. A cup of tea and a light snack followed.

Waiting For Coffee

    The Captain gave a talk of the North Atlantic Weather Routes. He is very personable and likes to talk unlike some of the captains that we have had in the past. He now lives in Nova Scotia which is why I am sure we will get into Halifax. He was very detailed about the patterns that develop and the background to the systems. A lot of high school geography class was involved. How and why routes are picked was the real focus of the talk. He did explain why we are not taking the shortest (great circle route) to Halifax but rather a modified one. It was all very entertaining.

   A brief rest was followed by afternoon tea in the dining room. It was the first time we had been to tea on this trip. After it was time for relaxing before we went to the Captain's Circle party. The usual happened there – a few nibbles and a few drinks before dinner. The 2 ladies behind us in line live in the Leamington area. Talk about a small world! After dinner we went to the late show tonight which featured a musical madman that used one of a kind instruments. With the help of a computer he even played a laser beam instrument. It was the type of show that blends modern technology with music. It was unique and entertaining. In all we had a very good day.