Aboard Caribbean Princess in Hurricane Sandy

I hadn't intended to write about this but so many people have asked me about what it was like to be on a cruise ship during Hurricane Sandy, I thought I would put aside what I had planned on writing about this week and instead put together a cruise review of my voyage on Caribbean Princess.

The cruise was scheduled to be a short four day cruise including a day in Bermuda. Having sailed on Caribbean Princess several times before, I knew that she provided a good cruise experience. Bermuda is one of my favorite cruise destinations. Friends were going on the cruise so it looked quite attractive.

I must admit that I experienced some trepidation as reports of a hurricane coming up the Atlantic coast dominated the media in the days before the ship was scheduled to embark from New York. I have been in a hurricane on a passenger ship and it is not the most comfortable place to be. Still, I had faith that Princess would somehow keep us safe and relatively comfortable.

My faith turned out to be justified. Princess did keep us safe. We didn't get to Bermuda but they managed to provide a good onboard experience in rather trying circumstances.

There was some tension aboard. People were worried about friends, families and property at home. Also, with the closure of the Port of New York, there was uncertainty about when and where this cruise would end. Some passengers chose to take their anger out on Princess - - the closest authority figure. I overheard one passenger who, although he said he was not a lawyer, was orating about various legal strategies passengers could pursue. Having practiced law for 20 years, I saw no merit to what he was saying. But he was probably just venting frustration.

When I returned to New York, I found out just how lucky I had been to have been on Caribbean Princess. There was no electricity and no heat for a week after the storm and in the icy cold, I longed to be back on the warm ship. I sustained some property damage but it was nothing compared to the damage and injury that occurred elsewhere in the vicinity. Thus, I felt very thankful that I had been away.

My account of my experiences is posted at http://www.beyondships2.com/caribbean-princess-shelter-from-the-storm.html.

On a lighter note, I have also included dining reviews of the afternoon tea http://www.beyondships2.com/caribbean-princess-aternoon-tea.html and the pub lunch on Caribbean Princess. http://www.beyondships2.com/caribbean-princess-pub-lunch.html These are additional dining events designed to enhance the onbaord experience.

I have also added new menus http://www.beyondships2.com/caribbean-princess-menus.html and daily programs http://www.beyondships2.com/caribbean-princess-daily-programs.html to Beyondship's existing profile of Caribbean Princess.

Cruising to Charlottetown and Visiting Anne of Green Gables

 Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island in Canada is becoming an increasingly popular cruise destination. Indeed, during the course of one week last month 12 cruise ships called in Charlottetown.

Why this surge of interest in Charlottetown? Charlottetown is not an international capital nor is it a favoirite playground of the rich and famous. Rather, Charlottetown is an unpretentious little city that does not participate in the hectic pace of modern life. In addition, the rest of Prince Edward Island has a charming countryside consisting of farmland, rivers and woods. Then, along the coast is the natural beauty of red sand beaches, wind-carved dunes, and dramtic red sandstone cliffs.

Charlottetown is also known as the birthplace of Canada. It was here that delegates first gathered to discuss forming the confederation that would become Canada. You can see where it all took place at Province House.

But the charm of Charlottetown lies in its less well-known attractions - - the Victorian architecture, the boardwalk along the sea at Victoria Park, the Confederation Centre Art Museum.

PEI is home to one internationally famous individual - - the fictional Anne of Green Gables. Lucy Maud Montgomery set her much-loved novels about a young orphan girl in her native PEI. An entire industry has sprung up on PEI around Anne but the most popular attraction is the charming farm that was the chief inspiration for Montgomery.

Thus, Charlottetown makes an attractive port of call on Canada/New England cruises and on fall foliage cruises. The home page for our illustrated guide to Charlottetown is posted at http://www.beyondships2.com/cruise-destination---charlottetown.html

In addition, we have an article and slideshow on visiting the Anne of Green Gables Heritage Place. http://www.beyondships2.com/cruise-destination-charlottetown-anne-of-green-gables.html

Finally, we have a glimpse of the natural beauty of Prince Edward Island National Park with our short video on the island's red sandstone cliffs. http://www.beyondships2.com/cruise-destination-charlottetown-sandstone-cliffs.html

Cruising to Newport, Rhode Island

Newport, Rhode Island has a multi-faceted appeal and thus is one of my favorite cruise destinations.

Of course, Newport is known for its Gilded Age mansions. Built during the later half of the 19^th century and the early 20^th century by people with vast fortunes, these buildings are extraordinary. Their owners commissioned the best architects of the day and so they are interesting from an architectural standpoint. They also crammed them with fine art and furnishings and so they are interesting from an artistic standpoint as well. Then the fact that they were used only for a few weeks each summer and were known as “cottages” hints at the opulence of the strange society that inhabited them. Thus, the are interesting sociologically as well.

Then there is a large section of town that is made up of colonial and early American buildings. There are so many in fact that the whole district is a National Historical Landmark. Here again, you have architecture and history but much different than the mansions.

Newport is also famous for its yachting and sailing. Indeed, all the masts of the sailboats anchored in the harbor make it look like some strange forest that has lost its foliage. You have the heritage of a half century of hosting the America's Cup races but you also have the relaxed summer atmosphere of its seaside restaurants and shops.

There is also the military connection. Newport is the home of the Naval War College. It also has Fort Adams, the largest coastal fortification in the United States.

Although Newport is called a city, it really has the feel of a large town. You can walk just about anyplace - - tree-lined streets, parks, along the cliffs that border the sea on one side and the mansions on the other.

Thus, Newport is not the kind of port where you can say “I've seen it all” with just one visit. It has the ingredients to sustain multiple visits.

Beyondship's illustrated guide to Newport, Rhode Island begins at http://www.beyondships2.com/cruise-destination---newport.html

Talking with the Captain, Hotel Manager and Entertainment Director on Queen Mary 2

During the last couple of years, Cunard Line, and its flagship Queen Mary 2 in particular, have seen the retirement of a substantial number of senior officers including Commodore Bernard Warner, Captain Paul Wright, Captain Nick Bates and Hotel Manager John Duffy. It is also my understanding that Entertainment Director Ray Rouse is now semi-retired. Those familiar with the Cunard world know that these people played a significant part in bringing the Queen Mary 2 into service and shaping the on board experience.

Now they have been succeeded by a new generation of leaders. Some of them have only been with Cunard a relatively short time. However, it is now their responsibility to take Queen Mary 2 into the future.

This is a more difficult task than taking over the leadership of any other major passenger ship. Queen Mary 2 was built as a transatlantic liner and although she does other types of voyages, her mainstay is the crossing between New York and Southampton, England. Whereas at one time hundreds of ships were making this journey on a regular basis, only one ship makes regularly scheduled transatlantic crossings today. The question that constantly haunts Cunard is whether there is enough of a market for such voyages to even sustain one ship.

The direct crossings on Queen Mary 2 are different than the transatlantic re-positioning cruises that cruise ships moving from the Caribbean to Europe or vice versa do during the Spring and Fall. On a direct crossing, there are no port days. Thus, the focus of the voyage is on what happens onboard, not on the ports. In addition, it is a shorter voyage than the re-positionings even though with the high cost of fuel, Cunard has lengthened its crossings in recent years to reduce fuel consumption.

Queen Mary 2 was designed with such differences in mind. The ship is geared for sea days, with facilities and programming to occupy your time fully. Furthermore, the ship was designed to withstand whatever weather she may encounter on the Atlantic and still proceed at speed and in comfort.

There is a core of people who love the traditional crossings and their elegance. Consequently, Cunard has a very high number of repeat passengers. However, in order to sustain the ship, it must also attract other vacationers and holiday-makers.

Thus, Cunard must balance preserving tradition with providing the type of onboard experience that contemporary travelers seek in an ocean voyage. Queen Mary 2's predecessor, Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) managed to tread this tightrope for nearly 40 years. As one who traveled on QE2 many times, I can attest that she constantly evolved throughout her career.

I recently met with some of the new generation of Queen Mary 2's senior officers and asked them about their vision for taking the ship forward. As noted earlier, even though some have only been with the line for a relatively short amount of time, I was struck by their commitment to preserving the Cunard heritage, which goes back some 170 years. At the same time, they recognized the need to move forward. But changes will be done in a keeping with the Cunard style, not by merely copying whatever becomes popular on other ships.

Beyondships interview with Captain Kevin Oprey is posted at http://www.beyondships2.com/queen-mary-2-captain-oprey-interview.html

Our interview with Hotel Manager Robert Howie is at http://www.beyondships2.com/queen-mary-2-howie-interview.html

And our talk with Entertainment Director Keith Maynard is at http://www.beyondships2.com/queen-mary-2-maynard-interview.html

We have also updated our Queen Mary 2 section with new daily programs and with new photos so that the photo tour of the ship reflects the changes that were made in the 2011 refit. http://beyondships.com/QM2.html

Queen Mary 2 videos

 I was recently on a cruise during which Queen Mary 2 was with us in three of the ports as well as when we embarked from New York. It was interesting to watch the reaction of the passengers on the ship that I was on each time they saw QM2. People would stop and make some comment like: “Is that the Queen Mary?” And then they would pause for awhile just to watch. It was a recognition that this was something special that you could tell your friends and family about - - “I saw the Queen Mary 2.”

Cunard's QM2 is an imposing sight. At 150,000 gross tons, she is much larger than the majority of today's cruise ships. Also her sleek streamlined silhouette has a traditional grace and beauty.

But the thing that stops people in their tracks is the fact that Queen Mary 2 is heir to a tradition that goes back some 170 years. She is the only true ocean liner providing regularly scheduled transatlantic service. As such, she follows in a tradition of such legendary ships as the original Queen Mary, the Normandie, the France, the United States and most recently, the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2).

These ships became legendary not just because of their technology but as the epitome of luxury. They captured the public's imagination with images of movie stars, royalty and the rich and famous mingling in beautiful surroundings.

Queen Mary 2 brings that image into the modern era. Leaving QE2 aside, the luxury on the historic ships was pretty much limited to first class. On Queen Mary 2, everyone can participate. (One of the myths that has arisen about QM2 is that she is a two-class ship. She is not. There are separate dining rooms for passengers traveling in the suites but other than that every passenger pretty much can go anywhere any other passenger can go. There is actually more separation of passengers on some of today's cruise ships than there is on QM2).

This ship is also technologically unique. In order to be able to handle any weather that might confront her during an Atlantic crossing, the ship was built to be strong and powerful. Although she is rarely called upon to do so, she can reach speeds of up to 30 knots. In addition, I have been on her in tremendous storms during which the dining rooms were nonetheless full of passengers. That is a testament to her stability.

Another thing that makes QM2 interesting is that she does varied itineraries. Her mainstay, of course, is the transatlantic crossing between New York and Southampton but she also turns up in the Norwegian fjords, in the Caribbean, circling the British Isles, in Germany, Australia, and on the Canada & New England run. When she does appear, the reaction is always the same: people stop and stare. Indeed, there have been instances in Hamburg and in Australia where they came in the thousands just to have a look.

I've put together several new videos on Queen Mary 2. The first is an introductory piece with video of the ship sailing and a slideshow of the ship's public areas – theaters, restaurants, bars and lounges etc. It is posted at http://www.beyondships2.com/queen-mary-2-video-review.html

The other two videos will primarily be of interest to QM2 fans. One shows the ship sailing into Halifax, Nova Scotia and maneuvering into her berth. It is posted at http://www.beyondships2.com/queen-mary-2-arrives-video.html

The third video is the flip side of the second one. Filmed some eight hours after the arrival shown above, this video shows QM2 leaving her berth and going out to sea. In it, you can hear Queen Mary 2's fabulous deep fog horns. The video is at http://www.beyondships2.com/queen-mary-2-departs-video.html

Cruise destination Portland Maine; Lighthouses Photos and Video

With the coming of fall, many cruisers are taking or thinking of a cruise to Canada and New England. The leaves are starting to turn color in that region and there is something refreshing about being out in the crisp air in a place of such scenic beauty. Accordingly, cruise ships gather each fall in the embarkation ports of the northeastern United States for their annual fall foliage cruises.

It should be noted at the outset that it is very difficult to time it so that your cruise matches the height of the fall colors. The time when the leaves are at their height varies each year as a result of temperature, rainfall amounts and other conditions. But while the changing leaves can be indeed breathtaking, the good news is that the scenic beauty of this region goes beyond the leaves. In fact, in my opinion, the cruises earlier in the season are usually nicer because the weather is usually warmer and so it is more pleasant to be outside viewing the scenery.

The state of Maine is in the heart of this region. Relatively undeveloped, it is known for its forests which come down to its rocky coastline, its lighthouses and, of course, for its lobster.

appeal

Most cruise ships call at either Bar Harbor or at Portland. Some call in both ports because they are quite different experiences. Bar Harbor is a small town on an offshore island that is dominated by the Acadia National Park. It was once a summer playground of wealthy Americans but now its unspoiled charm is accessible to all. Beyondships' photo guide to Bar Harbor begins at http://www.beyondships.com/Ports-Bar-Harbor.html

Portland is Maine's largest city and has been a major port since Colonial days. However, during the second half of the 20^th century, many of its traditional businesses declined to moved elsewhere. As a result, Portland had to re-invent itself - - something that it has had to do several times in the past due to war and natural catastrophes. The city which has emerged is quite tourist friendly with restaurants, art galleries and interesting shops as well as places of historical interest. Beyondship's new photo guide to Portland begins at http://www.beyondships2.com/cruise-destination---portland.html

As mentioned earlier, one of the things that Maine is known for is its lighthouses. These lonely sentinels standing at the edge of the sea have a unique romantic appeal. Consequently, many travelers to Bar Harbor and to Portland choose to visit some of the area's lighthouses. I've put together a photo essay showing some of the lighthouses that can be visited in both ports. http://www.beyondships2.com/lighthouses-in-maine.html

One lighthouse that just about everyone has seen is Portland Head Light. Standing on a bluff overlooking the entrance to Casco Bay, Portland Head Light has been the subject of numerous paintings and photographs. It is the classic image of a lighthouse. However, while the image is well-known, one thing that struck me about visiting Portland Head Light in person was how much the image was enhanced by the sight and the sound of the sea crashing against the rocks below the lighthouse. Therefore, I have put together a short video in which you can hear and see the power of the waves. It is posted at http://www.beyondships2.com/video-the-portland-head-light.html

Holyroodhouse Palace and Stirling Castle are both in Scotland. They both have historic importance and have been royal residences for centuries. However, the two present quite different visitor experiences.

To begin with, Holyroodhouse is located in Edinburgh whereas Stirling Castle is in the countryside not all that far from Glasgow. Thus, a visit to Holyroodhouse is an urban experience, something that you can do as part of a day in that rather unique city. Stirling Castle requires a drive through some pretty countryside from where the cruise ships dock in Greenock. Although there are other things to see nearby, the castle is the focus of the journey.

Stirling Castle sits majestically on top of a stone crag. Perched on essentially vertical stone cliffs dominates its surroundings. Holyroodhouse lies in a valley. Overlooking it is the enormous rocky crag Arthur's Seat, part of an extinct volcano.

Architecturally, most of the buildings at Stirling date from the Renaissance. The palace building that we see today at Holyroodhouse reflects the Baroque style of the time of Charles II, although there are sections which are much older.

Both palaces were important in the life of Mary Queen of Scots. She was crowned at Stirling and spent her early life there before she went to France to marry the heir to the French throne. She came to Holyroodhouse as a widow and some of the most important events of the later part of her turbulent reign occurred there including her two subsequent marriages as well as the murder of her private secretary, which was carried out in her presence.

After King James VI became King James I of England as well, royal interest in both palaces declined precipitously. Eventually, Queen Victoria revived Holyroodhouse as a royal residence. Stirling Castle was allowed to become first a prison and then a military base.

This history has an impact on what you see at the two palaces. Holyroodhouse, as the official residence of the monarch in Scotland, contains items of art and furniture from the Queen's collection, many of which have been at Holyroodhouse for centuries. At Stirling, most of its royal contents were dispersed after the royals moved elsewhere. However, as a result of a 12 million pound restoration project, the Royal Palace has been returned to its Renaissance look with high quality replicas of the art and furniture.

As a functioning royal residence, Holyroodhouse is not just a museum. People live there and it is used for other things. Consequently, like Windsor Castle in England, it has the feel of a living enterprise. Stirling Castle is essentially a museum. However, to bring it to life, the Royal Palace has guides who while dressed in period costume and assuming the identity of members of the court of James IV tell the story of the Palace. It is not only educational but entertaining.

Beyondships' article with photographs on visiting Holyroodhouse Palace is posted at http://www.beyondships2.com/cruise-destination-scotland-holyroodhouse.html Our illustrated article on visiting Stirling Castle is at http://www.beyondships2.com/cruise-destination---scotland---stirling-castle.html