Currently there is a huge storm system covering most of the northern Atlantic. It is powerful, apparently producing some serious waves into the 25+ foot range. Luckily taking a southerly route from Miami to Lisbon I'm hoping that we can avoid most of it. Here is a site with a wave forecast, very interesting.
Atlantic Waves
Will be listening carefully for the Captain's forecast later today.
Just got to Toronto and proceeded through the US customs pre-clearance. It's been a few months since I've been through so it was my first time using the new process. No need to wait for checked bags anymore which is nice. Though there a strange step where you wait, looking up for your name to appear on a TV screen. It didn't take too long before mine showed up and could proceed through. It seems to be based on my bags making it through so it should mean by bags are guaranteed to show up in Miami. I hope so anyway!
My 9:15am flight to Miami looks like it is on time so should be landing around 12:30. Embarkation for the ship isn't scheduled to start until 2pm but I will go straight to the port from the airport. Departure from Miami is late as well, at 9pm. Not sure why exactly but it makes for a pretty low stress travel day. As I look at the Miami webcam at 7:30 am, the ship is there waiting for me.
Miami Webcam
These webcams are great for watching ships sail out of the harbour, but given that it will be dark when we leave, not sure how great the views will be.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Friday, March 22, 2013
3rd Annual Crossing
Ah spring. Temperatures get warmer, snow starts to melt, soon flowers will be sprouting. It's great time of year. For me, it also a great time of year to spend a few days at sea! Yes it's time for another transatlantic crossing. This year I've selected another eastbound crossing, this time from Miami to Lisbon on Crystal Serenity.
Crystal is a small cruise line, sailing only two ships, Serenity and Symphony. They are regarded as a luxury line and have consistently won awards as the top cruise line in the world. The ships are mid to small size, especially when compared to the modern ships. Serenity carries approximately 1000 passengers and approximately 68,000 gross tonnes. It was recently featured on the show "Mighty Ships". You can see the video here:
http://watch.discoverychannel.ca/mighty-ships-/season-6/mighty-ships-6-crystal-serenity/
Because the video in on Discovery Channel Canada, I'm guessing that you have to be in Canada to see it. Sorry for those of you trying to view it from elsewhere. The show has some great views of the ship, as well as some of the locations it sailed to on its 2012 world cruise. Personally I think they played up the wealth of the passengers a bit much. I know I sure don't fall into the ultra-rich category the show depicts as traveling on Crystal. Crystal prices will be higher than the mainstream lines for sure, but there are deals to be had, such as this repositioning cruise. They have also changed to be all inclusive as of last year so I won't have much else to buy on board, aside from the internet which sadly is still expensive. This crossing will have one stop on the way to Lisbon, in Funchal, Madiera. Looks like a beautiful island that will be nice to explore. Hoping for nice spring weather.
If you that want to get a glimpse of what the weather and seas are like during the crossing, Crystal has a great set of live webcams. I added a permanent link on the top of the blog, or you can access it here.
http://www.crystalcruises.com/home.aspx?REDIR=1&LVID=3.
You can see port, starboard views as well as the bridge cam. You can also view the computer room where I might be from time to time.
Departure is March 31st...the countdown is on.
Crystal is a small cruise line, sailing only two ships, Serenity and Symphony. They are regarded as a luxury line and have consistently won awards as the top cruise line in the world. The ships are mid to small size, especially when compared to the modern ships. Serenity carries approximately 1000 passengers and approximately 68,000 gross tonnes. It was recently featured on the show "Mighty Ships". You can see the video here:
http://watch.discoverychannel.ca/mighty-ships-/season-6/mighty-ships-6-crystal-serenity/
Because the video in on Discovery Channel Canada, I'm guessing that you have to be in Canada to see it. Sorry for those of you trying to view it from elsewhere. The show has some great views of the ship, as well as some of the locations it sailed to on its 2012 world cruise. Personally I think they played up the wealth of the passengers a bit much. I know I sure don't fall into the ultra-rich category the show depicts as traveling on Crystal. Crystal prices will be higher than the mainstream lines for sure, but there are deals to be had, such as this repositioning cruise. They have also changed to be all inclusive as of last year so I won't have much else to buy on board, aside from the internet which sadly is still expensive. This crossing will have one stop on the way to Lisbon, in Funchal, Madiera. Looks like a beautiful island that will be nice to explore. Hoping for nice spring weather.
If you that want to get a glimpse of what the weather and seas are like during the crossing, Crystal has a great set of live webcams. I added a permanent link on the top of the blog, or you can access it here.
http://www.crystalcruises.com/home.aspx?REDIR=1&LVID=3.
You can see port, starboard views as well as the bridge cam. You can also view the computer room where I might be from time to time.
Departure is March 31st...the countdown is on.
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