Norwegian Jade 2nd June 2017, Part 2

Saturday 3rd June 2017
The day started with a leisurely breakfast up in the Deck 12 Garden Cafe, as we sailed along in the increasing sunshine. Visibility was about 3 miles, but the speed was shown as 17/18 knots, with 3-4 feet wave height. At coffee time we went to the Deck 7 Java Cafe in the mid-ships atrium, before heading out on deck to consider sitting in the sunshine.

That's a big shower, up on the top deck in sunshine


That proved too much of a breezy challenge but the social Spinnaker Bar was the ideal place to be for many of us.

I could have participated in so many things today on board, including games and sports, jewellery sales, body sculpt boot camp, introduction to acupuncture, trivia quiz, art sales, bridge play, wrinkle remedies, origami paper boxes to be made, increase your metabolism, and a cooking demonstration of bouillabaisse. This was all in the morning; the afternoon's choices offered digital photo seminar, genealogy social group, extreme bean bag toss, charades, binocular seminar, trivia quiz on beers of the world, satellite Texas hold'em tournament, champagne art auction preview, chocolate & wine pairing, look 10 years younger group, improve your posture, goofy golf, veterans social, classic car enthusiasts social, family balloon twisting and many many other things.

Late lunch was good at the Irish O'Sheehan's pub, with slightly misty views out to sea during the meal. The Daily Programme told us about a Quiz to be held after the quiet time so we headed back to the oh-so-comfortable Spinnaker Lounge for the views out to the almost completely calm sea. We read that the wave height was now only 1 foot, just the way the North Sea should be in an ideal situation, to my mind. We joined people sitting nearby for the quiz and soon realised that the questions were mainly aimed at an American audience. I think someone forgot that on this trip the passengers were mostly British, having embarked in Southampton. We did our best and enjoyed it, although we didn't win.

After that I decided to go and see the Bridge Viewing Area, which is always available so passengers can watch through huge glass panels what is being done on the Bridge by the Deck officers on watch. There were some duplicate radar screens in this Area, which were interesting too. I enjoyed seeing the original flag of the PRIDE OF HAWAII, displayed safely in a glass case, with another display explaining what I was looking at.

Flag details

Flag in the glass case


I headed for the End of the World stern cafe, which is beyond the Garden Cafe, for a cup of tea, and realised I was walking along the famous 'fishes forward' carpet motif, although I was the red fish heading the wrong way!

Fish heading forward (except me, being the red fish)


Pre-dinner drinks in another of the atrium bars later then led on to dinner in the Grand Pacific Restaurant again. I enjoyed the food and the choice of dishes, and remember choosing Volcano pudding (chocolate soufflé with ice cream and strawberry sauce).

The evening 'Showdown' entertainment was loud and good and the music and dancing in the Spinnaker Bar this evening was to disco music of the 50s and 60s - good fun.

By this time we had arrived near the North Sea entrance to the River Elbe and the Pilot, but had to wait in the darkness. Nearby were the lights of many vessels which I couldn't recognise, but I was reliably informed what they were, so they are my Ships Seen list for today!

Ships seen: Agath, Mol Emissary, Barents, BBC Spring, Genko Pyrenees, Komet 3, Marielist, Iduna, Hermes Leader, Maersk Nijmetun, Pegasus, IBS Shipra, Barbara, Martin Island, Baltimore Highway, Star Hyperion, Barmbeck, Morningcello, BF Esperanzo, Hilge, Hanni, Jolyn, and the Grimaldi RORO Grande Dakar which I did see


To be concluded...

NORWEGIAN ESCAPE 25th October 2015

Many months ago I was on the circulation list of a note suggesting an ESCAPE! Aha, I thought, here we go again - it must be Norwegian Cruise Line's new vessel NORWEGIAN ESCAPE. Indeed it was, and so I was pleased to book a cabin on board their newest ship, and make other travel arrangements. Having enjoyed sailing on NORWEGIAN GETAWAY in January 2014, I knew a little of what to expect so I was looking forward to another fun experience.

Friday 23rd October 2015
I happily set off for Hamburg early on a sunny Autumn morning in late October and under blue skies I landed at Hamburg airport and took the train towards the city. I had to make one change and the second train took me on an elevated track over waterways and local roads, until I got off at the St. Pauli station. I walked about 100 yards alongside a busy road and soon reached my hotel. Once checked in I was about to head for my room when I was greeted by a good friend who had arrived before me. His message earlier told me that there was to be a riverside party this evening, to watch the NORWEGIAN ESCAPE sail out of Hamburg on a trip for agents, with fireworks. Hooray, now the little trip is off to a excellent start.

We soon headed for the River Elbe and decided to go for lunch down-river at the cafe ship; we took the local ferry ELB MEILE, disembarked on the pontoon, only to find that the cafe was closed for the day. That was a shame, but she seems to be preparing for the weekend's activities. We took the ferry WASSERHOF back to the Landungsbrucken (the biggest landing stage in the port of Hamburg, with its two St. Pauli piers) and headed for the Blockbrau beer hostelry for some lunch. After that we could make the most of the time before the ship party at 6 p.m. by going to see the new vessel.

This time we sailed on KIRCHDORF, built by J J Sietas in 1962, on an interesting tour around Hamburg harbour.

Kirchdorf


Our time on board KIRCHDORF was enlivened by the catering on board, being able to look down at the engines through a glass section in the lounge deck, the sight of the still-unfinished Elbphilharmonie building in Hafencity, the little steamer SCHAARHORN, a tug going along near us tugging something that made a tremendous wash and wake, and a small container feeder ship called MV RAGNA which appeared to be running errands around the harbour, stopping at multiple berths. We noticed her and her turquoise-green hull calling at an Evergreen berth (for Taiwanese toys perhaps?), an MSC berth (for Italian olive oil and Parmesan?), a Danish ship berth (for Lego and bacon?). She was a busy little thing; I later found out she was built in 1998 at 3,999 gross tons.

splashy tug, churches, St Pauli landing stages

Aft deck

Kirchdorf's menu

The engine room

J J Sietas built Kirchdorf in 1962

Schaarhorn

Still unfinished

Mare Frisium

A view from the River Elbe which reminded me of another picture

This photo was taken by my Father in 1931 or 1932 when he was an engineering officer on Blue Star Line's Arandora Star and the ship visited Hamburg. The metal bridge in the picture seems to be one of the two in the previous picture, in the background. The church is now under scaffolding, as shown in my picture.


In one of the cuts we were really close to the bulbous bow on a CMA CGM vessel, which made for an interesting picture.

Rather close to a big bulbous bow


Soon we were approaching the NORWEGIAN ESCAPE, and realised just how huge she is. At 163,000 gross tons she is the first ship in Norwegian's Breakaway-Plus Class but it was wonderful to see her from sea level. The hull art painting is by marine wildlife artist Guy Harvey and we thought it was truly amazing and beautiful. I feel so fortunate to know that I will be sailing on this new ship on Sunday.

Norwegian Escape

She is big!

Up close

The hull art


Once back at the landing stage we could join the crowds preparing for the party and by going up to the viewing area. Norwegian Cruise Line were giving out umbrellas as gifts so I now have a lovely blue one with their logo and named ship on it. The sun set behind rather dark clouds, gentle music started, and finally we could see the NORWEGIAN ESCAPE moving away oh so slowly from her berth at Hamburg's newest cruise ship terminal on the other side of some of the dry docks. There is no public transport of any kind to get there, but presumably there will be at some stage in the future. This ship is so big that she is not able to use the other two cruise ship terminals nearer the city. By this time all other river traffic had been stopped and Police launches were making sure that nothing else moved.

The ship sailed out of the harbour cut where she had berthed, and her accompanying tugs gently pulled her stern round to starboard and then assisted her coming astern towards the waiting crowd on the River Elbe landing stage. She finally arrived mid-river and then held her position. The music played, the people on board waved from the top decks, we waved from ashore, and then the fireworks started from somewhere just on the other side of the river. They were big, high up in the sky, colourful and noisy and really fun to watch. It made for an exciting occasion and send-off for Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship, which was built in Germany by Meyer-Werft, and was now in front of a mainly German crowd waving her off from the port of Hamburg.

Nearly in position

Up close

Norwegian Escape

First fireworks

Some of the wonderful fireworks

Goodbye

The fireworks finally ended and the ship started to move, and we watched NORWEGIAN ESCAPE sail off into the darkness down river. She will be back on Sunday morning and then we will join her for a couple of nights sailing to Southampton, and then one more night out of Southampton and back again.

After the excitement died down, and clutching my new blue umbrella, we made our way for a welcome sit-down and meal at the Maredo Italian restaurant nearby. What a long and eventful day it had been, and so enjoyable.


To be continued...

MEIN SCHIFF 4, 7th September 2015, Part 8, the final one

Friday 11th September 2015
Today is a sea day, as we sail from Oslo down through the North Sea back to Hamburg. Again we enjoyed 'trolley' breakfast in one of the restaurants.

Trolley breakfast


This morning we decided to attend a Concert with Declaimers, in the Klanghaus. This is the concert hall on board, built with perfect acoustics. There was some music, quite a lot of Declaiming in German, and a few pleasant pictures on the screen behind the stage, but I felt the occasion was somewhat wasted on me.

In the Klanghaus

Outside the Klanghaus

The gift

I loved this picture, seen on the way to lunch


Lunch was booked in the Hanaimi Japanese restaurant, which had lovely views out to the sea. It seemed to be quite windy out there but of course there were intrepid shuffle board players on the deck, well wrapped up again the elements. It wasn't raining but looked as if it might soon.

Meanwhile inside the restaurant we watched the preparations for our meal with great interest. It is many years since I went to a Japanese restaurant so I was happy to have help with choice of food.

Place setting


The presentation was beautiful to watch and the quantities seemed huge, but it was all very interesting. I was offered a small taste of a starter from one friend, which I accepted as it looked innocuous, but it reduced me to an eye-watering state. Phew - glad I didn't choose that one myself.

Eye-watering

My plate of tuna - far too much


I had tuna for my main course and enjoyed that with various vegetables.

Some other choices


Just as we were finishing our meal the Captain stopped to speak to us, having finished his meal at a nearby table. He asked how we were enjoying the ship and trip and seemed happy as he listened to our replies.

Outside the weather had improved so I went for a sunny walk on a breezy top deck which was exhilarating and enjoyable. People smiled at me whilst eating ice-creams, others raised their champagne glasses (plastic) to me from their hot tub as I went past (it was someone's birthday celebration at a nearby Bar), others smiled sleepily each time I went past them, and others were fast asleep under a mound of blankets: we were all happy with our lot.

The day continued with a drink before the evening's show, called Blue Elements, which was enjoyable even without live music in the theatre, followed by another delicious dinner in one of the restaurants. Once again the restaurant staff were able to seat us at a table for 7, which made for a convivial time.

Some of us were out on deck at 11 p.m. to watch the Pilot come aboard as we prepared to start our journey to Hamburg on the River Elbe. In the darkness we could see the Pilot mother ship, which we had last seen in her berth at Cuxhaven on Saturday.

On deck after the Pilot came on board


Ships seen: distant ships as we sailed from Oslo to Hamburg, the Pilot launch and mother ship at the entrance to the River Elbe


Saturday 12th September 2015
Back in Hamburg at the end of our trip, the weather was cool and damp. Three friends had left the ship as soon as we berthed, but four of us had breakfast together and waited in one of the lounges as advised. We were to join coaches outside the terminal building to be taken to the main city railway station. At least, that was the plan.

View from the Bridge, in Hamburg


When we arrived outside the terminal building it was to discover crowds of fellow passengers all waiting for non-existent coaches. We found out that there were demonstrations going on in the city centre, all traffic had been stopped or held in traffic-jams, and our coaches were not allowed to go there. It seemed as if local taxis were not prepared to go into the city either, and we couldn't see one anyway. There appeared to be no alternative plan. Being enterprising folk, we four went for a local bus to a local station, and caught a train straight through to Hamburg Airport. We had to cope with our luggage (little in my case) and lots of steps, but at least we were on our way and didn't need to panic.

Once at the airport and with our luggage checked in with British Airways, all was well and we could enjoy a light lunch and wait for our flight to be called.

I flew with the other three to London Heathrow airport, then said my goodbyes and continued my own journey home.

Mein Schiff 4



I had really enjoyed the TUI and MEIN SCHIFF 4 experience, especially with the pre-cruise add-ons as I called them, and would be happy to sail on one of their ships again.

MEIN SCHIFF 4, 7th September 2015, Part 2

Saturday 5th September 2015
After an early breakfast at the Stella Maris hotel in Hamburg I was collected by some of my friends, ready to pick up a hire car and drive up to Brunsbuttel. This is the town at the end of the Kiel Canal, on the River Elbe. We planned to sail on the 12.10 ferry across to Cuxhaven, near the mouth of the River Elbe.

The route from Brunsbuttel to Cuxhaven

Locks at the start of the Kiel Canal

Red arrow marks the linkspan pier on the plan

The pier and linkspan

A passing ship

Saaremaa arriving

About to drive on board

Builders plate


The weather was bleak, grey and wet, with occasional sunshine. The ferry was late arriving at the pier linkspan because of the strong wind so we didn't leave until 1.10, but hot soup and rolls in the ship's cafe soon restored our spirits. The ship was SAAREMAA, built in Norway in 2010, and joining this route only on 20th August this year.

Anne Marie Bistro, serving goulash soup

Life ring

OOCL Montreal heading into the Kiel Canal

In the cafe

Godmother

Ship details

Neuwerk

The big Pilot mother ship Weser

Waiting to disembark


Once in Cuxhaven and in sunshine we could be tourists and enjoy coffee, apple strudel and ice cream, before driving around to see the famous ATLANTIS at her berth.

Atlantis, well tied up at Cuxhaven

Atlantis


It was interesting to note that the ferries out of Hamburg today had been cancelled, because of the strong winds. It seems that even the never-to-be-forgotten HALUNDER JET has had to stay in port and not travel to Helgoland, in South Utsire!

Today's ferrying trip was in fact our Plan B because we had booked to travel today on the new HELGOLAND ferry from Hamburg to Helgoland and back. She was built but having problems, before being handed over to Casson Eils for use. We saw the advertisements for her in Cuxhaven but no starting date was now shown.

The new Helgoland ferry we should have been on


We three travellers had all experienced what felt like life-threatening sailings on other journeys to Helgoland and were really looking forward to a safe and enjoyable trip on the new ferry. Ah well, we each received refunds on our tickets and looked forward to being able to sail on her in the future.

Muhumaa back to Brunsbuttel (gross tons 1,700)

Nautica leaving the Kiel Canal for Amsterdam


Then it was time to catch the ferry MUHUMAA back to Cuxhaven, leaving at 5.05 p.m and arriving at 6.30 p.m. Once back in Brunsbuttel it was decided to head a few miles alongside the Kiel Canal because there was a tiny ferry there, just waiting to be used to take us across the Canal!

Our Stettin ferry route, shown on the map, just on the other side of Brunsbuttel


This was the little STETTIN, which held 4 cars and some pedestrians.

About to board the Stettin

Driving on

On board the Stettin

The Berlin passing us in the other direction


Then we returned to the main route back to Hamburg, following the end of a rainbow, under a grey sky. The hire car was returned and we made our way back to the hotel for a very satisfying dinner.


Ships seen: Saaremaa, Arabian Breeze, Elizabeth Rus of Transferrica, ER Athina, Yan Cux 2, Neuwerk (Coastguard), Blue Bella, Patricia Esberger, Blue Antares, Deo Volente, Neckar High, Atlantis, Flipper, WMS Groenigen, Muhumaa, Timbus, Wolf 7 tug, Seagard of Transferrica, Nautica the cruise ship exiting the Kiel Canal on her way to Amsterdam, APL Changi, OOCL Montreal, Stettin the tiny ferry across the Kiel Canal, St. Johannes, Berlin


To be continued...