ASTORIA 9th March 2017, Part 2

Friday 10th March 2017
I was a little reluctant to leave my comfy bed after losing an hour's sleep last night because of the clock change to get us onto European time but I arrived at breakfast as planned after a quick walk on deck to watch us arriving in today's port of Amsterdam. This is the capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands although the seat of the Dutch Government is in The Hague.

Several of us met at the gangway for our planned day trip but "technical problems" at one end or other of the gangway meant we had to wait for 45 minutes until they were resolved. Once ashore we could head to the car hire offices and pick up the vehicle for the day. Five of us were going north to the port of Den Helder, to travel as foot passengers on the new ferry sailing across the water to the island of Texel. I live in sheep country so I knew the word referred to a particular variety of sheep, but I never expected to set foot on its island of origin.

Map showing Amsterdam near the bottom, and Den Helder to the north, with the island of Texel north of that


It was a straightforward run up to the port, where we parked for free in the ferry car park, then watched the older ferry SCHULPENGAT depart for Texel just across the water.

Schulpengat

Schulpengat with her two vehicle decks


As she left Den Helder the new ferry TEXELSTROOM left Texel and headed our way so we were able to see the shape of her as she approached.

Texelstroom

View to my left


She unloaded and loaded quickly on her two vehicle decks and six minutes later were walking into the lounge.

I loved the 'sky' in the lounge ahead of me

The view to the stern on my left


The internal design was fresh and new and I loved seeing the 'sky' on the ceiling mural. Midships was the food serving area plus souvenirs on shelves opposite, with ample room for passengers. There were seating areas at both ends of the deck and they proved very comfortable, with good views.

Walking along to the food serving area midships


The ferry takes 20 minutes to cross the 4.2 kms distance to the island, so we were able to enjoy a meal and stay on board for the return journey back to Den Helder. That was a good 2.50 euros well-spent for a return ticket!

The company name TESO

Texelstroom leaving, viewed from the ferry car park

The TESO leaflet

The leaflet details

The back of my ticket


Then it was time to collect the car and head back to Amsterdam and return the car to the hire office. Afternoon tea was available on board ASTORIA after we walked back to the cruise terminal, ready for departure at 5 p.m.

Partial view of Astoria at the Amsterdam Cruise Terminal

Ship picture on Cruise & Maritime Voyages brochure



After that there was time to meet in one of the bars before dinner. Service was much faster this evening, which we appreciated, and then we went to see the ABBA Dancing Queen show for this evening's entertainment.

Ships seen: Astoria, Schulpengat, Texelstroom


To be concluded...

ASTORIA 9th March 2017, Part 1

Thursday 9th March 2017
I set out for Tilbury Cruise Terminal and, despite the ongoing difficulties with using Southern Rail for part of my journey, I managed to reach my destination. I am booked with friends to go on the good ship ASTORIA, newly acquired by Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) and we are to sail for three nights and visit Amsterdam and Antwerp before returning to the London Cruise Terminal here at Tilbury.

Once at Tilbury railway station I met friends and we took the local bus to the cruise terminal, which saved quite a difficult walk or taxi ride. In the Terminal building I met even more of our group and realised we had come from various parts of the UK, the USA, Denmark and Germany. The internet makes so many friendships possible and we all seem happy to be able to arrange to travel together occasionally on a particular ship and trip (including cruise ships and ferries).

This ship was launched in 1946 at 12,165 gross tons for the Swedish America Line, with the name STOCKHOLM. I think many of us know of her disastrous collision with the ANDREA DORIA in July 1956; she subsequently changed ownership and names over the years. Now at 16,144 gross tons, her past names include ITALIA PRIMA, CARIBE, ATHENA and AZORES amongst others.

Stockholm bell

Astoria Deck Plan

Cabin 415

I have cabin 415, which is an inside double cabin for single use on Deck 4 Mediterranean Deck. My cruise card shows my name and nationality, plus my Muster station and lifeboat number. I noticed that it also has my date of birth on it, which is something I have not encountered on any other ship's cruise card! I wonder if that will be considered a controversial matter for CMV and their passengers...

The outside deck area of the Buffet Restaurant


Many of us met for lunch in the Buffet Restaurant and afterwards we attended Boat Drill before we left Tilbury at 3 p.m. Up on deck I met someone else who was enjoying photographing ASTORIA and ships generally - more congenial company. He was a retired eye-surgeon from Switzerland who had worked in Syria 'before the war'.

Show Lounge

Show Lounge

That must be the card room

I admired this glass lampshade


I walked around the ship and up on the Observation Deck at first sight I thought that the deck was wooden but closer inspection revealed that it was very dense carpeting, with almost unnaturally straight lines of caulking. That was a surprise but, after being amused, I realised that although unconventional, it might prove hard wearing.

It looks like deck carpet

Ferry Princess Pocahontas seemingly laid up over the other side of the river

The little cross-river ferry Duchess M that was in use


We left Tilbury and as we sailed along the River Thames out to the sea we could see many of the old Thames Forts (the Maunsell forts), built in the second World War to help defend the United Kingdom. They are built of concrete and metal, and are still an amazing sight.

Some of the Thames Forts


Later that afternoon one of my friends mentioned that he had seen two Americans taking photos around the ship. He pointed them out to me as they were standing not too far away, and I realised that I knew them! They were friends I had last met in New York several years ago but I recognised them straightaway. Isn't life extraordinary? I went over to say hello and they recognised me too and so, after catching up on news, I introduced them to other 'shippy' friends nearby and they became part of the group for the rest of our time on board. They had travelled over for this ship trip and were then planning more touring in Europe, so it was an amazing coincidence that we should all meet up on board ASTORIA.

I went to unpack in my cabin and later met friends for drinks and dinner. Service was very slow at our allocated dinner tables but we suspect this is because the ship is new in service but we enjoyed the food. After dinner there was a choice of seeing the Welcome Show, dancing or film shows.

Ships seen: Astoria, Duchess M the local cross river ferry, Grande Amburgo of Grimaldi Lines, tug Svitzer Laceby, tug Svitzer Bootle, Princess Pocahontas


To be continued...

Black Watch 29th October 2016, Part 2 the conclusion

Sunday 30th October 2016
Last night in my cabin was a Daily Times for today, which simply said we would arrive at our mystery port at 8.30 a.m. Hmm, I can see we are in Amsterdam and berthed at the Cruise Terminal near the huge main Railway Station, which is fine with me. It looks grey outside but then this is almost the end of October; I went for breakfast and found hot porridge available so the world is improving by the minute.

View to the funnel

View down to the pool

Comfy corner

The Fred. Olsen logo on the funnel

One of the Fred. Olsen pieces of artwork, entitled Bergerac 1955, by artist Sigurd Nome

Black Watch/Black Prince model

Details


Several of us walked out of the terminal and along the road towards the station and the cross-river ferries embarkation pontoons. We hadn't walked far when we realised that the good ship MAGELLAN was heading towards our cruise terminal berths and offered photo opportunities as she slowed and turned.

Magellan, of CMV

Magellan stern


Photos done we could continue along to the ferries and I went on ferry number 50 and then walked a little distance so I could see the BLACK WATCH from another vantage point.

Ferry route 50

Black Watch and Magellan, seen through light rain


On my way back across the water the light rain started and I was glad to get back on board for lunch. I noticed from the Daily programme that at 11.30 this morning I could have gone to the Marquee Bar on deck 9 to try one of the eighteen varieties of gin available on the Gin Menu! After lunch several of us went for coffee in the lounge/card room, and to catch up on the various activities of the morning.

Once again there were live entertainments available on board during the day, plus music, movies and various dining and beverage options to choose from.

The Prom deck at night


We sailed in darkness at 6 p.m. from the lovely port of Amsterdam, heading back to Harwich overnight, but first we had drinks, dinner and evening show time to enjoy here on board.

I did, I did


Ships seen: Black Watch, Magellan, Port of Amsterdam tug 5, Sovereign the river pleasure craft, ferry number 50

For a ship of 28,623 gross tons, and built in 1972 as the ROYAL VIKING STAR, I think BLACK WATCH of Fred. Olsen is a little gem of a ship, and long may she last. I had enjoyed a happy time on her with my friends.

Black Watch 29th October 2016, Part 1

Saturday 29th October 2016
This is to be a mystery weekend trip on BLACK WATCH, sailing from Harwich, in Essex. Fortunately the first part of my day started without mystery, by getting an early train to London Gatwick Airport. There I met one of my travelling companions who had very kindly offered me a lift to Harwich. We were soon there and parked near The Ha'penny Pier, ready for what we called a little trip round the bay. The sun shone down and the sea was as calm as the proverbial millpond as we watched the harbour ferry HARBOUR FERRY approach in its golden glory. Nearby was Lightship Vessel number 18, built in 1958 but now retired and used as a party boat I believe, and in the distance we could see another laid-up Trinity House lightship. Whilst we were standing on the Pier I was looking down at the water and suddenly realised that a seal was looking up at me, from just a few feet away. He obviously realised I had no fish or food to give him, so dived back underwater and swam away. That was fun.

LV18 at Ha'penny Pier

Harbour Ferry getting nearer

Waving

Ex-Canberra lifeboat, with a new little bridge

Patricia of Trinity House


We bought return tickets to and from Shotley on the Suffolk side of the River Stour and boarded the little ferry that in a previous life had been a lifeboat on CANBERRA although now with a tiny added Bridge. We set off and sailed past Trinity House's PATRICIA at a nearby quay and then we could see BLACK WATCH at her berth at the Harwich International Cruise Terminal some distance away at Parkeston. I could see a large Danish container vessel being loaded at a berth at the busy working terminal Port of Felixstowe, Suffolk, which is on the north side of the river and nearer the sea. We approached the Shotley quayside on the peninsula which is between the River Stour and River Orwell in Suffolk. People disembarked and others embarked on this foot and bicycle ferry, which can carry a maximum of 58 passengers and 20 bicycles, but we were very lightly loaded today.

Black Watch at Harwich Cruise Terminal, in the far distance

A Danish vessel in another direction


After another calm journey back to the Harwich Ha'penny Pier we went for lunch at The Pier Hotel Restaurant which offered delicious fresh food, including venison. Then it was time to drive to the Cruise Terminal and check in for our mystery two night/one port cruise on BLACK WATCH. I have enjoyed four trips on her in the past and was looking forward to another one today. We were soon checked in and on board, and met up with our other travelling companions. Nearby we could see the huge SEAJACKS LEVIATHAN vessel.

Seajacks Leviathan

Black Watch model

Black Watch deck plan

Black Watch facilities


Afternoon Tea was available, followed by Lifeboat drill, and the various bars were soon open before we sailed from Harwich at 6 p.m. I noticed the Bookmark Cafe on Deck 7 offers a big range of premium hot drinks and a large choice of chocolates! I think I might need to visit this place another time... Dinner was in the Glentanar Restaurant on Deck 6 forward and our group second sitting was at 8.30 p.m. but we noticed passengers could also dine in the Garden Cafe. Food and service were most enjoyable and then it was Showtime which we all enjoyed too.

Ships seen: Black Watch, Harbour Ferry, Seajacks Leviathan, Trinity House's Patricia built in 1982, LV 18 party ship


To be concluded...