HENRY NOWICKI
30 SEPTEMBER 2000
Traveling by ship off the east and southeast coast of the US in September has its hurricane risks but since I am usually extremely lucky in weather matters, I chose to embark on the old loveboat, Pacific Princess (Ref 1), and take my chances. I also recall the ditty that they repeat in the Caribbean: June too soon, July stand by, August you must, Semptember remember, October all over. They have the experience to back it up but that is only a general saying and exceptions happen all the time. To make the story shorter, we did have to truncate the three-day Bermuda visit a bit because of the approaching hurricane Harvey. But again, my luck strengthened as no adverse effects were ever felt and we outpaced it back towards the north and northwest to New York. I chose to drive to New York (Ref 2) and leave the car at a hotel in New Jersey, a maneuver which saved some $126 which is what I might have paid if I had parked the vehicle at the departing terminal. I am not enthralled with the traffic at the 55th Street passenger terminal especially with at least five vessels all working at the same time; however, it was okay and dropoffs and pickups were accomplished. The Rembrandt (later to be arrested in Halifax in about four days when the Premier Cruise Line went abruptly out of business) was nearby when we departed but was not there upon our return. In its place was the QE2 which made the Pacific Princess diminutive in contrast. The weather was excellent on a Sunday and we departed in fine style with good views of the Hudson skyline and the inevitable wave from the Statue of Liberty. The Verazzano Narrows Bridge marked the end of the bay with its display of sailing and power boats now thinning out to the occasional vessel. The rest of the day and the entire next day were given to exploring the myriad activities that always keeps me humping. I especially have to single out the excellent dance instruction team of Sally and Fred Roach from North Carolina and the Exquisite Trio from the Philippines. Robert Smith did his excellent Caribbean songs and everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves. The third day had us early in St. George (Ref 3) at the easternmost part of Bermuda. The entrance into the harbor is most pleasant with a narrow cut to be negotiated and with homes and town structures within a stone's throw from the ship. I went up to the north shore's Tobacco Bay for a quick swim and then purchased a three-day pass for $26 which permitted unlimited bus and ferry travel. Since Bermuda, a string of narrow islands, is only about 20 miles in length and something less than a mile wide, surface travel is extremely limited to roughly two roads following the northern and southern shores. Rental cars are probited but the bus system is excellent and the ferries quite enjoyable. I initially headed for the island's best hotel, the Princess (no relation) Southampton on the south central shore and enjoyed their facilities and private beach which is located close to the very popular Horseshoe Bay Beach. In the evening, there was a funfest along the waterfront in St. George. Apparently it is held every week on Tuesday night to entertain and sell items to cruise passengers. Most of the handicraft and food vendors were to be seen again the next night when a similar but larger funfest is held in Hamilton, the island's capital. The ship stayed overnight in St. George then sailed to Hamilton during the day in what was about an hour's run. Hamilton (Ref 4), is the largest town and center of most things, governmental, economic and cultural. I immediately headed for the ferry terminal which was a few steps away and crossed the bay to the Royal Naval Dockyard at the westernmost end of the island. It seems I cannot get enough of the water. It turned out to be a fortunatea decision as hurricane Harvey dissuaded all the cruise ships from staying the third and last night in port and we had to bypass the Royal Naval Dockyard as a result. I did not investigate the area as much as I might since I had thought we would spend the greater part of a day there. Rather I rode along the north shore in my reconnaisance mode and spent some time at the original Princes Hotel in Hamilton. It still is an excellent property. I even visited a local brewery for a free tour and sample tasting. The evening was partly spent at the funfest along the waterfront. A fine jazz trio were blasting away and I expect they were one of the highlighters in the annual Bermuda Jazz Festival that was scheduled for the weekend. The ship stayed overnight in Hamilton then announced that in view of the approaching Harvey, they would sail for New York slightly after noon. It was still enough time for me to bus over to the Elbow Beach Hotel on the south shore for some ocean swimming and permit further seach for the famous pink sand. In fact, I don't think I every saw pink sand but it was not because I did not try. I am pursuaded to think I should use my color imagination a bit harder. The extra day at sea was quite welcome as the weather, although with massive clouds sometimes, was mostly sunny which permitted maximum deck activity to include some wild dancing in the evening Caribbean night get together. The dancers in the production numbers were marvelous. Come to think about it, the absence of the art auction activity was a big plus as far as I am concerned. All in all, the Bermuda voyage has to be given an A+ which pretty much says it all. Return to New York had everyone on deck early and it did not disappoint. The coterie of cruise ships making their way to port was enjoyable and the departure was fast and efficient. I headed for Nova Scotia and a few thousand miles of driving but that is material for the next story (Ref 5). Click Here for other short cruise/travel accounts by the author. Click Here to send comments and questions to the author. |
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