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Princess Transatlantic CruisE
Princess Transatlantic Cruise
By Steven Skelley and Thomas Routzong
Jacques Cousteau said, “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” There is something spellbinding about being in the middle of an ocean, looking out at the rising and falling waves in every direction and not seeing even a glimpse of anything manmade.
It is so easy to stand on the deck, feeling the ship rolling with the waves beneath your feet, and imagine those brave souls who have crossed these waters before. Some succeeded. Others didn’t.
These are the feelings I love about transatlantic cruises.
We have crossed the Atlantic Ocean via cruise ship several times. Each crossing was unique. Each crossing was wonderful. Our transatlantic cruise aboard the Royal Princess, was once, again both unique and wonderful.
Monday, April 16
Today, we board the Royal Princess for a transatlantic cruise from Fort Lauderdale. After spending the night in a Fort Lauderdale hotel, we took an Uber to the port. Our driver was excellent. He weaved in an out of traffic to get us to the front of the line. Boarding was quick and easy with our Elite / Priority Boarding. We were in our cabin by 11:15 a.m. We had lunch in the buffet and people watched most of the afternoon. We met a couple from Biloxi and sisters from Philadelphia at dinner. Next - two days at sea traveling 912 miles to Bermuda.
By Steven Skelley and Thomas Routzong
Jacques Cousteau said, “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” There is something spellbinding about being in the middle of an ocean, looking out at the rising and falling waves in every direction and not seeing even a glimpse of anything manmade.
It is so easy to stand on the deck, feeling the ship rolling with the waves beneath your feet, and imagine those brave souls who have crossed these waters before. Some succeeded. Others didn’t.
These are the feelings I love about transatlantic cruises.
We have crossed the Atlantic Ocean via cruise ship several times. Each crossing was unique. Each crossing was wonderful. Our transatlantic cruise aboard the Royal Princess, was once, again both unique and wonderful.
Monday, April 16
Today, we board the Royal Princess for a transatlantic cruise from Fort Lauderdale. After spending the night in a Fort Lauderdale hotel, we took an Uber to the port. Our driver was excellent. He weaved in an out of traffic to get us to the front of the line. Boarding was quick and easy with our Elite / Priority Boarding. We were in our cabin by 11:15 a.m. We had lunch in the buffet and people watched most of the afternoon. We met a couple from Biloxi and sisters from Philadelphia at dinner. Next - two days at sea traveling 912 miles to Bermuda.
Tuesday, April 17
We had breakfast around 7:00 a.m. in the buffet. There are more than enough serving stations to accommodate even a ship of 4000 passengers and a wide variety of breakfast options for this multicultural clientele.
By 8:00 a.m., the ship is rocking. Tom has a motion sickness patch on. I have taken a pill so we barely notice. The rest of the day is very relaxing and enjoyable. We had a morning dip in the hot tub and another in the afternoon. On the giant video screen on the Lido deck, we watched a fantastic Elton John concert from a program called Brit Icons. We also people-watched and took a couple of cat naps. The rocking of the ship makes it easy to doze off and relax. We enjoyed lunch on the pool deck and dinner in one of the luxurious dining rooms.
We had breakfast around 7:00 a.m. in the buffet. There are more than enough serving stations to accommodate even a ship of 4000 passengers and a wide variety of breakfast options for this multicultural clientele.
By 8:00 a.m., the ship is rocking. Tom has a motion sickness patch on. I have taken a pill so we barely notice. The rest of the day is very relaxing and enjoyable. We had a morning dip in the hot tub and another in the afternoon. On the giant video screen on the Lido deck, we watched a fantastic Elton John concert from a program called Brit Icons. We also people-watched and took a couple of cat naps. The rocking of the ship makes it easy to doze off and relax. We enjoyed lunch on the pool deck and dinner in one of the luxurious dining rooms.
Wednesday, April 18
Today we awoke to much calmer seas. When we opened our cabin door, there were two balloons and a Happy Anniversary sign there. We had breakfast in the buffet at 7:30 a.m. ship time which today is 6:30 a.m. at home. We were two of nine people out of 3200 that were invited to a private tour of the ship’s bridge. The officer who gave us the tour was the best yet.
He explained in detail how the ship is run. At the time, we were in water 15,000 feet deep. He told us that the ship can tilt 55 degrees to one side before any danger.
We had lunch in the buffet where I was in the mood for a mega salad. Afterward, we listened to a live band on the Lido deck and then soaked in a hot tub in the Adults Only Retreat area.
Tonight is Formal Night. We’ll wear khaki pants and sports coats to dinner. Some men still wear tuxedos but that number gets smaller and smaller every year. At dinner, the head waiter and three assistants came and sang Happy Anniversary to us.
Today we awoke to much calmer seas. When we opened our cabin door, there were two balloons and a Happy Anniversary sign there. We had breakfast in the buffet at 7:30 a.m. ship time which today is 6:30 a.m. at home. We were two of nine people out of 3200 that were invited to a private tour of the ship’s bridge. The officer who gave us the tour was the best yet.
He explained in detail how the ship is run. At the time, we were in water 15,000 feet deep. He told us that the ship can tilt 55 degrees to one side before any danger.
We had lunch in the buffet where I was in the mood for a mega salad. Afterward, we listened to a live band on the Lido deck and then soaked in a hot tub in the Adults Only Retreat area.
Tonight is Formal Night. We’ll wear khaki pants and sports coats to dinner. Some men still wear tuxedos but that number gets smaller and smaller every year. At dinner, the head waiter and three assistants came and sang Happy Anniversary to us.
Thursday, April 19
Today, we visit Bermuda. We disembarked at the West End port and walked to the toursit office to pick up a tourist map of the port area. We’ve visited Bermuda before so we opted not to book a tour. We made the best of the morning and strolled around the port town photographing fortresses, oddities and the stunning blkue-green waters.
We now have Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday at sea and then we arrive on the Azores islands off the coast of Portugal another 1928 miles away.
Today, we visit Bermuda. We disembarked at the West End port and walked to the toursit office to pick up a tourist map of the port area. We’ve visited Bermuda before so we opted not to book a tour. We made the best of the morning and strolled around the port town photographing fortresses, oddities and the stunning blkue-green waters.
We now have Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday at sea and then we arrive on the Azores islands off the coast of Portugal another 1928 miles away.
Friday, April 20
Today is the first of four sea days between Bermuda and the Azores. The seas were calmer today and we used our leisure time to explore the ship, listen to the musical entertainment and relax.
We enjoyed a specialty dinner at the steak restaurant. Tom and I both ordered 14 ounce ribeyes. Other steaks on the menu included a 22 ounce and a 16 ounce.
Saturday, April 21
Today is a sea day. The day started out very windy and the winds did not decrease. The high temperature is in the 60’s but the high winds make it feel much colder. We had dinner in an Italian restaurant. While enjoying a cocktail before dinner, we met a married, gay couple from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada where we had visited during our cruise last year. They seem very nice and we hope to become lifelong friends. That is another bonus of cruising – meeting new friends from around the world.
Sunday, April 22 & Monday, April 23
Two more days at sea. We spent them relaxing and enjoying the many comforts of the Royal Princess. This beautiful vessel has swimming pools, hot tubs, a casino, restaurants, bars, musical entertainment, movies, theater productions, basketball, golf, and more!
Today is the first of four sea days between Bermuda and the Azores. The seas were calmer today and we used our leisure time to explore the ship, listen to the musical entertainment and relax.
We enjoyed a specialty dinner at the steak restaurant. Tom and I both ordered 14 ounce ribeyes. Other steaks on the menu included a 22 ounce and a 16 ounce.
Saturday, April 21
Today is a sea day. The day started out very windy and the winds did not decrease. The high temperature is in the 60’s but the high winds make it feel much colder. We had dinner in an Italian restaurant. While enjoying a cocktail before dinner, we met a married, gay couple from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada where we had visited during our cruise last year. They seem very nice and we hope to become lifelong friends. That is another bonus of cruising – meeting new friends from around the world.
Sunday, April 22 & Monday, April 23
Two more days at sea. We spent them relaxing and enjoying the many comforts of the Royal Princess. This beautiful vessel has swimming pools, hot tubs, a casino, restaurants, bars, musical entertainment, movies, theater productions, basketball, golf, and more!
Tuesday, April 24
Ponta Delgada on the Azores island of Sao Miguel is about 800 miles from the coast of Portugal. Portuguese explorers discovered the Azores in 1450.
A vacation paradise, Sao Miguel has a year round temperature between 57 to 79 degrees. Two crater lakes within an extinct volcano are just two of the natural highlights.
The Azores are actually giant undersea mountains with only the tops rising above the surface of the Atlantic. Some have speculated that the Azores may be part of the legend of Atlantis.
I downloaded a walking tour off the internet. We used it to explore the historic area and gates of the city. Afterward, we walked the waterfront for a bit before heading back to our ship.
After dinner, we went to the pool deck and watched “Murder On The Orient Express” on the big screen “Movie Under The Stars” with our new friends from Halifax.
Wednesday, April 25
At sea
Ponta Delgada on the Azores island of Sao Miguel is about 800 miles from the coast of Portugal. Portuguese explorers discovered the Azores in 1450.
A vacation paradise, Sao Miguel has a year round temperature between 57 to 79 degrees. Two crater lakes within an extinct volcano are just two of the natural highlights.
The Azores are actually giant undersea mountains with only the tops rising above the surface of the Atlantic. Some have speculated that the Azores may be part of the legend of Atlantis.
I downloaded a walking tour off the internet. We used it to explore the historic area and gates of the city. Afterward, we walked the waterfront for a bit before heading back to our ship.
After dinner, we went to the pool deck and watched “Murder On The Orient Express” on the big screen “Movie Under The Stars” with our new friends from Halifax.
Wednesday, April 25
At sea
Thursday, April 26
Lisbon, Portugal
Last night was a bit windy with rougher seas but this is all part of the adventure of crossing the Atlantic. We sailed into Lisbon, Portugal this morning. Lisbon was founded by the Phoenicians around 1200 B.C.
As we neared the port, we sailed past the giant Monument to the Discoveries. It is a huge stone monument shaped like the prow of a ship with statues of famous explorers.
After docking, Tom and I strolled into the Alfama Quarter, the oldest part of Lisbon which was completely rebuilt after a 1755 earthquake that may have been as strong as a 9.0. Much of Alfama still retains Moorish architecture and narrow, cobblestone streets.
The most impressive and picturesque site for us was the Commercial Square (La Praca do Comercio). It is a combination waterfront gathering place, giant open square, photo opp statue and impressive arch inviting guests into the city.
We strolled the city alone, joined a guided tour briefly and then went off on our own again. It was a beautiful, bright, sunny day – perfect for a leisurely stroll in a historic city.
Friday, April 27
At sea traveling 603 miles to Spain.
Lisbon, Portugal
Last night was a bit windy with rougher seas but this is all part of the adventure of crossing the Atlantic. We sailed into Lisbon, Portugal this morning. Lisbon was founded by the Phoenicians around 1200 B.C.
As we neared the port, we sailed past the giant Monument to the Discoveries. It is a huge stone monument shaped like the prow of a ship with statues of famous explorers.
After docking, Tom and I strolled into the Alfama Quarter, the oldest part of Lisbon which was completely rebuilt after a 1755 earthquake that may have been as strong as a 9.0. Much of Alfama still retains Moorish architecture and narrow, cobblestone streets.
The most impressive and picturesque site for us was the Commercial Square (La Praca do Comercio). It is a combination waterfront gathering place, giant open square, photo opp statue and impressive arch inviting guests into the city.
We strolled the city alone, joined a guided tour briefly and then went off on our own again. It was a beautiful, bright, sunny day – perfect for a leisurely stroll in a historic city.
Friday, April 27
At sea traveling 603 miles to Spain.
Saturday, April 28
We docked in Getxo, Spain. It is an interesting mix of industrial shipping buildings, opulent mansions and a tourist beach.
We took a bus tour out of Getxo to Bilbao (rhymes with cow), Bermeo and Guernica. Bilbao is home to the world famous Gugenheim Modern Art Museum. Our tour did not stop there for some reason.
Bermeo is fishing village dating back to the 1300’s. We were led on a walking tour and took some nice photos of the old, multi-story waterfront homes around the marina.
In Guernica, we took another walking tour. We saw a reproduction of a Pablo Picasso art piece he created after the Germans bombed Guernica in 1937.
On our drive, we saw several beaches where surfing is a tourism highlight. We also learned a lot about the Basque people. They predate Europeans, have their own separate language older than any European language and genetically trace back to the Neolithic period. As a surprise to my friend and fellow travel writer Curt Solash who speaks several languages, I asked a Basque woman to allow me to record her saying a greeting to Curt in the Basque language.
Sunday, April 29
Today is a sea day as we head from Spain toward France. The temperatures dropped again last night. It is now 40 degrees with high winds. No one on the ship is spending much time outside, in the pools or hot tubs today but everyone seems very happy enjoying the many opportunities for fun, entertainment and relaxation inside.
We docked in Getxo, Spain. It is an interesting mix of industrial shipping buildings, opulent mansions and a tourist beach.
We took a bus tour out of Getxo to Bilbao (rhymes with cow), Bermeo and Guernica. Bilbao is home to the world famous Gugenheim Modern Art Museum. Our tour did not stop there for some reason.
Bermeo is fishing village dating back to the 1300’s. We were led on a walking tour and took some nice photos of the old, multi-story waterfront homes around the marina.
In Guernica, we took another walking tour. We saw a reproduction of a Pablo Picasso art piece he created after the Germans bombed Guernica in 1937.
On our drive, we saw several beaches where surfing is a tourism highlight. We also learned a lot about the Basque people. They predate Europeans, have their own separate language older than any European language and genetically trace back to the Neolithic period. As a surprise to my friend and fellow travel writer Curt Solash who speaks several languages, I asked a Basque woman to allow me to record her saying a greeting to Curt in the Basque language.
Sunday, April 29
Today is a sea day as we head from Spain toward France. The temperatures dropped again last night. It is now 40 degrees with high winds. No one on the ship is spending much time outside, in the pools or hot tubs today but everyone seems very happy enjoying the many opportunities for fun, entertainment and relaxation inside.
Monday, April 30
We were scheduled to dock in Le Havre, France this morning. Last night, the Captain announced over the intercom that wind gusts in that part of France were reaching 80 m.p.h. For safety reasons, he was skipping Le Havre and sailing straight toward Southampton, England a day early. The trip from Bilbao to Southampton is 598 miles.
We awoke in Southampton to a 40 degree, blustery day. I downloaded three maps showing Southampton highlights including a medieval wall and a dozen Titanic memorials. We enjoyed our walk. We found Bargate – the ancient city gates guarded by two lion statues. We also saw several sections of the original city walls, several churches including that were conserved as ruins after Nazi bombings. We never found the Titanic memorials but did find a pub named Titanic!
We were scheduled to dock in Le Havre, France this morning. Last night, the Captain announced over the intercom that wind gusts in that part of France were reaching 80 m.p.h. For safety reasons, he was skipping Le Havre and sailing straight toward Southampton, England a day early. The trip from Bilbao to Southampton is 598 miles.
We awoke in Southampton to a 40 degree, blustery day. I downloaded three maps showing Southampton highlights including a medieval wall and a dozen Titanic memorials. We enjoyed our walk. We found Bargate – the ancient city gates guarded by two lion statues. We also saw several sections of the original city walls, several churches including that were conserved as ruins after Nazi bombings. We never found the Titanic memorials but did find a pub named Titanic!
Tuesday, May 1
We have traveled 4817 nautical miles (5543 statute miles) from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Southampton, England. Though our wonderful transatlantic cruise on the Royal Princess had come to a close, our adventure didn’t. We chose to extend our vacation by staying a few extra days in London.
We disembarked the ship, walked out of the port building and were almost instantly met by our chauffeur from International Friends shuttles. His name was Z. He was from Croatia. Our drive to London took almost three hours with traffic. Z dropped us off at our hotel – the Marlin Waterloo. It is beautiful on the inside. Though an old building, the inside is completely modern and luxurious. We strolled the Old Marsh district and ate in a bbq chicken restaurant.
Wednesday, May 2
We took an Uber car to Leicester Square where we had a tour of London – West arranged with Strawberry Tours. Even before the tour began, it started to rain. It was cold, windy and raining for the entire three hour walking tour. Our guide was much too fast for Tom’s injured hip and knees but we completed the tour seeing Buckingham Palace, Parliament, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square and more.
Strawberry Tours is one of the tour operators around the world that offer “free” tours where you only pay what you can afford. This allows everyone to learn about cities around the world. We have found the tours to be almost always as good or better thasn prepaid tours.
Thursday, May 3
We took an Uber car to the Tower Bridge. We walked across the Tower Bridge over the Thames river just as we had always wanted to. We took photos on the bridge and then walked down to the Tower of London where the Crown Jewels are held. After photographing there, we strolled nearby streets, had a toastie (grilled cheese sandwich) and tea at a Starbucks, walked over another bridge and then hailed an Uber car back to our hotel. Our driver was very creative. At one point, he drove up on a sidewalk!
In the evening, we enjoyed a Beatles London Tour where we were shuttled to locations including Paul McCartney’s current home, Abbey Road Studios, the site of the iconic Abbey Road crosswalk album cover, John Lennon’s apartment, Ringo Starr’s apartment, a club where the Beatles met Jumi Hendrix, George Harrison’s apartment and more.
Friday, May 4
We walked from our hotel, past Big Ben and the London Eye, through Parliament, Leicester Square, Chinatown and Soho until we reached The British Museum. It was magnificent!
We purchased a tour titled “Around the world in 90 minutes.” A guide led us through history by viewing artifacts from around the world. After the tour, Tom sat and rested while I went back to view more artifacts from Egypt, Greece and Rome. I was astonished to see the museum housed all the frescoes that once surrounded the Parthenon in Greece and even one from Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar.
We had an authentic Fish and Chips British lunch after the museum at a small restaurant just around the corner and then caught an Uber ride back to our hotel. We rested for a while and then went for an evening walk through Kensington.
Saturday, May 5
We checked out of our hotel, boarded our International Friends ride to the London Gatwick airport and flew nonstop to Orlando, Florida via Norwegian Air. Our Royal Princess transatlantic adventure had come to a close.
To learn more about Princess cruise opportunities, visit http://www.princess.com/
To learn more about the Marlin Waterloo Hotel, visit http://www.marlin.com/
To learn more about Strawberry Tours, visit http://strawberrytours.com
To learn more about International Friends shuttle services and tours, visit http://www.internationalfriends.co.uk/
For gay travelers, Visit London offers a “LGBT London: lesbian and gay London” website at https://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/gay-and-lesbian-london
We have traveled 4817 nautical miles (5543 statute miles) from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Southampton, England. Though our wonderful transatlantic cruise on the Royal Princess had come to a close, our adventure didn’t. We chose to extend our vacation by staying a few extra days in London.
We disembarked the ship, walked out of the port building and were almost instantly met by our chauffeur from International Friends shuttles. His name was Z. He was from Croatia. Our drive to London took almost three hours with traffic. Z dropped us off at our hotel – the Marlin Waterloo. It is beautiful on the inside. Though an old building, the inside is completely modern and luxurious. We strolled the Old Marsh district and ate in a bbq chicken restaurant.
Wednesday, May 2
We took an Uber car to Leicester Square where we had a tour of London – West arranged with Strawberry Tours. Even before the tour began, it started to rain. It was cold, windy and raining for the entire three hour walking tour. Our guide was much too fast for Tom’s injured hip and knees but we completed the tour seeing Buckingham Palace, Parliament, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square and more.
Strawberry Tours is one of the tour operators around the world that offer “free” tours where you only pay what you can afford. This allows everyone to learn about cities around the world. We have found the tours to be almost always as good or better thasn prepaid tours.
Thursday, May 3
We took an Uber car to the Tower Bridge. We walked across the Tower Bridge over the Thames river just as we had always wanted to. We took photos on the bridge and then walked down to the Tower of London where the Crown Jewels are held. After photographing there, we strolled nearby streets, had a toastie (grilled cheese sandwich) and tea at a Starbucks, walked over another bridge and then hailed an Uber car back to our hotel. Our driver was very creative. At one point, he drove up on a sidewalk!
In the evening, we enjoyed a Beatles London Tour where we were shuttled to locations including Paul McCartney’s current home, Abbey Road Studios, the site of the iconic Abbey Road crosswalk album cover, John Lennon’s apartment, Ringo Starr’s apartment, a club where the Beatles met Jumi Hendrix, George Harrison’s apartment and more.
Friday, May 4
We walked from our hotel, past Big Ben and the London Eye, through Parliament, Leicester Square, Chinatown and Soho until we reached The British Museum. It was magnificent!
We purchased a tour titled “Around the world in 90 minutes.” A guide led us through history by viewing artifacts from around the world. After the tour, Tom sat and rested while I went back to view more artifacts from Egypt, Greece and Rome. I was astonished to see the museum housed all the frescoes that once surrounded the Parthenon in Greece and even one from Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar.
We had an authentic Fish and Chips British lunch after the museum at a small restaurant just around the corner and then caught an Uber ride back to our hotel. We rested for a while and then went for an evening walk through Kensington.
Saturday, May 5
We checked out of our hotel, boarded our International Friends ride to the London Gatwick airport and flew nonstop to Orlando, Florida via Norwegian Air. Our Royal Princess transatlantic adventure had come to a close.
To learn more about Princess cruise opportunities, visit http://www.princess.com/
To learn more about the Marlin Waterloo Hotel, visit http://www.marlin.com/
To learn more about Strawberry Tours, visit http://strawberrytours.com
To learn more about International Friends shuttle services and tours, visit http://www.internationalfriends.co.uk/
For gay travelers, Visit London offers a “LGBT London: lesbian and gay London” website at https://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/gay-and-lesbian-london
Article by Steven Skelley and Thomas Routzong
Copyright 2017 Sunny Harbor Publishing Sunny Harbor Publishing, PO Box 560318, Rockledge, FL 32956 Phone: 321-446-7552 Email: [email protected] Website: www.SunnyHarborPublishing.org |
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Gay Travelers Magazine
the best cruise & travel news, tips & reviews for the sensible gay traveler
the best cruise & travel news, tips & reviews for the sensible gay traveler