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Blount Grande Caribe, Islands of New England, August 19-25, 2017


rafinmd
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Thank you, Jacqui

 

Day 7, Friday, August 25, 2017, Disembark Grand Caribe

 

On deck by 5:30 I found the gangway our and decided to walk early. There was a locked gate at the end of the dock so my walk became one just back and forth on the dock. A couple of passengers also got off with their luggage headed to a Newport hotel. They had found a roundabout way off the dock which would have been a significant challenge for 2 elderly ladies with luggage when I noticed a button on a pole marked “push to exit”. I opted to stay on the dock as I’m sure there wouldn’t be a “push to enter” button on the other side of the gate. Near the planned end of the walk the dock hands said they were ready to stow the gangway so I walked a couple of laps around the Grande Caribe.

 

The Grande Caribe has a small library; certainly no match for Crystal, Cunard, or Prinsendam but probably as good as some new big ships.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/library.jpg

 

We let the lines go a bit after 7 and made one pass under the Newport Bridge, officially the Claiborne Pell Bridge and continued up Narragansett Bay towards Warren.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/pellbridge.jpg

 

Neither the Activities nor the Menu board were filled in but our final breakfast featured fried eggs and link sausage. By the end of breakfast we were approaching Warren, and made it into the dock about 8:50.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/theend.jpg

 

One of the employees who came onboard and helped out with disembarkation was Peter de Marco, captain of my last cruise to Saint John. Sadly, I did not recognize him but he did remember me. Across the way was the Niagara Prince. I’ve had several cruises on her but she is not active now, I suspect as a result of changing safety requirements which would be cost prohibitive to meet. She looks a bit sad sitting there.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/niagara.jpg

 

Bags had been left outside our cabins before breakfast and were waiting afterwards sorted but destination in the lounge. Disembarkation was in groups, first those headed for the airport with a bus chartered, then an SUV transfer for downtown Amtrak and car rentals, and finally those of us with our own cars.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/bagsready.jpg

 

 

I was on the road about 9:30. I had expected to take the Massachusetts Turnpike to Albany and then up I87 towards Montreal. Passengers coming from Albany had reported they had seen serious delays on the westbound turnpike. My GPS actually routed me through New Hampshire and Vermont, and traffic was relatively easy with the exception of being routed through a very choked up Boston big dig.

 

I crossed the Canadian border about 4:30 and was at my cousin’s home in Howick, 25 miles south of Montreal about 6.

 

This will conclude my planned postings on Cruise Critic. My blog comments will be minimal for the family visit but will continue a bit for the voyage home.

 

Today’s parting shot will be a wish for safety for the people in the path of Harvey.

 

Roy

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Your other adventure on the Erie Canal gave me much to think about with this ship. They may not be a good fit for me, but I enjoyed going along with you. My food limitations plus allergies may keep me from booking. No elevators may be the reason Road Scholar/Elderhostel changed to another brand.- with their ageing clientele.

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