Dave’s Live from Zuiderdam Voyage of the Vikings, July 30 – Sept. 3, 2019

[RetiredMustang]

Aug. 30, St. John’s, Newfoundland

 

We are heading south toward St. John’s.  The captain said he expected to pick up the pilot at about 9 a.m., and sail into harbor.  The sail in to St. John’s is always spectacular, coming past Signal Hill.  I hope to get some photos if the weather cooperates.  Right now it is cloudy and windy, but warmer than the past few days – 56F/13C.  The captain said we would feel effects of the remnants of Tropical Storm Erin as it passed to the west.  The Accuweather forecast is for clouds and winds of 20 mph/32kph and gusts up to 28 mph/45kph, with temps in the mid-60sF/nearing 20C.  We have been in St. John’s many times, and intend to just go ashore and walk about, and do some shopping. 

 

Here is today’s When and Where:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the port guide:

 

 

 

 

More later,

Dave

[Krazy Kruizers]

Wonderful pictures of your Newfoundland excursion.  Glad your tender ride worked out.

[puppycanducruise]

Fascinating report.  Great pictures.

Thank you.

Looking forward to reading more.

[RetiredMustang]

Aug. 30, St. John’s (Cont.)

 

The pilot just came aboard, and we are about to turn to enter the harbor.  The weather is foggy and rainy.  Hope it clears soon.

 

 

 

 

More later,

Dave

[DeeniEncinitas]

10 minutes ago, RetiredMustang said:

Aug. 30, St. John’s (Cont.)

 

The pilot just came aboard, and we are about to turn to enter the harbor.  The weather is foggy and rainy.  Hope it clears soon.

 

 

 

 

More later,

Dave

I hope the weather clears up for you too!!

Been able this early am to get caught up on your wonderful trip!

Great pictures as always. It is so great that on this fabulous voyage you take the time for all of us to enjoy! 

This has been nice for me this am.

Denise😊

 

[RetiredMustang]

Aug. 30, St. John’s (Cont.)

 

We had turned and were making for the harbor entrance, when the ship started turning.  The captain then announced that the situation was not good enough to attempt to enter now, so he was pulling around to wait a bit and re-assess.  Here is a photo I got from our balcony just as we started to turn:

 

 

 

More later,

Dave

[RetiredMustang]

Aug. 30, St. John’s (Cont.)

 

The captain just announced that the weather has deteriorated and is worse than expected, so he is unable to enter St. John’s harbor safely.  As a result, he is cancelling the port visit to St. John’s.  But, we are going to proceed directly to Halifax.  He expects to arrive early tomorrow afternoon, and we will overnight in Halifax and leave as planned Sunday afternoon.

 

More later,

Dave

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

Too bad about St. John's. I so wanted to see photos as on our crossing we could not get into St. John's due to weather as well.

[davy jones]

1 hour ago, RetiredMustang said:

Aug. 30, St. John’s (Cont.)

 

The captain just announced that the weather has deteriorated and is worse than expected, so he is unable to enter St. John’s harbor safely.  As a result, he is cancelling the port visit to St. John’s.  But, we are going to proceed directly to Halifax.  He expects to arrive early tomorrow afternoon, and we will overnight in Halifax and leave as planned Sunday afternoon.

 

More later,

Dave

Sorry about missing the port.  You are probably in the remnants of Erin, a minor Atlantic tropical storm.  Your ride to Halifax could be a bit bumpy.

[puppycanducruise]

Sorry you are missing St John's.

Hope the trip to Halifax is not too rough.

[RetiredMustang]

Aug. 30, at sea

 

The ship laid on several additional activities and printed and distributed a new When and Where:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In addition, tonight is now the final Gala night, instead of tomorrow.  And, shore excursions is selling tours for tomorrow afternoon.  At his noon report, the captain said he hoped to pick up the pilot around 1 p.m. tomorrow and be alongside the pier in Halifax by 2 p.m.  The weather has improved, and in fact there are patches of blue sky, but we may hit some winds and seas tonight.

 

More later,

Dave

[RetiredMustang]

Aug. 30, at sea (Cont.)

 

We have been bucking a strong wind all afternoon, but the seas, while being turmoiled, have not been too bad.  We seem to be passing through and out the other side of the storm remnants, which are heading north … towards St. John’s.  I think part of the decision to abort the pror visit may have been a consideration of trying to come out at 11 p.m. when the storm was upon us.

 

But, we enjoyed happy hour and surf and turf dinner; we’ve dined in worse sea conditions this cruise, and much worse on other cruises.  Here is the Gala dinner and dessert menu:

 

 

Here is the Lido dinner menu:

 

 

 

More tomorrow,

Dave

[erewhon]

Sorry that the weather did not co-operate for the visit to St John's.

[RetiredMustang]

Aug. 31, Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

We are moving west-southwest along Nova Scotia toward Halifax.  It is clear and warm (64F/18C), but we have a wind of about 20 knots coming at our bow.  The forecast for Halifax for today and tomorrow is mostly sunny, with temps in the low-mid 70sF/low-mid 20sC.  Should be a pleasant stay.

 

Here is today’s When and Where:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the Halifax port guide:

 

 

 

 

More later,

Dave

[Krazy Kruizers]

Sorry that you missed St John.  But at least you will get extra time in Halifax.

 

[DeeniEncinitas]

👍 Halifax

😞 St. John

Good morning!

So enjoy the nice weather today in port!

We had bad weather also so St. John was a no go!

Will try another cruise and maybe the weather will cooperate!

Have a great day!

Denise😊

[RetiredMustang]

Aug. 31, Halifax (Cont.)

 

We continue on our way to Halifax.  The winds are now light, and the seas less than earlier.  We set our clocks back a half hour last night, and are now in Atlantic time.  It is a pretty, sunny day.

 

This is the first time we have finally seen the new wine list created by James Suckling.  Here is a photo of the new booklet:

 

 

 

I was able to scan the pages:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More in the next post,

Dave

Edited August 31, 2019 by RetiredMustang

[RetiredMustang]

Aug. 31, Halifax (Cont.)

 

I also scanned the wine packages brochure:

 

 

 

 

More later,

Dave

[FlorenceItaly]

I appreciate the wine information.  It is helpful for our sailing later this year on the Amsterdam.  We are on for 51 days and think we will have quite a bar bill!  We are use to sailing Celebrity and having a drink package.

Thank you!

[mocruzer]

41 minutes ago, RetiredMustang said:

Aug. 31, Halifax (Cont.)

 

I also scanned the wine packages brochure:

 

 

 

 

More later,

Dave

Thanks for posting these.  

[puppycanducruise]

Thanks for all the  wine info.

[cat shepard]

Dave, Thank you for sharing the wine lists. There are some interesting options. Hope their wine tasting events include some of the lesser known wines.

[bluesplayer]

Thanks for posting the wine lists!!!   Cheers!!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you for the wine lists.  The wines have improved.

[RetiredMustang]

Aug. 31, Halifax (Cont.)

 

We have arrived in Halifax.  We picked up the pilot a few minutes after 1 p.m., and about 1:30 we passed the jetty and lighthouse:

 

 

 

A few minutes before 2 p.m., we had passed the container port and were approaching the cruise pier. 

 

 

 

Georges Island across from the cruise pier shone in the bright sun: 

 

 

 

There were plenty of boaters enjoying the glorious weather – sunny, 69F/21C.  At 2 p.m., we were nosing into our slot:

 

 

 

More later,

Dave