LIVE! Dragon OfTheSeas and the Snowbird Migration from Quebec to FLL Oct 7-20, 2019

[DragonOfTheSeas]

10 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

I think they have been on since last month - they hung out for breakfast at the far corner of Cafe Promenade. 

It is an interesting cruise to do multiple times.  There are so many things to do. 

 

The only thing that would bother me is that there is no warm weather.  Since the Adventure does not have an indoor solarium we have not even THOUGHT about going into a pool or a hot tub.  We could see the steam rising today on the hot tub.  There was one person in the tub.  

 

I am sure the hot tub is great.  It is the getting out that get me. 😂

 

 

[Biker19]

4 minutes ago, DragonOfTheSeas said:

 

I am sure the hot tub is great.  It is the getting out that get me

The one time the robes come in handy. 
 

Biker, who enjoyed the hot tub while watching a late nigh football game. 

[DragonOfTheSeas]

Well we are in Bar Harbor.  The Captain is still getting into position and there are almost no lights on this side of the ship.  So, I will have to wait for sunrise to get you any pictures. 

 

The fog we had all day yesterday is gone and the ocean looks fairly calm.  It was strange.hearing the Captain blow the fog horn at intervals yesterday afternoon. 

[DragonOfTheSeas]

We just got an update the CBP is on a tender and headed to the ship.  This is a little later than expected so the process my be a little late.  

 

On a positive note, here are a few sunrise pictures.  They are very calming. 🙂

 

It was still dark when we moved into position. 

 

 

Then the sun came up over the small islands that surround Bar Harbor.

 

 

 

 

 

[DragonOfTheSeas]

We are back!  Bar Harbor was beautiful.  Before I get to the tour I will update you a little on immigration and tendering.  The Immigration process was a breeze.  We looked at the Royal Promenade and did not see any line.  So we rode the elevator down.  A crew member said this way no line.  It was 8am.  Woo Hoo!  We walked through the main dining room and were through in 5 minutes.  

 

We decided to return our passports to the cabin and got to the tender landing at 8:45.  We were the cutoff for the previous tender. [never stand behind me in the grocery line.  I always pick the wrong one. LOL]  We waited a loooong time for a tender.  By the time we got to shore [15 minute trip] it was 9:55.  Luckily we had decided to leave early. YMMV

 

Tendering back was long, too.  One of the tenders held 400 guests.  It was just in front of us.  Each guest had to get off the tender and go through the security scanners.  

 

OK, enough about that.  Leave yourself plenty of time.  

[DragonOfTheSeas]

We pre-purchased a 2.5 hour tour with Oli's Trolley.  They are an official park concessioner.  Which really came in handy today.  This is the Sunday of the Columbus day weekend and it is nice weather.  The high today was supposed to be 61degrees.  We started out a little foggy.  But the sun came out about the time we started our 11an tour.  The park was PACKED.  At some of the more popular stops the park service had closed the areas.  . . . but, they let us in. 

 

Our ship was hidden from view from the city of Bar Harbor by this island.  I do not know if that is where the deep water is or to protect the view in town. 

 

 

This was one of the tenders.  The are much nicer than the lifeboats we have used at some ports. 

 

 

This is as we arrived at the tender dock.

 

 

There were lots of lobster pot buoys just off shore and we saw these traps. 

 

Edited October 13, 2019 by DragonOfTheSeas

[DragonOfTheSeas]

It is really hard to describe how beautiful the scenery was.  I will post some of the pictures and let them speak for themselves.  Our guide said it was right at peak for the leaves. 

 

This was as we entered the park. 

 

There are lots of ponds in the park.

 

 

a few small waterfalls. 

 

You know I love the leaves. 😁

 

Edited October 13, 2019 by DragonOfTheSeas

[DragonOfTheSeas]

Our first stop [of 3] was on Cadillac Mountain.  We had visited Bar Harbor and taken a tour a few years ago.  However, that day was so foggy we could not see anything.  So we were glad it was nice out today. 

 

We got a nice view of our ship.

 

 

 

 

 

[DragonOfTheSeas]

We passed this beaver dam that had flooded a meadow.  This is one of the few meadows on the island.  Most of it is solid granite. 

 

 

 

Our next stop was the Thunder Hole.  The road was closed to traffic --but, they let us through. [the road the Cadillac Mountain was closed, too as we came down the mountain] People were parking everywhere.  I am glad I was not driving. 

 

The surf was very rough. 

 

 

 

 

The rough surf had closed some of the walkway.  It looked wet and slick.

 

 

You can see how low this walkway is.  I watched the guy at the top right [below]  climb down from that rock. . . . crazy.

 

 

He made it so all was well. 

[DragonOfTheSeas]

Here are a few more great views. 

 

 

 

 

Our last stop was the Jordon Pond House. This was beyond crowded.  

 

 

If you do not take a bus or trolley tour you can use the Explorer bus.  There is a sign that tells when the next one is arriving.  It was very popular.

[DragonOfTheSeas]

When we were here before we walked along the shore path.  I am going to add a couple of pictures from that.  We did not do this today.  We stopped in town for lobster rolls and ice cream. 😀 We went to the Down East Deli.  We had read it was the best take out and cheapest place to go.  The lobster rolls were $16 each and that included a bag of chips.   Steamers on the wharf advertised take out rolls for $25.  

 

 

 

The Shore Path reminds me of the walkway behind the mansions in Newport, RI.  

 

The houses are impressive.

 

[DragonOfTheSeas]

Tomorrow we are in Portland, ME.  We are going to take the Mailboat Run.  It is a daily ferry that delivers mail and supplies to the islands in Casco Bay.  . . . see you then.

[cruise wizard]

9 minutes ago, DragonOfTheSeas said:

Tomorrow we are in Portland, ME.  We are going to take the Mailboat Run.  It is a daily ferry that delivers mail and supplies to the islands in Casco Bay.  . . . see you then.

 

I always have to stop by the Holy Donut each time in Portland - you have to try some...............it is just a couple of blocks to walk. Go early and don't be deterred by the lines!!!!

 

https://theholydonut.com/

[DragonOfTheSeas]

2 minutes ago, cruise wizard said:

 

I always have to stop by the Holy Donut each time in Portland - you have to try some...............it is just a couple of blocks to walk. Go early and don't be deterred by the lines!!!!

 

https://theholydonut.com/

 

I have read about them.  I have that on my list of things I would also like to do. Thanks for the link. 

[Sea Viewer]

I agree that Bar Harbor/ Acadia Park was perfect today but very busy. In addition to CBP mix up our tour also experienced some miscommunication but we ended up having a great day and I managed to get a lobster roll before returning to the ship. We got the tender at 4:30pm and walked right on. 

[DragonOfTheSeas]

12 hours ago, Sea Viewer said:

I agree that Bar Harbor/ Acadia Park was perfect today but very busy. In addition to CBP mix up our tour also experienced some miscommunication but we ended up having a great day and I managed to get a lobster roll before returning to the ship. We got the tender at 4:30pm and walked right on. 

 

It was hard to describe just how beautiful it was yesterday.  You must have hit the sweet spot for getting back to the ship.  I know the Captain announced we would be 30-45 minutes late leaving while they brought the last tour onboard. 

 

The ship handled the tendering as well as they could.  It was just a lot of guests going ashore and coming back.  

 

Our guide told us there was a plan to give timed and numbered tickets to enter the park --or maybe just some popular areas.  I did not want to interrupt to ask.  This was in the works last winter before the government shutdown.  He said they had to abandon the plan for this year, [too little time implement it before the season began] but are planning to do this next year.

 

In addition, they plan to restrict the type of buses allowed.  Tour companies will not be able to use the large coaches.  He said the trolley size will be the largest allowed.  Coaches can easily navigate most of the roads, but they tend to swamp the sites with too many visitors at a time.  

 

This is just an FYI for anyone planning to visit on their own next year. 

Edited October 14, 2019 by DragonOfTheSeas

[DragonOfTheSeas]

12 hours ago, Sea Viewer said:

I agree that Bar Harbor/ Acadia Park was perfect today but very busy. In addition to CBP mix up our tour also experienced some miscommunication but we ended up having a great day and I managed to get a lobster roll before returning to the ship. We got the tender at 4:30pm and walked right on. 

If you would like to describe your tour, please do.  I think that more information is better. 😁

[DragonOfTheSeas]

We  are in Portland, ME today. You can see from the map we passed by Halifax and after the two Maine stops we will head north the Saint John, New Brunswick. [a picture from the TV]

 

 

 

The weather forecast was for mostly cloudy skies.  It began that way and then turned to bright sunshine.  It is around 60.

 

 

 

We arrived before the sun was up.  This was the best I could do for a sunrise picture. 

 

 

It is a beautiful skyline from the ship.

 

[DragonOfTheSeas]

We decided to take the Casco Bay Mailboat Run today.  We have been to Portland and taken a couple of tours before.  So, we wanted to do something different.  

 

Here is the link: 

https://www.cascobaylines.com/maine-boat-tours/specialty-cruises/mailboat/

 

Ticket prices--You can see this is a bargain as far as excursions go. 

Adult:  $16.50
Senior/Disabled:  $14.50
Child:  $8.50
Dogs: $4.10

 

This is their description: I can't improve on this. 

Whether you live here, or you’re from away, we think you’ll find that hopping on board our Mailboat Run is, hands down, no contest, the most unique and interesting way to cruise Casco Bay. And since we’ve been doing this for over 150 years, we sort of know what we’re talking about.

As the oldest running service of its kind, our Mailboat run not only delivers the mail and other goods to islanders, it offers landlubbers a glimpse at the realities of island life and the opportunity to adventure along Maine’s rugged coastline. 

 

Here’s the deal. The Maquoit II makes two Mailboat runs each day (schedule here). Plan to arrive a little early and give yourself time to buy your ticket and watch our amazing crew work their magic, loading cargo, and readying the ninety three ton vessel for take-off.

Hopefully you’ve packed your sunscreen and your cooler – both will come in handy once you pick your spot on the deck. Of course, for those not as eager to face the elements, there is indoor seating. Once everyone’s settled, the boat’s captain will welcome you aboard as the crew drops the lines.

 

Portland’s true working waterfront will be on display, lobstermen hauling traps and cargo ships chugging in and out of the harbor, as you relax and leave your yardwork and the honey-do list behind.

 

This was our ferry leaving the dock.  You ca see the weather did not look promising this morning.

 

 

And of course we always take a picture of our ship. 

 

[DragonOfTheSeas]

Our first 2 stops were Little Diamond Island and Diamond Island.  

 

Little Diamond island is only 75 acres and is privately owned by 52 families. 

 

 

You can see why they want to own here.  

 

This is the dock.  Today is a holiday so there is no mail.  We off loaded some pipes and they took on some recycling.  Notice the golf carts in the distance.  They are parked until they come back on a ferry.  We saw this several places. 

 

 

This is another view of the island.  You can see the top deck of the ferry was popular.  The ferry holds around 300 and we had around 150 [I think]

 

.

 

This was the dock on Great Diamond Island.

 

 

This is the smallest of the lighthouses we saw.  It is the Pocahontas Lighthouse. It was built as a tribute.

Edited October 14, 2019 by DragonOfTheSeas

[DragonOfTheSeas]

I think our next stop was Long Island. [they blend together]   I know this says Diamond Cove, but it wasn't Diamond Island.  

 

 

You can see them unloading the lumber.

 

. . . and the white bus is collecting the packages.  Amazon is very popular in the Casco Bay Islands. 

 

 

Look at the golf carts lined up on the dock.  We saw several people get off here.  I group got in a golf cart and drove away.

 

This is my favorite property all day. 

 

[DragonOfTheSeas]

We saw some lobstering on the trip. 

 

These buoys are attached to the lobster traps.  I was surprised to see the little boats attached. 

 

They say there are usually 10 traps in a line called a stringer.  Between the 2 buoys of the same color. 

 

The lobster men sell to these boats that take the lobster to market.  It saves them time going to shore.  [about an hour each way]

 

 

These buoys were for a kelp farm.

[DragonOfTheSeas]

The biggest Island we visited was Great Chebeague Island.  It was the farthest we went out in the bay.  Since there was no mail to load and unload the Captain gave us 20 minutes to get off the ship.  He was way ahead of schedule. 

 

 

We walked to the top of the hill to a little gift shop.  

 

 

 

I loved that they sold craft and produce on the same shelf. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 14, 2019 by DragonOfTheSeas

[DragonOfTheSeas]

We saw several lighthouses. 

 

 

 

The Portland Head light House was ordered by George Washington.  It was completed in 1788.  It is the most photographed in the country.  I helped that along.  I probably took 20 different shots.  😂

 

 

 

Sorry, the picture is not too clear.  We were moving at top speed and I could not get a good shot. 

[Luckynana]

Awesome pictures, along with the descriptions of your daily adventures!  Thanks for taking me along!😉