Rare Jim_Iain Posted September 13, 2023 Author #651 Share Posted September 13, 2023 12 hours ago, Poconolady said: Ah, the Grand Hotel. I spent many vacations there when I was a child. First we would go to a rustic fishing camp in the UP for a week for my Dad to unwind and then stop by the Grand for a week to appease my Mom. Fudge shops, long walks, sitting in the rocking chairs on the front porch before dinner, bicycling all over the island- but what I remember most was the freezing cold water in their huge pool!! , You sound like you love it. It is a beautiful Island and a very pleasant port. The nice thing is that this is late in the season and it was not over crowded. Trees are just starting to show some color. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Jim_Iain Posted September 13, 2023 Author #652 Share Posted September 13, 2023 12 hours ago, Bejay219 said: That's strange as when we were there in June this year (on Viking) you were not allowed on the property unless you were a guest or on a tour. You could get a carriage ride through the property but you were not allowed to get off. My neice was on visiting on the island and we were going to see if we could meet her at the Hotel (we were on a tour with lunch at the Grand) she was told the same thing. Heard others on the ship that said they couldn't get on the property. Could it be that they limited the admission during the summer? Also, that sign was not there when we were there and we walked that part of the property. That's strange. Wonder if they had something going on. They have a permanent ticket desk setup at the front door with two agents selling tickets and handing out brochures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Jim_Iain Posted September 13, 2023 Author #653 Share Posted September 13, 2023 12 hours ago, Reel Love said: 100% agree! I thought the exact same thing when saw this picture, hcat and Bernadette. Jim, simply stunning and IMHO one of the best photos (or at least a favorite for me) that I have ever seen you post!!!! Continuing to follow your excellent live report.... it is terrific learning about a new line and thank you so much as always for taking us along! I kinda liked that one. I shot another a couple inches to the right and it just didn't have the same feel. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Jim_Iain Posted September 13, 2023 Author #654 Share Posted September 13, 2023 (edited) Part of the tour we visited the MDR which seats 1,000, the Cupola Bar and a Suite. Edited September 13, 2023 by Jim_Iain 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bejay219 Posted September 13, 2023 #655 Share Posted September 13, 2023 4 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said: That's strange. Wonder if they had something going on. They have a permanent ticket desk setup at the front door with two agents selling tickets and handing out brochures. I think it might have been a restriction for the summer. The streets, sidewalks, restaurants, stores etc. we're packed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Jim_Iain Posted September 13, 2023 Author #656 Share Posted September 13, 2023 Final stop was the Somewhere in Time memorabilia room 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Jim_Iain Posted September 13, 2023 Author #657 Share Posted September 13, 2023 (edited) Edited September 13, 2023 by Jim_Iain 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travelexpert35 Posted September 13, 2023 #658 Share Posted September 13, 2023 Love your pictures Jim. How is the food onboard as you haven’t mentioned any meals you’ve had so far. Enjoy the rest of your cruise… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
champagnecruiser Posted September 13, 2023 #659 Share Posted September 13, 2023 Wonderful photos Jim! They are so good I almost feel I’ve visited Mackinac 👍🏻 Are you enjoying the smaller ship? Elizabeth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Jim_Iain Posted September 13, 2023 Author #660 Share Posted September 13, 2023 Last night was the first Gala Night. Was nice to see every one dressed up for the evening. I am posting the food photographs on the Ponant thread - Link in signature The highlights were the foie Gras and the Filet and Lobster were beyond belief. New England Lobster and steak so tender no knife required 17 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex-Airbalancer Posted September 13, 2023 #661 Share Posted September 13, 2023 1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said: I believe that was the classic wasn't that. This is the only wifi on the ship and there are no upgrades. To be honest it seem to be working ok for us. Last night we were able to stream Jeopardy on the Firestick. It was the classic, it work ok , until I went on your thread about your Crossing , and had to wait 5 mins to download all your pictures 🤣 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whinenowine Posted September 13, 2023 #662 Share Posted September 13, 2023 13 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said: That dessert looks delicious. What is that on top? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janabelle61 Posted September 13, 2023 #663 Share Posted September 13, 2023 Jim - I follow quietly most of the time, but wanted to thank you for the Mackinac Island pictures!! It was home to me for several summers during college and I miss the island. I would imagine the restrictions on entry to the hotel last year were Covid related as typically there's been a small fee to enjoy the porch since the early 80s. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Jim_Iain Posted September 13, 2023 Author #664 Share Posted September 13, 2023 4 hours ago, Ex-Airbalancer said: It was the classic, it work ok , until I went on your thread about your Crossing , and had to wait 5 mins to download all your pictures 🤣 I'm surprised that it is going so well. It may be we only have 180 pax sharing that bandwidth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gfkcruiser Posted September 13, 2023 #665 Share Posted September 13, 2023 17 hours ago, miched said: Years ago there was no fee or admission to enter the Grand Hotel. How many hotels charge you a fee to enter their lobby or go to the bar, or restaurant? Then it was decided since it was a tourist destination to walk on the worlds longest porch they could charge a fee. It started out as $5 pp. Their explanation was to keep all of the tourists from preventing their paying guests staying at the hotel to enjoy sitting on the porch. Apparently it was ok to pay $5 to do that. 😱🤷♂️🤗💰 Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅 We were there years ago when no fee. Haven't been in a long time to the island. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Jim_Iain Posted September 13, 2023 Author #666 Share Posted September 13, 2023 4 hours ago, Whinenowine said: That dessert looks delicious. What is that on top? It was Chocolate on Chocolate with a little round Chocolate with Ponant printed in Gold. Edible and very decadent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Jim_Iain Posted September 13, 2023 Author #667 Share Posted September 13, 2023 Just now, gfkcruiser said: We were there years ago when no fee. Haven't been in a long time to the island. It was our first visit and was really pleased with the tour. Excellent Guide and Historian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Jim_Iain Posted September 13, 2023 Author #668 Share Posted September 13, 2023 14 minutes ago, janabelle61 said: Jim - I follow quietly most of the time, but wanted to thank you for the Mackinac Island pictures!! It was home to me for several summers during college and I miss the island. I would imagine the restrictions on entry to the hotel last year were Covid related as typically there's been a small fee to enjoy the porch since the early 80s. That is so exciting. Our guide said they now have works from all over the world that come to work for the summer season. They have boarding houses to make it affordable. When in College I worked a summer on Lake Michigan on a resort near Muskegon. Loved it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gfkcruiser Posted September 13, 2023 #669 Share Posted September 13, 2023 That tea at the Grand Hotel looked so good! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miched Posted September 13, 2023 #670 Share Posted September 13, 2023 How did that Grand Tea compare to Celebrity? 🙄 Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Jim_Iain Posted September 13, 2023 Author #671 Share Posted September 13, 2023 9 minutes ago, gfkcruiser said: That tea at the Grand Hotel looked so good! It was. Everything was delicious. I was a bit concerned that I had over eaten since we had our first Formal Night...but.... was fine by dinner. It was nicely served an casual at the same time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Jim_Iain Posted September 13, 2023 Author #672 Share Posted September 13, 2023 13 minutes ago, gfkcruiser said: That tea at the Grand Hotel looked so good! I would say it compares to the Tea Service they once had in Olympic - Free Pouring Champagne, that tiered tray was for ever 2 passengers. Compared to Luminae - Grand Hotel 10+ Luminae 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Jim_Iain Posted September 13, 2023 Author #673 Share Posted September 13, 2023 (edited) We arrived very early but slept in as we plan on exploring Saul St Marie on our own. The landscape along the River Trail is incredible - The town itself was rather ho hum. We first departed the ship and walked to the Main Street. Did find a couple pieces of street art and some interesting doors. Maybe because of the cold most doors are just plain door and all shops have glass doors. Edited September 13, 2023 by Jim_Iain 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Jim_Iain Posted September 13, 2023 Author #674 Share Posted September 13, 2023 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Jim_Iain Posted September 13, 2023 Author #675 Share Posted September 13, 2023 We next took a walk to the Locks. 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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