Ships' Inaugural Visit to Port ???

[COLLEYBERRY]

We sail out of New York Sept. 1 on the Eurodam. It will be the Eurodams' inaugural visit to each of the ports on this New England /Canada itinerary.

Does anything special happen when a ship (and in this case a brand new ship) first visits a port??? Just wondering.

[sapper1]

We sail out of New York Sept. 1 on the Eurodam. It will be the Eurodams' inaugural visit to each of the ports on this New England /Canada itinerary.

Does anything special happen when a ship (and in this case a brand new ship) first visits a port??? Just wondering.

Hi there---I answered your post on your Doc dance thread.

In answer to your question, when the Queen Mary 2 made her inaugaural visit to Saint John, my husband and I were watching from Fort Howe Hill and the fire boats escorted the ship into port with water spraying in the air. It made for a great scene.

Volunteers greet all the ships and give every lady a rose and gentlemen get a lapel pin. I think kids get a Canadian flag but I could be wrong on that.

[COLLEYBERRY]

Hi there---I answered your post on your Doc dance thread.

In answer to your question, when the Queen Mary 2 made her inaugaural visit to Saint John, my husband and I were watching from Fort Howe Hill and the fire boats escorted the ship into port with water spraying in the air. It made for a great scene.

Volunteers greet all the ships and give every lady a rose and gentlemen get a lapel pin. I think kids get a Canadian flag but I could be wrong on that.

 

Hello, yes I did see your reply. I certainly hope you get your wish and are able to board the Eurodam (how exciting) I will be thinking of you when I first spot the Saint John sign you mentioned.

The fire boats' display sounds like a sight to see, I can hardly wait for this cruise to begin . Thankyou for your input

 

Colleen

[sail7seas]

The first time a ship visits a port, local officials usually present the Captain with a plaque of some sort commemorating the visit. They are hung in the companionways and I love reading them when on the ships. They are sometimes very artistic/colorful/imaginative. Of course, guests on the ship would have no involvment in such a presentation. Maybe the plaque gets delivered by the Port Agent?? :D

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have loved it when a ship visits a new port for the first time.

 

New London, CT -- fire boats sprayed us with water -- cannons went off.

 

Plague presented to the ship.

 

A beautiful flower arrangement was placed in fron of the front desk.

 

You can be sure that the Eurodam will have plagues given to them by the authorities -- you won't see the ceramony -- since the ship will be new to your ports.

 

As for anything else??? Who knows???

[sail7seas]

There are often lots of visitors aboard when the ship calls in a new port. You'll see them around the ship wearing a Visitor badge. They're most visible in Lido. :)

[rkacruiser]

I had the joy of being aboard the Volendam in 2002 during her maiden Asia Pacific cruise. All of the ports which we visited, after leaving Vancouver and arriving in Los Angeles, were maiden ports. There were many arrival ceremonies aboard the vessel, many of which we passengers were invited to attend. One of the most memorable events took place in the Wajang Theater when the representatives of the Port Of Tokyo presented their gifts (and Captain Jonathan Peter Harris presented the Volendam's gifts to the port officials) to the ship. A lovely geisha doll was given to the Captain, among other items, including a plaque, of course. Captain Harris told us in attendance that he would display the doll at the desk of the Front Office. Nearing the end of the cruise, I asked Hans Dernison, our Hotel Manager, one afternoon where the doll was. He told me that Captain Harris liked it so much that he had kept it in his cabin. We never did get to see the doll up close.

 

I do think the personality of the ship's Master has a great deal to do with how much the guests are involved with the arrivals at maiden ports of call. To Captain Harris' credit, he made it a major event.

 

I will never forget that when the Volendam crossed the Equator for the first time, he came on the P. A. and said: "The oceans of the Southern Hemisphere have kissed the Volendam's keel for the first time."

 

It was a "big deal" for the ship, the crew, and us, the passengers.

[sail7seas]

rka cruiser...... Great post. Thanks for it.

 

[ilovhywd]

Sorry to disappoint the original poster, but the Eurodam's inaugural visits to Sydney and Halifax will be on the Aug. 14 trans-Atlantic, prior to the Sept. 1 Canada/New England.

 

However, the other six ports on the Sept. 1 cruise will be inaugural visits!

 

I hope we will all have the opportunity to enjoy the fire boat escorts!

[Avril]

We sail out of New York Sept. 1 on the Eurodam. It will be the Eurodams' inaugural visit to each of the ports on this New England /Canada itinerary.

Does anything special happen when a ship (and in this case a brand new ship) first visits a port??? Just wondering.

 

Thanks for asking. :D I was wondering the same thing. I'm sailing on the Eurodam over New Years and it'll be her 1st visit to Aruba and Curacao when we go. :D I was wondering if we can expect them (the ports) to do anything special when we arrive?

[Avril]

I had the joy of being aboard the Volendam in 2002 during her maiden Asia Pacific cruise. All of the ports which we visited, after leaving Vancouver and arriving in Los Angeles, were maiden ports. There were many arrival ceremonies aboard the vessel, many of which we passengers were invited to attend. One of the most memorable events took place in the Wajang Theater when the representatives of the Port Of Tokyo presented their gifts (and Captain Jonathan Peter Harris presented the Volendam's gifts to the port officials) to the ship. A lovely geisha doll was given to the Captain, among other items, including a plaque, of course. Captain Harris told us in attendance that he would display the doll at the desk of the Front Office. Nearing the end of the cruise, I asked Hans Dernison, our Hotel Manager, one afternoon where the doll was. He told me that Captain Harris liked it so much that he had kept it in his cabin. We never did get to see the doll up close.

 

I do think the personality of the ship's Master has a great deal to do with how much the guests are involved with the arrivals at maiden ports of call. To Captain Harris' credit, he made it a major event.

 

I will never forget that when the Volendam crossed the Equator for the first time, he came on the P. A. and said: "The oceans of the Southern Hemisphere have kissed the Volendam's keel for the first time."

 

It was a "big deal" for the ship, the crew, and us, the passengers.

 

Wow, what a great story!! :D It sounds like you and your fellow passengers had a wonderful time and that it was truly special for all. I hope my Maiden port calls on the Eurodam this December are just as special!! Thanks for sharing!! :D

[COLLEYBERRY]

Sorry to disappoint the original poster, but the Eurodam's inaugural visits to Sydney and Halifax will be on the Aug. 14 trans-Atlantic, prior to the Sept. 1 Canada/New England.

 

However, the other six ports on the Sept. 1 cruise will be inaugural visits!

 

I hope we will all have the opportunity to enjoy the fire boat escorts!

or

 

How silly of me ,if I had actually thought for a moment. The Eurodam needs to cross the Atlantic in order for us to board in New York!(just a little self absorbed}:) How exciting for you to be on the trans -atlantic cruise.

Fire boats for everyone !!! Happy sailing !!:D

 

rkacruiser ,thankyou for sharing your story .I am so glad the Captain Harris made it such a memorable experience. I loved what he said as the ship crossed the equator,how special for you all. Thanks again:)

[sail7seas]

Halifax always makes arrival in port special for HAL ships. There are always pipers on the dock dressed in lovely plaids. A wonderful elderly gent reads a Proclamation of Welcome and it's great. I always hope the ship will dock port to the dock (as our cabin is always port) so we can hear/watch.

 

Two years ago, we had to take starboard cabin as we were back-to-back and only starboard was available for both weeks. I was sad we'd miss the piper and was shocked when we woke in Halifax to find we had docked starboard side in.

 

The piper is back out to play as we sailaway in the afternoon.

 

Add that to the special welcome for brand new ship's first call and it should be great.

 

[COLLEYBERRY]

Thank you Sail7Seas. I love bagpipes, what a lovely welcome that will be.

Every detail of this itinerary that I discover keeps adding to the excitment.

Sailaway from New York(can't wait, Operation RuthC , "port.starboard, then as high as you can go":) ),Newport (exploring on our own, thanks to CCers, we have a plan),Boston (our "ship day", we have been to this lovely city before)

Then on to visit our own beautiful east coast,Saint John N.B., (on our own)Hailfax (Peggys Cove), Sydney, Nova Scotia(dear friends are meeting us at the ship ,( I understand there is a Big Fiddle?? ,we have choosen this as our meeting place)they have a new home in the Bras d'Or Lakes and are taking us there for the day.It is a part of Canada I have never seen.

Charlottetown ,Prince Edward Island ,my husband attended college there,he is anxious to see his old stomping ground.LOL

Anne of Green Gables, a childhood favorite, turns 100 this year.This will be a special excursion for me.

Sailing the St.Lawrence and then the Sagueney Fijord which I understand is spectacular.

We end our cruise in Canadas' most romantic city, Quebec City. (400th anniversary)Our own little piece of Europe. We are spending a few days there post cruise( helps ease the pain:))

Sorry for rattling on , but it helps with the waiting:) Thank you again CCers. You are a special group!!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you Sail7Seas. I love bagpipes, what a lovely welcome that will be.

Every detail of this itinerary that I discover keeps adding to the excitment.

Sailaway from New York(can't wait, Operation RuthC , "port.starboard, then as high as you can go":) ),Newport (exploring on our own, thanks to CCers, we have a plan),Boston (our "ship day", we have been to this lovely city before)

Then on to visit our own beautiful east coast,Saint John N.B., (on our own)Hailfax (Peggys Cove), Sydney, Nova Scotia(dear friends are meeting us at the ship ,( I understand there is a Big Fiddle?? ,we have choosen this as our meeting place)they have a new home in the Bras d'Or Lakes and are taking us there for the day.It is a part of Canada I have never seen.

Charlottetown ,Prince Edward Island ,my husband attended college there,he is anxious to see his old stomping ground.LOL

Anne of Green Gables, a childhood favorite, turns 100 this year.This will be a special excursion for me.

Sailing the St.Lawrence and then the Sagueney Fijord which I understand is spectacular.

We end our cruise in Canadas' most romantic city, Quebec City. (400th anniversary)Our own little piece of Europe. We are spending a few days there post cruise( helps ease the pain:))

Sorry for rattling on , but it helps with the waiting:) Thank you again CCers. You are a special group!!

 

Great that you have already got things planned out.

We have done all those excursions you have planned and we loved them.

You are going to have a great cruise!!

[bepsf]

Incidentally, Capt Van Donselaar decided to install the Eurodam port plaques on the Aft Staircase landing leading up to Deck 10.

 

As far as festivities at the pier, etc - it's entirely up to the receiving port whether there will be bands, fireboats, etc.

[sail7seas]

Thank you Sail7Seas. I love bagpipes, what a lovely welcome that will be.

Every detail of this itinerary that I discover keeps adding to the excitment.

 

......Boston (our "ship day", we have been to this lovely city before)

 

 

 

Colley....... Seeing as you know Boston, surely you can find something to enjoy here in our wonderful city. You know it was voted third most walkable city in the U.S. within the last few weeks. So much to see and do. Something for everyone. You're just going to stay aboard? What a shame. :eek:

 

 

Goodness knows how many times we've been to PEI, Sydney, Saint John, Halifax, Quebec, Montreal........ but we find something we like to do each time we visit.

[COLLEYBERRY]

Your pride in Boston is indeed well founded. A lovely city to be sure!!

[ilovhywd]

Sorry to get off topic, but you seem very knowledgeable about the ports.

 

Do you remember if there were taxis available at the pier in Sydney for independent sightseeing? We hesitate to book a ship's tour because we've heard that you see nothing on the Cabot Trail in bad weather. We want the option of changing our destination depending on the weather. What do you suggest?

 

Thanks, Ilene

[DragginABag]

... you've sailed on an Inagural Cruise ...

Talk about sail-aways and "first" port visits !...

 

Leaving every port for 16 days, fireboats on each side of the ship with water cannons blowing tons of sea water high into the air ...

Hundreds of sailboats and pleasure craft blasting their horns to 'answer back' the BLAST(s) of the ships horn ...

Coming into a port for the first time, helicoptors flying overhead to capture the scene for the 6 o'clock news ... Wellwishers lining the entry to the port ... Musicians and dancers meeting the passengers as we came off the gangway ... Totally amazing to experience ...

 

Only drawback on CCL's Inspiration was that insipid Kathy Lee chirping:

"In the morning, in the evening, ain't we got fun" ...

Over and over and over for every sail-away ...

[sapper1]

Sorry to get off topic, but you seem very knowledgeable about the ports.

 

Do you remember if there were taxis available at the pier in Sydney for independent sightseeing? We hesitate to book a ship's tour because we've heard that you see nothing on the Cabot Trail in bad weather. We want the option of changing our destination depending on the weather. What do you suggest?

 

Thanks, Ilene

If the weather foggy , which means the Cabot Trail tour would be pointless, I would strongly suggest touring the Fortress of Louisbourg. It is about 45 minutes or so from Sydney and is the largest historical reconstruction project in North America. You can spend hours there and it is truly amazing. However, it sits out on a piece of land that juts out from the mainland and can be shrouded in fog. Even if it is warm in Sydney, take sweaters or jackets to the fortress.

If you choose to go to Baddeck on the Bras d'Or Lakes, you can tour the summer home of Alexander Graham Bell, which has been turned into a museum. It was on the Bras d'Or that he developed the hydrofoil.

I cannot imagine taxis not being available at the pier, but as I have never been there during a ship arrival I cannot say 100%. For a tour of the Fortress, it would be cheaper to rent a car, as it takes several hours touring to do it justice and the taxi meter would be ticking while you toured. When you are alloting time, remember that there is no parking lot at the Fortress. You have to park at the reception centre and then take a shuttle bus out after you purchase your ticket. Upon returning you have to wait for a bus so it is not as simple as just walking out to your car.

[sail7seas]

Ilene:

 

There are very few taxis at the dock but I recall seeing at least a couple. The people are friendly and nice but we don't love the choices of what to do. :o

 

[COLLEYBERRY]

... you've sailed on an Inagural Cruise ...

Talk about sail-aways and "first" port visits !...

 

Leaving every port for 16 days, fireboats on each side of the ship with water cannons blowing tons of sea water high into the air ...

Hundreds of sailboats and pleasure craft blasting their horns to 'answer back' the BLAST(s) of the ships horn ...

Coming into a port for the first time, helicoptors flying overhead to capture the scene for the 6 o'clock news ... Wellwishers lining the entry to the port ... Musicians and dancers meeting the passengers as we came off the gangway ... Totally amazing to experience ...

 

Only drawback on CCL's Inspiration was that insipid Kathy Lee chirping:

"In the morning, in the evening, ain't we got fun" ...

Over and over and over for every sail-away ...

 

 

Thank you for sharing ,you make it sound very exciting !! I see from your signature you were indeed an avid cruiser. You must be delighted that you are returning to cruising in 2009. I wish you much good health and many happy sailings.:)

[Copper10-8]

Incidentally, Capt Van Donselaar decided to install the Eurodam port plaques on the Aft Staircase landing leading up to Deck 10.

 

As far as festivities at the pier, etc - it's entirely up to the receiving port whether there will be bands, fireboats, etc.

 

I took a pic of those plaques in the aft stairwell. Will post it later

[Bill S]

On the Eurodam, we had a rousing send-off from Rotterdam with dozens of small boats escorting us out, including a fireboat. I will try to post pics of that.

When we sailed up the Elbe River to Hamburg, we also had a fireboat escort and again, a few small boats, including a miniature version of a WWII U-boat, escorting us to the pier.

In Copenhagen, as Brian reported, the passengers were invited to another bell christening ceremony at the Mainstage and a presentation of a plaque from the mayor of Copenhagen. In return, Captain vonDonselaar gave the mayor a beautiful mirror with the image on the Eurodam on it.

After that, we had no special events at any of the other ports, but there was a lot of ship horn blowing at Newcastle-on-Tyne when we passed by the former-Noordam. That was kind of special, especially for us, because we sailed on her in 1999.

Like Copper 10-8, I took pictures of all the new plaques and will try to share them, as well.