Cruise

Wednesday, October 4

Up and ready to roll this morning!  Had a really great breakfast at the hotel, all part of the package.  Had our suitcases ready for pick up as instructed and headed down to the lobby. There are 30+ people staying at the Fairmont that will be taking the bus to the terminal.  Only two seats available in the lobby next to a couple so we asked to join them.  Turned out to be a wonderful choice!

Marlis is from Germany and her husband is retired USAF.  They are celebrating their 50th anniversary this week and don't look at all old enough for that.  Just delightful!  Spent 90 minutes chatting with them before the bus arrived.

We all got off at the dock, pointed out our luggage, went in and filled out a health form, got in line for our room key, and joined the waiting crowd. They took us a few rows at a time to board up a STEEP gangway and we headed for our cabin. So nice!  So big!  Our room steward, Sarathi, introduced himself and explained things.  Every crew member has a big smile and greeting!

Click here for a cool video of the airport flight path over the ship.

Went up to get a light lunch at the buffet and had our muster drill.  Then it was time for the "sail away" and hour early.  We ended up on the bow on our floor - great spot and nobody seems to know it's there since only a couple of other people came to join us!  Video of our sail away!

Sea is pretty calm.  Ran into Roger and Marlis in Amphora so joined them for dinner.  We are meeting again on the 6th.

This is going to be fun!

Thursday, October 5

Awoke this morning to heavy fog outside the window.  Still underway heading for Portland, ME.  In the fog I could see a pilot boat alongside, guiding us in.

Docked with no problem and the day trippers headed out.  Ana and I moved to a spot in the Yacht Club and had a small snack from the food bar there.  The fog was just bizarre - hiding the entire city then lifting in areas.  At one point we were flabbergasted to see a giant cruise ship docked practically next door!  The fog had hidden it completely.

It lifted enough to see the harbor and the city which looked lovely.  We had a light lunch at the Star Grille; really unique BBQ items and sides.  Delish!

Crew members are always wandering by asking if we need anything, are we having a good time, are there questions.  Every single one has a smile, just lovely people.

Leaving Portland the fog closed in and hid everything!  Check out the video.

The captain came on this afternoon to tell us that Tropical Storm Philippe is going to give us problems.  We may need to skip Eastport if we can get into Halifax early but that depends on the space available since there will be a ton of cruise ships with the same idea.  Time will tell.

Had an excellent meal at Quadra 44.  We got little appetizers of anchovies (SO good), olives, and tiny toast with tomato jam.  Ana had olive oil poached bacalao (cod) and I had seafood rice balls.  Everything is in small portions. I had churros for dessert while Ana had almond cake.

We found that everything you need to know is available on the TV in the cabin.  I like that, no wasted paper!  There are opening times for each of the restaurants, a list of daily activities, pictures and information on each of the officers, menus for each of the restaurants, a phone list for services, descriptions and instructions for shore excursions, and bow and mast cams.  All of this is also available on an app for your phone although it is only available when on a cruise, not from home (darn).

Friday, October 6

Weather cleared and a sunny morning - at least for a while.  Not too cold to be outside so we had a late breakfast at Veranda al fresco. Can't say enough about the food, wonderful variety for every taste.  I should take a picture of the buffet!

There are so many little touches that make this ship so inviting.  The glasses in our little liquor cabinet are just pristine - clear and shiny like crystal.  All of the flatware is beautifully shiny - it's those little things that make it feel like we are on a really classy cruise!

Didn't have to skip this stop - here is a video of us coming into Eastport, a charming looking little town.  We docked right next to downtown and they had moved up the times for the shore excursions to fit our new itinerary.  Eastport, by the way, is the easternmost town in the continental US.

The current plan is to leave here at 5p instead of midnight to outrun the high seas associated with Philippe.  We cannot dock early in Halifax so we will be anchored somewhere sheltered tomorrow night until we can get into a dock on Sunday.  However, the captain announced that due to the swells we will not make it into Louisbourg.  That's the downside of cruising, you are at the mercy of the weather. That danged  tropical storm seems like it's been hanging around for months!

I went ashore and walked around Eastport. Pretty little coastal town.  A lot of the shops were closed for the season already.  The gangway was a real humdinger!  And when I got back from my walk, the tide had some in making it a lot steeper - it was like climbing a ladder to get back onboard!  I was the last one to do that, after me the ship was high enough to have people enter on the same level as the dock in a doorway at the rear of the ship.

Departed pretty much on time in an effort to beat the rough seas with an escort out of the harbor by a pilot boat.  Had dinner with Marlis and Roger at Amphora.  Such attentive service and great food.  Had a great time visiting, they are a fun couple!

Saturday, October 7

An "at sea" day to outrun Philippe in time to shelter in Bedford Basin in Halifax. We were all walking like drunken sailors as the ship plowed through the waves and sitting on the toilet was interesting to say the least.  They had to close down the Star Grill since it is an outside venue, some of the watertight doors were closed, and all of the furniture was folded up or tied down.  There was no rain and the sun actually came out for the afternoon.

Just before sunset we had a pilot come aboard to guide us through Halifax harbor and under two bridges to a safe anchorage.  The winds are supposed to really increase significantly tonight but, if possible, we will go back into the harbor to dock for shore excursions tomorrow morning.  It will all depend on the winds.

Today we had lobster rolls for lunch; they had to use Amphora (the main restaurant - usually only open at night) as well as Veranda (the buffet restaurant) because the Star Grill was closed.

We have met so many really nice folks!  Sat in the Yacht Club after we anchored, had a cocktail, and chatted until we had to break for dinner.  LOBSTER tonight!

Sunday, October 8

Arose to high wind and driving rain; it was blowing horizontally past our window (check out this video).  Bedford Basin gave us shelter from everything and we just swung at anchor but didn't do any rolling at all.  Rain cleared by 10 or so and the captain decided to move the ship to Pier 22 at about noon.  The sun came out and it was a beautiful afternoon!  The shore excursions went off as planned although a little late.  The gangway was wonderful, a nice gentle slope with lots of switchbacks. 

I went to the Canadian Immigration Museum which was really well done.  Lots of great exhibits and pictures.  Wanted to do some shopping but most of the stores in the area were closed either because it was Sunday or the fact that tomorrow is Thanksgiving.  

Met our friends when we went up on deck to enjoy the sun and watch the sail away.  The captain announced that  Halifax Harbor had been closed to traffic since yesterday but we were able to move around because we were already in Bedford Basin before the closure.  A pilot boat went out to determine if conditions were OK to reopen and let us leave.

While the storm had passed, high seas remained.  He warned us of 5-7 foot waves tonight into tomorrow.  We cannot go to Louisbourg because it's a situation requiring tenders and that was too dangerous in high seas.  So heading for Cap-aux-Meules which is the next stop.

Tonight had my birthday dinner at Candles.  Food has been incredible the whole time.  They had a wonderful mousse torte for me as a birthday cake and the maître d carved our pieces into hearts!  

During dinner we left the harbor and getting back to our room was a hoot, staggering and grabbing doorways and grab bars all the way back. There is nothing like being in a tiny elevator in high seas; you feel like dice in a cup.  Finally  got back to the room to find it all decorated by our room steward with balloons and a towel penguin!

Unlike most of the passengers, Ana and I are loving the rolling seas!

Monday, October 9 - Canadian Thanksgiving

No turkey! Although there aren't many Canadians on board, I kind of thought there would be some celebration.

Beautiful sunny day, warm enough to be out on the lounge chairs on deck.  A "sea day" as we make our way to the Iles-de-la-Madeleine and our port of Cap-aux-Meules.  It's a tender port so we will stay on board.  

Made visit to the bridge and the Captain and FO were really nice, so welcoming.  Impressive array of electronics up there plus an awesome view.  The Captain let me explore with one of their digital monitors and look for "slow zones" where right whales have been sighted; ships must slow to 10 kt. to protect them.

Ate lunch outside at Veranda and sat out again for a while before dinner.  Seas remained high all day; hard to get pictures that show the height of the swell but this might give an idea of why it was hard to walk!  Here are a couple more from the bow.  Check out this and this.  Everyone was walking like a drunken sailor!

Beautiful sunset and we met our friends for dinner at Amphora.

Haven't mentioned our bathroom.  The room itself is a really nice size with double sinks but we ended up with a bathtub instead of a walk in shower and what a bunch of contortions it takes to get in there.  The side is about 3 feet high and the opening into it about 24 inches.  We have to both be in the suite  when one of us showers in case the other one gets stuck!  Our friends Roger and Marlis came by to see it and they were astonished.

Tuesday, October 10

Calm morning but rainy on our way to Cap-aux-Meules.  Arrived on time and the shore excursions took off after lunch.  Those not going ashore headed for either the Yacht Club or the Compass Rose.  Another cruise ship left the harbor and passed us at anchor.  The Magdalen Islands are an archipelago in Quebec.  Cap-aux-Meules has lots of  brightly colored homes; travel between the islands is by ferry.

The sandstoen cliffs of Les Îles de la Madeleine are pretty impressive!

On our departure the captain said we have to travel at a reduced speed due to right whales in the area.  Fingers crossed we see some!

We are getting used to being so pampered - the staff is always so attentive and are always asking if there is anything we need.  Food is great, the cabin is wonderful (except the bathtub) and we have housekeeping twice a day.

it cleared up before sunset so I went up to the bridge tonight to look at the stars.  That's about the only truly dark spot on the ship since the decks are lit up.  You can see the Milky Way so clearly!

Wednesday, October 11

A sea day on our way to Baie Comeau. Absolutely gorgeous day, sunny with light winds and calm seas. Every single person was on deck taking in the sunshine.  Today was the outdoor BBQ grill  day with a bunch of different grilled options and great sides.  Clouds rolled in by the end of the day which is disappointing; we had planned on going up to the bridge tonight to do some star gazing.  The coastline of Gaspe in the distance.

Thursday, October 12

Can't believe how quickly the time has gone! 

Arrived in Baie Comeau a bit ahead of schedule; due in at 7 but docked at 6:30.  We can walk off but the town is a couple of miles away.  They ran a shuttle from the dock to allow passengers to go into town and shop.

The rain stopped so we decided to catch the shuttle.  While waiting there one of the gentlemen who works for the transport company was visiting with us and is unhappy that the folks in town refuse to speak English to tourists.  He feels like they are short-sighted as they are driving away lucrative business.

It was nice there was a shuttle and we did ride in just to see the area.  We were lucky - it was pouring before we left and started raining again once we got back!  

Met Marlis and Roger for dinner - never seem to have a meal with them that lasts less than 2.5 hours!  They are so much fun!

Friday, October 13

Awakened to a tug right outside of our window.  We arrived early into Quebec, just after dawn and it was jarring to see land outside our window after so many days at sea.  Le Terminal (the cruise ship terminal) looks very nice and well kept.  The gangway doesn't look too steep which is a plus.  We have our excursion tomorrow so need to scope out our options for getting to the bus tour area.

The Captain was getting his morning fancy coffee at the Yacht Club (our favorite hangout) and he was telling me that there are required to turn the ship over to pilots all the way to Montreal due to the strong tides here.  We took two on when getting close to Quebec; they come alongside in a boat and climb over to the Star Pride.  One will get off here and the other will take  us to Trois Rivieres where there will be another switch.

Just a beautiful day, cool but partly sunny.  Sailboats, freighters, and ferries all mix it up in the river outside our window.  We thought about grabbing some lounge chairs on the open deck but tonight is the big BBQ so the crew is setting things up.

Got our instructions today about what to do when we disembark.  Sad to think about it! Windstar has been great about daily communications both electronically (on TV and their app) and with announcements and printed materials. No guessing, that's for sure!

 felt Saturday, October 14

Final full day of our adventure.  It went by so quickly! 

We did our shore excursion today with a bus tour of the highlights of Quebec.  Unfortunately there was a 10K run through the streets and a lot of the tour bus routes were closed!  Our poor driver, Dan, was having a tough time because we had to skip some stops plus traffic was all backed up all over the place.  And Quebec City has these ancient, narrow streets.

The architecture in Quebec City is so beautiful.  SO much detail on every old building, lots of flowers in window boxes, beautiful fancy ironwork. There are charming little tiny cafes and stores all over the place and still a lot of cobblestone streets.

We met the bus at a park near the Frontenac and tons of people out walking and sightseeing even though it was early.  A beautiful fall day and my first attempt at using an Uber which turned out great.

At Montmorency Falls I took the cable car down to the bottom for some pictures.  It really was better than staying at the top level, couldn't see the whole thing from there.  The falls is taller than Niagara but not as wide, check out this video.  Bazillions of tourists on this beautiful autumn day.  Dan took Ana on a private tour while the rest of us were off the bus, taking her through the neighborhoods and past a dairy farm!  

After we finished the tour, Dan transported three of the cruisers onboard all the way back to the ship!

Tonight was our final big meal in Amphora.  Met Marlis and Roger again, they are so delightful and made the trip so much better (although it was already perfect).  Had our favorite servers and passed out our tips - got the skinny from Marlis and Roger on who got what kind of tip which was helpful!

Sunday, October 15

Time to disembark....

Up at 6 to get our suitcases out into the corridor as instructed.  Hung around the cabin until 7:30 and then went to Veranda for breakfast.  Normally we didn't eat breakfast other than one of the tiny pain au chocolat pastries in the Yacht Club but today we knew it would be a long time between meals.

Can't say enough about Windstar!  Can't find a single thing to complain about, it was an incredible 11 days.  The crew were so genuinely welcoming, always a smile and a hello from every single one.  Food was just heavenly, a huge variety and portions in the restaurants were small so that I never felt overfed.  The open bridge was such a nice choice, I went up several times to watch the operation.  The officers are endlessly circulating and stop to chat and make sure everything was going well.  The Captain was at the gangway as we disembarked to greet us and wish us well.

I will certainly miss the pampering!  Who will make clean my suite twice a day, get me fresh towels, fruit, and ice water?  Who will deliver my morning cup of jasmine tea and a little pastry? Who will lay out a buffet at lunch with eleventy-seven different choices?  Oh, dear, I am hooked!