A bit of a write up about our latest cruise to Bermuda from Boston.
Saturday - 12 October 2019
09:05 - Departed home for a leisurely drive for an overnight in Boston before putting the car in cruise parking and then off on our holiday.
Put in ‘shortest route’ in the GPS and got 655Kms ETA of 17:10(7 hours 55 minutes).
TripTic stats = 7 hrs 49 minutes and 701.5Kms
The CAA TripTic, which we did not follow on the first leg, had us travelling south of Montreal and cross into the USofA in Vermont. We crossed at Ogdensburg, New York, which is closer and easier to get to.
Both the GPS and TripTic do not take any stops into consideration.
We reached the Canada/US border at 10:30 and it was only a 5 minute wait until we were through US Customs/Immigration and we were on our way.
A 50 minute lunch stop in a small cafe in Rousse Point, New York and then on the road again. We do not rush our meal stops. Simply take our time and enjoy the meal and surroundings.
At 17:30 the GPS said that we had arrived at our destination. Lo and behold it appeared to be an empty lot! Around the block we went three times until we saw three policemen on a street corner. Ah stop and ask them for directions. Wendy pulled into a parking space and the sign said “Best Western Parking Only”! Hey that is our hotel. Went around to the front and there was an un-lit sign attached to the front of the circular building. No wonder we never saw it! After checking in the room turned out to be a two bedroom suite which was quite comfortable and we would certainly recommend it to anyone travelling to Boston.
We had supper in a Cuban restaurant about a block and a half away. Neither of us had eaten Cuban before so it was an enjoyable experience. One thing for sure - the Cubans are not quiet people. The restaurant was alive with happy people, including three birthday groups who were served a ‘volcano’ on a piece of cake.
A restful night after a drive of 655 Kms in 8 hours and 45 minutes which matched the GPS distance and would have for time if the lunch, gas and rest stops were taken into account.
Sunday - 13 October 2019
After a restful night at a Best Western hotel in Boston we set off to find the cruise parking. Put the address in the GPS and said it was 4.7K away. CAA said 4.5K. It was an easy drive and no problem finding it this time except the entrance was on D Street and not Summer.
A short drive on the shuttle and a relatively quick check in. I think I should have printed out the updated brochure. This would have given the cabin number in the bar code.
A light lunch in Windjammers Buffet and then check out the cabin, (open at 13;00. Lazed around until bags delivered.
Ship departed at 16:45
Bags delivered and everything put away and then it was time for supper in the main dining rom.
Supper - My Time Dining at 18:00
Wendy
Cream of wild mushroom soup
Horseradish crusted salmon
Creme Brûlée
Bill
Shrimp cocktail
Prime rib of beef
Creme Brûlée
An early night.
Steps - watch 8586 = 4.9K
Phone 4671 = 2.6K 5 floors. I did not have phone all afternoon
From Wendy’s phone steps 5656 3.8K 17 floors.
I did not get the ships position before we sailed.
Ship’s position when be docked 42.20.59N 071.02.02W
Monday - 14 October 2019
Stats 08:02 40.22.36N 068.48.97W speed 11.1 knots foggy and cloudy temp 20c distance 174 nm
Cool and rain in morning
At noon 1 meter waves
Lunch in dining room deck 4
Cool and rain off and on all day Cloudy
Ran 1 mile on tread mill 12:00 walked .25 mile total time 13:15
Lazed around all day
16:00 Cookie of the Day
Supper - Formal Dress
Both Wendy and Bill did get dressed for this special occasion. Most of the people in the main dining room were ‘well dressed’ but a few were in casual clothes as well. It is nice to see when people do take the time to get at least a little dressed up.
Wendy
Seafood voulvent
Ducks la orange
Fruit plate
Bill
Lobster bisque
Feast beef
Apple pie a la mode
Evening show 20:00
Magic vs Music
Jarrett & Raja
Poor to Fair. One problem with taped music could have been part of the problem. However, the ‘magic’ tricks he performed were simple tricks you would normally see at a Children’s Performance. The pianist was quite amazing but he would have been even better if he had played a piece that the majority of people knew. Apparently that would be their one and only show on Royal Caribbean.
Steps - watch 7816 4.4K should include treadmill distance
Phone 4112 2.6K floors 16 + 8 did not have phone for treadmill and flights down from 12 to 3
Stats 21:40 - 37.59.74 N 067.25.13W speed 12 knots cloudy 24c distance 331 nm
Clocks go ahead one hour
Tuesday - 15 October 2019
Stats 07:55 - 36.15.15N 066.27.01W speed 12 knots cloudy 24C distance 445 nm
12:00 Lunch in main dining room both buffet
14:00 Wendy watched the movie Rocket Man. Bill ran on outdoor track 1K walk 1K run 1/2K walk 1.5K then end of movie
16:00 Cookie of the Day
MAINLY SUNNY
19:00 Supper - Casual Dress
Wendy
Arugula and radicchio salad
Pan seared cod with lentils
Lemon panna cotta
Bill
Fish cake
Beef short rib
Lemon panna cotta
21:00 Show time Stage to Screen with ships singers and dancers
Very good show
22:00 - disco night in Centrum
70’s dance music and then some ships dancers 3F 4M.
Males did great dance routine of the Village People and had the dance floor full of people.
Steps - watch 10342 steps 5.9K includes run/walk on track
Phone 4991 = 2.9K does NOT include run/walk on track floors 15 + 8 (flights down to cabin)
Stats. 23:00 - 33:40:12N 065:03:47W speed 11.8Knots partly cloudy 24C distance 621 nm
Wednesday - 16 October 2019
08:15 Docked King’s Wharf (Dockyards)
Stats - 09:25 -32.19.38N 064.49.97W Docked. Partly cloudy 24C distance 726nm
08:00 - Breakfast
09:00 - Disembarked ship wandered through dockyards shopping (no buying yet) then bus #8 to Hamilton
12:15 - Lunch at Pickled Onion in Hamilton. (I was thinking it may have been the old ’40 Thieves’ Nightclub. I asked the doorman but he did not know any history.
Wendy more shopping/checking. Bought some sleepers for baby.
Bill bought 3 books. on Bermuda ghosts.
It was a pleasant walk around the main area of Hamilton and seeing what changes have been made since I was there. The city is still bright and cheerful with lots of pastel colours. Wendy was disappointed in the Marks & Spencer’s as it seemed to be lacking some of the finer goods.
15:15 - Depart Hamilton on ferry. Ice cream and check more shops in Dockyard.
Partly cloudy 24C
18:00 - Supper - Tropical Dress
Wendy
Braised carrot and cumin salad
Pan seared Red Snapper was
Fruit
Bill
Shrimp cocktail
Shrimp Scampi
Apple pie a la mode
Two other ships also at King’s Wharf Dockyards:
The Norwegian Escape which is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line and has a capacity of 4266 passengers on 19 decks. The top deck has a complete ‘playground’ complete with a water slide. Talked to one of the passengers and they did not seem all that pleased with the ship - to big, no food or drinks after 10pm.
The AidaLuna which is owned by Carnival Corp and operated by Aida Cruises. The ship has a capacity of 2100 passengers on 13 decks. We were on the ferry from Hamilton to Dockyards with some of the passengers who appeared to be German and had just finished bicycle tour of Hamilton and area.
21:00 - Miller Magic. Ships band tribute to Glen Miller
Good
Stats still Docked
Steps - watch 12380 = 7.0K.
Phone 11718 steps = 6.4K 8 floors
GPS 38.73K Time 6:33 includes bus and ferry’s
Thursday - 17 October 2019
Still Docked King’s Wharf/Dockyards Bermuda
Mainly cloudy 25C
08:00 - Breakfast
09:30 - Tour to Crystal Caves and Aquarium
Trip was to Crystal Caves, Aquarium, and Gibbs Hill Lighthouse.
Took an organized tour the the Caves, Aquarium and Gibbs Hill. The Caves are quite interesting and should be “A Must See” on any trip to Bermuda. The Aquarium could be a miss but it was nice to be able to just walk around and see the few things that they have on offer. The view from Gibbs Hill gives a very broad view of the Island. I had always thought that Gibbs Hill was the highest point in Bermuda but there is another ‘hill’ that is 8 or 10 feet higher.
The entire tour was well worth the time and money.
GPS Stats for tour 67.91K time 6:55.01
Cleared to Partly Cloudy and windy
16:00 - At the Frog and Onion Pub in Dockyards, Rum Swizzles plate of natchos.
Back on board
Bill forgot his wallet and had do some screening before could board the ship.
18:00 - Supper - Casual
Wendy
Shrimp cocktail
Roast sirloin
Grand Marnier lemon soufflé
Bill
Crab cake
Grilled tuna (did not enjoy salty and dry)
Grand Marnier lemon soufflé
21:00 - Vibeology - ships singers and dancers. Very good
Stats - Still Docked temp 25C
Steps watch 8513 = 4.8K. Phone 6092 = 3.2K. 10 floors +4
Friday - 18 October 2019
Still Docked King’s Wharf
Cloudy 24C
09:00 - Ashore in dockyard shopping
15:00 - Back onboard
16:00 - Sailed
18:00 - Supper - Formal
Wendy
Caprese Salad
Lobster tail
Baked Alaska
Bill
2 lobster tails
Baked Alaska
19:30 - Top Tier reception - meet captain and senior officers. Awards given to members who had over 450 points. Highest was 1880 points. One point equals one night of cruise.
21:00 - Hush Party in Centrum. Dancers wore head phones where one channel played one type of music. Only the dancers could hear the music they chose. Hilarious to watch.
22:00 - The Las Vegas Tenors 3 male singers sang a variety of songs from pop, country and finished with an opera Nessus Dorma
23:16 - Stats 33.00.00N 065.13.25W speed 19 knots Course 335 partly cloudy 22C distance 854 nm sea 3 to 4 meters
Steps- watch 14312 = 8.1K phone 13524 = 7.9k 13 floors
Saturday - 19 October 2019
Stats - 08:10 36.28.73N 066.32.88W speed 19.4 knots mostly cloudy temp 20C distance 1070 nm
08:15 - Breakfast
All day just relaxed on deck 6 & 11
Cleared to partly cloudy
19:00 - Supper - Casual
Wendy
Beet and orange salad
Battered cod
Pavlova
Bill
Coconut shrimp
Carbanaro with prochuta
Pavlova
22:00 - Tropical theatre - Jeff Nease Adult comedy. 45 minutes nonstop laughter
23:05 - Stats - 40.52.78N 069.01.24W speed 18.6 knots course 333 temp 12C distance 1036nm
Steps - Watch 5747 = 3.3K phone 3574 = 1.9K 11 floors + 4
Sunday - 20 October 2019
02:00 - clocks go back one hour
07:00 - Docked Boston
07:00 - Clear US customs on board
Stats - 42.20.59N 071.02.02W temp 7C total distance 1451nm
09:05 - our scheduled departure time
09:45 - departed ship and trip to cruise car park
10:15 - depart cruise car park
11:00 - 12:00 Costco
12:30 - 14:30 Premium Outlets
17:30 - RON - The Pointe at Castle Hill Resort and Spa - Ludlow Vermont.
19:30 - Supper - Castle Restaurant. Old mansion
Wendy
Caprese salad
Castle Trio 3 Scallops small steak, lobster tail
Bill
Corn and lobster chowder
Castle Trio
The meal was huge. The chowder could have been a meal in itself. The trio consisted of 3 big scallops, a good piece of steak and a lobster tail plus potatoes and vegetables.
Castle Hill Resort and Spa, is a member of Historic Hotels of America since 2007, and dates back to 1905.
The historic Castle Hill Resort and Spa exemplifies the vision of Allen Miller Fletcher, who served as Vermont’s Governor from 1912 to 1915. In 1881, he built a summer home in Proctorsville and in 1897, added more property in the adjacent Cavendish.
At the turn of the century, Fletcher commissioned architect S. F. Page of Fehmer and Page from Boston, to bring his vision to life. The English Cotswold style construction included the most advanced technology available at the time. This historic home was the first in Vermont to be fully wired for electricity and equipped with an elevator. European craftsmen worked for five years to create the elaborate detailing that exudes old world elegance and charm.
The complete trip home details are in a separate file.
Click on the photos for the slide show
Saturday - 12 October 2019
09:05 - Departed home for a leisurely drive for an overnight in Boston before putting the car in cruise parking and then off on our holiday.
Put in ‘shortest route’ in the GPS and got 655Kms ETA of 17:10(7 hours 55 minutes).
TripTic stats = 7 hrs 49 minutes and 701.5Kms
The CAA TripTic, which we did not follow on the first leg, had us travelling south of Montreal and cross into the USofA in Vermont. We crossed at Ogdensburg, New York, which is closer and easier to get to.
Both the GPS and TripTic do not take any stops into consideration.
We reached the Canada/US border at 10:30 and it was only a 5 minute wait until we were through US Customs/Immigration and we were on our way.
A 50 minute lunch stop in a small cafe in Rousse Point, New York and then on the road again. We do not rush our meal stops. Simply take our time and enjoy the meal and surroundings.
At 17:30 the GPS said that we had arrived at our destination. Lo and behold it appeared to be an empty lot! Around the block we went three times until we saw three policemen on a street corner. Ah stop and ask them for directions. Wendy pulled into a parking space and the sign said “Best Western Parking Only”! Hey that is our hotel. Went around to the front and there was an un-lit sign attached to the front of the circular building. No wonder we never saw it! After checking in the room turned out to be a two bedroom suite which was quite comfortable and we would certainly recommend it to anyone travelling to Boston.
We had supper in a Cuban restaurant about a block and a half away. Neither of us had eaten Cuban before so it was an enjoyable experience. One thing for sure - the Cubans are not quiet people. The restaurant was alive with happy people, including three birthday groups who were served a ‘volcano’ on a piece of cake.
A restful night after a drive of 655 Kms in 8 hours and 45 minutes which matched the GPS distance and would have for time if the lunch, gas and rest stops were taken into account.
Sunday - 13 October 2019
After a restful night at a Best Western hotel in Boston we set off to find the cruise parking. Put the address in the GPS and said it was 4.7K away. CAA said 4.5K. It was an easy drive and no problem finding it this time except the entrance was on D Street and not Summer.
A short drive on the shuttle and a relatively quick check in. I think I should have printed out the updated brochure. This would have given the cabin number in the bar code.
A light lunch in Windjammers Buffet and then check out the cabin, (open at 13;00. Lazed around until bags delivered.
Ship departed at 16:45
Bags delivered and everything put away and then it was time for supper in the main dining rom.
Supper - My Time Dining at 18:00
Wendy
Cream of wild mushroom soup
Horseradish crusted salmon
Creme Brûlée
Bill
Shrimp cocktail
Prime rib of beef
Creme Brûlée
An early night.
Steps - watch 8586 = 4.9K
Phone 4671 = 2.6K 5 floors. I did not have phone all afternoon
From Wendy’s phone steps 5656 3.8K 17 floors.
I did not get the ships position before we sailed.
Ship’s position when be docked 42.20.59N 071.02.02W
Monday - 14 October 2019
Stats 08:02 40.22.36N 068.48.97W speed 11.1 knots foggy and cloudy temp 20c distance 174 nm
Cool and rain in morning
At noon 1 meter waves
Lunch in dining room deck 4
Cool and rain off and on all day Cloudy
Ran 1 mile on tread mill 12:00 walked .25 mile total time 13:15
Lazed around all day
16:00 Cookie of the Day
Supper - Formal Dress
Both Wendy and Bill did get dressed for this special occasion. Most of the people in the main dining room were ‘well dressed’ but a few were in casual clothes as well. It is nice to see when people do take the time to get at least a little dressed up.
Wendy
Seafood voulvent
Ducks la orange
Fruit plate
Bill
Lobster bisque
Feast beef
Apple pie a la mode
Evening show 20:00
Magic vs Music
Jarrett & Raja
Poor to Fair. One problem with taped music could have been part of the problem. However, the ‘magic’ tricks he performed were simple tricks you would normally see at a Children’s Performance. The pianist was quite amazing but he would have been even better if he had played a piece that the majority of people knew. Apparently that would be their one and only show on Royal Caribbean.
Steps - watch 7816 4.4K should include treadmill distance
Phone 4112 2.6K floors 16 + 8 did not have phone for treadmill and flights down from 12 to 3
Stats 21:40 - 37.59.74 N 067.25.13W speed 12 knots cloudy 24c distance 331 nm
Clocks go ahead one hour
Tuesday - 15 October 2019
Stats 07:55 - 36.15.15N 066.27.01W speed 12 knots cloudy 24C distance 445 nm
12:00 Lunch in main dining room both buffet
14:00 Wendy watched the movie Rocket Man. Bill ran on outdoor track 1K walk 1K run 1/2K walk 1.5K then end of movie
16:00 Cookie of the Day
MAINLY SUNNY
19:00 Supper - Casual Dress
Wendy
Arugula and radicchio salad
Pan seared cod with lentils
Lemon panna cotta
Bill
Fish cake
Beef short rib
Lemon panna cotta
21:00 Show time Stage to Screen with ships singers and dancers
Very good show
22:00 - disco night in Centrum
70’s dance music and then some ships dancers 3F 4M.
Males did great dance routine of the Village People and had the dance floor full of people.
Steps - watch 10342 steps 5.9K includes run/walk on track
Phone 4991 = 2.9K does NOT include run/walk on track floors 15 + 8 (flights down to cabin)
Stats. 23:00 - 33:40:12N 065:03:47W speed 11.8Knots partly cloudy 24C distance 621 nm
Wednesday - 16 October 2019
08:15 Docked King’s Wharf (Dockyards)
Stats - 09:25 -32.19.38N 064.49.97W Docked. Partly cloudy 24C distance 726nm
08:00 - Breakfast
09:00 - Disembarked ship wandered through dockyards shopping (no buying yet) then bus #8 to Hamilton
12:15 - Lunch at Pickled Onion in Hamilton. (I was thinking it may have been the old ’40 Thieves’ Nightclub. I asked the doorman but he did not know any history.
Wendy more shopping/checking. Bought some sleepers for baby.
Bill bought 3 books. on Bermuda ghosts.
It was a pleasant walk around the main area of Hamilton and seeing what changes have been made since I was there. The city is still bright and cheerful with lots of pastel colours. Wendy was disappointed in the Marks & Spencer’s as it seemed to be lacking some of the finer goods.
15:15 - Depart Hamilton on ferry. Ice cream and check more shops in Dockyard.
Partly cloudy 24C
18:00 - Supper - Tropical Dress
Wendy
Braised carrot and cumin salad
Pan seared Red Snapper was
Fruit
Bill
Shrimp cocktail
Shrimp Scampi
Apple pie a la mode
Two other ships also at King’s Wharf Dockyards:
The Norwegian Escape which is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line and has a capacity of 4266 passengers on 19 decks. The top deck has a complete ‘playground’ complete with a water slide. Talked to one of the passengers and they did not seem all that pleased with the ship - to big, no food or drinks after 10pm.
The AidaLuna which is owned by Carnival Corp and operated by Aida Cruises. The ship has a capacity of 2100 passengers on 13 decks. We were on the ferry from Hamilton to Dockyards with some of the passengers who appeared to be German and had just finished bicycle tour of Hamilton and area.
21:00 - Miller Magic. Ships band tribute to Glen Miller
Good
Stats still Docked
Steps - watch 12380 = 7.0K.
Phone 11718 steps = 6.4K 8 floors
GPS 38.73K Time 6:33 includes bus and ferry’s
Thursday - 17 October 2019
Still Docked King’s Wharf/Dockyards Bermuda
Mainly cloudy 25C
08:00 - Breakfast
09:30 - Tour to Crystal Caves and Aquarium
Trip was to Crystal Caves, Aquarium, and Gibbs Hill Lighthouse.
Took an organized tour the the Caves, Aquarium and Gibbs Hill. The Caves are quite interesting and should be “A Must See” on any trip to Bermuda. The Aquarium could be a miss but it was nice to be able to just walk around and see the few things that they have on offer. The view from Gibbs Hill gives a very broad view of the Island. I had always thought that Gibbs Hill was the highest point in Bermuda but there is another ‘hill’ that is 8 or 10 feet higher.
The entire tour was well worth the time and money.
GPS Stats for tour 67.91K time 6:55.01
Cleared to Partly Cloudy and windy
16:00 - At the Frog and Onion Pub in Dockyards, Rum Swizzles plate of natchos.
Back on board
Bill forgot his wallet and had do some screening before could board the ship.
18:00 - Supper - Casual
Wendy
Shrimp cocktail
Roast sirloin
Grand Marnier lemon soufflé
Bill
Crab cake
Grilled tuna (did not enjoy salty and dry)
Grand Marnier lemon soufflé
21:00 - Vibeology - ships singers and dancers. Very good
Stats - Still Docked temp 25C
Steps watch 8513 = 4.8K. Phone 6092 = 3.2K. 10 floors +4
Friday - 18 October 2019
Still Docked King’s Wharf
Cloudy 24C
09:00 - Ashore in dockyard shopping
15:00 - Back onboard
16:00 - Sailed
18:00 - Supper - Formal
Wendy
Caprese Salad
Lobster tail
Baked Alaska
Bill
2 lobster tails
Baked Alaska
19:30 - Top Tier reception - meet captain and senior officers. Awards given to members who had over 450 points. Highest was 1880 points. One point equals one night of cruise.
21:00 - Hush Party in Centrum. Dancers wore head phones where one channel played one type of music. Only the dancers could hear the music they chose. Hilarious to watch.
22:00 - The Las Vegas Tenors 3 male singers sang a variety of songs from pop, country and finished with an opera Nessus Dorma
23:16 - Stats 33.00.00N 065.13.25W speed 19 knots Course 335 partly cloudy 22C distance 854 nm sea 3 to 4 meters
Steps- watch 14312 = 8.1K phone 13524 = 7.9k 13 floors
Saturday - 19 October 2019
Stats - 08:10 36.28.73N 066.32.88W speed 19.4 knots mostly cloudy temp 20C distance 1070 nm
08:15 - Breakfast
All day just relaxed on deck 6 & 11
Cleared to partly cloudy
19:00 - Supper - Casual
Wendy
Beet and orange salad
Battered cod
Pavlova
Bill
Coconut shrimp
Carbanaro with prochuta
Pavlova
22:00 - Tropical theatre - Jeff Nease Adult comedy. 45 minutes nonstop laughter
23:05 - Stats - 40.52.78N 069.01.24W speed 18.6 knots course 333 temp 12C distance 1036nm
Steps - Watch 5747 = 3.3K phone 3574 = 1.9K 11 floors + 4
Sunday - 20 October 2019
02:00 - clocks go back one hour
07:00 - Docked Boston
07:00 - Clear US customs on board
Stats - 42.20.59N 071.02.02W temp 7C total distance 1451nm
09:05 - our scheduled departure time
09:45 - departed ship and trip to cruise car park
10:15 - depart cruise car park
11:00 - 12:00 Costco
12:30 - 14:30 Premium Outlets
17:30 - RON - The Pointe at Castle Hill Resort and Spa - Ludlow Vermont.
19:30 - Supper - Castle Restaurant. Old mansion
Wendy
Caprese salad
Castle Trio 3 Scallops small steak, lobster tail
Bill
Corn and lobster chowder
Castle Trio
The meal was huge. The chowder could have been a meal in itself. The trio consisted of 3 big scallops, a good piece of steak and a lobster tail plus potatoes and vegetables.
Castle Hill Resort and Spa, is a member of Historic Hotels of America since 2007, and dates back to 1905.
The historic Castle Hill Resort and Spa exemplifies the vision of Allen Miller Fletcher, who served as Vermont’s Governor from 1912 to 1915. In 1881, he built a summer home in Proctorsville and in 1897, added more property in the adjacent Cavendish.
At the turn of the century, Fletcher commissioned architect S. F. Page of Fehmer and Page from Boston, to bring his vision to life. The English Cotswold style construction included the most advanced technology available at the time. This historic home was the first in Vermont to be fully wired for electricity and equipped with an elevator. European craftsmen worked for five years to create the elaborate detailing that exudes old world elegance and charm.
The complete trip home details are in a separate file.
Click on the photos for the slide show
Castle Hill Resort and Spa
Overnight 20 - 21 October 2019
Overnight 20 - 21 October 2019
Click on the slide show for photos of Resort
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