Reykjavik, Iceland to New York, USA 

Today was the day of changes, as our destination changed, the weather changed continuously and even the crew drills were cancelled, so the daily schedule changed. Halifax should have been our next port of call tomorrow, but due to ice floes and ice bergs coming down the Davis Straight, coupled with dense fog, the Captain deemed it unsafe, so we are heading directly for New York.   This will provide an extra night in New York and permit the 4 hour immigration procedures to be completed the first night, which will provide almost 2 full days of touring the city.

Temperature: High 19C/66F, Low 13C/56F

Wind/Weather: Today we experienced every weather system except snow and sunshine

Sunrise/Sunset: 05:00/20:30

Clox: Z-3 (Clox back 1 hr last evening)

Navigation

From the early hours of the morning, Sea Princess set and maintained W’ly courses towards New York, at an average speed of about 19.7 knots.

Weather

The weather experienced today is worthy of it’s own heading, as a few words couldn’t adequately describe what we experienced. This morning started with “Pea Soup”, or dense fog. The sea was smooth, at least I think it was, as from our balcony about 70 feet above sea level we could barely see the water. Looking along the side of the ship, we could almost make out the stern and bow. Needless to say we were serenaded by the fog horn blasting every 2 minutes. By late morning, the fog lifted and we could see the horizon, but it was totally overcast. After lunch, the wind started picking up and soon we had about 30 knot winds and swell, with visibility again periodically  reduced in heavy rain. When we retired for the evening, we still had the wind and swell, but the skies had cleared revealing lots of twinkling stars,  and we were sailing directly towards the moon, which was low on the horizon.

Therefore, in one day we experienced everything except the sun and snow. 

Activities

My dad started bright and early, as usual, but with the dense fog I didn’t want to get soaked out walking on the decks, so elected to forgo my usual morning exercise routine. Instead, I started working on photographs and getting caught up on blog posts. Uncharacteristically, Judi awoke early, about 06:00, so we turned on the telly, to check the navigation page, and sure enough we called it right last night – we ain’t going to Halifax. No announcements have been made, but the course shows us heading directly to New York. My initial estimate was arrival pilot station about 14:00 to 15:00, which I later updated to 16:00, as the speed has dropped from the previous 20.5 knots to 19.6 knots.

We headed down for breakfast, as soon as the dining room opened and weren’t the only one that had checked the navigation channel, as others had noted the change in destination. After breakfast, we headed to the Wheelhouse, eagerly awaiting the Captain’s official announcement. We weren’t disappointed, as he came over the P/A system shortly after 09:00. He explained that with the combination of ice floes, ice bergs and fog he considered it unsafe to navigate towards Halifax and in consultation with the Head Office they made the decision in the early hours of the morning to bypass Halifax and go directly to New York. His best estimate was arriving the pilot station at 16:00 and alongside at 19:00.

I attended the daily lecture from David Russell, which this morning was titled, “Pearl Harbour 1941 – A Date That Will Live In Infamy”.

He led up to the attack by explaining that Japan was allied with the Royal Navy in WW I and between the wars had received extensive training and materials from U.K. Therefore, prior to the attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941, the Japanese Navy was the 3rd largest, but probably the most powerful in the world.

With at least 6 large fleet carriers and numerous battleships the Japanese Navy was a formidable force.

After lunch, I called our tablemate Bob and we met up in the Wheelhouse Bar, so I could transfer his photographs from the memory cards and back them up onto a memory stick. Bruce also came down to join us, so we had a pleasant guys afternoon. I finished backing up Bob’s photographs about 15:00, so we stayed for a refreshment at happy hour. A very enjoyable afternoon with some great company and conversation.

The pre-dinner show this evening was in Princess Theatre and was a double billing with Jeffrey Allen (Elton John tribute) and Mickey Finn/Cathy Reilly. Jeffrey Allen kicked of the show with the hit Candle in the Wind, not the Princess Diana version, but the original for Norma Jean Baker aka Marilyn Munroe. He then continued with another 4 or 5 hits, having the audience tapping, clapping and singing along. When he introduced Mickey Finn & Cathy Reilly, Jeffrey and Mickey played a duo on the piano, frequently changing sides, while Cathy played the banjo and the ship’s orchestra joined in. Wow, what an entrance and the orchestra looked like they really enjoyed these performers. Mickey and Cathy closed out the remained of the show with a variety of music. Excellent precursor to dinner.

Dinner last night was termed, “Continental Dinner”. I had pate to start and strip loin for main course. The pate was most enjoyable and while the slices of meat could have been warmer, they were tasty and cooked perfectly between rare and medium rare. The meat was also tender, which was a pleasant change. No desert again tonight, so we finished off dinner with a pleasant cup of tea.

The post dinner entertainment was another repeat performer, George Casey, the Irish comedian back with a brand new show. He is simply brilliant, having the entire Vista Lounge in stitches for about 45 minutes. Definitely the best comedian on the World Cruise, so far.   

As another day closes, we bid you farewell, till tomorrow and hope for fair skies and following seas.