Transatlantic

Transatlantic is generally understood to mean the crossing from Europe to the United States of North America and vice versa. We did it the other way around on our second cruise. We flew to Miami, warmed up a bit, visited Bermuda and the Azores and finally arrived in Lisbon. We said a nice goodbye and got off the plane in Cologne.

And there was something else we did differently. We didn’t book everything through a travel agency, but did it ourselves, i.e. got the flight tickets and reserved the rooms in the hotels ourselves. We only booked the cruise through a cruise agency, as there is always a small bonus.

And there is potential for optimization, such as departures at Christian times, rooms according to your own wishes, cabin category and selection. But you are not taken by the hand and you should already know a little English.  If you don’t overdo it, the travel price remains roughly the same. This is due to a special circumstance on this cruise. The American shipping company relocates its ships to the Caribbean in summer and to the Mediterranean in winter. They offer these transfer cruises at prices that are lower than those of a flight ticket for the same route.

There’s just one catch: you have to bring time with you – if the ship doesn’t want to win the Blue Riband, it needs ten days. But you are looked after, get delicious food, are entertained, can do sports and have fun. For example, hanging out in bars and casinos, getting on other people’s nerves and getting annoyed about the obligatory tips if something doesn’t work out.

The ship was the Legend of the Seas: built in 1995, GT 69,130, length 240.20 m, cabins 900, crew 720, Royal Caribbean International, Vision class, Vmax. 44 km/h).

Until Miami Beach

Dear daughters,

We set off at 6 p.m. with everything we had. We reached the Regio to Düsseldorf Airport just in time. The Sky Train took us to International and the plane took off on time. Ten hours later we were international again, in Miami, Florida, USA.  

We stood in line at immigration for a good hour. The immigration officer was a nice guy, a photo and two electronic fingerprints, and with a welcome we were through. The immigration form was also filled out correctly. We got our suitcases, got into the cab and for 28 dollars we were at the hotel in Miami Beach.

What do you do just before 6 p.m.? I wanted to hang out with a beer, Mom, already changed, wanted to go – in the direction of the Art Deco District.  After a little discussion, we set off after all, first along the beach, then through the city to the beer.

Well, I think Florida is quite nice here, everyone in shorts or tops at 20 degrees celsius and everything a bit run-down. Tomorrow we’re going sightseeing, taking the C or S bus to Down Town Miami.

Your dad,
Miami Beach, 04/08/2005

Dear children,

Finally a decent American breakfast with all the trimmings. The hotel may be an old box, but it has a nice old-fashioned dining room. You can eat well here.

Well fortified, we took the C bus (iced) into the city center for less than the KVB. We got off at Fragler Rd. Just so you know, Henry Fragler was the man who had the railroad line built to this point in 1896. We walked up Miami’s shopping street to the huge courthouse, looking up at the vultures or eagles circling the top.

 On through downtown on the Metro-Mover to Market Place Bayside, one lane and free. The Bayside is a complex of stores and restaurants. We had lunch in one of them. Back on the bus, which stopped right outside our hotel. Mom went to the pool and I, well, you know, nap time was the order of the day.

Around 6 o’clock, Mom got dressed up in high heels. Now off to the Art Deco district, to the hip Lincoln Rd. with its beautiful stores and great outdoor restaurants. We walked as far as Biscaybe Bay, from where you have a beautiful view of the downtown waterfront.

Mom already had the first blisters on her feet, so it was hard to choose where to stop. But her feet had a rest and the catch of the day was probably ray, accompanied by a Pinot Gris. The food was classy, as was the price, but what an atmosphere. The bus took us home again. 1-2 gin and tonics rounded off a wonderful day.

Your dad,
Miami Beach, 04/09/2005

Dear Solveig, dear Louise,

Today we have to make our way to Fort Lauderdale to the ship. But we still have plenty of time until then.

We got up early, went for a morning walk on the beach and then had breakfast: fruit, fried eggs, toast and so on. Then we organized the shuttle to Fort Lauderdale. Then a walk through Miami Beach to the Art Deco district, didn’t feel like walking any more and took the bus back to the hotel. We ate hot dogs and French fries beforehand because mom was so hungry.

But now the shuttle bus was due to arrive. Fifteen minutes later, it whizzed past us and we were standing there with our suitcases. So off we went into the cab, which took us reliably to the port of Fort Lauderdale. The little shock was forgotten.

The Legend of the Seas is a smaller ship and a bit older. The cabin is inside and you always have to have light. The ship was late, not all the supplies were on board yet, but three hours later we set off. It was nice to see the ship leave the harbor. It was already evening and everything was illuminated.

It was much more exciting to see who would be sitting at the table with us. We had already spotted some “Berlin plants”. But it wasn’t them, but three American couples: an older one (like us), a middle-aged one and a young one. They all introduced themselves in a friendly manner, with first names and where do you come from and finally nice to meet you.

There’s a broker from Las Vegas, a lieutenant from the Coast Guard, last stationed in Barain, and people from New York City. Mom got the most of it and was slobbered over, tomorrow we take the next English course.

Your dad,
Fort Lauderdale, 04/10/2005

To Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda

Our next destination is Bermuda, but we still have a long way to go. So we had our first day at sea and again I quote from the logbook:

Monday, 04/11/2005 – at sea

“…after breakfast, mom draped herself on the aft deck with a book and suntan oil and didn’t move until noon. But – there was one more thing – our rescue exercise: to line up at the muster station at 10 o’clock. We had to help some of the men into their lifejackets, which probably wouldn’t have helped in an emergency. Anyway, a great happening. After that, Mom was back in the horizontal position.

At 3 p.m., Mom woke up and it was time for the captain’s reception. Shortly before 5 p.m. the time had come, mom in her long coat, me in my dinner jacket. Captain Hakan Lindegren is Norwegian and has only ever been involved with container ships, must be a nice guy, you can tell when you shake hands. The reception with champagne, orchestra and dancing was also nice, followed by an evening dinner.

This time there were only six of us at the table. Now we could also remember the names: John and Barbara from La Vegas, Carmen and Raquel from … The young man’s name was actually Carmen. Quote from him: My parents must have been crazy. The young woman was no older than Solveig.

At the end, an entertainment show, very well done, all oldies. The older ladies were crying. Off to bed after Beefeater and Bombay Sapphire.

Dear Louise. Dear Solveig,

Yes, what did we do today? So we had breakfast and rested until midday.

Then it got exciting, Bermuda came into sight. We were there at 5 pm. We actually wanted to leave straight away, taking the ferry to Hamilton in the King’s Wharp, a fairly circular harbor, open at the top to the Atlantic.

Well, we talked about Germany over dinner. The Americans have strange ideas about it, but they knew the Mercedes, BMW and Audi brands very well.

Then we got off the boat after all. We met Jules and Mike, who also wanted to get off. They had sat down at a separate table and couldn’t stand the other compatriots. Contrary to what we thought, they come from the state of New York, just north of Niagara Falls.

As the two of them are easy to get along with, we went for a walk together and ended up in a nice pub for a few beers. Which we continued in the Scooner Bar with a merry song guessing game. You meet the strangest people there. More of that tomorrow.

Your Papa,
Bermudas, 04/12/2005

Dear children,

Today we went on a shore excursion with the van cab. Six of us drove through Bermuda. The cab driver did the tour guide.

Everything is very expensive because it has to be imported. The only thing they have here is limestone, which is used to build the houses, the roofs are also white and the rain is collected in cisterns, but these are quite rare. There are plenty of golf courses and beautiful beaches with pink sand. Mom brings a handful.

What you rarely see are the famous Bermuda shorts, which only policemen and men in official dress wear. So, after three hours across the island, I was hungry, but Mom still hadn’t had enough. So she took the ferry to Hamilton and went shopping. 

Lots of people wanted to go back, so a special ferry was used to take everyone back to the ship. This meant that the ship was able to leave a little late.

In the evening, everyone was exhausted and the conversations were a bit slow, the topics slowly ran out. We went to the show. Mom held out, but not me. I watched the ship set sail, beautifully, into the evening, towards the Azores. Until then, we’ll only see water for three days. It’s still 2,000 nm, or 3,800 km, to Europe.

Your dad,
Bermudas, 04/13/2005

Four days in the Atlantic, eastbound

Thursday, 04/14/2005 – at sea…

First we overslept because the clock was set forward by an hour. It was already 10 o’clock, breakfast and then off to the gym, me invigorated, Mrs. Eleonore a bit tired. Then it was already lunchtime. This time we were lucky, nobody asked us who we were or where we were from. In the afternoon we went to the movies, a Thiller – Ocean 12, we didn’t understand a thing. Well, soon it was 6 p.m. and dinner was announced. There was a violin concert for the evening show. I can’t remember the name of the violinist, but apart from the music she also put on a good show. A little bit of Russian, a little bit of Irish and at the end what you know from The Late Night of the Proms. Then the American national anthem with a standing ovation. Then past the Schooner Bar.

Friday, 04/15/20.05 – at sea…

What a day at sea. First an hour before, then breakfast, then a workout. You can row on the rowing machine until you’ve won the regatta. I had to work really hard (10 minutes), then I was first. We had Chinese food for lunch, then a nap. The wife slept through the meal and arrived half an hour later. Then to the “Samba” dance class. Incomprehensible for the wife. Our American friends were there too. It was great fun.

The topic of the evening was the blind date, the first meeting. It’s funny how the Americans deal with it, it must be something special, they looked so happy. Everyone sat at the table for a long time. Julius and Maria-Theresa joined us. The international waiters from the Philippines and the head waiter from Turkey were called Hakan, like our captain. 

Rock’n’roll was the order of the day shortly before 11 o’clock. I must have promised a lady a dance the night before. This was now demanded and it worked out quite well. Tomorrow there’s a reception for repeat offenders from the Crown & Anchor Society. We’ll dress up for that.

Saturday, 04/16/2005 – at sea…

Today was a great day, the wife overslept, so we had breakfast at half past ten, then rested. Manicure arranged at the spa. It was late for lunch, but no resting after that, just a tight workout in the gym. Then a nap before the big reception for the frequent travelers. All the pieces of jewelry found their place on the wife, including of course the new necklace plus the matching new stud earrings. 

Everyone was in a good mood at dinner. John didn’t miss the opportunity to buy a round of martinis (white vermouth with vodka and olives). Stirred, not shaken, as they say.  Then I invited the whole group to the Scooner Bar. They all told me what they were going to do in Europe. Carmen and Raquel are going to stay in Lisbon with relatives. John and Barbara want to go to Paris, for the first time and only for two days. Hopefully someone there will understand them with their American. A big farewell later, a successful evening.

Sunday, 04/17/2005 – at sea…

Today, in order not to get out of practice, a church service was on the program. It was well attended and pleasantly short. The visitors were welcomed, then “Amazing Grace” was played standing up. The pastor, a woman, did a good job, the sermon was given by her husband. At the end came the blessing, called the benediction. I also needed the blessing, because we sat down for lunch at a table with two old women who couldn’t be helped. Mrs. Eleonore already wanted to leave.

In the afternoon it was off to the gym, more body training was the order of the day, I worked on the rowing machine. Dinner was good, we had lobster. Carmen bought us one. We had fun with the photos. Carmen got married in uniform and her comrades stood in line with their swords raised – they only wear them on special occasions.

Eleonore watched another movie on TV, a good opportunity to slip away to the Scooner Bar with a beer. Tomorrow we reach the Azores, Sao Miquel, Ponta Delgada.

Dear daughters,

This morning we arrived in the Azores, on the main island of Sao Miquel, where the capital Ponta Delgada is also located and the airport is also located.

We booked a bus tour. So off we went: First to a pineapple plantation, where there was delicious pineapple juice to try. Then we went into the mountains, or rather to an extinct volcano, the Lagoa do Fogo with a beautiful crater lake, huge. From up here you can see the north and south coasts at the same time, so narrow is the island. Actually, the Azores are the peaks of a sea mountain. To the east it is still 1,000 km to Lisbon. 

In the afternoon, the ship departed. Afterwards there was a German reception with a few explanations about the departure and some advertising for the shipping company Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. At dinner, everyone talked about their experiences. Carmen and Raquel were picked up by friends and almost missed the ship. Barbara and John have made Pont Delgada unsafe. In the evening there was a piano concert, not really my thing, but Mrs. Eleonore liked it. Tomorrow is the last day at sea. Then it goes up the Tagus to Lisbon. Hopefully the weather will stay nice.

Your dad,
Ponta Delgarda 04/18/2005
                                                                                                                 

As far as Lisbon

Tuesday, 04/19/2005 – at sea…

Today is the last day at sea, tomorrow we’ll be in Lisbon, it’s supposed to be great there. First we overslept again, had breakfast around 10 o’clock. Then we rested on the aft deck. Lunch at last, just salad. In the afternoon we picked up our passports, so you only need to disembark in Lisbon. Later, the wife dragged me to the gym again.

By then it was dinnertime and everyone was already thinking about departure. Afterwards, everyone got their tips: Head waiter, waiter, assistant waiter and Elisabeth, our chambermaid. Everyone was very nice, especially Elisabeth from South Africa or England. Afterwards we had a farewell drink with our fellow travelers. Then it was time to pack our bags. Tomorrow morning at 7 a.m. we’ll have breakfast again, 45 minutes later we’ll disembark. Let’s see what Lisbon is like.

Hello lovelies,

I got up at half past six and had breakfast in the dining room. The news of the new Pope had spread, Cardinal Ratzinger, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, formerly the Grand Inquisitor, now Pope Benedict XVI. So far, so good.

Then we disembarked and said a quick goodbye to Barbara and John. We grabbed our suitcases (Red 3) and wanted a cab. But word had not yet got around in Lisbon that 1,600 people from the ship needed a cab.  After a long wait, many suddenly arrived. We went to the hotel and set off again straight away.

The hotel is right next to the Marques Pompal metro station, where Mom bought a day pass for both of us for € 6.30. So off we went, and with a change of trains we were in the center of the action, in other words, at the beginning of our first tour through the Alfama, the old town. We had good directions with us.

You have to imagine that Lisbon goes up and down. That’s why there are street elevators and funiculars, all “ancient”. We walked through the alleyways, picturesque and run-down. We had lunch in a basement restaurant, at “Mama’s”, so to speak. My cutlet wasn’t that good, but Mama’s fish was excellent. Flan and rice pudding for dessert, simply delicious. Back on the Electrofico, the old streetcar.

After a nap, we were back on our feet, Mum had on the program: port wine tasting in a noble ambience, a visit to the other side of the Tagus, eating fish there. There are some quaint restaurants in the village. We stopped off at one and ate a national dish, a Portuguese paella, a big pot of rice and sauce, prawns and mussels, fish and prawns. Instead of dessert, a delicious brandy, super good, super much and super expensive. Slightly exhilarated back to the ferry.

Our trip ends tomorrow. By cab to the airport, two and a half hours on the plane and home in an hour by train.

It was a great trip, unlike the last one, and it won’t be the last.

Your dad,
Lisbon, 04/20/2005

How did it go?

This question can be summarised as follows: We crossed the Atlantic, took ten hours there and ten days back. But we visited beautiful places and met nice people with a different culture. Let the others report.

Return email: Greetings from Las Vegas to Hans and Eleonore

Hi Hans and Eleonore,

Barbara and I were so glad to get your email. I tried to email you when we got home, but the email was return to us because I could read the letter K in your writing and I tried h and r and the email was returned.

I will do pictures of my son and get one of my daughter to forward to you. Your daughters are very pretty young ladies Yes, Eleonore their mother is pretty too!

Barbara and I were exhausted when we got home. Barcelona and Paris was very nice. The train trips were very romantic and fun. l am glad you got to see a feature on Las Vegas. Was it TV or news clip? We were up for 26 hours on our flight home to Las Vegas. We were always flying into the sun and backward in time. It took four days to adjust to our time again.

I will get the information on Lake Tahoe for you. We were so happy we met you on the ship. You made our cruise a lot more fun.

Your friends in America                      John and Barbara

Return email: Greetings from Germany

Dear Hans & Eleonore,

Great to hear from both of you! Thanks for the e—mail (and for the pictures) ! Sorry for not responding earlier, but I was out to sea on my patrol boat all week and I just pulled in last night.
We really enj oyed our stay in Lisbon! We went to all the different monuments and tourist attractions. Raquel managed to find many good ice cream shops also! We both had to go on diets when he headed back home (no McDonald’s or ice cream for awhile! ! ! )

I haven’t heard from our friends from Las Vegas yet, but they may still be traveling (or selling Real Estate) throughout Europe. Raquel and I really enjoyed the cruise and we especially enj oyed your company. It was pleasure to meet both of you! Let us know when your headed to the United States!

I’ve attached a photo of the TYBEE. This was taken about 2 weeks ago while we were transiting through Vineyard Sound (body of water between Cape Cod, Massachusetts and Martha’s Vineyard)

Sincirely                 Carmen and Raquel