Adventure OTS, 13 Night Snowbird Migration Quebec to Ft. Lauderdale Oct. 8, 2018

[ellcee 1,047]

Your bagel post has me curious...1- I live in NY and never had good bagels out of the metro/Long Island area. 2- I went to school very close to the NY/Canada border and went to Montreal quite a bit (drinking age was 19) for fun and have never heard of bagels being a thing there. They looks really good.

[twangster 17,717]

12 minutes ago, ellcee said:

Your bagel post has me curious...1- I live in NY and never had good bagels out of the metro/Long Island area. 2- I went to school very close to the NY/Canada border and went to Montreal quite a bit (drinking age was 19) for fun and have never heard of bagels being a thing there. They looks really good.

Wood fired bagels and smoked meat.  A Montreal tradition since I was in high school and visited the area.  Yum.

[Jaymac Radio 817]

What Time Or Day Was Muster

[twangster 17,717]

Just now, Twangster Fan said:

What Time Or Day Was Muster

Muster is on day two at 3:30pm.  We are just a floating hotel up until that point.  

[JLMoran 4,737]

I'm looking at the photos of your room, and trying to figure out if there is actually any space to walk between the bed and sofa or bed and desk so you can get into or out of it without barking your shins on either; or having to just sit on the end of the bed, lift your legs, and then swing to the side. Could just the perspective of the photos or effect of using a wide-angle lens, but it looks like you've got maybe 3 inches of clearance for each of them! 😲

[Jaymac Radio 817]

Hey Was The Flowrider Open When You Were Dock 

Thanks 

[twangster 17,717]

2 minutes ago, JLMoran said:

I'm looking at the photos of your room, and trying to figure out if there is actually any space to walk between the bed and sofa or bed and desk so you can get into or out of it without barking your shins on either; or having to just sit on the end of the bed, lift your legs, and then swing to the side. Could just the perspective of the photos or effect of using a wide-angle lens, but it looks like you've got maybe 3 inches of clearance for each of them! 😲

I take pictures as soon as cabins open and before I explode my suitcase all over the room.  Yes, it is tight.  In reality I ask them to separate the beds which was done later for me.  Much better access that way.  This cabin has two bunks that lower from the ceiling.  In theory it sleeps four but that would be cozy.

[twangster 17,717]

Out into the city I walked along the waterfront in the direction of the Chateaux Frontenac.  There I came across some inviting shops and restaurants set into old stone buildings.  

Fall decorations in place.  Note you can see the bow of the ship between the buildings for reference to location.

The crowds began to thicken.  I must be on the right path.

I was trying to find the Funicular and it looks like I succeeded.

The funicular is $3.50 CAD.  They don't accept credit cards and U.S. cash is taken at par without any exchange rate provided.

The Funicular station at the top.

With that I was at the base of Chateaux Frontenac, a luxury hotel.

Samuel De Champlain who discovered the area for France in the late 1500s.

Wonderful views of the St. Lawrence River.

The Consulate General of the United States:

There is a paved path up the hill or these stairs

The Plains of Abraham where the British defeated the French in 1759 that led to this becoming a British territory.

The paved path up to this area.

The imposing cannon of the Citadell de Quebec.  More on this in the next post.

[monctonguy 1,190]

Some great photos as always....haven't been to Quebec City in over 20 years...always travel south for vacations!...but this makes me want to look at doing some kinda NE/Canada cruise in the near future for sure...would be interesting seeing these places from this perspective......cant wait to see/hear more about the cruise.....

[twangster 17,717]

The Citadelle de Quebec was built by the British with the original goal of preventing the French from trying to take this area back.  As it turns out it was a different enemy that tried unsuccessfully twice to take it.  The Americans.   

It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and remains today an active base for the Canadian Armed Forces for the Royal 22e Regiment for French speaking troops.  It also has a museum for over 300 years of military history and is secondary residence for Governor General of Canada.  

Since it is an active base you are required to participate in a guided tour at a cost of $16 CAD or around $13 USD.  

The Dalhousie gate to the old city is the only gate in it's original condition.  Other gates I have taken photos of were modified for automobile traffic.   

This is how the gates really were back in the day, minus the speed bumps.

 

Je Me Souviens is the official motto of the Province of Quebec.  It translates to "I remember" and pay homage to those that served and gave their lives in the defense of Canada.  It's greater meaning includes not forgetting the ancient past and traditions.

This building served as a military hospital.

The Governor General of Canada's second official residence (the first is in the nations capital in Ottawa). 

The Armstrong Gun or cannon was technologically advanced for its day in the 1800s and reaching 2 to 3 miles made it a formidable weapon (for the period).  It's placement here meant they could pick off enemy ships long before the enemy could ever attempt to fire their cannons back.

The tour included a couple of building where we were not allowed to take pictures.

All in all it was a very interesting tour that provides a lot insight into Canada's history.

Leaving the Citadell and I found myself at a familiar gate that I took pictures of during my walk from the hotel the previous evening.

[twangster 17,717]

1 hour ago, Twangster Fan said:

Hey Was The Flowrider Open When You Were Dock 

Thanks 

Times in the cruise compass state 2-5pm but I never ventured back there to confirm.  

[Jaymac Radio 817]

Just now, twangster said:

Times in the cruise compass state 2-5pm but I never ventured back there to confirm.  

Thanks Twangster 

[twangster 17,717]

Finding my way back to the ship is much like in San Juan.  Find the general direction and walk downhill.

Quebec City has a European flair.  Avoid the jet lag and come here instead.

Back to the Chateaux Frontenac.

Found this spot I may revisit once it's dark for a night photo of the ship.

Note to self.  Don't get a balcony on the starboard side.

At this point the Silver Wind was departing on it's way to Montreal tomorrow.

There were two or three motorcoaches at the terminal.  It seems people were still arriving approaching 6pm.  

Once through security transit guests like myself could skip the check in lines.

The waiting area used at this time by off-duty crew checking email and making calls home.

[JLMoran 4,737]

Quebec really is just an absolutely charming and gorgeous old city, isn't it? My wife and kids would love walking around there for a day, just peeking into all the different places and taking in the streets and buildings.

[twangster 17,717]

Here is something new, at least for me.

A free day of Voom Surf and Stream if a full voyage plan is purchased onboard on boarding day.

[JLMoran 4,737]

Just now, twangster said:

Here is something new, at least for me.

   

The old "give 'em a free taste and they'll be happy to pay for more" strategy?

Either that, or someone in their promo department saw your spreadsheet and said, "Awwww, fudge!!"; and now your "wait until day 2" strategy is just part and parcel of every sailing. 😁

[twangster 17,717]

Some other ships photos as I returned from my afternoon walk.

Free Sushi in the Promenade!

I knew it was getting dark and wanted to catch some twilight or golden hour city photos despite the rain that was now falling.  Our guide at the Citadell has said rain was moving in.  He was right.

The Viking Star also in port today was making its departure.  It was docked around the corner way past the Citadell.

Yikes, I'm late for my 6pm MTD reservation.  Better get moving.

[twangster 17,717]

3 minutes ago, JLMoran said:

The old "give 'em a free taste and they'll be happy to pay for more" strategy?

Either that, or someone in their promo department saw your spreadsheet and said, "Awwww, fudge!!"; and now your "wait until day 2" strategy is just part and parcel of every sailing. 😁

I think it only applied to the full voyage plans.  Maybe Voom sales were slow in the cruise planner so they pulled this out of the closet.

If they keep this up, I'm going to need to revamp my spreadsheet.  

[twangster 17,717]

Dinner in the My Time Dining room.  

I'm not sure I'll do this for all 13 nights, but here is the day one menu.

Caesar Salad:

Prime Rib

I got the evil eye from a Pinnacle (proudly wearing his pin) who apparently didn't like me taking pictures of my food.  He raised his arms in the air for at least a minute and glared at me.  Oh well...

No dessert.  I can't do 13 nights of desserts.

[twangster 17,717]

After dinner I used my 3 happy drinks at various bars.  The Diamond lounge was a zoo.  As I stood in line for a drink I overheard speculation there are 85 Pinnacles on board and something like 1,200 Diamonds.  I may attend the top tier event later in the cruise to confirm.

It was beginning to dawn on me why they call this the "Snowbird Migration" cruise.  In my fifties I am one of the youngest on board.  I realized I haven't seen one kid yet.  I'm basically cruising with all of my parents friends and they are all Diamond or higher.

A light rain had set in.  I headed up to deck 12 to see what I could capture.

Time to find a local bar with good local beer.

Calling @mpoole3...

Midnight approaching it was time to head to bed.

[twangster 17,717]

Day 2 - Quebec City

Still in place I woke and worked for a bit.  Around 9:30am I headed to the Windjammer.  My plan was to avoid the peak breakfast crowd. 

Outside was gloomy which resulted in everyone staying on the ship and all of my parent's friends had parked themselves in the Windjammer.  Playing cards, using laptops, talking, a few were eating.

The only seat was at the bar in the Windjammer where a few other's had resorted to eating.  

A scan of the room confirmed my earlier age observation.  I'm a baby on this cruise.  I think I saw some old ladies checking me out.  At least I know I can out run their husband's... walker.  Not sure about scooters, those things can go pretty fast!

I'm glad I spent as much time as I did exploring Quebec City yesterday.  Today wasn't nearly as nice. 

[monctonguy 1,190]

5 minutes ago, twangster said:

Day 2 - Quebec City

 

A scan of the room confirmed my earlier age observation.  I'm a baby on this cruise.  I think I saw some old ladies checking me out.  At least I know I can out run their husband's... walker.  Not sure about scooters, those things can go pretty fast!

 

Haha...I have enjoyed a couple of comments you have made about the demographics on the ship. Sounds like this cruise is defn catering to a more mature crowd...

 

That might be the only thing that might deter me from one of these unless I went with a few friends or another couple at least....but the stops and the scenery would be amazing for sure.

[twangster 17,717]

Just now, monctonguy said:

Haha...I have enjoyed a couple of comments you have made about the demographics on the ship. Sounds like this cruise is defn catering to a more mature crowd...

That might be the only thing that might deter me from one of these unless I went with a few friends or another couple at least....but the stops and the scenery would be amazing for sure.

I don't think all cruises here are this way, but it's two weeks long in October when few working types can or will use that much vacation for a cruise.  Plus it's one way.  It's marketed as a "Snowbird Migration"  so that alone says a lot.  

That's okay, I hope I can keep on cruising as long as some of my fellow guests are.

I'm sure there are some younger types on board.   

[Matt 7,939]

1 hour ago, twangster said:

Here is something new, at least for me.

A free day of Voom Surf and Stream if a full voyage plan is purchased onboard on boarding day.

I've never seen that either. Probably offering since everyone has cell coverage, so doubt they sell many Voom packages on day 1

[Jaymac Radio 817]

2 hours ago, twangster said:

After dinner I used my 3 happy drinks at various bars.  The Diamond lounge was a zoo.  As I stood in line for a drink I overheard speculation there are 85 Pinnacles on board and something like 1,200 Diamonds.  I may attend the top tier event later in the cruise to confirm.

It was beginning to dawn on me why they call this the "Snowbird Migration" cruise.  In my fifties I am one of the youngest on board.  I realized I haven't seen one kid yet.  I'm basically cruising with all of my parents friends and they are all Diamond or higher 

 

 

Gee The Flowrider Must Be Like A Ghost Town