Land Ho!

Saturday Morning

We arose with the sun. The sea had become calm overnight. As we cracked opened our sliding door a strange noise could be heard. It was a bird on our railing. Sliding the door open, the city skyline could be seen in the distance – Land Ho! It was still a long distance away, but it was on the horizon and there were other ships too! The bird, instead of flying away, zoomed into our room as we made our way out on to the balcony. The two of us running around the room trying to chase the bird out must have been a sight to behold, but we were successful.

Upstairs to the Garden Café we went to enjoy another breakfast and to watch the ship creep closer to the Big Apple. Tom, eating quickly, headed to deck 18 to watch the arrival. The mysterious deck that took Tom so long to find on our cruise was already packed with onlookers. Nevertheless, the views offered from the upper deck will not be forgotten. Cameras and phones were everywhere snapping pictures.

Janet joined me as the crowds grew on the upper deck to watch the arrival. Looking back at Deck 15, the crowd was also growing quickly. We tried to spot our gang, but had no luck among the sea of people.

We left the bow and found a less crowded space midship on the starboard side about the same time the reason we had all gathered on this chilly morning came into view. Lady Liberty in all of her glory stood tall. One could not help but feel a tingle in their spine remembering all of the immigrants from decades ago who had wept in seeing her. America – We are here!

Sally and Rich were on deck 15 and had a very special experience that made the arrival that much more memorable.

Many of the ship’s crew were released from their duties and joined the passengers on the deck. The excitement in their eyes told the story of the past while they gazed at the copper figurine who has welcomed so many.

We continued our passage down the Hudson towards Pier 88 where we would dock for the night. The city I have always found to be visually overwhelming. However, viewing the skyline from the water only emphasizes the grandeur of the city.

Initially, we were told that we would have to sit on the ship for 24 hours before we could disembark. The reason given was that the USCG and Customs and Border patrol said the entry process would take longer. A port call had even been canceled to meet this requirement. However, late last night it was announced that we would be able to clear passport control and customs after our arrival. Passengers were elated that they could disembark a day early and head home, or just walk around the city and take in the sights.

Dressed warmly, we walked off the ship to the receiving hall to be greeted by Customs and Border Control asking for our passport. We quickly passed through the checkpoint and headed to the exit. Another agent appeared and asked if we had anything to declare. I simply replied, “not today”. He smiled and we walked out into the city. Our plan was just to wander the streets and enjoy the experience of New York at Christmas.

New York is always a busy place, but the first weekend in December is exceptionally busy. Christmas is in full force and the streets are very crowded. The tree in Rockefeller Center was glowing in colored lights and store windows were decorated for the season. The windows of Sax department store had been created from drawings submitted by children and were exceptional!

Hunger had set in and a late lunch was in order. We found a small Italian restaurant and decided to sit outside next to outdoor heaters. We enjoyed a wonderful meal while being serenaded by a Christmas band from across the street.

Following lunch, we were walking the streets again when we found an Irish Pub. Andy had suffered long enough with limited to no access to dark beer and everyone’s feet were getting cold so we decided this would be a good place. The pub would be our hangout until it was time to go to church. The pub was packed and we chatted with a really interesting group from California. They had flown to New York on the red eye flight arriving this morning and were flying back to Los Angeles late tonight. He needed one more flight to upgrade his status in a frequent flyer program. There are always interesting folks in a pub…

Five-Thirty Mass at St Patrick’s was extremely crowded. Tourists and the faithful crowded into the church to hear the word, admire the beauty of the edifice, or maybe just to get warm. In our case, I think it was all three.

After Mass, we headed back to the ship. Along the way we meet up with Richard and Sally for a small plate Italian dinner. The gang ended our NYC adventure and toasted our successful crossing, realizing in the morning that we would disembark and head for our homes in Virginia.

Sunday Morning

Norwegian Cruise line got us off the ship as efficiently as they had gotten us on the ship two weeks ago. We entered the receiving hall as we had the day before, but passport control and customs were no longer there. I felt bad because today I had things to declare, but no one was there to ask 😉.

The whole process went so quickly that we had to wait an hour for our ride home. We went through a limo service and got a shuttle van to take us home.

It was a little more expensive than flying or taking the train, but it sure made the return home quick and easy. We loaded the van and all settled in. Hardly a word was spoken in our four-and half-hour journey to the Old Dominion. By three o’clock we were back in Virginia and our Epic adventure had come to an end. Another Bucket List item checked off.

The only questions now… Where to next? Will the germ keep us home?