Cruising Around Cape Horn

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Cape Horn 

Scenic Cruising

Our scheduled called for Crown Princess arriving at Cape Horn around 6:30 AM on Day 8. Due to the strong winds pinning our ship to the pier in Ushuaia, the 7:30 PM departure was delayed to 12:30 AM or so (not quite sure of exact time since we went to bed). Surprisingly the Captain got on the speaker system about 7:50 AM to announce our approach to Cape Horn in about 10 minutes. He must have had the peddle to the medal after we left Ushuaia.

Narration & Viewing 

The destination expert onboard narrated the entire scenic sailing around Cape Horn. He made announcements in English and Spanish. The best viewing was on the upper decks,
or for this particular destination, port side. For those with balconies on that side, they could stay in their cabins if they wanted and view in comfort. Most people were on deck 15 and higher. We were perched in two different locations on deck 16.

There was a chain of mountains on the starboard side as we approached Cape Horn as well, so both sides of the ship did have some gorgeous scenery. The weather cooperated nicely. The winds were calm, the sun was out, no rain, just a chill in the air. As long as you dressed in layers, along with a hood or hat, you would have been warm for the one hour scenic tour. Gloves would be an added comfort if your hands get cold easily.

What To Expect 

There are three things you want to see on the island of Cape Horn itself: the memorial marker for those that lost their lives sailing around the horn, the naval station house, and lighthouse. There is also a smaller beacon on the point once your round Cape Horn and are on the Atlantic side.

Bring your camera(s) including video and enjoy the view. Marvel at those that used this passage way before the Panama Canal was built. While the winds were calm for us, that is not usually the case, so expect rocky seas when you visit and be happy if you have a calm day.







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Cape Horn


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Allure of the Seas Atlantic Crossing Day 2

Allure of the Seas passes Denmark's Storebaelt Bridge

One of the first challenges for both Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas was passing under Denmark's Storebaelt Bridge.   In order to accomplish this, the smoke stacks have to be lowered, the speed adjusted to create the proper draft, and ballast adjusted to obtain the proper clearance.

Video: A Mission Accomplished: Allure Clears Denmark's Storebaelt Bridge



Allure of the Seas is one step closer to her arrival in Fort Lauderdale, Florida as she passes Denmark's Storebaelt Bridge with very little clearance to spare. Learn about the physics behind what helps the cruise ship make it under the landmark with such a tight fit.

Allure of the Seas Begins Atlantic Crossing

Allure of the Seas - Photo Courtesy STX Europe

Farewell Finland

Florida Bound

Richard Fain, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line LTD.,  didn't get much sleep since the previous day's activities ended after midnight and the Allure of the Seas departure from Finland began at 5 AM.   The weather report showed some strong winds building in the morning so Captain Zini decided to schedule an earlier departure from the Turku, Finland shipyard.

Allure of the Seas Wheel House
Photo courtesy of STX Europe

After two years of construction, testing and outfitting, Allure of the Seas is finally ready to make the transatlantic voyage to her home port in Florida! Watch as this incredible ship bids farewell to Turku.

In this video log, Captain Zini reviews the weather and other critical information before ordering the lines to be cast off.   This is the moment everyone has been waiting for.

Just as the Oasis of the Seas did exactly a year ago, the Allure will head into the open Atlantic Ocean to make its way to Florida.   Come back periodically to watch additional videos and learn more about this incredible ship.

For us the anticipation is building as we await our chance to report live from the Allure of the Seas starting November 26th as she embarks on one of the pre-inaugural voyages out of Fort Lauderdale.  But for now, sit back and relax as we watch Captain Zini prepare for Allure's first voyage across the Atlantic.

Video:  Farewell Finland: Allure Begins a Transatlantic Voyage

Oasis of the Seas - Crossing the Atlantic

OASIS of the SEAS

Crossing the Atlantic

The Oasis of the Seas has left Finland and is crossing the Atlantic Ocean on its way to its home port in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. More Oasis of the Seas Details .... Brochure...

Royal Caribbean International is providing updates live from the bridge onboard the ship. Watch my blog for updates on the journey.

Captains Log Day 1 Video (click here)

Captains Log Day 2 Video (click here)

Watch Additional Oasis of the Seas Videos Here!

EXCLUSIVE LIMITED TIME OFFER

Book a 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise aboard the Oasis of the Seas by November 2nd and receive $100 Onboard Credit Learn more about Oasis of the Seas and applicable sail dates.

Cruising Panama Canal

The sun is starting to rise. You are standing on the bow of your cruise ship along with many of your fellow passengers. There's excitement in the air as the ship approaches the locks. You yawn (did I mention it's 5 am?). The ship is about to transit the Panama Canal. This is a long process; it will take about 9 hours to complete the full transit.

Even though you have an aft balcony cabin, you wanted to watch from the bow, just like many other passengers. Everyone has carved out their own space along the railings, and things are orderly. Another ship is going through the locks at the same time. This is perfect since you'll be able to watch that ship as it completes its journey.

Five days ago, you sailed out of the Port of Miami for a 14 Night Western Panama Canal cruise. There were several choices when you booked your cruise, but you opted for the full transit which would go from Miami to San Diego. You've already completed three refreshing sea days and a stop in Aruba, so you are ready for the highlight of the cruise.

Since we were transiting the Canal from the Atlantic to the Pacific we entered the channel from Limon Bay at the Cristobal breakwater. This sea-level section of the Canal channel on the Atlantic side is 6 and a half miles long and 500 feet wide and runs through a mangrove swamp that is only a few feet above sea level in most places. Our ship was lowered 85 feet in a continuous flight of three steps at Gatun Locks. Each lock chamber is 110 feet wide and 1,000 feet long. The length of Gatun Locks, including approach walls, is one and a half miles.

Besides the locks themselves, the mules which pull the vessel through the locks, are probably the most interesting thing you see as the ship transits the canal. Since most cruise ships are PANAMAX, you'll be able to get very close to the mules, perhaps even being able to talk to one of the drivers.

After going through Gatun Locks, we entered Gatun Lake where we stayed until after lunch time. A Pacific-bound ship enters Pedro Miguel Locks at the south end of Gaillard Cut where it is lowered 31 feet in one step to Miraflores Lake, a small artifial body of water a mile wide that separates the two sets of Pacific locks. The length of Pedro Miguel Locks if 5/6 of a mile.

Shortly before 4 PM, we were lowered the remaining two steps to sea level at Miraflores Locks, which are slightly over a mile in length. The lock gates at Miraflores are the tallest of any in the system because of the extreme tidal variation in the Pacific Ocean.

Be sure to bring lots of sunscreen with you because the sun is extremely hot. The crew made several announcements throughout the day. Those that didn't heed the warning, looked like lobsters at the end of the day.

After completing our transit, our ship tendered near Fuerte Amador, Panama where passengers that wanted to go ashore were able to disembark. We would continue our journey westward around 11:30 PM.

As I mentioned earlier, there are several choices when considering a visit to the Panama Canal. If you don't have the time for a full transit, there are partial transits and some cruises which make a stop at a port near Miraflores Locks (Colon, Panama for example) so that you can visit the information center, see the locks and perhaps take a railway journey between two oceans.

The Panama Canal, which took 10 years to complete (1904-1914), is the 8th Wonder of the World and definitely should be on your must-see list.