Cologne Cathedral

click images  to enlarge

Complimentary City Tour

Cologne

Avalon Artistry II arrived  in Cologne, Germany around 7 AM, while we were having breakfast.  Two complimentary walking tours were offered - one of them focused on Jewish heritage and the other was a city tour.   We opted for the latter.

Cathedral

Construction of the Cologne Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece, took place in several stages starting in 1248 and concluding in 1880.

This Roman Catholic cathedral dominates the skyline of Cologne. It is one of Germany's most famous landmarks. It was the highlight of our morning tour of the city. Dedicated to the saints Peter and Mary, Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) is the seat of the Catholic Archbishop of Cologne.

Shrine of Three Kings

The cathedral's main treasure is a golden reliquary containing the remains of the Three Magi of Christmas story fame. These relics and other treasures have made Cologne Cathedral a major pilgrimage destination for centuries.

The reliquary is said to contain the bones of the Biblical Magi, also known as the Three Kings or the Three Wise Men. The shrine is a large gilded and decorated triple sarcophagus placed above and behind the high altar of Cologne Cathedral. It is considered the high point of Mosan art and the largest reliquary in the western world.

Interior of Cathedral

In 1996, the cathedral was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List of culturally important sites. In 2004 it was placed on the "World Heritage in Danger" list, as the only Western site in danger, due to plans to construct a high-rise building nearby, which would have visually impacted the site. The cathedral was removed from the List of In Danger Sites in 2006, following the authorities' decision to limit the heights of buildings constructed near and around the cathedral.

The interior of Cologne Cathedral is even more impressive than the exterior. Since the official part of our tour concluded at the cathedral, we were free to roam at our own pace. We could have spent hours there. We highly recommend an extended visit to the cathedral should your plans bring you to Cologne.

Near the sacristy is the Gero-Kreuz, a large crucifix carved in oak and with traces of paint and gilding. Believed to have been commissioned around 960 for Archbishop Gero, it is the oldest large crucifix north of the Alps and the earliest-known large free-standing Northern sculpture of the medieval period.

In the Sacrament Chapel is the Mailänder Madonna ("Milan Madonna"), dating from around 1290, a wooden sculpture depicting the Blessed Virgin Mary and the infant Jesus. The altar of the patron saints of Cologne with an altar piece by the International Gothic painter, Stefan Lochner is in the Marienkapelle ("St. Mary's Chapel"). Other works of art are in the Cathedral Treasury. The altar also houses the relics of Saint Irmgardis.

Additional photos can be found on our Rhine & Moselle Shutterfly page

Cologne Cathedral (Interior)

Cologne Cathedral (exterior)

Click on the image to the left for more Blog posts about this trip.

Follow us on Twitter: @ChrisPappinMCC  Pinterest: CruiseWithChris Pappin and Facebook: CruiseWithChris Pappin Cruises Inc

Fireworks Illuminates Norwegian Breakaway

Norwegian Breakaway Courtesy of NCL
Introducing Norwegian Breakaway (click here)

Norwegian Breakaway
To Light Up the Sky

When Norwegian Breakaway debuts this May in New York City, it will feature  an exciting fireworks show on every cruise during her summer inaugural season.

The environmentally-friendly pyrotechnics display will dazzle guests on the second to last night at sea each week, after the ship departs Bermuda. 

To view a short animation of the fireworks show, please click here... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFOSvMKzI1E&feature=youtu.be

1980s Deck Party

Norwegian Cruise Line is known for their entertainment such as The Second City Comedy and Blue Man Group.  They also are known for deck parties and on the new Breakaway, they'll be taking things to a new level. Building on the electrifying theme of the ship’s headlining Broadway show, ROCK OF AGES, the awe-inspiring fireworks will be the grand finale of a decadent 1980s-themed deck party and will be set to a specially-selected playlist of classic 1980s hits by artists like Madonna, Devo and Prince.

“All the incredible entertainment and amenities on Norwegian Breakaway are going to wow our guests,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s CEO. “We wanted one additional element that would really blow them away and this incredible fireworks show is going to take the cruise to a new level of excitement.” 

Guests will party the night away under the  stars in the open-air Spice H20 venue at the aft of the ship while enjoying the  fully-produced show featuring a visual masterpiece that is set to a playlist of classic 80s hits including “Come on Feel the Noise,” by Quiet Riot; “Whip It,” by Devo; “Cherish,” by Madonna; “Final Countdown,” by Europe; and “Purple Rain,” by Prince. In a breathtaking finale, a mesmerizing color-filled fireworks show will light up the night sky, right above the ship. New Yorkers are very familiar with fireworks shows set to music, with the annual Fourth of July spectacular hosted by Macy's.   We suspect this show will be as exciting as that annual event.

The 4,000 passenger Norwegian Breakaway will begin weekly summer seven-day cruises to Bermuda on Sunday, May 12, 2013 after its arrival in her year-round homeport of New York City on May 7th. From October 2013 through April 2014, New York’s ship will offer voyages from the heart of Manhattan to the Bahamas & Florida and the Southern Caribbean. 

Not the First Ship to Offer Fireworks

While Norwegian Cruise Line often is the first to introduce new ideas at sea, they unfortunately can't claim the fireworks show.   Disney Cruise Lines offers a similar experience onboard their ships during their "Pirates in the Caribbean" show.  Pirates chase each other around the deck as music blares and culminates as the nighttime sky is lit by colorful exploding bursts of light.  We'll have to wait and see if Norwegian Breakaway's show comes in first or second place in guest rankings.  Be sure to plan your cruise during this inaugural season so that you'll be able to see what promises to be an exciting show.

View Norwegian Breakaway Itineraries (click here)  

Click image for complete coverage of the new Norwegian Breakaway & Current Offers

Remembering the Costa Concordia Victims

Filippo Monteforte / AFP - Getty Images

Life-vest, rope and helmets recovered from the Costa Concordia are seen
during a mass celebrated on Sunday in the Isola del Giglio's church.

Remembrance Mass San Lorenzo Church

Giglio, Italy

Perched atop a hill overlooking the waterfront, The Lorenzo e Mamiliano Church became a safe haven for passengers of Costa Concordia, that had been rescued from the sinking ship on 13 January 2012.

Father Lorenzo tended to their spiritual and technological needs that weekend as he offered prayers and the use of his computer, so that families could contact love ones to tell them they were safe.

The Madonna recovered from the chapel of the Costa Concordia

One week later, Father Lorenzo once again offered prayers, during Sunday mass, for the victims of this terrible tragedy providing reassurance and comfort to the families still awaiting word about their loved ones.

It is fitting that this church sits atop a hill overlooking the port where Costa Concordia sits perched precariously on the rocky shore.  When people look up hoping for answers, they see this church, and can take comfort that God is still watching down on those that work tirelessly to find the remaining victims.

Many of the town's people of Giglio have opened their homes and hearts to the passengers and relatives who have unexpectedly converged on this tiny Italian village.  

This Madonna statue, rescued from the Costa Concordia, is another symbol of hope amidst this tragedy.  Mary's eyes seem to be looking into our very souls providing reassurance and comfort.

The sounds of the rescue continue to fill the air near the stricken ship while atop this hill, there can be a retreat from those sounds allowing for thoughts and prayers for the victims, families, friends, survivors, and anyone involved in this incident.

MAIN BLOG POST (Updated several times since the accident)

Costa Concordia Listing after Deadly Accident