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 Today, September 25, saw three cruise ships arriving in the Port of Halifax. Far from a rare event nowadays, this is only one of at least fourteen days this season when there will be three cruise ships in port at the same time. 

 In alphabetical order (A to Z!) it was Aurora, Crystal Serenity and Zuiderdam landing about 4500 passengers and however many crew members that could wangle shore leave. From right to left (north to south) in the photo it was Zuiderdam at Pier 20-21, Aurora at Pier 21-22, and Crystal Serenity at Pier 27.

Zuiderdam is a weekly caller and has been noted here before (see September 7) and my last photo of it was on September 21 (no need for another today). It contributed 1960 passengers to today's visitor count.

  Aurora contributed 1870 passengers.

Built by Meyerwerft, Papenburg in 2000 it is a 76,152 gt vessel with a maximum passenger capacity of 1950 with 850 crew. It is one of the best looking ships afloat and so may be forgiven the stylised union flag on the bow.

Stuffed into the semi-construction zone of Pier 27 (passengers had to be bused in and out for safety), Crystal Serenity, was the smallest of today's visitors.

Built in 2002 at Chantiers de l'Atlantique in St-Nazaire, the ship is still listed at 68,870 gt despite several redesigns and refurbishments. When previous owners failed last year the ship was sold at auction to Abercrombie + Kent and sent to Trieste for a major do over. Its passenger capacity was reduced from 1040 to 740 giving the largest amount of space per passenger of any cruise ship.

That the ship had to be relegated to the construction zone adjacent to Pier 31 should be a major embarassment, and points out the need for more cruise ship space in the port. As current expansion plans to the South End Container Terminal unfold, there will be no access to Pier 27-28 and 30-31. Some ships (if they want to call in Halifax at all) will need to anchor and send passengers ashore in tenders. 

A cruise terminal on the Dartmouth side of the harbour has been proposed, but that is surely a last resort, despite the shortage of waterfront space in Halifax. One of the attractive features of Halifax is that it is a walkable city, with museums, art gallery, heritage sites, casino and harbour board walk nearby the cruise terminal. Dartmouth (sorry to say) is somewhat short on the charm scale and has few amentities to offer vistors. Granted many visitors sign up for bus or taxi tours and do not actually set foot in Halifax except to line up, Dartmouth is still some distance away from most attractions.

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The British are coming (and going) and shipyard news

 It was a minor British invasion of Halifax this morning (October 5) as P+0's Aurora and Cunard's Queen Mary 2 (both actually part of Carnival PLC) tied up at adjacent berths. What with gloomy overcast conditions and early evening darkness I was only able to get underway photos of only the Aurora.

 There was a stiff breeze at 1700 hrs as Aurora was getting away and the tug Atlantic Beaver was called in to assist. Once Aurora was off the dock it let go the tug and sailed north and east of George's Island outbound for Sydney.

Built in 2000 by Jos. L.Meyer, Papenburg, the 76,152 gt ship has a capacity of 1,950 passengers (all berths) and 850 crew. It is also one of the better looking cruise ships despite the stylized Union flag graphics.

The ship is on an extended re-positioning voyage, sailing from Southampton September 18 and calling in Quebec City September 27-29 (extended stay due to Hurricane Fiona), Saguenay / Port Alfred September 30, and CornerBrook October 2. The brief last of smoke on departure was offered in lieu of a whistle salute.

Queen Mary 2, as befits the last great transatlantic liner, tied up at Pier 21-22, (with its bow extending part way across the end of Pier 23).

Constructed by Chantiers Atlantique St-Nazaire and delivered in  December 2003, the 149,215 gt ship has a capacity of 2,695 passengers and 1,253 crew and staff. 

Queen Mary 2 sailed from Le Havre September 16 and arrived in New York September 23, skirting Fiona. It then sailed to Quebec City, stopping over from September 29 to October 1 and Sept-Iles, QC October 3-4. It is now due in New York October 7.

On the more mundane commercial level, it was another first time caller for the Mediterranean Shipping Company. MSC Odessa arrived on the Turkey-Greece service via Spain and Portugal.

The ship was built in 2010 by Hyundai, Samho as Rio Chicago and carried that name until 2014. It then became Schubert. Earlier this year it was renamed again. Its new name pays tribute to the Ukranain port that has been under siege during the invasion by Russia.

The 41,331 gt, 51,687 dwt ship has a capacity of 4255 TEU.

Other News

The rumours have been spreading for some time, but it was made official today that Groupe Océan has acquired the Verreault shipyard in Méchins, QC. Océan, well known for its tugs, marine construction activity and dredging, also owns the Industrie Océan shipyard in Ile-aux-Coudres, QC (currently building tugs for the RCN) and a major ship repair unit (including a floating drydock) in Quebec City. The Verreault yard consists of a huge 800 ft x 184 ft (243.84 x 56.08m) graving dock and ship repair, fabrication and construction facilities on the north coast of the Gaspé peninsula. 

Verreault can accommodate the largest Great Lakes ships and regularly services Marine Atlantic ferries and Canadian Coast Guard vessels. The previously family owned yard will now be part of a large corporation with access to a huge pool of capital through Quebec government investment funds.

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If you don't like the weather...

The old Halifax saying "If you don't like the weather, wait 15 minutes" certainly proved true today (although it was apparently not in  effect Thursday and Friday.) A gray drizzly day greeted early arriving cruise ship passengers this morning. It didn't seem to dampen the spirits of the largely British guests from P+O's Aurora.

By noon time however there was a complete about face as a largely cloudless sky emerged with a balmy 20degree C air temperature. This was the greeting for an unusual mid-day arrival of AIDAviva.

Unlike the earlier arrival, the decks were crowded with passengers, one in particular occupying the "pulpit" position at the very tip of the bow, as the crew rigged heaving lines from the docking platform.

It was still clear for the departure of Crete I from Fairview Cove.

and for the arrival of the CMA CGM Elbe for Halterm.

 

Its bow pulpit was occupied by one solitary sailor - his shipmates likely busy out of sight with their headlines.

 
The departing Pearl Mist had perfect conditions too.

Cloud began to build in a bit as Aurora sailed, but that merely helped to reduce the glare off the whiteness of the ship.

The sun was also shining brightly on the dazzle painted Sackville as it sat on the Synchrolift at HMC Dockyard. It has finally emerged after several months in the submarine shed for replacement of wasted hull plates. The work should ensure that the last surviving World War II corvette can remain afloat for some time to come.

Since all the ships noted are familiar visitors to Halifax, I have foregone the usual technical info, as it has appeared in earlier posts.

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Arcadia sails after extended stay -[ see update]

The P+O Cruises Arcadia sailed late this afternoon after an extended stay in Halifax. The ship arrived Friday morning September 22 and was due to sail that afternoon. However the departure was put off until this morning then extended to early this afternoon and finally to late this afternoon.

There was lots of activity on deck yesterday afternoon when the ship was originally scheduled to sail.
 

Finally sailing this afternoon in summer-like conditions.

Ordered in 2003 by Holland America line as a Vista class, it was allocated to Cunard and was to be "Queen Victoria". Shortly before launch, June 26, 2004, it was transferred to P+O Cruises and completed by Fincantieri Marghera as Arcadia.  (All these lines are part of Carnival) The 84,342 grt ship has a capacity of 2358 max passengers and 976 crew and is propelled by electric azipod drives.

Fleet mate Aurora, which was here September 3 had a fire in the engine room September 20 while en route from Bermuda to the Azores and was drifting without power for about an hour.

The 76,152 grt ships, built in 2000 by Jos. L. Meyer, Papenburg, has a capacity for 1878 passengers and 850 crew. The ship apparently reached the Azores safely.

Both ships cater to British cruisers and have subdued graphics compared to some of the exuberant floating bill boards we see, such as another ship that was in port today, AIDAdiva (see September 14) or its fleet mate AIDAluna on September 4.

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I prefer the plain vanilla ships such as another of today's visitors- Silver Whisper.

Built in 2000 by Mariotti, Genoa it has the understated elegance that is appropriate to an exclusive yacht-like ships. At 28,258 grt it carries only 382 passengers. When I checked two years ago it had the most space per passenger of any cruise ship with 74 gross tons per passenger and with 295 crew it also had the highest passenger to crew ratio of 1.3 to 1.


Update: Arcadia's long stay was due to rope entanglements in its prop(s). These were finally cleared, but not until the ship had missed three port calls. So it is not only whales that are suffering from phantom / abandoned fishing gear.

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Bread - rising

The yacht Bread is in Halifax on a delivery trip, back to the Great Lakes where it was built. The so-called classic re-creation  was named by its owner, reputedly a "major North American bakery owner". That a great deal of bread was required to build it is not in doubt, but casting ones bread upon the waters is a risky business, and I am not certain that the result has risen to the occasion. Perhaps bread and circuses would be too strong a description of this craft.

As usual Shipfax has found the back story behind the story.

Bread started life in an unusual place - St.Thomas, ON, well inland from Lake Erie, where it was eventually launched. Builders Kanter Yachts (now Kantermarine)  had moved inland due to lack of space in Port Stanley, ON, and so in August 2007 when they were ready to launch the boat, then named Aurora, they had to truck it to Port Stanley, which was a bit of a logistical nightmare. Numerous utility lines had to be raised or disconnected to make the ten mile trip. Once it made its acquaintance with the water, Aurora was fitted out with masts, bowsprit and steamship-like funnel.

Originally ordered by interests associated with The Cliff Restaurant in Barbados, the boat was to be a floating reception venue to host up to 40 people for weddings and honeymoons. After a hair raising late season trip down through the Seaway it arrived in Halifax in December 7, 2007, and it eventually reached its destination.

There are a number of photos on line of Aurora as it was delivered:
 http://www.yachtcharterfleet.com/luxury-charter-yacht-25868/bread.htm

The original plan did not turn out as expected, and the $3mn boat was put up for sale. It was then acquired by the wealthy baker, who under took to have it totally rebuilt by Rolly Marine in Fort Lauderdale and Rybovich Shipyard in Palm Beach, Florida. In 2012, it was completely overhauled and even re-engined with new 575 bhp Caterpillars. They built all new hi-lux accommodations for eight guests in four suites and eight crew. A new cabin was built on the upper after deck and to keep exhaust fumes away, the funnel was extended. The foremast was re-stepped to the wheelhouse, the rails were extended, round hull deadlights were replaced by oblongs, and the list goes on endlessly. And just to add to the luxury touch, all the exposed cabin work above main deck level was clad in beautifully fitted wood, with a high gloss finish.

To see details of that work go to:
 http://www.northropandjohnson.com/yachts-for-sale/607-BREAD

The woodwork is gorgeous, the hull coating is perfection, the stainless steel fittings are spotless, but the overall effect is ............well I don't have a word for it.   

Current value I have seen estimated at $13 million.

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Aurora - gone viral

The Carnival (PandO) cruise ship Aurora arrived in Halifax this morning from Saint John, with about a dozen passengers reporting virus symptoms. They will be quarantined, but all other passengers will be allowed ashore. The ship was built in 2000 and measures 76,152 gross tons. As with all P and O ships it is free from extraneous decoration and is one of the more attractive ships to call in Halifax.
Reports indicate that efforts to sanitize the ship began in Saint John and will continue in Halifax, but it is anticipated that people in Halifax who may come in contact with Aurora passengers will still be at risk of receiving the virus. How nice.

There are four cruise ships in port today, with (left to right) Eurodam at pier 20, Norwegian Gem at pier 22, Maasdam at pier 31 and Aurora at pier 34.

Aaaah, an elegant cruise ship

1. A few rays of sunshine strike Aurora as she arrives this morning - the last the passengers will see today.

2. Aurora's clean uncluttered lines are imposing.

3. A little bit of neon sets off the traditional P&O funnel.

No splashy super graphics for P&O (it just isn't done old chap.) No, just clean, uncluttered lines, minimal decor and a traditional funnel colour.

Aurora, despite a sometimes spotty performance record, is still a striking ship.

Bring on more, I say.

Built in 2000 by Meyer Werft of Papenburg, Germany, the ship has experienced numerous mechanical breakdowns, viruses and other ills. This can be traced back to the champagne bottle which Princess Anne swung to christen the ship that failed to break. [Please note it was not the Princess Royal's fault - I am told she has a very good arm.]

Her original owners, P&O, merged into Carnival in 2003, and that company has had the good sense (as with their other British acquisition, one Cunard Line) to keep the brand identity separate from Carnival.

The ship can carry 1950 passengers, and measures 76,152 gross tons. Her normal cruising speed is 24 knots, but she can operate for extended periods at 26.5 knots for world cruises. She is supposed to have hit 29 knots on trials.

Her arrival at dawn this morning regrettably was soon followed by the arrival of fog and drizzle, nothing new perhaps for her largely British passenger list.