End of Season

 Today, November 3, 2024. marks the end of the cruise season for the Port of Halifax. Although I haven't seen the statistics, I suspect it has been another banner year. The last caller was the Insignia, one of the smaller ships, with a maximum passenger capacity of 824 (all berths) or 694 (lower berths only) and a crew of 400.

 

The Insignia was built in 1998 by Chantier l'Atlantique (Alsthom) in St-Nazaire and measures a modest 30,277 gt. Originally Renaissance Cruises' R-One it became Insignia in 2004, then sailed as Hapag's Columbus 2 from 2012 to 2014 when it reverted to Insignia for Oceania Cruises.

We have experienced a remarkably mild autumn this year, so it has been ideal weather for cruise ship passengers, and the autumn leacves have hung on much later than usual. Now with the return of Standard Time (and coincidentally cooler temperatures) it is once again the "Dark Ages" for late afternoon ship photos. Five p.m. photos will soon be imposssible.

Due to construction in the deep water terminals area of the port, there were days this season when there was no dock space for all the ships. One ship would then anchor and ferry passengers ashore using the ships' tenders. I think this may have been a bit of a plus, since berthing ships in the industrial areas of the port was not a very pleasant welcome for visitors.

The landing stage at Pier 24, comprised of several connected pontoons and a long gangway certainly had a makeshift air to it, but at least it meant that passengers were within safe walking distance of the cruise terminal. The pontoons were lifted ashore on October 31. (The Halifax-built mini cruise ship Pearl Mist was tied on at Pier 23, with the giant Enchanted Princess occupied Pier 22.)

 Apologia:

Some computer glitches have prevented me from making posts for the past several days. I hope to have the matter resolved soon.

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