Moved to Instagram

After 4 years of producing this blog I have decided to concentrate on the photos with Instagram.

Can be found at to view, or you can log in and follow if you have a Instagram account, at

https://www.instagram.com/lasttender/

Nigel

Marco Polo

With the Marco Polo up for sale we won't see this unique cruise liner in Guernsey waters for much longer. Her classic ocean liner looks are a rare sight these days. Entering service in 1965 as the Aleksandr Puskin, with her ice strengthened hull, she sailed on the Leningrad - Montreal route and is now a frequent visitor to these waters.

On a Springtime Gardens cruise from Bristol, she left St Peter Port early evening, bound for Honfleur and a sail up the Seine to Rouen. As she set course for Normandy guests will have had a closer look at the nuclear power station at Flamanville illuminated by the setting sun.

Le Soleal

It's the time of year for an annual visit by a French Cruise Liner. Le Soleal arrived just after midday from Portsmouth for a short half day visit. Still a sunny day, but a cold wind for its guests.

As she came up to anchor some guests were already taking photos.

Le Soleal departed early evening, unusually taking the inshore route to the south,  bound for the Scilly Isles. The Golden Spur, having taken the Pilot off, heads back to St Peter Port.

Azura

Hard to believe it's April, it seems more like June, especially with the French vedette Victor Hugo leaving St Peter Port with day trippers on a warm evening. With the Azura in the background preparing to leave it seems everybody had a good day in Guernsey.

Basking in the final warmth of the day the guests on board the Azura have enjoyed a cruise south to La Coruna. It may be a shock at 6am tomorrow morning in Southampton.

Castle Cornet is the fortification which has guarded the approaches to St Peter Port for centuries, a popular visit for guests on board the liners. Matching "Union Jacks" on the Castle and on the bow as Azura heads back to her homeport.

Caribbean Princess

St Peter Port is the first port of call for the Caribbean Princess after leaving Southampton last night and it's a glorious April day to celebrate the Queen's Birthday. Fresh from her multi million dollar refit in March she has some new "waves" on her bow.

Even the shore party seem capitavated by the early morning, taking photos of the liner as they headed into harbour.

St Peter Port Pilot boat heads back to harbour at the start of the days visit.

Saga Sapphire

It's Easter Sunday and the sun is shining, soon it will be a drought it's been shining so long this Spring. Saga Sapphire arrived from Cherbourg early this morning having left Southampton on Friday.

The cliffs are alive with flowers and as usual at this time of year the Bluebell Woods, on the east coast cliff path to Fermain, have their own unique colour. I wonder how many guests were there today.

Early evening and the Saga Sapphire departed St Peter Port for Le Havre before sailing on to Dover for Tuesday. In the background is the Island of Herm which guests could visit and on the right is the privately owned Island of Jethou.

Vistafjord Caronia Saga Ruby

With the Astoria in St Peter Port today,(originally the Stockholm on the North Atlantic Route), another of the regular visitors to Guernsey in past years is heading for the breakers' yard. When liners were not as frequent as today, the Vistafjord was at St Peter Port in the summer of 1979.

Renamed in 1999 as the Caronia she visited St Peter Port in Cunard colours during the first decade of the 2000's.

In 2005 she became the Saga Ruby, a much loved liner until she was retired in 2014. Her distictive shape could soon be no more, as now named the Oasia she is rumoured to be heading for the breakers yards.

A history lesson in this photo from August 2009, with Saga Ruby in the background, the Minerva leaving the anchorage and the Spirit of Adventure in between.

Astoria

The Astoria arrived at St Peter Port this morning from Ijmuiden after a change of itinerary, she was due to arrive later in the week. She left at tea time heading for Falmouth.

A familiary shape in Guernsey waters, the Astoria has visited in recent years as the Azores, being renamed in 2016. She is one of the few original North Atlantic liners still in service.

Barcelona

A short visit to Barcelona last September gave a chance to see the Disney Magic, missed when she visited Guernsey during the summer. She was leaving the port on her way across the Atlantic for her winter season. The harbour tour boats give the ideal opportunity to view the liners at close quarters.

The views of the city and liner berths from the "W" Hotel gives stunning images especially in the morning light. This morning the Harmony of the Seas and the Norwegian Epic are in for the day.

The Sirena also visited during our stay, the cable car towers of Barcelona, and the city provide the background.

From sea level the size of the Harmony of the Seas is apparent and she leaves Barcelona for a Mediterranean cruise. The following month she left Europe and headed for her home port of Fort Lauderdale.

AIDAvita

AIDAvita arrives in St Peter Port, first visitor of the year 21st March 2017, left Miami 5th March, on to Hamburg 24th March.

Many Titles for this photo, St Peter Port pilot boat, Golden Spur,  under the watchful eye of etc etc etc!!

By the time departure time  came for Dover guests were able to enjoy the spring sun, though with coats on.

One guest is determined to get a photo of the anchor coming up,