Wednesday 23 July 2014

Ruby Princess

The Ruby Princess arrived before 7.00am this morning on a perfect day for tender operations. The sea is calm, the temperature is rising, what could be better for a half day on the Island. An early morning yachtsmen heads north with no wind so he motors past the liner. On August 3rd she will be back in Southampton having sailed west all around the British Isles, including Glasgow where some guests may see the Commonwealth Games.


From the liner Guernsey does not have much shape, but as the tenders get closer the town of St Peter Port rises more clearly above the harbour. In the foreground of the photo is Salarie Corner with its old harbour and small fishing boats.  There is now a nice place to sit on the restored gun battery.


Monday 21 July 2014

MSC Opera

The MSC Opera arrived this afternoon on one of her frequent summer visits, on her way from IJmuiden in the Netherlands to Vigo and then Lisbon. IJmuiden is at the head of the North Sea Canal to Amsterdam, the name means "mouth of the IJ". With the strong afternoon sun on another hot day the tenders operate from the shady side of the liner.



MSC Opera did not depart until early evening so although she arrived just after midday at the anchorage her guests had the opportunity for a long half day visit to to the Island. On a idyllic summer's afternoon the islets which lie off the north coast of Herm are clearly visible. Know locally as the "humps" they are home to wildlife such as grey seals and razorbills which can be viewed on the rib rides which operate from St Peter Port.


Thursday 17 July 2014

Adonia

The Adonia arrived early from La Rochelle and enjoyed a day of record temperatures in Guernsey, the hottest so far this year.  She left for the overnight passage to Southampton before the rain started to fall and missed the threatened thunder and lightning.


Castle Cornet in the foreground, one of the premier tourist attractions, gave visitors a good view of the Adonia, the smallest ship in P&Os fleet. Since being built in 2001 she has had a few name changes including Minerva 2, R8 and Royal Princess. One of her sister ships, Azamara Journey,  is sailing for Azamara Club Cruises, frequent visitors to Guernsey.


Somebody had a unusual background to their wedding photos this afternoon. Castle Cornet is a favorite venue for wedding celebrations; a wonderful setting on a warm summer's night.


Wednesday 16 July 2014

Celebrity Infinity

Another cruise heading for the Irish Sea saw the Celebrity Infinity staying until 4.00pm, quite a long day's stay given the latest fashion for half day visits. Sark Shipping supplied two of their ferries to act as tenders thus keeping down the queues of guest wishing to return early to the ship. The old, narrow streets on the south side of St Peter Port gives glimpses of the liner at anchor.


With the anchor aweigh and the Guernsey pilot on board, the Golden Spur leads the Celebrity Infinity towards the Lower Heads buoy off Guernsey's south east corner , on her way to the next port of call, Cobh, in Southern Ireland.


The Celebrity Infinity built in 2001, can carry 2,500 guests and is one of the Millennium Class ships of Celebrity Cruises. She will be in Guernsey for two more visits this summer and will re-position to the Caribbean in October, as well as visiting the Antarctic early in 2015



Tuesday 15 July 2014

Prinsendam

The Prinsendam was in this morning on another glorious summer's day. The tenders had company this morning on No. 1 Berth as  yesterday afternoon the Commodore Clipper touched the sea bed in the Little Russel. It left early this evening  for Falmouth for a hull inspection.



On Spring tides low water this afternoon showed how the seas around the Channel Islands look treacherous in even the calmest weather.


The liner left in the late afternoon for the Isles of Scilly to continue her Celtic Explorer cruise which began in Ijmuiden two days ago. After visiting ports on the Irish Sea she will return to Ijmuiden via Fowey and Cherbourg. Her guests made the most of the sun on her departure and stayed on deck to get their final photos.