Ovation of the Seas

Missed the liners in Guernsey this week as there were only a few opportunities to see the Ovation of the Seas in Europe before she leaves for the Far East. The chance came with a trip to first Cherbourg and then Le Havre. The morning of her arrival on Monday 18th April brought a glorious sunrise which gave enough light just as she entered the Petite Rade.

There were a few locals down the harbour as she came to her berth at the Transatlantic Terminal on her maiden visit. The Terminal now contains La Cite de la Mer and also the submarine Redoubtable. Not too many guests on the balconies though for this early arrival.

The liner dominated the town from where ever you looked including from Place Napoleon, where the newly renovated statue of the French Emperor looks down on this modern invader from the sea.

Not much standing room by the Transatlantic Terminal when the Ovation of the Seas departed for Le Havre.  Going astern off the berth she swung in front of the crowd before heading out of the western entrance. Cherbourg will only get one more chance to see her in the foreseeable future on the 28th April.

The locals in Le Havre weren't so lucky as the Ovation of the Seas arrived before sunrise and was just putting her ropes ashore as the fishing boats were returning to sell their catch on the harbour side.

The walk into town is not as pleasant in Le Havre as in Cherbourg but guests had the choice of a shuttle bus. Now I know why the short walk into St Peter Port is much appreciated. The Ovation of the Seas had company just after she berthed when the AIDAmar came alongside.