Europa 2

A short morning visit for the Europa 2 before heading to Sark for the afternoon. On entering service in 2013 she was named the Number 1 Cruise Liner in the world by the Berlitz Cruising Guide. The liner, built in St Nazaire, is an all-suite and all-balcony ship carrying just over 500 guests. It's the variation in the different types of liners that anchor off St Peter Port that make it so interesting, unlike ports that have the "weekly" turnaround.

Shortly after arriving tenders were running the short distance to the harbour with its landing area almost in the heart of St Peter Port. Jersey, in the background, is the largest of the Channel Islands.

The summer season is now well underway in Guernsey and with the recent good weather the beaches are busy and beach kiosks and cafes in St Peter Port are bustling. This one above the old harbour is visible from the liner landing area, and when seated here you have clear views of your liner, the harbour and other Channel Islands.

With the Guernsey Pilot just taken off the Europa 2 after her afternoon in Sark she sails down the south coast of Guernsey in glorious evening sunlight bound for Falmouth.

Europa 2 & Royal Princess

Any local hurrying to work today had a good view of the Royal Princess as they walked down into St Peter Port. The hills that surround the harbour provide many vantage points looking out over the other islands or nearby coast of France. The Royal Princess is on a Round Britain Cruise from Southampton for the next 11 days.

At the anchorages today the Royal Princess had the Europa 2  for company which provides a very different aspect of cruising. The Royal Princess is a large capacity resort ship with over 3,500 guests. Among its many attractions is a "Sea Walk" that extends out over 30ft from the hull of the vessel. The Europa 2 with just over 500 guests is a all-suite, all-balcony liner that is at the top end of luxury cruising. Candie Gardens, in the foreground, is one of those places that you have to visit many times throughout the year to enjoy its variety of gardens and plants.

The passengers on board the Condor Liberation have a good view as the fast ferry leaves St Peter Port bound for Jersey. The ferry has not had a good start to its service in the islands. not living up to the early promises made by the company, though now all seems to be settling down. Europa 2 left early evening for St Malo and will finish her cruise in Lisbon next Tuesday.