Day 11 Tuesday 24th September 2019: Atlantic Ocean
Our night had started smooth but Sapphire must have kept hitting large amounts of swell as we had occasional bumps and bangs all night.
After breakfast we watched the port talk about New York City on the TV – we were exhausted just listening to the talk.
We went out on to the Promenade deck for a walk for 30 minutes then up to the Lido deck were we sat reading. When the rain came we moved into the covered pool area may to get out of the cold wind and the rain.
The Piazza was busy as as passengers sheltered from the weather.
Lunch was yet another pizza at Alfredos in the Piazza. Outside we could hear thunder and see the occasional flash of lightning.
In our cabin we watched another film. When the sun came out I tried to go out for a walk on the Promenade deck but all of the doors were closed.
Up on Deck 16 at the stern I looked for sea life. But today not a thing was on the surface.
Then it was time for another film back in the cabin.
In his update, the Captain explained the times for our arrival in New York. I would have to be up early to see the Statue of Liberty.
After a drink in Crooners Bar we ate in the Pacific Moon restaurant and had interesting chats about cruising and travelling with MSC with our table companions. I started with smoked salmon garnished with a prawn (which I left), a roast dinner and then New York cheesecake (yet once again).
We skipped the show and went back to our cabin to prepare for New York. This would be made made easier as the clocks were planned to go back for another hour.
From the Cruise Log
At Sea — Tuesday 24th September 2019
Overnight Sapphire Princess exited Canadian waters and entered an American marine region known as the USA ECA, continuing along her southwesterly’ course of 230° at an average speed of 16.5 kts or 19 kts. At 08:30, Sapphire Princess engaged her Gas Turbine to provide a maximum of 140 RPM. Late in the morning, Sapphire Princess passed through a cold front, where lightening and heavy rainfall were experienced along with reduced visibility. Strong wind and sea states on the bow reduced Sapphire Princess’ attained speed from 22 kts to less than 20 kts. However, in the early hours of the afternoon, as she altered her course to steer due west along a traffic routing lane towards New York, the skies cleared and improved meteorological conditions were experienced.
As the attained speed once more rose to 22 kts, Sapphire Princess was able to disengage her Gas Turbine at 15:30 and revert to her previous engine configuration of 4 DGs running, where she achieved her required speed of 16.5 kts. On the approach to New York in the afternoon and early evening, Sapphire Princess encountered several small fleets of fishing vessels scattered along the edges of her traffic routing lane.
Noon Position: Latitude: 41° 09.8′ N • Longitude: 067° 45.4rW
Wind: SSWly Near Gale, Force 7
Sky: AM – Overcast skies with rainfall; PM – Sunny skies (1/8 cloud cover)
Seas: Slights Seas + Average/Low S’ly swell
Pressure: 1006 hPa
Air Temperature: 20°C / 68°F
This is our first day in New York City.