Leaving Newport
The ship was quite a bit late leaving Newport than scheduled. Out on deck we watched the last tenders coming back.
We went to Deck 8 forward and watched as Sapphire slowly left Newport harbour. To the left and right of the ship were US Coast Guard cutters. Both the cutters had manned machine guns on their bows.
On the port side we had views of one of the Kennedy’s houses pointed out to us.
Then we passed a row of large houses separated by even larger grounds.
Finally the last building was probably a hotel with a lawn full of chairs and tables that came right down to the water.
Evening onboard
Once we were ready for dinner we tried to find a seat in Crooners bar. This evening there were lots of ‘reserved’ seats so we gave up and went into dinner early.
Later we went into the theatre to see a violinist , Joanna Marie. What an energetic performance and very enjoyable too. We watched as she walked around the theatre playing, weaving her way around the seats and stairs!
From the Cruise Log
Newport, Rhode Island, USA — Friday 27th September 2019
Overnight, Sapphire Princess paralleled the south-eastem coasdine of Long Island, steering an east north-easterly coiirse of 066° at an average speed of 15kts. At around 04:00 she altered her course to port to steer due north as she made her final approach to Newport. After embarking the local pilot at 05:16, she arrived at her anchorage position west of Newport harbor via the East Passage. The port anchor was let go at 06:16. Meanwhile all 6 ship’s water shuttles were lowered into the water and the starboard-side pontoons were made ready for operations.
At 06:24, the first water shuttle left the ship with the shore party gear, with the first guests going ashore shortly after. Sapphire Princess was held safely at her anchorage throughout the day, until the last tours and independent guests returned at 15:35, at which point the shore party was struck and all water shuttles recovered. The port anchor was recovered between 16:03 and 16:15.
Sapphire Princess departed Newport, steering southerly courses towards the pilot station. The pilot was disembarked at 16:38 and Sapphire Princess commenced her sea passage towards her next port of call, Boston.
Noon Position: Anchor off Newport
Wind: Gentle NNW’ly breeze. Force 3
Sky: Clear sunny skies
Seas: Slight Seas, Negligible swell
Pressure: 1019 hPa
Air Temperature: 22°C/72°F
Our next port was Boston Massachusetts