Day 8 – A Very Special Privilege
After we boarded the ship in Newfoundland, we had about an hour to get ready before our special appointment with the Captain. We had been told not to discuss said appointment with any other passengers, so it was with an air of secrecy that Alex once again escorted us fore to the Bridge.
This time the door's sign said "RED ZONE", and we knew the atmosphere would be a little more serious for this viewing. St. John's harbour had a very narrow entrance, and it would take lots of concentration to get the ship out safely.
When we entered, there were several more crew members present, but the Captain was just as affable as the day before. He came over to our group and said hello to each of us in turn. Then, he explained that first the boat had to be turned around 180 degrees, which he would control from the starboard wing, and then a local pilot would take over to guide the ship through the mouth of the harbour. We waited for a few moments as the crew confirmed that all passengers were safely on board, and then the bow thrusters kicked in, and we began moving away from the dock.
It is hard to express how exciting it is to watch a ship of this size be expertly manoeuvred in a harbour by a crew of this expertise. It is VERY exciting. I could not help beaming while we watched the Captain's focus as he controlled the smooth turning of the Jewel. Every ship in the harbour blew its horn in what St. John's calls the "Harbour Symphony," and when it ended the Jewel sounded three long horn blasts in thanks.
The pilot took over as we approached the mouth of the harbour, and he expertly steered the ship through. St. John's locals lined the shores and waved goodbye. As we left, scores of seagulls poured down off the rocks, as if to accompany the ship out to open sea. (I'm not sure how the Canadian Tourist Board trained them to do that, but well done!) A stunning rainbow branched upward in front of us, and the seas were smooth.
The view of leaving St. John's from the bridge was unparalleled, and I feel so honoured to have been able to witness this departure. I thank the Captain for the opportunity. It's one I will never forget.
View interactive map of the voyage
Back to Travel Diaries
Read the other articles:
Day 12 - Air vs Sea
Day 12 - Homecoming
Day 10 - Battle of the Brews
Day 10 - A Taste of Halifax
Day 10 - Halifax: Ghosts and Breweries
Day 9 - The Cultural CV
Day 8 - A Very Special Privilege (you are here)
Day 8 – Quidi Vidi Brewery – Beer, with a side of history
Day 8 - Signal Hill and the Village of Quidi Vidi
Day 8 - North America's Far East
Day 8 - New Found Land
Day 8 – Land! Land! St. John’s, Newfoundland
Day 7 – You Have Permission to Enter the Bridge
A Peak at the Inner Workings of the Norwegian Jewel
How to Pour Champagne in a Moving Vehicle
Days 5-6 shetlands to Iceland
Days 0-4 Dover to the Shetlands
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