New York, New York

The gale that tossed the Queen Mary 2 on the high seas wore itself out by Thursday afternoon and the rest of the voyage was completed in relative calm. In fact Sunday was so sunny and nice that we braved the outdoor pool and enjoyed the sensation of being IN the water while ON the water. We were even treated to a sighting of a school of dolphins frolicking alongside the ship!

The Verrazano Narrows Bridge at Sunrise
with the QM2 Bridge upper left

Unfortunately, all good things must end and after a wonderful transatlantic crossing we would be arriving in New York Harbor early Monday morning. Captain Rynd announced that we would meet the Pilot boat at Ambrose Light at 3 AM and be guided under the Verrazano Bridge, past the Statue of Liberty and arrive at our berth at the Brooklyn Passenger Pier at 6.

The first light awakened us at 4:30 and one glance out the window was enough to convince me that throwing on my clothes and going out in the cold morning air was not such an insane idea. I was certainly not alone. Hundreds of passengers were on deck to witness the extraordinary spectacle of sunrise over New York. Despite a very stiff breeze, we stood in the bow and along the sides looking up under the Bridge, at the full moon, at the magnificent Lady with the Torch and then Gotham itself. New York City never looked finer, and it made me proud to call it home.

Downtown Manhattan at Sunrise

Lady Liberty