9th October 2023 Overnight, the ocean calmed, and by breakfast, we were gliding through a tranquil sea beneath a clear blue sky that promised a fine day ahead. By the time we docked in Charlottetown, the capital of Canada’s Prince Edward Island, we were seated in the theatre, stickered up and ready to disembark. Charlottetown… Continue Reading

7th October 2023 It was early and still dark as we entered the small port of La Baie, situated 100 km along the fjord and one of three boroughs in Saguenay, Quebec. It lies off the Saguenay River, on the shores of the curiously named Ha! Ha! Bay. Due to the size of the Sky… Continue Reading

5th October 2023 A misty morning greeted us as we docked on the outskirts of the Port of Quebec. We had originally been scheduled to moor closer to the city centre, but the arrival of the liner Queen Mary 2 took precedence, and so we were obliged to take a shuttle bus into town. We… Continue Reading

3rd October 2023 Another sunny and calm day. Overnight, we steamed north at a gentle pace. We were travelling through known whale waters, and by maritime law, all vessels must proceed slowly, no doubt to give the creatures of the sea ample time to avoid the clamorous mechanical goliaths that ply this coast. I suspect,… Continue Reading

2nd October 2023 The clocks went forward an hour overnight, so we lost an hour’s sleep and didn’t make it down for breakfast until 8 a.m. The view from our cabin TV, via the ship’s bow camera, was promising: blue skies, a calm sea, little wind, and a temperature of 14 degrees Celsius. Definitely a… Continue Reading

1st October 2023 Overnight, the Sky Princess steamed north along the coast to the small town of Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island, nestled in Maine’s Frenchman Bay. The town serves as a gateway to the rugged mountains and cliffs of neighbouring Acadia National Park. On waking, we were greeted by a glorious day: clear… Continue Reading

30th September 2023 Port days are always tinged with uncertainty; there are usually forms to fill in, schedules to keep, and the perennial question of what to wear. I steadfastly refused to wear name badges or identification tags throughout my working life. Yet, aboard ship, I’m more than happy to have a sticker stuck to… Continue Reading

24th September 2023 We awoke to Tropical Storm Nigel, with winds gusting at 55–60 knots and a heavy swell. The stabilisers were doing their job; although we could feel the movement, it neither disturbed our sleep nor hindered our progress around the cabin and ship. We were up and about by 7:30 a.m. and sitting… Continue Reading

21st September 2023 This would ordinarily have been a slow and thoughtful day, set aside for finishing the packing for our trip to New England and Canada, ensuring we hadn’t overlooked any of the details required for a lengthy journey abroad. However, at this time of year, the fruit and vegetable plots are in full… Continue Reading

18th September 2023 “I grow dauntless as I grow old, I believe anyone that plods on in any one way, especially if that one way will bring him bread & cheese, will grow the same.” Thomas Gainsborough The 28th of August was a Bank Holiday and, although it started well, it didn’t end too well… Continue Reading