Cruise to New York
Small line offers up1,000 Islands and Erie Canal,
“Low bridge, everybody down,
Low bridge ’cause we’re coming to a town.
And you’ll always know your neighbour; You’ll always know your pal If you’ve ever navigated on the Erie Canal.”
The chorus to this well-known song written in 1905 became a favourite in the repertoire of famous folk singers such as Pete Seeger and Bruce Springsteen.
Today, the 96-passenger Grande Mariner (and its identical sister ship, the Grande Caribe) are the only ships that are able to cruise below the low-lying bridges on the Erie Canal. The patented invention of the ships’ retractable pilot houses and their beam (width) of 12 metres make it possible to “go where the big ships cannot.”
“That was my father’s vision when he opened our doors 45 years ago,” said Nancy Blount, who has been at the helm since her Luther H. Blount’s death in 2006. “He wanted to create an experience that was like sailing on a friend’s yacht, but with the safety and comfort that only maritime professionals can provide.”
Last summer was the first time the 56-metre-long Grande Mariner cruised between Toronto and New York City, transiting the St. Lawrence Seaway, Lake Ontario, Oswego Canal, and the Hudson River, as well as the engineering marvel of the Erie Canal.
Its small, 2-metre draft allows it to navigate in shallow water and dock in the heart of towns.
This summer, the Grande Caribe is scheduled for three departures of the same 10-day cruise itinerary between New York City and Toronto.
“I’ve been on several large cruise ships of 2,000-plus passengers, but definitely prefer Blount’s ship of only 48 cabins because the atmosphere is always casual, you don’t dress for dinner, and you get to know all your fellow passengers,” said Don Sales from California.
It’s so casual that the policy for alcoholic drinks is BYOB, because Luther Blount never liked the idea of over-charging passengers for drinks. A small bar with mixers is available, with the exception of a complimentary open bar and wine with dinner the first and last night of the cruise.
The décor of the comfortable multi-purpose lounge with its 180-degree panoramic view has recently been refurbished for local on-board entertainment, history lectures and photography workshops. It is also the main meeting place for guests, who tend to be well-travelled retired couples.
The four categories of cabins (90 to 114 square feet) have also been remodelled in a nautical theme with sufficient room for storage, a lavatory and separate shower.
Although the ship is not equipped with elevators, stair lifts are provided between the “Main,” “Sun” and “Top” decks, where guests can relax in lounge chairs.
Dining is open seating with healthy, hearty family-style meals, and the kitchen is able to accommodate special dietary requests.
We visited10 ports — four in Canada and six in the United States. “I thought cruising through the marvellous Thousand Islands of the St. Lawrence Seaway was the most beautiful part of the cruise,” said passenger Trudy Evans, also from California.
Ian Coristine, who has filmed a documentary for the History Channel, mirrors my thoughts when he says “The more I explore the area’s rich wildlife and natural beauty, the more profound the experience. Lighthouses, cottages, yacht houses, and even (majestic) castles reveal an intriguing history.” Some activities aboard are impromptu. For example, one misty, early morning in Oswego, N.Y., veteran Harbour Master Fred Crisafulli shared fascinating stories of Oswego’s history over a cup of coffee with us in the lounge. “One of the city’s best kept secrets of World War II happened here in 1944,” he said, “when 982 refugees fleeing Nazi persecution were brought to live at Fort Ontario in Oswego. Known as ‘Safe Haven,’ it was the only site in the United States to house Holocaust survivors.” Later that afternoon, Crisafulli brought aboard a video that related the inspiring tale. Usually, the evening entertainment is a video or a lecture about the destinations’ history, culture, or wildlife. One evening, when a talented local band began to play, their music was so toe-tapping that everybody aboard began to dance. The full-day excursion to Niagara Falls included an exciting ride on the Maid of the Mist, followed by a tour of a beautiful Niagara-on-theLake vineyard and a delicious lunch at the harbour’s Queen’s Landing restaurant. In addition to a bus tour of Kingston, framed by 19th century limestone architecture and the impressive Fort Henry, there was a fun- filled 90-minute haunted walk that evening. In Troy, N.Y., we enjoyed another historic guided walk through the city’s Victorian architecture and Tiffany windows of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
A visit to Frederic Remington’s Remington Art Museum in Ogdensburg, N.Y., highlighted the famous artist’s images of the Old West together with exhibits of Remington’s studio artifacts and furniture.
Travelling past West Point and the stunning scenery lining the shores of the Hudson River, we arrived in New York City to spend a night aboard ship at the dock near Chelsea Market before disembarking to enjoy the latest Broadway shows. Judy M. Zimmerman is a freelance writer based in Sacramento, Calif. Her trip was subsidized by Blount Cruises.