Blogs from Gulf Stream, North Atlantic, Atlantic, Oceans and Seas

BERMUDA - Delays & Frustrations... Having arrived in Bermuda with a suspected broken forestay we were in need of a full assessment of its strength and some spare parts. We anchored in St Georges at the east of the island and having enjoyed abuse from dressing down from the irate Custom’s Officer and finally found a good hold for the anchor. The first thing that strikes one in Bermuda is the cleanliness and neatness of the island. One is back in the first world and oh my and the prices first worldly! Everything has been imported to the island – even the most basic necessities. Nothing is actually made in Bermuda – shipping and re-insurance are big business. There is however a huge disparity between the rich and poor; and the poorer end of ... read more

Crossing back across the Atlantic sailors largely have two choices; go direct from the Caribbean to the Azores or go via Bermuda and skip around the western edge of the Azores High to get a better wind angle for the Azores. By choosing to head to Bermuda additional miles are added to the crossing but rather than facing an upwind slog all the way to the Azores with retching children (and adults!) it seems sensible to head the 850 miles to Bermuda. In addition Bermuda is not a place that one might usually travel to. It sits 500 miles from the coast of America and is a beautifully sculpted and manicured island with pastel coloured buildings and white sand beaches encircled with vicious reefs. It is not a centre for yachting but is a transit point ... read more

My family and I are headed to St. Thomas in the British Virgin Islands on 08 Aug 2012. I'm still in the planning stage now. I have booked air fare and hotel accomodations, but still need to make dinner & daily excursion reservations. Stay tuned for an exciting trip!... read more

These Titanic tributes are on display in Balmoral's library.... read more

April 15 2012 – Ship's Log – MS Balmoral Last night we attended the Memorial Service, to commemorate the 100 year Centenary of the sinking of RMS Titanic. At 11.40pm, the time that Titanic struck the iceberg, our Ship's Captain Robert Bamberg blew the ship's whistle and spoke briefly (and beautifully) in commemoration and remembrance of the lives that were lost when RMS Titanic sank. We observed two minutes of silence, contemplating those lost, those who lived and the tragedy those people endured. At 1am on April 15, we attended a service which was then carried onto the aft decks of Balmoral. After a period of quiet remembrance, the service concluded with the laying of three wreaths over the site of the Titanic's wreck at 2.20am – the time that Titanic finally slipped beneath the waves. ... read more