April 10th - Day 1/Part II - Sail Away TITANICA

"Famed artist Ken Marschall and his entourage then wander past and I’m introduced. Conversation ensues about the quality of the original photographs used in the mosaics of the TITANIC wreck."

Check in and boarding was a remarkably simple process. With only a little over 450 passengers on Azamara Journey  there were no lines at all.  The main departure hall of Pier 88 was specially decorated with a row of welcome banners featuring larger than life size portraits of several historic figures from TITANIC. J. Bruce Ismay, Molly Brown, Captain E J Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Isadore Straus.  


Azamara Journey is a small but beautiful ship. Well, at least small when compared to my more regular venue of the Queen Mary 2! My first impression from the inside is that the Journey exceptionally Edwardian in style. Carved woodwork, elegant details, brass railings, marble, very well suited for this special type of voyage.  


I first dropped off my bags in the cabin, grabbing my video camera and tripod.  One quick call and I found Bill Miller up on Deck 9, pool deck with Harry Liu, the Manager of Royal Caribbean Public Relations, whom, it turns out, was actually was one of Bill’s students many years ago in Hoboken, NJ. I was also introduced to Andrew Phare, the chief representative on board of Miles Morgan Travel, the organizers of this 100th Anniversary sailing,  as well as the Balmoral voyage which left Southampton heading Eastbound to rendezvous with us this Saturday, April 14th over TITANIC.  We quickly learned that the Balmoral had to return back towards the United Kingdom for an Air Evacuation due to an urgent illness onboard. This news was shortly blasted from BBC America over the televisions. 


The atmosphere is exceptionally friendly.  Many folks were already attracting instant attention by strolling the decks in period costume. Ladies with large feathered hats and busseled skirts on the arms of men with bowlers were turning heads and camera lenses.  CNN is covering the developing events as well as the New York Post, some radio stations and several international correspondents. 


There is already some talk and interest from the organizers to possibly do a reading of excerpts of my play 41W 50N next week as we head back to New York after the memorial. It seems chilling, yet perfectly suited to tell this story here, from the perspective of those trying to get facts and discover the truth following this horrific tragedy. 


We slowly pulled away from the dock and made our way down the Hudson River, just as the OLYMPIC did just about 100 years ago. Many more gathered at the rails under a cool, breezy New York sky. Bill Miller immediately drew crowds as he indicated the now TGI Fridays style blue, red and white painted piers where TITANIC was supposed to have docked. Others overhearing would then ask more questions and “Mr. Ocean Liner” himself began to enthrall more and more with his vast knowledge of not only all things Maritime, but the very history of New York; pointing out, for example, the Pier where CARPATHIA arrived and the nearby hotel where many of the survivors were accommodated.  

Already the folks on board are absolutely fascinating. Two separate couples had relatives who missed TITANIC and ended up on other ships, one who had a relative on CARPATHIA.  Ten year old Maya and her Mom came on this voyage as Maya has been enthralled with TITANIC ever since seeing Cameron’s film two years ago.  A woman and her friend who went to TITANIC site in 1996 when an expedition tried to raise a section of TITANIC’s shattered hull, only to have it sink again over 2 miles deep.  When asked by a reporter from a German television station why the fascination with TITANIC she replied “Reincarnation.. so many people have had to be there... there must be a past life connection”.  Another gentleman had the White Star Line flag tattooed on the back of his calf! For some it is a total obsession with the history and facts.  


I have always loved all things Ocean Liners and have had an appreciation for TITANIC ever since Walter Lord, author of A NIGHT TO REMEMBER, spoke at my school when I was eight. However, for me it is a fascination, not an obsession. In an odd way, the thought that came to mind is it’s like being at a Star Trek convention if you loved the TV show, but are not necessarily a full blown Trekker. 


After sailing past the new World Trade Center tower, now soaring up to 100 stories, past Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty, then underneath the Verazzano Bridge, it was time to unpack and settle in.  Folks seemed to disappear for a while, exhausted from the day’s travel, coming from all over, California, Canada, United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany and beyond.  Dinner was relaxed and delightful as Bill and I were joined by John Langley, President of the World Cunard Historical Society and his wife Judy, both from Halifax. John is one of the other lecturers on board with talks on his home port and a keen insight into the heroic actions of Captain Henry Rostron and the Cunard Liner CARPATHIA, among other discussions. 


After an evening wandering around the ship, I found myself with laptop in hand in the beautiful period style wood paneled Library where a lone passenger was softly playing a sleek black grand piano under a tapestried hand painted glass skylight that looks like something out of a grand White Star Liner. Famed artist Ken Marschall and his entourage then wander past and I’m introduced. Conversation ensues about the quality of the original photographs used in the mosaics of the TITANIC wreck dating back to the Bob Ballard days. Of course, Ken’s intricate drawings, created from thousands of photographs and videos, painted a much more accurate and stunning view of the entire ship as she lay on the bottom. His artistic mastery is simply legendary.  This is all rather surreal and delightful.

April 10th - Day 1/Part 1 - Morning Departure

"Too much time sitting on the train, watching the scenery fly by, thinking about what is to come.  Christmas morning was like this when I was a child before my parents woke up."

Up at 7:30am to finish packing and gather all last minute items together.  Could not find my check list and made note to self "Remember next time to put don't lose check list on the check list".  At this point in time I'm still sitting on Amtrak, which was 40 minutes late.  I considered taking the US Airways shuttle from Washington National Airport, but ultimately the train was more convenience without dealing with DC rush hour traffic. Happily, Craig kept me company as the anticipation built, waiting for that sight of the Northeast Direct coming around the bend.


Almost a three hour ride up to Penn Station in Manhattan. Too much time sitting on the train, watching the scenery fly by, thinking about what is to come.  Christmas morning was like this when I was a child before my parents woke up.  I had to sit impatiently waiting to open up the presents.

TravelWithVal.com

Bill Miller has already been on the ship for hours. Royal Caribbean, the parent company of Azamara, sent a car for Bill at 6:30am so he could appear on a morning news program. Another video interview Travel With Val hosted by Valarie D'Elia will be taped at some point today.  Val has a great website and her videos also appear on NY1. So the press is buzzing about.


So the plan is to grab a taxi on 8th Avenue once in the city and make my way to Pier 88. I'd like to be able to check in, drop my stuff off in the cabin, then head off again for a moment to capture some video of the Azamara Journey from the exterior. Bill and I arranged to connect by cell phone to figure out where to find each other.  Of course, plans change!


For now, just passing the time..taking advantage of the Wi-Fi on Amtrak and writing this little update.  More to follow....

Check Lists & Preparations

"Taxes were filed as I’ll be at sea on the 17th April. Online registration completed with Azamara to obtain my Xpress Boarding Pass for Tuesday"

As I get closer to departure, my blog is most likely going to take on a more personal “journalistic” tone. More accounts of sights, sounds and thoughts, rather than historical profiles.  My hope is to be able to share the experience, the ship, the people connected with this journey, the events, the dinners, the talks and new friends about to be made. Just wondering how this is all going to fall into place and how the reality of what is to come will jive with what I have envisioned. Feelings are bubbling to the surface.. anticipation, excitement, apprehension... mixed emotions as this long awaited sailing date is now only two days away. 

A little panic is setting in as I try to gather all the various items required to take along, as well as organize what needs to be taken care of at home. Taxes were filed as I’ll be at sea on the 17th April. Online registration completed with Azamara to obtain my Xpress Boarding Pass for Tuesday.  Credit card and passport details entered and luggage tags arrived in the mail.

I have been compiling a vital check list so as not to forget anything. Earlier, I had to go through my wardrobe making sure any clothing that needed dry cleaning was sent out in time and now adding to the check list a note to pick everything up again!  I still have to select exactly what to bring, how many layers. Halifax, our first stop, has been in the 30’s with an anticipated high of 50 for Thursday.  The North Atlantic can still be quite cold this time of year, as it was 100 years ago. At present, Marine Weather Forecasts show anticipated waves between 3-5 meters at TITANIC site with high pressure and winds between 10-15 knots, Sea tempurature between 46-50 F.

My challenge is to try and pack everything in a manageable size suitcase and carry-on. It’s not exactly like in 1912 when a steamer trunk was standard fare. I will also be taking along additional equipment to record this event, video blog, interviews with Mr. Miller and others willing to be put on tape.  In addition to my HD video camera, along comes a new tripod, rechargeable camera lights, wireless microphone as well as laptop. I need to make sure all power cables, adapters, headsets, batteries & lots of video tape are packed.

In between, I’d like to straighten up the house a little, clean those piles of papers and mail off the dining room table!  On top of everything before I leave for New York and Manhattan Cruise Terminal, Pier 88 (the same pier where the NORMANDIE burned and capsized),  I have to make a quick visit to the Dentist to have a permanent crown exchanged for the temporary one still in my head!

It all manages to get done, but time always seems fleeting... more installments to follow as the real adventure is about to begin....