HOLIDAY CRUISE
20 - 28 December 2024
Friday 20 December - I booked an American Cruise Lines cruise from Charleston, SC to Amelia Island, FL. My arranged flight was #1510 on American Airlines from DFW to Charleston. After landing in Charleston, I contacted Uber and went to the Courtyard by Marriott. I checked into room 403 and picked up my packet from American Cruise Lines.
Saturday 21 December - I checked out. I waited in the lobby until time to board the coach for the transfer to the ship. The transfer included a city tour of Charleston with an onboard guide; he wasn’t the best. I kept expecting “to see Gilligan” Shortly before 11:30, we arrived at the marina and hiked to board the American Liberty. I cheated and went directly to my stateroom (205) and dropped my backpack.
Then I went to the “Chesapeake Lounge” and listened to carolers until time for lunch: seafood salad; merlot; blueberry pie; coffee. I returned to the cabin until time for the Emergency Egress Drill. Afterwards there was a “Sail Away Party” on the “Sun Deck.” After the officer introductions, Maria gave helpful advice about the cruise. At 4, Robert lectured on the Intracoastal Waterway before briefly talking about tomorrow’s port, Port Royal. I went to the “Singles Gathering” 😳 and left and went to HH. At 8:30, Maria gave an overview of tomorrow’s activities before Stephanie and Robert Yonskie (YESLIVENYC.COM) entertained.
Then I went to the “Chesapeake Lounge” and listened to carolers until time for lunch: seafood salad; merlot; blueberry pie; coffee.
I returned to the cabin until time for the Emergency Egress Drill. Afterwards there was a “Sail Away Party” on the “Sun Deck.”
Sunday, 22 December - When alarm sounded at 5:30, we were already docked in Port Royal. It was in the mid-30s and breezy; I was glad to have the silk undershirt, a t-shirt, and a long sleeved shirt on under my jacket.
“The Low Country Heritage Experience” tour was scheduled for 8:45. Inda Walker, our tour guide, is Gullah and gave us a wonderful tour. She interwove the Gullah culture and language into her commentary. She spoke of the enslaved Africans who managed to keep a great deal of their language and traditions perhaps because they were somewhat isolated on the rice and cotton plantations while their owners were living in Beaufort. As we drove over the bridge to Saint Helena Island, we could see the water tower at Parris Island in the distance. She spoke about the “Great Skedaddle” when the Confederate soldiers fled from the invaders. We stopped at the Brick Baptist Church, constructed of slave made bricks for their owners and later taken over by the freed slaves. We saw Penn Center, site of a school for slaves freed by the Union Army and operated by Ellen Murray and Laura Towne. We drove by Darrah Hall, the oldest structure in Penn Center before stopping at the ruins of the Chapel of Ease, a tabby structure built about 1740. The looted and empty Fripps Mausoleum is in the adjacent cemetery.
We returned to the ship a few minutes after noon. The Horse Drawn Carriage tour showcased historic Beaufort and lasted about 40 minutes. The highlight of the tour might have occurred when my cane slipped out of the floor and caught in one of the rear wheels; I retrieved it with no damage or difficulty.
At 4, Robert lectured on flora and fauna if the Intracoastal Waterway. We played “TV Theme Song Name That Tune” at 7:45 and then Maria presented an overview of tomorrow’s activities. Natasha Robinson, a Gullah, performed Echos of Beaufort’s Past, an hour-long dramatic, inspirational, and moving performance during which she portrayed several characters: herself; a slave preacher; Harriet Tubman.
Monday 23 December - Robert’s port preview on Hilton Head was followed by his lecture: “Benedict Arnold - The Traitor Who Won the Revolution.” We arrived at Hilton Head Island before 11; it’s a tender port. The sky was overcast and the temperature in the mid-40s with 12mph wind. I should have brought a coat instead of a light jacket. David, a deck hand, saw me and asked if I had a coat. I told him that I only had a jacket, and he brought me his heavy coat to wear. The “Alligator and Wildlife Discovery” tour began at 12:45, so I took the 12:30 tender ashore. Six of us boarded a van and rode to Sea Pines Nature Preserve where we boarded a small boat. Carol, our guide, navigated through the 2 lakes connected by a canal while giving us facts about alligators, turtles, and birds. The weather was too cold for the alligators to be out, but we did see a couple of snouts poking out of dens. We saw a Great Blue Heron, some ducks and a couple of Anhingas (Snake Birds).
When the tour ended, we rode the van back to Harbour Town and waited for The “Dolphin Discovery Cruise” to begin at 3. The weather didn’t improve. Four of us boarded a small boat with Captain Steve and set off in search of dolphins. It was cold and damp. We found several. Evidently, they were involved in some sort of courtship ritual. Light rain began, and we returned to the dock before the scheduled time. Thanks to Janice Williams for sharing her pictures. Hers were much better than mine.
Because we had to leave Port Royal Sound and sail into the Atlantic Ocean to avoid a shoal, the ship rocked and rolled for 30 to 40 minutes. Maria held “Tinsel & Trivia” at 8 and went over tomorrow’s activities afterwards. Stephanie was suffering from mal de mer, so Robert entertained solo at 8:30 with ‘A Little Bit Country.”
Tuesday 24 December - We docked in Savannah overnight and tied up directly across from River Street. The ‘Historic Savannah Trolley Tour” began at 9. It was cool and overcast so the sides of the trolley were closed with clear plastic. Heather, the driver/guide, narrated the hour-and-a-half tour. We saw many points of interest and a few of the historical squares before returning to the pickup point. Maybe because I’d been here before or because of the dreary day, it turned out to be an unexciting time filler.
The sun began to peek through the clouds, and that made the afternoon seem more pleasant. The “Prohibition Museum” tour began at 1:45. We rode a trolley to the museum and were allowed 2 hours for a self-guided tour. After wandering around for a while and getting the free drink (old fashioned) in the speakeasy, I left the museum. I walked back to the ship with a couple of other people. As it was, we were back at the ship by 3:30, well before the scheduled 3:45 pick up time.
Robert’s lecture was “Eagles, Bears, and Opossums - Oh My.” Next came the port preview of Brunswick, GA, HH, and dinner. “Winter Wonderland Trivia” (we won) was at 8 followed by an overview of tomorrow’s events. The evening’s entertainment was Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree with Jimmy Maddox, a local. He played rock ‘n roll style piano and sang. What a great time!
Wednesday 25 December - The Yankee Gift Exchange was at 10:30. Everyone who participated seemed to really enjoy it. I left with 2 Texas ornaments from the Capitol Gift Shop in Austin.
At 1:45, it was time for a photo with Santa (Robert), Mrs. Claus (Stephanie), and the Elf (Maria).
We docked in Brunswick, GA mid-afternoon.
Robert and Stephanie presented a dramatic reading of “A Christmas Carol” at 4; it was so well done that it brought tears to my eyes l. Then it was time for HH and the Christmas Buffet. After dinner, Maria had “Deck the Halls With Christmas Trivia” (we won again) followed by the overview of tomorrow’s activities. The evening entertainment was “A Yonskie Yultide.”
Thursday 26 December - The “Jekyll Island Exploration” tour began at 8:30. When we crossed the very high bridge over The Intracoastal Waterway, a sign at the lower end gave the Suicide Prevention Hotline number. We drove onto Jekyll Island, once the site of the most exclusive private club in the world; now it’s a state park.
Our first stop was the Sea Turtle Research Center, which rehabilitates sea turtles. Afterwards, we boarded a tram or a tour. We saw the “cottages” built by the extremely wealthy of that era: J.P. Morgan, Vanderbilt, Rockefeller, etc. After touring the furnished home of William Rockefeller, we saw the Club House, servants’ quarters, utility buildings.
Afterwards, we boarded a tram or a tour. We saw the “cottages” built by the extremely wealthy of that era: J.P. Morgan, Vanderbilt, Rockefeller, etc. After touring the furnished home of William Rockefeller, we saw the Club House, servants’ quarters, utility buildings.
We returned to the ship for lunch. The “St. Simons Island Exploration” tour began at 1:45. After driving from Brunswick, we drove across to St. Simons Island where Georgia, a local guide, boarded our bus for a tour of the town.
The highlight was a tour of Christ Episcopal Church established in 1736. Charles Wesley preached here and there is a tree called The Wesley Oak. John Wesley preached here, too, and a stained-glass window is dedicated to them.
After driving by Fort Frederick National Monument, the tour ended.
We had about 45 minutes in town; I took a photo if the lighthouse.
Even though the temperature was in the 50s, the strong breeze blowing off the water made it feel very cold outside all day.
By the time we returned to the ship, It was time for the Port Talk on Amelia Island/Fernandina Beach. We played “Rock n Roll Bingo” before Maria’s rundown of tomorrow’s activities. Our evening entertainment was Annie Akins, a singer.
Friday, 27 December - We docked at Fernandina on Amelia Island, FL about 9:30. Robert’s presentation, “American Revolutionary Roundup” was an enjoyable Q&A. Amelia Island claims to be the only place in the US to have been under 8 flags: French Flag: Spanish Flag; English Flag; Patriot Flag; Green Cross of Florida Flag; Mexican Rebel Flag; Confederate Flag; United States Flag. The walking tour of Fernandina departed the dock at 10:30 with Laurie as a guide. Her commentary was tedious as she seemed to be compelled to include every detail. She also walked too fast and stood in the way for photos. We went into St. Michael’s Catholic Church unaccompanied—I don’t think she really intended for us to enter as she didn’t go inside. She ended the tour about 11:45, dumping us several blocks from the ship. Although it was still overcast, it didn’t feel as cold because we were away from the water.
The “Amelia Island River Cruise” began at 1:30 under mostly sunny skies. This was a great tour with Captain Kevin McCarthy and his son Kyle providing commentary. We learned about the shrimping industry, paper mills, Old Fernandina, Fort Clinch, salt marshes, Cumberland Island horses, Carnegie’s Dungeness, and more.
We returned about 3:30, and I packed. The Eagle Society Reception was at 4:30 followed by the Veterans Appreciation Program at 5. At 7:30, Maria led “Two Truths and a Lie” followed by disembarkation instructions. Robert’s show was “Moonlight and Love Songs.”
Saturday 28 December - Maria called the first bus, scheduled for 8, to the airport; I claimed my bag and boarded for the ride. After arriving, I breezed through Security and was seated in Gate C7 by 9:00 awaiting the departure of AA1061 at 11:27. The entire process would have been much easier had the pull up handle in my luggage not jammed in the down position. The DFW to JAX flight was canceled. It was a turn around. Fortunately for me, the ca. 5am flight from JAX to DFW was canceled, so we had a plane and a crew. We boarded but sat at the gate for a l-o-n-g time before pushing back. The captain said the flight would be longer to fly around storms in Alabama. We finally took off about 11:45. No meal service in FC. Drink service available. I had snacks in my backpack, and the flight attendant brought the usual snack basket around. I slept for most of the flight. We landed about 2:05. Once I made my way off the plane, the revolving exit doors leading to baggage claim were jammed and alarms were sounding. That would be all 3 sets of doors. At the first set, several of us held a door panel open wide enough for a man, 2 children, and carryon bags to get out. Finally, someone came with a key to release the doors and we escaped. I called and an Uber arrived. I got home about 3:05.
When the tour ended, we rode the van back to Harbour Town and waited for The “Dolphin Discovery Cruise” to begin at 3. The weather didn’t improve. Four of us boarded a small boat with Captain Steve and set off in search of dolphins. It was cold and damp. We found several. Evidently, they were involved in some sort of courtship ritual. Light rain began, and we returned to the dock before the scheduled time. Because we had to leave Port Royal Sound and sail into the Atlantic Ocean to avoid a shoal, the ship rocked and rolled for 30 to 40 minutes. Maria held “Tinsel & Trivia” at 8 and went over tomorrow’s activities afterwards. Stephanie was suffering from mal de mer, so Robert and entertained at 8:30 with ‘A Little Bit Country.”
