I will have the first opportunity in a VERY long time to actually do some ship spotting at Port Everglades on the morning of Saturday, February 26th. For you locals, or others who have done so, is there much to see during the wee daylight hours? I am on a business trip staying in Boca the night of the 25th and plan on getting up early to see what ships I can arrive. From what I can tell, sunrise on the morning of the 26th will be at 6:35AM.

Morning arrivals are just as special, even more so than the afternoon departures and gives you a greater appreciation of the ship itself, the dark silhouette glowing from within, those aboard just stirring to life, a few lone passengers on deck for scale, the ship cutting through the still undisturbed waters of the day, and slipping up to it's berth in a carefully orchestrated version of parallel parking.

I remember the first ship I saw leave port was the Carnival Festival, Mardi Gras and Carnival. That was also the age of the old Veendam and Volendam.

I could not get enough of them when I was younger. That only followed me into a travel agents position after high school.

These days I can sit at my computer and watch on cam the arrivals in Port Everglades. On InletCam

Inlet Cam Port Everglades

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Originally posted by dmwnc1:
There is a stillness, a calm beauty and elegance of watching cruise ships quietly glide into port before the sun comes up, where the festive departures with handrails and shores lined with passengers and well wishers, horns and whistles blowing, wave runners and happy shouts of 'Bon Voyage' are replaced by the cooler morning air and the deep silence of an empty beach and streets empty of traffic, the cry of a single seagull in the distance, and the gentle sounds the palms rusting in the breeze and waves slapping at the beach,
so quiet you swear you can hear the ship breathing as a living entity in itself. 

Morning arrivals are just as special, even more so than the afternoon departures and gives you a greater appreciation of the ship itself, the dark silhouette glowing from within, those aboard just stirring to life, a few lone passengers on deck for scale, the ship cutting through the still undisturbed waters of the day, and slipping up to it's berth in a carefully orchestrated version of parallel parking.

And then the morning crests and the ship and city slowly come to life, beaches begin to fill, and the sounds of street traffic and small craft all rudely taking you away from solitude and peaceful moments of having witnessed these beautiful painted steel monoliths entering port, as if you and it had shared a momentary connection that only a ship enthusiast can truly appreciate.

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You have captured perfectly the feeling and ambience of being there in the morning. From 1980 to 1989 I had to be at the Carnival piers in Miami by 6:30am every Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday for arrivals (Thursdays in PEV.) It was magical seeing the ships come in as the day awoke.

Here is a snapshot I took (not very good) on Saturday, 3 May 1986 from the bridge wing of FESTIVALE, which I had just boarded upon her arrival. The sun is already well up, with SKYWARD and SCANDINAVIAN STAR already berthed. NORWAY and BRITANIS are positioning themselves to berth:

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Originally posted by dmwnc1:
There is a stillness, a calm beauty and elegance of watching cruise ships quietly glide into port before the sun comes up, where the festive departures with handrails and shores lined with passengers and well wishers, horns and whistles blowing, wave runners and happy shouts of 'Bon Voyage' are replaced by the cooler morning air and the deep silence of an empty beach and streets empty of traffic, the cry of a single seagull in the distance, and the gentle sounds the palms rusting in the breeze and waves slapping at the beach,
so quiet you swear you can hear the ship breathing as a living entity in itself.
Morning arrivals are just as special, even more so than the afternoon departures and gives you a greater appreciation of the ship itself, the dark silhouette glowing from within, those aboard just stirring to life, a few lone passengers on deck for scale, the ship cutting through the still undisturbed waters of the day, and slipping up to it's berth in a carefully orchestrated version of parallel parking.

And then the morning crests and the ship and city slowly come to life, beaches begin to fill, and the sounds of street traffic and small craft all rudely taking you away from solitude and peaceful moments of having witnessed these beautiful painted steel monoliths entering port, as if you and it had shared a momentary connection that only a ship enthusiast can truly appreciate.

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Exactly how I felt when we would leave and arrive at the port. Especially in the 1980's when we cruised out of both PE and Miami. And Rich, I have to kiss your feet, that is an excellent photo.

I highly recommended getting up early and out of the cabin to experience this on your next cruise!

RICH: One thing I am really looking forward to now on the B2B cruise out of Miami is just that; leaving and coming back - TWICE. Really dont care much about the four ports of call along the way but am really looking forward to spending nine days on the Celebrity MILLENNIUM and especially the three days at sea.

Watching the ships arrive and depart from Miami is completely different than that of Port Everlades, especially if you are positioned at the beginning or end of that long ship channel and turning basin. It was incredible watching the Norway slowly approach from the distance, her substantial length appearing stubby but those glorious winged funnels at full span, and as she passed by it seemed like she went on forever and ever. These days seeing ships of 1000 feet in length is commonplace, but none will ever match the timeless grace and beauty of watching the Norway effortlessly glide past you in the early morning light.

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Originally posted by Linerrich:
By the way, that same exciting feeling of arrival amidst surrounding calm can be experienced on board, as well. I'm always an early riser and always go up on deck as the ship is arriving and maneuvering to dock. In Miami you can hear the traffic as the city and beaches begin to wake, and there are usually very few other passengers up and about to disturb the quiet scene.

I highly recommended getting up early and out of the cabin to experience this on your next cruise!

Rich

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