ACL ships stop regularly in St. Michaels during the summer season, and I equally regularly talk with the passengers while they are on "shore leave" in St. Michaels.

I have heard nothing but good things from them about the line, the food, the accomodations, and the itinerary. For most it is a luxury trip along I-95, with comfortable cabins and good food. They also speak highly about the enthusiasm of the young American crew.

I prefer things more foreign and exotic, but this line, and Clipper Cruises, who also make St. Michaels a port of call, fill a niche for cruises without dramamine and offer interesting domestic ports of call, without straw markets and similar.

In St. Michaels, the ships tie up at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, and the "shore excursions" are a few hundred feet of walking to the town. No charge.

Check their website.

[ 05-07-2004: Message edited by: Cambodge ]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Cambodge:
In St. Michaels, the ships tie up at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Landlocked Cruiser:

Did Minerva II stop there on her recent east coast tour? I wan't sure from the itinerary if St. Michaeals was a port of call or an excursion from another port.

---

Minerva II advertised to stop at St. St Michaels enroute to Annapolis on Apr 5 on East Coast Expedition cruise.
unfortunately I didn't check a bridge came at St. Michaels but below photo was captured on same day.

I believe that the photo seen Chesapeake Bay Bridge

[ 05-07-2004: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]

2. I do not think the picture is of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, as 'the Bridge" is actually a twin set of bridges. I only see one in the photo. Although the resolution of the photo is such that there might be another bridge faintly shown in the photo.

Here's one more photo seen twin set of bridges.

From Minerva II's brochure

Apr 5

A delightful morning on Chesapeake Bay.
Explorere the quaint streets and harbour of St Michaels - a pleasing blend of history and small town charm.
This evening, stroll ashore in pretty Annapolis, noted for its wealth of 18th century buildings.

[ 05-07-2004: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ocean Liners:
I meant Minerva II's bridge cam.

Here's one more photo seen twin set of bridges.

---

Not sure, but I think that might be the Delaware Memorial Bridge but that bridge is near Wilmington Delaware.

It's definitely not the Chesapeake Bay Bridge:

From Chesapeake Bay Bridge Walk

[ 05-08-2004: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ocean Liners:
Please check the reinforced concrete anchorages are on the westbound bridge on two photos below.

---

I think the reinforced concrete anchorages are used on most suspension bridges, even the Delaware Memorial has them. See below:

The reason I say it isn't the Chesapeake Bay Bridge (CBB) is because both spans appear to be identical in the Minerva picture. This is true for the Delaware Memorial. With the CBB the spans are very different. I have also driven over the CBB hundreds of times and sailed under it numerous times and don't think you could get that picture without seeing the second span.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Cambodge:
3. CGT - There are many hundreds of people who take these inland cruises and enjoy them. There are many cruising options shown at this site which do not appeal to me, but so what?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by joe at travelpage:

I think the reinforced concrete anchorages are used on most suspension bridges,

---

Yes. Akashi kaikyo bridge (Currently the longest spanning suspension bridge in the world) has them too, but If Minerva photo shown twin of Anchorages it might the other bridges but only two anchorages seen.

quote:

---

Originally posted by joe at travelpage:

The reason I say it isn't the Chesapeake Bay Bridge (CBB) is because both spans appear to be identical in the Minerva picture. This is true for the Delaware Memorial.

---

Main span is 488 m for both Eastbound and Westbound bridges.

Please visit Delaware Memorial bridge and compare photos below

Delaware Memorial bridge

quote:

---

Originally posted by joe at travelpage:
I have also driven over the CBB hundreds of times and sailed under it numerous times and don't think you could get that picture without seeing the second span.

---

Please visit Galaxy 11-Night Baltimore but opposite direction.

quote:

---

Originally posted by joe at travelpage:

Finally, according to the Minerva II itinerary I found for that cruise she was headed from Annapolis (April 5 & 6) to Baltimore (April 7) to Philadelphia (April 8) which would mean she would have had to take the "Chesapeake and Delaware Canal" to get from the Bay to the Delware River and she would pass Wilmington on her way to Philadelphia. The only thing that doesn't make sense is the date on the Photo being April 5th.

---

Here's the Minerva II itinerary for Apr 6

Annapolis

Set out on a wonderful full day's excursion to Washjngton DC to see such famed landmarks as the White House, the Capitol building and Lincoln Memorial.

Here's the photo was captured on Apr 6
Can someone guess the Port name?

[ 05-08-2004: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]

The ship looked really nice. The passengers were enjoying themselves.

When we've gone to sea on various local vessels, we've gotten a whole different perspective of the local landscape.