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Topic: Cruise Lines which use the Cape Cod Canal?

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 06-24-2007 04:02 AM

Looking through some itineraries I note that there are ships which sail through the Cape Cod Canal, but not many that I can see. Why not? Is there some limitiation on size? Although the official website is somewhat sparse on information this does not really seem to be the case.

Or do more ships use it but just don't mention the fact? I have not found any reviews which actually mention it, or photos. Is the canal not the time saver it looks or not very interesting; but seems as if it should be. Anyone here sailed through? and are there any lines which do use it as a matter of course?

Pam

[ 06-24-2007: Message edited by: PamM ]

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

joe at travelpage
Administrator
Member # 622

posted 06-24-2007 09:15 AM

Pam,

We ussed the canal a number of years ago on a Canada cruise on NCL's Leeward. I thought it might be a size issue but the web site says the canal can take ships up to 825 feelt long and 135 feet high.

Another issue might be the change in current. The swift running Canal current changes direction every six hours and can reach a maximum velocity of 5.2 miles per hour, during the ebb (westerly) tide. Maybe the larger ships don't want to deal with that.

I also remember that there wasn't much to see after a few miles. There are houses and a bike bath along one side but not much else. I will try to find some of my photos.

Joe at TravelPage.com

Posts: 29976 | From: Great Falls, Virginia | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Linerrich
First Class Passenger
Member # 4864

posted 06-24-2007 11:38 AM

I sailed through the Canal southbound on board the CANADA STAR in 1987. It was very tranquil and the scenery was not dramatic. Here's a photo I took going under the first of two bridges (in the distance you can see the other bridge.)

Rich

Posts: 4210 | From: Miami, FL | Registered: Jul 2004 | IP: Logged

GregD
First Class Passenger
Member # 4176

posted 06-24-2007 09:21 PM

quote:
Originally posted by PamM:
Looking through some itineraries I note that there are ships which sail through the Cape Cod Canal, but not many that I can see. Why not? Is there some limitiation on size? Although the official website is somewhat sparse on information this does not really seem to be the case.
Or do more ships use it but just don't mention the fact? I have not found any reviews which actually mention it, or photos. Is the canal not the time saver it looks or not very interesting; but seems as if it should be. Anyone here sailed through? and are there any lines which do use it as a matter of course?
Pam
[ 06-24-2007: Message edited by: PamM ]

Pam,
The canal was built in the late 1910's. It was primarily used as part of the Intercostal Waterway. That is used not by large cruise ships but by barges Tug's and small boats that might not make it through the rough waters off of Cape Cod and Nantucket Shoals. THe big ships from bermuda, pass fight by cabe cod and go right around it. As stated before the canal has an amazingly strong current. This is from their not being any locks and the strong tides of Cape Cod Bay. Their are also 3 bridges that a ship must sail underneath.
Cruise ship wise alot of the smaller ship lines use it. Cruise West, American Cruises, and ACCL use it. I hope this Helps,
-Greg

Posts: 548 | From: Texas | Registered: Sep 2003 | IP: Logged

Eric
First Class Passenger
Member # 2724

posted 06-25-2007 07:55 AM

We passed through on Cunards Caronia fall foliage cruise just about 3 weeks after 9/11. Unfortunately it was night time & we never saw a thing, but seem to remember that it looked wider than I expected (at least the bit I did see). Eric

Posts: 421 | From: UK | Registered: Jan 2002 | IP: Logged

Cambodge
First Class Passenger
Member # 906

posted 06-25-2007 10:01 AM

The Cape Cod Canal was a significant element of my childhood summers in the late ‘20s and early 30s. We used to rent a summer seaside cottage a few miles south of Plymouth, on the “mainland” side of the Canal. There was a constant stream of marine traffic on our horizon heading for the Canal. Coastal freighters, colliers, tugs with long strings of coal barges, and a surprisingly large number of coastwise passenger ships. The Merchants and Miners Line, the Savannah Line, and, of course the well-known Eastern Steamship Line with their white ships “Boston” and “New York” with outside cabins and decor worthy of the “Delta Queen.”

Often the cry “there’s the New York Boat” would be followed by a summons from my Dad for a dash to our 1928 “Whippet,” and later our 1931 “Essex” for a run to the Canal. If we were fortunate we crossed the Bourne Bridge before it was majestically lifted to allow the ship to pass. We parked on the grounds of “the Lobster Pound,” swatting myriads of mosquitoes, and watched the ship, lighted at twilight, and sounding its whistle in response to a cacophony of automobile horns. The ships departed Boston at 5:00 PM daily and were in New York just after breakfast was served. What a way to travel. And a memorable sight.

Posts: 2149 | From: St. Michaels MD USA , the town that fooled the British! | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 07-15-2007 12:09 PM

Thanks for all the info. It seems that the canal is not a major route for cruiseships from New York or further south to Boston/NE.

So where is one most likely to be able to view passing cruiseships around the Cape Cod area?
Are they visible from Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket, or is a better view to be had from futher round the east coast?

I note some ships do call at Martha's Vineyard and Cape Cod. Mainly the smaller ACCL ships, but also Norwegian Spirit is calling weekly at MV from end Aug to end Oct.

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

GregD
First Class Passenger
Member # 4176

posted 07-19-2007 04:11 PM

Your best bet for looking for ships passing the Cape would be at P-Town. BUT, the ships would most likely NOT be visable as they are Miles and miles out at sea. And when they do sail by it would be at like 3 or 4 in the orning to get to boston in time for a turnaround (i.e. N.Majesty)

Posts: 548 | From: Texas | Registered: Sep 2003 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 07-19-2007 06:19 PM

So another idea bites the dust! next stop Boston

Well I have spent a fair bit of time touring Boston & vicinity over the years, but never during the cruising season. I suppose the best way to see the ships there is by means of a harbour cruise?

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 08-23-2007 05:36 PM

Cape Cod Canal webcam

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 09-05-2007 08:39 AM

Tha cam may have a wide view, but nowt much to be seen on the odd occasion I have popped in.

But.. whoever is interested, in next month's Ships Monthly [Oct '07] is an article on the Canal.

Cape Cod Canal A detailed look at this important North American waterway. John Galluzzo

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

Tom Burke
First Class Passenger
Member # 5238

posted 09-05-2007 09:18 AM

I've never been through the canal but I have driven over it. We drove from Boston to a B&B near Falmouth Heights in early summer 2000 and we drove over one of the bridges (and I can't remember which one). I remember thinking how high up the bridge was, and that the canal, which I thought was a river, was very wide.

Posts: 1469 | From: Sheffield, UK | Registered: Dec 2004 | IP: Logged

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