The Prinsendam is steaming toward Amsterdam tonight and disembarkation in the morning.  These 14 days have gone by really quickly.  The sailing has been smooth and the weather, except for one day of misty rain, has been spectacular.  Although gratuities are automatically charged to each passenger’s account, I gave some additional cast to my wine steward (who is heading back home to the Philippines tomorrow) and the two table stewards in the dining room.  After greeting me on the first day of the cruise, I have not seen my room steward at all.  He goes about his work with remarkable efficiency and invisibility.

Tuesday 13 August 2013
Foynes, Ireland

Before arriving in Foynes this morning, the Captain announces that we will not be visiting our next scheduled port, East Dunsmore for Waterford, Ireland, but will, instead, call at Cobh (pronounced “cove”) for Cork, Ireland.  Personally I am happy to be visiting Cobh/Cork, although I imagine a good many passengers will miss the shopping for crystal at Waterford.  The reason for the change is that we will be able to dock in Cobh rather than tendering in Waterford, since there will be significant wave action at East Dunsmore (although I suspect it may also have something to do with all the trouble the tenders were having yesterday).

As I mentioned in the last blog posting, the Prinsendam is the largest cruise ship to visit Foynes—and the Prinsendam is quite small compared to most of today’s ships.  But we are able to tie up at the dock which is the farthest point in the River Shannon estuary that large ships can navigate.  Foynes’ two claims to fame are related:  the landing of the first transatlantic Pan Am flights from America (there is a museum dedicated to these flying clippers) and the invention of Irish Coffee (by some very tired pilots).  For cruise passengers, Foynes is mostly useful as a jumping off point for seeing this part of western Ireland.  My schedule for the day is an excursion to the city of Limerick, higher up the River Shannon.

Limerick itself doesn’t have much to lure the tourist.  It is, however, a big draw for immigrants and has a large Polish and Muslim population.  Although our local guide is quite knowledgeable, he spends most of his describing buildings that have disappeared over the ages or are hidden behind the facades of more modern buildings.  King John’s Castle (from the 10^th century) is quite formidable and there is an excellent art museum.  The highlight of the tour is the complementary genuine Irish Coffee and the free wifi at a fine local pub, The Locke.

 

So it’s back to the ship for a light lunch and then a walk from one end of the town of Foynes to the other—which takes a whole 10 minutes.  Tonight’s dinner is tomato caprese salad, sauerbraten with red cabbage and ship-made spaeztle.  Appropriately, dessert is Sacher Torte.  Instead of starting a new bottle of wine I opt for a beer—good choice!