October 16, 2024 – New York City

We sailed under the Verazanno Bridge at 6am and continued up the Hudson to Pier 88. We docked right next to the USS Intrepid Museum. On our other side was the Norwegian Joy which looks more like an apartment house than a cruise ship.
I took the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island tour. At 9amm, we had to weave our way through hundreds of disembarking Norwegian Joy passengers with their luggage to get to our bus. Our guide, Curt, was fantastic. He told us historical facts, jokes, and famous people gossip.
We rode down to Battery Park and got on the boat to Liberty Island. At the Island, Curt took us to the best photo area for pictures. We were given a little over an hour to roam around.. I walked the island and went to the Statue of Liberty Museum.
We boarded another boat and headed to Ellis Island. The displays in the Immigration Building were very interesting. I learned that when immigrants landed only those with someone already on the east coast were allowed to go into the city. All others (over 90% of arriving immigrants) were put on trains and sent to the Midwest.
They had a 10 question sample Citizenship test you could take. I’m happy to say I got b 10 out of 10 correct.
When we left Ellis Island to head back, our group got split up so when we got to Battery Park we had to wait for the rest to arrive on the next boat. We arrived back at the ship at 3pm.
Sailaway was 6pm and going by the Statue of Liberty with sunset behind it was beautiful.
We now have 2 sea days before disembarking in Ft Lauderdale. When we get there, J and C will fly back to Pleasanton. I’m going to Raleigh NC for a few days to visit my friend Carol.
I’ll post again when I get home and let you know my upcoming travel plans.