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On Great Lakes now Viking Octantis

Discussion in 'Travel' started by Juan-Manuel Fantango, Jul 30, 2023.

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  1. Juan-Manuel Fantango

    Juan-Manuel Fantango F1 World Champ
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    #1 Juan-Manuel Fantango, Jul 30, 2023
    Last edited: Jul 30, 2023
    This is far better than expected …So this goes back to our introduction to cruising through Autobahn Adventures, the fabulous Porsche tour through Europe that ended in Monte Carlo at the Grand Prix. We did Azamara for that tour, then we tried SilverSeas, Ponant, and now the new Viking Expedition boat Octantis on the Great Lakes.

    This is simply so far, extraordinary. Yes, it is early into the trip, but just the boat alone is incredible. If James Bond had a cruise ship, this would be it! The hangar deck is amazing and the spaces are just so well done. It took so much creativity to come up with the themes and spaces in general. The crew, like all of the Indonesian crews we have encountered have the most pleasant dispositions. Of course in reality the crew comes from all across the globe, including Ushuaia. I mention that because we like this boat so much, we have decided to do the Antarctica Expedition tour.

    I have always been interested in Great Lakes history, especially the commerce and shipping. There are over 6,000 shipwrecks here, with the most famous of course being the Edmund Fitzgerald. I am a bit surprised at just how beautiful it is here, that it is right here at our doorsteps in America. I would encourage you to consider this if you are looking for something that is close to home. Sixty eight degrees today, beautiful weather, stunning scenery, great food. Tomorrow comes salmon fishing in Alpena…fish we shall take to a local restaurant and dine on provided we hold our mouths right….

    Our first night was in a great hotel in Milwaukee, the Saint Kate, and we just left a days tour of Mackinac Island. I’ll post a bit about that with pictures, but for now here is the cruise below.

    https://www.vikingcruises.com/expeditions/ships/viking-octantis.html

    This is the one we are on:

    https://www.vikingcruises.com/expeditions/cruise-destinations/great-lakes-canada/niagara-and-the-great-lakes/index.html
     

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  2. Juan-Manuel Fantango

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    #2 Juan-Manuel Fantango, Jul 31, 2023
    First stop was a night in Milwalkee. Ive been there years ago with the FCA Eslkhart Lake Road America visits and it did not disappoint. Clean and crisp is how I'd describe the area around St Kate and the Art Myseum. Where the boat was berth was industrial but an interesting backdrop. I'd recommend St Kate, but next time I think we'll stay at the sister property the Pfister. St Kate is an art hotel with a resident artist.

    https://www.saintkatearts.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqtD5yOu4gAMV0BGtBh3vhgGoEAAYASAAEgJlo_D_BwE




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  3. Juan-Manuel Fantango

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    #3 Juan-Manuel Fantango, Jul 31, 2023
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  4. Juan-Manuel Fantango

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    #4 Juan-Manuel Fantango, Jul 31, 2023
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    #5 Juan-Manuel Fantango, Jul 31, 2023
  6. malcolmb

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    #6 malcolmb, Jul 31, 2023
    This is so funny-I grew up in Alpena. I left for college when I was 19,after two years at the local community College. My parents left in 1969 and I have been back only a few times since-the last for my 55th high school reunion.
    Malcolm
     
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  7. Juan-Manuel Fantango

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    #7 Juan-Manuel Fantango, Jul 31, 2023
    Last edited: Jul 31, 2023
    Now that is so cool! Its a beautiful area, you must have been quite the outdoorsman. I think our guide said they get about 84 inches if snow and temperatures range from 16 to a high of 28. It's so pleasant here now. We just polished off our freshly caught trout at the 19th Hole.

    Did you dive the many shipwrecks? Julie says hi and wants to know the best resturant.

    By the way the Chevy dealer is selling Z06s at or below sticker...
     

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  8. malcolmb

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    #8 malcolmb, Jul 31, 2023
    please take a selfy in front of the First Congregational Church. My father was the Minister for 25 years, retired in 1969.
    When I was out and about the "owl Cafe" was the bar/restaurant hangout. I dont know anything about current restaurants. Owl has been gone for years. I went to one that had good local fish-will try to find it.
    Malcolm
     
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  9. Juan-Manuel Fantango

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    #9 Juan-Manuel Fantango, Aug 2, 2023
    Malcolm I unfortunately got this after we left. The only picture I have of a steeple is this. What a neat town to become a man in.


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  10. Juan-Manuel Fantango

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    #10 Juan-Manuel Fantango, Aug 2, 2023
    We were in Detroit yesterday. The city center has won numerous awards, and it is nice from the water. We berthed in front of the Renaissance Center. Groose Pointe is were I'd want to be if we lived here.

    The cruise through the St Claire River was interesting.




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  11. Juan-Manuel Fantango

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    #11 Juan-Manuel Fantango, Aug 2, 2023
    It is interesting to see the city, prosperous city center, bad areas, then Groose Pointe.

    I was dismayed to hear a bit of political commentary from the guides, but it seems to be inescapable these days.

    That first house we are told was moved there and has a boat house in the basement. Beautiful homes...after the 30,000 sf opulent home on 87 acres.

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  12. Juan-Manuel Fantango

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    #12 Juan-Manuel Fantango, Aug 2, 2023
  13. Juan-Manuel Fantango

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    #13 Juan-Manuel Fantango, Aug 2, 2023
    Landed in Pt. Pelee, the southern most point in Canada and an internationally recognized bird sanctuary. Zodiac in the semi rough today and followed with the Special Operations Boat or SOB as they call it. Got wet in the zodiac to BBQ but not in the SOB of course. That thing is. Beast. You should see the hangar. It has almost everything James Bond would need.


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  14. Juan-Manuel Fantango

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    #14 Juan-Manuel Fantango, Aug 2, 2023
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  15. Juan-Manuel Fantango

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    #15 Juan-Manuel Fantango, Aug 2, 2023
    I've gotten a bit out of oder. Mackinac Island for instance was our top spot so far. We have never ben but plan to go back and stay at the grand hotel. It sort of reminded me of the Greenbriar. I was suprised to see upkeep needed here and there.

    Beautiful Anchorage and a short tenser I..we did the 8 mile bike ride that circles the island.



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  16. Juan-Manuel Fantango

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    #16 Juan-Manuel Fantango, Aug 2, 2023
  17. Juan-Manuel Fantango

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    #17 Juan-Manuel Fantango, Aug 2, 2023
    ...not a soul on the stern tonight. You'd think someone would want to see this. Glad they don't. Even though there are 360 passengers, you never feel crowded.


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