WSS-PONY BRANCH MEETINGS AND EVENTS
NY HARBOR NEWS & NOTES
WHAT'S NEW ON THE WEBSITE
  • June 2018 edition of the PORTHOLE posted - 8/13/18
  • New MARITIME NEW YORK compendium of lectures, exhibits, tours and transportation around the Port of New York added - 8/13/2018
  • 2018 PONY Cruise Schedule updated - 9/08/2018

UPCOMING

September

Friday, September 21, 2018 - 6:00 PM
THE ULTIMATE OVERLAND AND OVERSEA JOURNEY
Presented by Ted Scull
NOTE NEW MEETING LOCATION!
Placido Domingo Hall, Opera America/The National Opera Center
330 Seventh Ave, 7th Floor (at W.29th Street), Manhattan
(See below for directions)

At the beginning of a lifetime of travel, putting together complex itineraries that stayed on the surface of the globe, be it, wherever possible, by train and ship, were both fun to create and often resulted in experiences that could not be had by flying over the world and landing here and there. Naturally, not everything went as planned, with both positive and negative results, and ratcheting up the drama. Back then, borders were easier to cross, civil unrest was less prevalent, and rail and ship services were, in many cases, better operated then than now, if they exist at all today.

Forty-four years ago, Ted undertook the granddaddy of classic overland and sea journeys from Europe to Southeast Asia, a rite of passage for adventure travelers. Today most of that classic route no longer exists for a whole host of reasons that will be discussed during an account that will begin at London Victoria Station and end at the port of Murara, the Sultanate of Brunei, on Borneo’s north coast. Transport involved four ships, five trains, one bus, and one flight, with many passenger vessels seen en route.

For planning purposes, essential tools of the trade were the Thomas Cook Continental Timetable, ABC Shipping Guide, and Passenger Shipping Guide, plus whatever rail and steamship brochures could be found in the racks of travel agencies and national tourist offices or ordered by mail. 

Placido Domingo Hall is located on the 7th floor of 330 Seventh Avenue (at the southwest corner of West 29th Street). The hall is one block from from the 28th Street (1) subway station on Seventh Avenue, and 2 1/2 blocks from the 28th Street (R,W) station on Broadway. M7 and M20 buses stop nearby at West 28th Street. Consult  MTA.info for additional nearby subway and bus services.
As you walk into the attended lobby, follow the signs for the National Opera Center. Elevators are to the left as you pass the attendant.

Sunday, September 23, 2018
or
Sunday, September 30, 2018
QUEEN MARY 2 MARITIME ENTHUSIASTS CRUISE

 (Photo credit: Stuart Gewirtzman)

Set sail with fellow PONY Branch members aboard Cunard Line’s classic flagship QUEEN MARY 2 on September 23 for a 14-night round-trip voyage from New York City to Quebec calling at various ports in Maine and eastern Canada. You can take the sailing in its entirety or in 7-night segments: New York to Quebec City or Quebec City to New York. See flyer for details.

October

Saturday, October 13, 2018 - 2 PM to 6 PM
PONY BRANCH DINNER CRUISE IN NEW YORK HARBOR

Come aboard Empire Cruises’ Cosmo and join your fellow members for a three-hour tour of New York Harbor. Savor the crisp autumn weather and the sights and sounds of the harbor, including five cruise ships in port or departing that day, from the completely open upper deck of this classic coastal vessel. Enjoy a full Italian buffet and a three-hour, premium open bar, including wine, beer, spirits and a selection of non-alcoholic drinks, while seated in the comfort of the spacious, climate-controlled lower deck. Since this is a private charter, PONY Branch members and their friends will have the opportunity to fully enjoy the Cosmo and all its amenities. (Photo: Empire Cruise Line)

November

Saturday, November 17, 2018 – 10 AM to 2 PM
OCEAN LINER BAZAAR
417 East 61st Street (between First and York Avenues), Manhattan

Enthusiastic collectors and commercial dealers of ocean liner memorabilia will be exhibiting and selling ship models, brochures, deck plans, paintings, prints, posters, china, silverware, ashtrays, pins, medallions and more, both common and rare collectible items, from passenger lines and ships past and present. A few examples of items for sale this year include ship postcards starting at $1; a maiden voyage medallion from the QUEEN MARY ($350); a silverplate vase from the FRANCE ($150); a glass ashtray from the UNITED STATES ($10); a maiden voyage plate from the STATENDAM ($20); a bronze statue of a helmsman from the Red Star Line ($125); and a crystal wine decanter from the QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 ($125).

The annual event is open to the public and admission is $5.00 per person, payable at the door.

August 2019

Sunday, August 18, 2019
OCEANIA CRUISES' MV INSIGNIA MARITIME ENTHUSIASTS CRUISE

(Photo credit: Stuart Gewirtzman)

For the first time ever, Oceania Cruises will offer 7-night round-trip sailings from New York to Bermuda in 2019. And at just 30,000 tons and 700 passengers, the INSIGNIA will be able to call at the traditional Bermuda ports of Hamilton and St. George’s, which are off limits to today’s mega-ships—the first ship in years to offer this itinerary from New York. Come join fellow PONY Branch members for this rare chance to take part in the time-honored tradition of cruising from New York to Bermuda in one of today’s finest ships. See flyer for details.

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