12/12/2018 - Sea Day: Arriving in New York

The past night was characterized by rough seas and constant rain. In the morning, I wasn't sure if I could use the treadmill on such a rocking ship. However, it turned out to be no problem. That's why it's clear to everyone why we have to head straight to New York. As the morning goes on, the weather calms down, we make plans for New York, and relax on this unexpected sea day by playing games, reading, etc. The anticipation for entering the harbor grows and the weather improves.

We could only imagine what awaited us, but we couldn't imagine how amazing it would be to sail into New York. With bright weather but strong winds, we approached Manhattan, and the skyline was visible early on. On deck, the struggle for the best spots began, but we stayed in the background. The first highlight was passing under the Verrazano Bridge (the 4th largest suspension bridge in the world). In front of us was the skyline of Lower Manhattan, and to our left was the Statue of Liberty. We continued, accompanied by typical American patriotic songs, towards Pier 90, our docking point near Times Square. The Empire State Building accompanied us, and it was simply breathtaking. An unforgettable experience. We can even see the top of the Empire State Building from our balcony. Tired from all the amazing impressions, our eyes soon start to close!