On Saturday, July 13th it was an exciting day for friends and family and crew of the Picton Castle. There had been a buzz in the office with the shore crew over the few weeks leading up to the ship’s arrival as we prepared for the event – such as getting posters designed, sending out press releases, organizing a crew closing ceremony, and preparing sea time certificates. Now that the day was finally here, we were all feeling so ready and eager to see the ship and have her back in Lunenburg for the summer. Our first account from that day is from Danielle – Our website, Social Media, and Operations Guru!
Seeing the Picton Castle first appear in Lunenburg Harbour, I felt a rush of so many happy emotions. I immediately yelled over to Amy at the gate when I first saw the ship – she and I took turns running out to the Adams & Knickle wharf to watch her gallant arrival. You could feel an energy all over the Lunenburg Waterfront – whether you had been anticipating her homecoming and had made the trip specially to watch the Picton Castle sail in, or if you were a tourist who happened by chance to catch the spectacle, the awe was felt by everyone who was watching from the shoreline.
I was stationed on the Adams & Knickle wharf to film the arrival of the ship on Instagram Live and to take pictures and videos. To my right, a crowd that consisted largely of family members of crew had been forming for the hour previous. I can’t imagine how they were all feeling – some crew had been on the ship for 14 months, and this would be the first time some of them would be reunited with their family and friends. A very exciting occasion for sure.
To my left, another large crowd was forming on the Zwicker Wharf and while they were a bit further away from where I was standing, I could hear their roar of happy cheers and applause for the ship as she passed their wharf first.
We also had so many lovely comments come in on Instagram Live as I filmed the ship’s arrival, and we want to send everyone who joined us online a very special thank you!
I couldn’t help getting a bit misty as she made her way closer to the Adams & Knickle wharf. This voyage had been such an accomplishment for so many crew members, and here at the Picton Castle office we feel the same sense of pride for everyone involved. Also – she is just so beautiful! It’s a truly stunning sight to watch her head towards you.
Once the ship was secured at the dock, I joined Amy at the gate to sign guests in so they could greet the crew at the ship. For anyone who wasn’t familiar with the ship already, we were met with so many exclamations of “Wow! 14 months!?” “Tell us more about where they were travelling!” and “How do I get to do that?”
What an incredible moment to be a part of, and we are all so excited for a busy summer with the Picton Castle back in Lunenburg.
