We departed Miami late Wednesday morning and we sailed all night to Ft. Pierce. The Goodyear Blimp was in Miami to see us off. Well, the blimp may have been there for some other reason be we pretended it was there for us.
We got permission via radio from the U.S. Coast Guard to depart via Government Cut. That saved us about an hour. Normally, if there are more than one cruise ship berth in Government Cut other vessels must go the long way around Dodge Island to exit Miami. Lucky for us, there was only the one Norwegian Cruise Line ship in port when we left.
We left Miami during a 'rage'. At least, that is what the Bahamians call a condition will the tide is going one way and the wind is going the other. The rage made for some sloppy seas leaving the cut. Actually, we timed our departure based upon projected arrival times in Fort Pierce the following day. We wanted to arrive at or near daybreak when the wind and tide were forecasted to be in synch with each other. So that meant departing during a Miami 'rage'. Govenment Cut is a big inlet and Shibumi (the ship) was well up for the conditions. Shibumi (the crew) went along for the ride.
Jill and I took turns at the helm. While I slept, Jill sailed the ship and vice versa.
During the trip we saw a fabulous sunset, followed by a very dark moonless night. The stars put on quite a show, but my point and shoot camera couldn't play in that areana. The morning greeted us with a glorious sunrise.
