Less than a month to go!!!
Just got word today (finally!!) that C.A.R.I.B. III has gone into the drydock at the shipyard in Maasbracht. The inspector will be there on Friday to do the ES-TRIN (European Standard - Technical Reguirements for Inland Navigation vessels) inspection that is required for our size vessel. Our current certificate expires at the end of April, so this was the main reason for leaving C.A.R.I.B. III at the shipyard over the winter.
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| Getting towed to drydock |
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| C.A.R.I.B. III on the drydock |
We had also given them a list with several projects that we would like to have done. However, we have not been able to finalize those projects because the shipyard has not yet supplied us with estimates. They tell us that the estimates are on the way, so it is a wait-and-see. One of the main projects we wanted has been completed...and that is having a bimini built for the aft deck. Check it out...
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| Side sunshades will help keep us cool |
Now we will not have to worry about losing an umbrella over the side (see 2019 cruise). The shade on a hot afternoon will be greatly appreciated. We only have to remember to lower the bimini prior to going under those low bridges.
Since we do not have a good idea if C.A.R.I.B. III will be ready to cruise when we get there on the 19th of April, we only have a rough idea of what this year's cruise will look like. Two things we know for sure are: (1) we will start the first month or so cruising in the Netherlands and (2) at the end of the cruise we will be in the Port of France in Toul, France. Below is a map to show possible cities we will visit and our final destination in Toul.
1: Our starting point in Maasbracht, NL
2: Visit friends in Haarlem, NL
3 & 4: Cities to revisit, Delft & Utrecht, NL
5: Last stop prior to leaving the NL, Maastricht
6 & 7: Stop in Liege and revisit to Namur, BE
8 & 9: Cities to visit, Reims & Nancy, FR
10: Final stop, Toul, FR
As we have mentioned previously, one thing we have learned is that we have to be "flexible" with our schedule. If all goes as planned, regular updates to this blog should be starting up in less than a month. Fingers crossed....
