Clelia II Raves Warmest Welcome Received In Red Rock

Written by admin on 05 July 2010

The youngest passengers, children of the ship's Hotel Director, with their Mom (in black) and the ship's Purser, take a moment to pose with an RCMP Officer.

Clelia II arrival in the port of Red Rock at the Top of Lake Superior the “warmest welcome” of the trip

RED ROCK MARINA, ON – June 24^th, 2010 (Top of Lake Superior) The Clelia II steamed into Nipigon Bay almost right on schedule, and was greeted with a cheer by a crowd of onlookers, including school classes, who were on hand to witness the historic docking of the boat. Passengers had their picture taken with Smokey the Bear and an RCMP officer in full uniform. Many passengers remarked that the port of Red Rock provided the warmest welcome they had experienced so far on their cruise.

The ship was behind schedule this morning, with initial reports of 3pm as the arrival time. However, the crew made good time and managed to arrive at 1:30pm. Local resident Ches Imhoff led a group up to Lloyd’s lookout to see the ship arrive in the bay, while others lined the causeway to record the event.

Visitors from the ship were bused to local sights including the Eagle Canyon Suspension Bridge, local museum and other attractions. The day ended with a wonderful Pickerel Fish Fry, and live entertainment; certainly a historic moment that neither residents, nor passengers and crew of the Clelia II will soon forget!

The Clelia II is scheduled to come to port in Nipigon Bay 9 more times throughout the summer when passengers will once again have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of tours in Red Rock & Region including; artisan’s displays, wine tasting, tours of Nipigon Bay by boat or tours of the Paddle to the Sea Park in Nipigon. In the evenings there will be live entertainment. Some events are free to the public and others available for a reasonable fee – for example the pickerel fish fry, included a mountain of breaded, deep-fried pickerel, a baked potato, coleslaw and tartar sauce all for just $12.

Captain and Staff Captain Gilles Calader raved that they had never received such a warm welcome at any port during their travels with the Clelia II; it included bagpiper Ian MacLoed of Thunder Bay’s MacGillivray Pipe Band playing as passengers were disembarked from the Zodiak boats used to taxi them from the ship to the marina’s dock, a warm welcome by dignitaries and wine & cheese reception at the Red Rock Inn.

Volunteer and business owner Levina Collins says, “The opportunity to greet the cruise ship is creating exciting new business opportunities for businesses to work together!” The Pickerel Dinner is a great example. The head chef is Gus of Gus’ Restaurant in Nipigon, with the rest of the meal prepared jointly by The Red Rock Inn, Skandia House Bed and Breakfast and the Quebec Lodge.

For more information, visit www.TopOfLakeSuperior.com/cruiseships.

Coming soon, OntarioNewsNorth.com gets a tour on board the Clelia II; watch for it later this week!

: The youngest passengers, children on the Hotel Manager, with their Mom (in black) and the ship’s Purser, take a moment to pose with an RCMP Officer.