Letters to the Editor -
Dear Editor,
Our recent crossing from Port Aux Basques to North Sydney on the Atlantic Vision was a most memorable experience.
My wife and I had heard so many complaints about the Atlantic Vision, we were somewhat skeptical in crossing to the mainland on the newest ferry, or if we should change our plans and return on the same ship we originally took to Port aux Basques.
We elected to stay with our initial plans to sail on the Vision
We were impressed by the elegant decor on the ship that was quite different from the other passenger service ferries. Large glass doorways open up to the outside decks giving you full view before you exit or enter the ship.
On the tenth floor is the wheelhouse of the ship, the passengers can get within close proximity of the ships bridge and gaze out into the Atlantic Ocean ahead. The wheelhouse is surrounded by glass; you can experience so much of what the Captain sees, it's simply breathtaking.
The Colours Panoramic Lounge has plenty of seating and windows that surrounds the front of the ship for everyone's enjoyment. The artistic layout of the seating depicts the exquisite freedom for which it was designed.
On the eighth floor you will find an additional 80-plus comfortable reclining air seats with dinner trays attached to the backs. These rooms have their own private bathroom and TV, to some extent portraying aircraft travel. The games room is designed with plenty of tables and chairs to allow for anyone who would like to pass a little time playing, cards, checkers, dominos or any board game you desire.
The restaurant was truly quite an experience to be offered for such a short ferry trip between Port aux Basques and North Sydney. After entering you are greeted by the friendly hostess and escorted to your dinner table.
Most of the seating in the restaurant offers excellent viewing to the open sea and is very spacious for your comfort. The tables are dressed with white linen tablecloths enhanced by beautiful blue placemats.
The buffet is very reasonably priced and offers a great selection of salads, hot entrees, desserts and beverages. For those of us lucky enough to have reached the golden years are given a further discount. When comparing the buffet value to most restaurants for equivalency, clearly the passengers win hands down. The hostess that was assigned to our dining section certainly lived up to every expectation that anyone could wish for in a dining atmosphere.
A vessel of such beauty is a showpiece in itself. One only has to look around to see that it takes a lot of hard work and pride from the crew to maintain such a large vessel for its tidiness, cleanness and shining of the glass and polished mirrors.
The smiling friendly staff is always there to offer any help and answer any questions you would have.
The ship's name, "Atlantic Vision" holds true to a traveler's perception of ocean sailing.
I would encourage everyone to take the short trip on the Atlantic Vision and experience a weekday or weekend adventure connecting the two great communities of Port aux Basques and North Sydney.
If we had listened to all the negative stories about the Atlantic Vision, we would have missed a most pleasant experience.
What appeared to be an unfair appraisal for the Vision from the beginning will most likely remedy itself over time.
Newfoundlanders and Nova Scotians can stand tall and proud to be lucky enough to have such a wonderful ferry servicing their communities. The many positive remarks about the ship from the tourists onboard that day, spoke volumes of satisfaction.
Claude Chaulk
Guleph, Ont.
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