Twas a a cool and rainy day. Glad we had an indoor activity planned. Detroit isn’t exactly a major cruise destination and may not be for some time for international travelers. Since we were coming from Canada we had to go through immigration. Note neither here nor in New York have we had to fill out any kind of customs declaration. So Karla could have gone shopping in St Barts and bought that Vitton purse, Chanel perfume and Dolce & Gabbana dress. Too bad for us.
At any rate we docked in an industrial area, were escorted by Customs ad Border Protection officers from the ship to a bus where one officer stayed on board. The bus took us to the immigration facility that serves the Windsor Bridge. We marched, under escort, off the bus, had our passports scanned, were joined by our guide and were off for the 45-minute ride to Dearborn and the Henry Ford Museum of Innovation.
Helen Willard sent me this photo. "I have been seeing pictures of the Octantis on several St Lawrence River Facebook groups for the past several days, as she transits the Seaway. Tonight one group member posted a link to your blog, and I was instantly hooked. I have never been on a cruise, but that may change!
Here’s a photo taken yesterday morning just before you passed under the 1000 Islands Bridge."
Our CBP Officer Escorts Standing By. Who says our borders aren't secure?
The guide, as have most, seemed a little rusty, referring frequently to his I-Pad. Once at the museum, he failed, until asked to give a meeting place and time for the return to the ship. We were better off than the Group 7. Their guide quit five minutes after joining at immigration and left there bus driver with no idea what to do or when to do it. While not Viking’s fault, poor guides and planning seems to be a recurring problem.
The museum is remarkable. Henry Ford appreciated innovation and good ideas no matter the source and went above and beyond to collect artifacts that represented the best in new ideas. Everything from an early Honda car to the first corn harvest combines is on display. Descriptions are brief, but with enough detail to let you know why the item is on display.
Are return to the ship was uneventful and we departed early in the afternoon with a fire boat escort.
