Hilton Beach greets cruise ship Columbus

October 17, 2006

Courtesy of the Sault Star and Donna Schell

Story and Photo by Donna Schell
Local News - Tuesday, October 17, 2006 @ 09:00

Hopes are high that the luxury passenger ship MS Columbus will return to the port of Hilton Beach in 2007.

"It all hinges on the water level," said Lisa Huijsers, shore excursion manager with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. "There is a chance that the ship will return to Hilton Village next year."

Word spread quickly through the streets of the community that the 144-metre long, 14,000-tonne vessel was due to arrive early Monday morning.

It dropped anchor out from the entrance to the Hilton Beach Marina at 3:30 a.m., arriving from Marquette, Mich.

A large number of island residents gathered along the waterfront during the wee hours to welcome the largest passenger vessel ever seen in their community.

Until now, the largest scheduled passenger ship was 35 metres long.

The contingent of greeters on hand to welcome the Columbus and its 320 passengers and 200 crew members included the marina manager, Greg Marshall, Hilton Village municipal clerk Gloria Fischer and Hilton Village Coun. Lavera Crack.

Many of the residents agreed the Columbus was hoped to put Hilton Beach and St.
Joseph Island on the map. Several said more could be done for the passengers and crew if more time was given. Among the ideas raised: arranging for tours the island in all its colour and providing passengers with the opportunity to take in a round of golf or visit artisan studios.

Huijsers said she had no specific recommendations for the community leaders. The hospitality showed was appreciated and the community impressive, she added.

"On short notice, they did well," she said.

Rumours floated around but Hilton Village received confirmation of the Columbus arrival only last Friday.

Passengers Alexander and Irene Kirschner, of Walchwil, Switzerland, and Peter Becker, of Berlin, said they enjoyed their visit to Hilton Beach and were not disturbed by the patchy remains of last week's snowstorm.

The Kirschners visited attractions in the Sault while Becker took an excursion to Pancake Bay.

"It was a nice trip, no snow, wonderful landscape, beautiful nature. It was nice territory but a long way from Germany," Becker said.

The luxury passenger cruise ship was to return to the port of Sault Ste. Marie after its Sept. 25 stop but due to expressed alarm at borderline water levels on approach to the docking wall at the Bondar Marina the ship's owners rescheduled its port of call.

Becker added he was not disappointed not to be in the Sault.

"Sault Ste. Marie or Hilton Beach, Hilton Beach is close enough to buses, that's good enough."

First impression of the village for waitress Julia Beltz was that it was small, homey and quiet. Wine steward Dirk Leinenbach added that he would like to return for Christmas with lots of snow on the ground because there is not much back home.

Crack said the Columbus was "quite a sight to see in our marina" all lit up at 5 a.m.

She could not believe how fast everyone rallied on such short notice, she said.

From those who opened the Community Hall, where a number of artist and artisans showcased their talent, to businesses agreeing to stay open during their off-season reduced hours, residents met the call, she said.

"You can't pay for this kind of publicity, the publicity it deserves," said Crack, who added that she'd never seen such a volume of traffic down Highway 548 on a Monday.

There were also economic impacts felt outside the community such as the Agawa Canyon Tour, she added. A.J. Bus Lines had seven buses to transport the passengers off St. Joseph Island to tourist attractions in the Sault.

Some residents said a regularly scheduled stop would be a good move for the island, but perhaps earlier in the year.

"We were all disappointed in the weather," Crack said. "It is not typical weather for October. But this is a trial; hopefully, Hilton Beach port of call will become a common occurrence."

"It was unfortunate the colours were not better for the guests," said Doug Boland, of Hilton Beach. "But I don't think the visit will make a big impact to the island . . . but I don't know, we'll have to wait and see."

Boland said the one drawback is having to shuttle people by bus to points of interest.

"I wouldn't want Hilton Beach become Disneyland but it could certainly be a centre point. Tourism is a great thing but it's not enough, it needs much more."