Mrs. Vanderbilt Builds Her Dream House

....or Welcome to Newport!

I've been here a handful of times before- mainly when I lived in Connecticut, as it was just a few hours' drive away.  A lover of all things Victorian, I have always been fascinated by the women- monied and not- who created the "Cottage Season" for six weeks every summer in Newport during the Gilded Age.

First, a quick walk around town before my afternoon tour.  Things just tickle me sometimes.

This visit, I chose to visit Marble House.  I've been to many of the other homes owned by the Historic Preservation, but Alva Vanderbilt's masterwork, never. 

Wow.  I was surprised how much they let visitors roam the ol' homestead (an expression Mrs. V would never have used).  Here you go...

Imagine driving up to this entrance in a carriage, dressed in your finest, to attend one of the society balls.

Walk through the massive doors via a red carpet that leads you...

...up the stairs.

At the landing, you would turn to the left if you were a lady-

to deposit your cloak and freshen up.  The gentlemen would turn to the right...

to deposit their hats and gloves.  Descending that glorious staircase, you might peer into the dining room to wave to a friend...

or peer into the library in search of your beau...

Spot someone and don't want to meet them face to face?  You can always scoot down the spiral stairs at the back of the house.

Not to be confused with the servants' staircase hidden away.

Invited to sleep over?  You might find yourself in this cramped guest room.

And run into Alva's room for a quick chat and a cup of tea.

If you were "below stairs", your digs were spartan, but quite well appointed.  There were bars on the staircase up to the family's quarters to keep out the riffraff like delivery men. and passersby.  

The place used lots of ice in the summer.....there was plenty!

Contrary to most Victorian kitchens, the servant's area was bright due to the slope of the lot towards the sea.

Now THIS is what I call a washing-up sink.

Mrs. Vanderbilt couldn't just take her tea in the house...she built a special teahouse on the cliff.

Back at the ranch  ship, the final expedition briefing was held.  Saying "THANK YOU" to this group of expedition leaders so ably put together by Crystal and Arctic Kingdom--well, it's simply not enough.

It was celebration time after dinner!!

My friend, Afzal... not only a fabulous bartender, but deep thinker and wise man.

Dear, sweet Nat- always with his precious smile.

Rafael's ready to play "When the Saints Go Marching In"...anytime, day or night.

My adorable friend Stacey- Northwest Passage and World Cruise Hostess- fabulous trivia finder and DAMN GOOD TEXAN! With John Stoll, Crystal's VP of Land Operations and the "Land Boss" of everything.

Tom Lowe, one of the finest voices you will hear ANYWHERE on the planet- 

The reason Crystal Serenity consistently achieves "Best of the Best"- Hotel Director Hubert Buelacher. 

And then there's these two.  Without them, it's just a boat full of people--a destination, not a journey.

Rick Spath,  Cruise Director Extraordinaire, and Crystal Serenity's beloved Master, Captain Birger Vorland. (freshly shaven...he says no Norwegian captain can sail the Northwest Passage without a beard)

Now all that's left is an arrival.... the most spectacular sail-in in the world.