cruise ship newport

Get ready — the Autumn 2018 Newport Cruise Ship season is busily underway! We’ll have 23 ships in port over the next three weeks and tens of thousands of visitors arriving to see all the amazing sites and historic mansions in our City-by-the-Sea.  

As always, there are lots of activities, lots of history, and lots of great events to keep our guests busy now and returning in the future. Spread the word! Tell them about future events and make some new friends for Newport.

Enjoy every moment!

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TOUR GUIDES TIP OF THE WEEK – EMBRACE KNOWLEDGE  

A Key Personal Quality for successful tour guides is KNOWLEDGE.

There are two types of knowledge to have. One is job knowledge, knowing everything about the specific job you have and what it entails and how to do it well.  The second type of knowledge is to know about the history and people and places in the neighborhood and city where you work. In Newport, there is an initial steep learning curve in a place boasting more than 350 years of history, but it can be accomplished. A diligent investment in reading, attending lectures and exhibits, asking questions, and visiting our historic sites will pay off in many ways for your work as a tour guide or greeter. You’ll be more valuable, more in demand, and you’ll have the confidence to share your knowledge and enthusiasm about our history with the thousands of people arriving to discover our City-by-the-Sea.  

Welcome Fall and Keep Learning!

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JOB OPENINGS

There are still openings at the city’s historic attractions, including tour guides, cashiers, security personnel, and ticket sellers.  For the most current listings this week, please go to www.whatsupnewp.com.

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HANDBOOK FOR NEW TOUR GUIDES & GREETERS

If you’re new to Newport and/or new to this field, get your copy of THE OFFICIAL 2018 NEWPORT GUIDES & GREETERS HANDBOOK [amazon.com] to help you become a master hospitality ambassador for our city.  It also lists many of the best tour companies and hospitality organizations hiring seasonal and year-round people here. Consider working in ticket sales or other support positions at one or more of these tour companies. It will give you some visitor services experience and make you aware of tour guide and greeter jobs as they become available during the season.

REMEMBER: Most of the city’s largest tour and cruise businesses accept job applications year-round.

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NEW LISTINGS AND EVENTS: For more information to prepare you to be the best tour guide & greeter ever, read and learn about the following updated listings and previews of the busy season ahead for residents and visitors alike.

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CRUISE SHIPS ARRIVING

Stay up-to-date and aware of the weekly arrival of cruise ships to Newport and the thousands of visitors they bring to our fair city.  Here is a list of the upcoming arrivals, courtesy of Discover Newport.

  • Thursday, October 4 – M/V Insignia, from Oceania Cruises
  • Friday, October 5 – M/V Victory 2, from Victory Cruise Lines
  • Sunday, October 7 – M/V Regal Princess, from Princess Cruise Lines
  • Sunday, October 7 – M/V 7 Seas Navigator, from Regent Cruise Line
  • Tuesday, October 9 – M/V 7 Seas Navigator, from Regent Cruise Line
  • Friday, October 12 – M/V AIDAdiva, from Aida Cruise Line
  • Sunday, October 14 – M/V MS Fram, from Hurtigruten AS

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SPEAKERS & SPECIAL EVENTS THIS WEEK

Check out the wide selection of lectures, exhibits, talks, classes, tours, and workshops to add to your knowledge and increase your understanding of the people and history of greater Newport.

NEWPORT MANSIONS WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL – SEPTEMBER 20-23

This festival features a world-class variety of tastings, seminars, and events over a four-day weekend. Held at The Elms, Rosecliff and Marble House.  Tickets & more information: http://www.newportmansions.org/events/wine-and-food-festival/tickets-events

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4 – DISCOVER COLONIAL NEWPORT WALKING TOUR – 10:30 AM

This is one of several wonderful walking tours offered throughout the year by the Newport Historical Society. This tour features stories of entrepreneurship, African American heritage and religious diversity during Newport’s colonial period. Tickets $15; Children $5. 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM. Tour leaves from the Museum of Newport History, 127 Thames Street (Newport). Info and Reservations at: newporthistorytours.org  

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5 – ROGUES & SCOUNDRELS WALKING TOUR – 10:30 AM

Every tour guide should experience one or more of the great walking tours organized by the Newport Historical Society. This tour about some of the city’s more colorful residents leaves at 10:30 am from the Museum of Newport History, 127 Thames Street (Newport). Info and reservations at: newporthistorytours.org

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6 – DISCOVER COLONIAL NEWPORT WALKING TOUR – 10:30 AM

Every tour guide should experience one or more of the great walking tours organized by the Newport Historical Society. This tour offers stories of entrepreneurship, African American heritage and religious diversity during Newport’s colonial period.  The tour leaves at 10:30 am from the Museum of Newport History, 127 Thames Street (Newport). Info and reservations at: newporthistorytours.org

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6 – BROADWAY STREET FAIR – 12 NOON

The city’s best annual neighborhood extravaganza and street happening. Join Newport natives and visitors on Broadway in Newport.  Stay tuned for more info.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7 – GOLDEN TO GILDED WALKING TOUR – 10:30 AM

Every tour guide should experience one or more of the great walking tours organized by the Newport Historical Society. On this tour you’ll get the inside skinny on the transformation of Newport and its people from its colonial Golden Age to Gilded Age summer colony.  This tour leaves at 10:30 am from the Museum of Newport History, 127 Thames Street (Newport). Info and reservations at: newporthistorytours.org

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9 – RETURN TO CAMELOT – ST. MARY’S CHURCH – 2-3 PM

Each Tuesday, through October 23rd, St. Mary’s Church (80 Memorial Boulevard, Newport) hosts this remembrance of the wedding of future President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier in 1953. The program features vintage film clips, performance of music from their church wedding and reception at Hammersmith Farm, and recollections by Jackie’s stepbrother, Yusha Auchincloss, and other local Newporters. Fee: $15. Info: stmarynewport.org/return-to-camelot.

OCTOBER 12 & 13 – CULTURAL & HISTORIC PRESERVATION CONFERENCE – SALVE REGINA UNIVERSITY

This year’s timely theme is “Community Preservation Through Adaptive Reuse.” More information and registration: preserveourplaces.org

NOW THROUGH OCTOBER, 2018 – “SWEET RIDES/SUMMER FUN” – AUDRAIN AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM

Relive an earlier innocent time with this fun exhibit at the always interesting Audrain Automobile Museum. Open daily, 10 am – 4 pm. 222 Bellevue Avenue, Newport. Info: 401/856-4420. Audrainautomuseum.org

 

BOWEN’S WHARF SEAFOOD FESTIVAL – OCTOBER 13-14

11 am – 5pm. Free event. Honoring the harvest of the sea, this Festival offers fresh local seafood, continuous live music and family fun. Bowen’s Wharf, Newport.  More Information: http://www.bowenswharf.com/events

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20 – FREE DAFFODIL BULB GIVE-WAY – EASTON’S BEACH – 9:00 AM

This annual event celebrates the success of the past year’s daffodil plantings and celebrates the campaign to plant one million daffodils in Newport. During this event, Newporters can receive free daffodils to plant in their own yards or neighborhood gardens.  Info: newportdaffydays.com

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21 – CITIZENS BANK PELL BRIDGE RUN

The annual event is the one time each year athletes can leave their cars and run across the Newport Pell Bridge (opened in 1969). Registration fees benefit non-profit groups.  Info: 401/856-9197; pellbridgerun.com

PREVIEW OF WINTER IN NEWPORT

CHRISTMAS AT THE NEWPORT MANSIONS – NOVEMBER 17, 2018 – JANUARY 1, 2019

Christmas Season begins in November at the four big houses of the Preservation Society. Christmas flowers and special decorations will fill The Breakers, The Elms, Marble House, and Rosecliff. Special holiday evenings are scheduled at the Breakers on November 24, December 1, 8, 22, and 29th from 6-8 pm. The Ems and Marble House Duet holiday evening is scheduled for December 15th from 6-9 pm. Info: newportmansions.org

CITY OF NEWPORT ILLUMINATED BOAT PARADE – November 23

Takes place in Newport Harbor, Newport. Info: 401/845-5815

HOLIDAYS BY THE SEA BLOCK PARTY & HOLIDAY STROLL KICK OFF – NOVEMBER 23 — BOWEN’S WHARF

This annual event ushers in the season of joy and good cheer. 4-8- PM. Bowen’s Wharf.  Info: 401/849-2243; bowenswharf.com

FOUR CURRENT EXHIBITS & TOURS NOT TO BE MISSED

SERVANT LIFE TOUR AT THE ELMS

Considered by many to be the best tour in Newport, The Elms’ now world-famous guided “Servant Life Tour” added two additional daily tour times to meet demand during the summer months.  Tours are offered at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm, and 4:30 pm. The tour is one hour. Info: newportmansions.org

VISIT ROUGH POINT IN 2018 – NRF’s 50th ANNIVERSARY

The Newport Restoration Foundation (NRF) celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. This year its exhibitions at historic Rough Point mansion, as posted on its website (newportrestoration.org), are: “‘To Preserve and Restore’: Newport Restoration Foundation at 50,” and “A Hand in Design: Exquisite Drawings of Jewelry and Architecture for Doris Duke.” This is a collaboration between NRF and David Webb New York, jewelry designer to Duke and many other prominent figures from 1948 to the present.  Rough Point will be open for tours through November 11th. Don’t miss this amazing home.  

OSCAR WILDE & THE BOHEMIAN MOVEMENT AS YOU’VE NEVER IMAGINED THEM

There are only a few more weeks left to catch this one-of-a-kind exhibit at the Galleries at Rosecliff, called “Bohemian Beauty: The Aesthetic Movement & Oscar Wilde’s Newport.”  Preservation Society Curator Ashley Householder has gathered a breathtaking collection of furniture, ceramics, wallpaper, clothing, accessories, and ephemera about the aesthetic movement (1870-1890) and the era’s major promoter, Oscar Wilde (1854-1900). The colors, patterns, and shapes of this “art for art’s sake” movement and the influence of Irish writer, playwright, and impresario Wilde will whisk you away to another time. Go and see this unique and truly wonderful exhibit. Now open daily through November 4th. 9am until 5pm. Additional information available at: newportmansions.org

BENEATH THE BREAKERS TOUR

The Breakers tour, “Beneath the Breakers,” is scheduled daily.  Tours are offered at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm, and 4:30 pm. Tour is one hour. Info: newportmansions.org

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KENNETH PROUDFOOT, a Newport Tour Escort and Guide, is the author of The Official 2018 Newport Tour Guides & Greeters Handbook (Shoreline Press (RI), 2017).

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