Miltary Submarine Tourism --- (magazine) Cover Stories

Background

During the Cold War entire crews were advised by their CO or XO of their sub's hoped for ports of call a few days before the next deployment. Such information was only dispensed in squadron homeports, like Groton or New London (State Pier in those days).

If our subs actually visited one of those ports, including La Spezia, it was certainly going to be rare because the submarine navy's business is significantly more important than tourism. 

Spanish navy submarine Mistral enters Ferrol via the castles of San Felipe and La Palma Mugardos

"The Mistral is in Galicia while her replacement is being built in Cartegena"

Seeing the photo (below) of an S-70 sub entering the port of Ferrol (story in Spanish News Today ) brought back memories of the dozen port visits we had missed.

And, it also reminded of USS Albuquerque (SSN-706) 2007 visit to Trinidad's (not to be confused with the Venezuelan municipality of the same name):  

"SSN in Chaguaramas: So What's in Chaguaramas?"

"The announced purpose of the visit was a liberty call that included plans to paint the Rainbow Rescue Shelter at Belmont."

Submarines are always silent and strange.