Dominica Dropped From Our Cruises in January

We knew it was a probability.  We knew it was coming.  But it was still sad to see the emails today from our travel agent - Best Price Cruises - informing us that there was an itinerary change.

We are sailing on the Royal Princess for four legs starting January 19.  

Originally we were to visit Dominica on three of the four cruises.

map still shows Dominica

Currently for the January 19th sailing Dominica is replaced with St. Kitts.  Ironically originally we were to dock in St. Kitts, but they changed the itinerary a while ago to Dominica.  


Currently for the January 29th sailing Dominica is replaced with Martinique.

map still shows Dominica

Our February 8th sailing has no changes.

Currently for the February 18th sailing Dominica is replaced with Martinique.

map still shows Dominica

We are looking forward to visiting Martinique.  We have never been to Martinique and I can't wait to explore it some more.  Also to use my French.

Do you have any recommendations for Martinique?  

But ultimately we are sad that we won't be stopping in Dominica.  The island really needs our dollars to help them.  

Updates to Itineraries for the Caribbean due to Hurricanes

I woke up at 4 am today - on my day off - thinking of those affected by the recent hurricanes and the horrible earthquake in Mexico.   I am thinking of Antours in Dominica who we have used numerous times.  I wonder about Daria and Michael from Dominica's Caribbean Cooking Experience and how they are.

As I checked the web for updates I saw that Princess has released an update to their cruises that visit affected ports in the Caribbean.

Our trip in January will certainly be affected as we dock in Dominica and I am not sure if they will be able to get back up and running for cruise passengers.  Other islands that are currently affected can hopefully get the help needed to accept tourists soon.  

One thing we both have agreed to is that we will be actively searching ways we can give back on the islands affected.  

Also following is Frequently Asked Questions.

HURRICANES IRMA AND MARIA — CARIBBEAN UPDATE
What's on this page: Impact on Itineraries | Frequently Asked Questions
Our thoughts and prayers are with all those impacted by the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma.

Princess Cruises has no ships in the Caribbean until Caribbean Princess departs Ft. Lauderdale on October 7, 2017. We look forward to continuing to provide the great cruise experience our guests expect and the economic support that the region relies on, now more than ever.

Our staff will continue to assess recovery efforts and conditions in affected destinations. Should any adjustments be required to future sailings as a result of storm damage, booked guests and their travel professional will be notified.

Princess Cruises and its parent company Carnival Corporation are working to provide extensive relief to those affected by Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma. Princess has created a matching fund through Princess Cruises Community Foundation for employee donations to support hurricane relief via the American Red Cross. As part of Carnival Corporation’s pledge at providing up to $10 Million dollars in Hurricane relief, Princess Cruises Community Foundation has also set up a Hurricane Relief initiative on board Princess Cruises’ ships to gather donations from guests and crew members which will be matched by Princess Cruises Community Foundation.*

Carnival Corporation, has begun outreach and support for those islands already impacted on behalf of the family of cruise lines. They have been in communication with officials in many of the Caribbean islands and have activated a plan to begin delivery of supplies on both an immediate and sustained, longer-term basis. These deliveries will be worked into ships’ cruise itineraries as part of ongoing operations. Carnival Corporation Foundation is also beginning to evaluate the best channels for support in the Caribbean, as well as Florida.

*Princess Cruises Community Foundation will match funds up to $100K.

IMPACT ON ITINERARIES
UPDATED AS OF 9/18/17, 5:50PM PDT
The following sailings are being adjusted due to Hurricane Irma:

Caribbean Princess: October 7 Caribbean Cruise
We have replaced the call to St Thomas on Tuesday, October 10, 2017 with a call to San Juan from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM on the same date. Since the time we made this decision, the path of Hurricane Maria is likely to affect Puerto Rico, therefore an update to the call to San Juan will be provided after the storm passes.

Guests who booked Princess shore excursions for St Thomas will receive a refund to the original form of payment. Shore excursions for San Juan will be available within the next two weeks or may be booked on board.

Regal Princess: October 26 Caribbean Cruise
We have replaced our call to St Maarten on Monday, October 30, 2017 with a call to St Kitts from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Tuesday, October 31. As a result of this change, we will now call to Antigua on Monday, October 30. Since the time we made this decision, the path of Hurricane Maria is likely to affect St. Kitts, therefore an update to the call to St. Kitts will be provided after the storm passes.

Guests who booked Princess shore excursions for St Maarten will receive a refund to the original form of payment. Shore excursions for St. Kitts and Antigua will be available within the next two weeks or may be booked on board.

For remaining 2017 Eastern Caribbean ports of call, we are currently assessing itinerary impacts and an update will be provided by the end of the week. We sincerely encourage guests with current reservations and anyone considering a Caribbean cruise to move forward with their plans. There is no better show of support for the area and the people than to continue to visit.

We look forward to welcoming you onboard.

UPDATED AS OF 9/14/17, 8:45PM PDT
Princess Cruises can announce that none of its cruises to the Caribbean or Panama Canal will be cancelled as a result of Hurricane Irma. Furthermore, our private island resort at Princess Cays is ready to receive guests and all of our 7-day cruises to the Western Caribbean and all cruises to the Panama Canal are unaffected by Irma and will go ahead as planned at this time.

At Princess Cruises, we prioritize the safety and enjoyment of our guests and to that end, we are working with local ports in the Eastern Caribbean affected by the Hurricane to assess the situation and to determine if any itinerary changes are needed. Please check back on Monday, 9/18 for an update.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I have booked a Caribbean cruise and would like an update on my itinerary.
We are currently talking to our port agents in each of the affected islands to assess the situation in each area. As you can imagine, communication is difficult at the moment in many places but as soon as we can establish the facts we will be able to share an update.

Will cruises be cancelled?
We will not be cancelling any cruises at this time

Will my itinerary be changed?
While we need to support the communities in those affected islands, inevitably it may take some time to repair the damage and restore those islands so they are able to accept cruise guests. We are talking to each of the islands to understand the extent of the damage so we can make a decision on the itineraries. As soon as we are aware of any changes we will be in touch with all guests individually or through the travel agent. At the moment unfortunately we cannot confirm the time line but will certainly let you know as soon as possible.

How will guests be notified of any changes?
We will be in touch with all guests individually or through the travel agent. We will also update our website with any changes.

Will I receive any compensation if itineraries have been changed?
At this point there are no confirmed changes to the itineraries. If any changes are necessary then we will review them in line with our booking conditions and we will be in touch with guests individually or through the travel agent.  

Will our insurance cover us if we cancel?
Each insurance policy is different so guests should speak to their travel insurance directly.

What if I have booked shore excursions in cancelled ports, will these be cancelled?
If any ports are cancelled then a full refund will be given on any booked shore excursions.

Are there any Princess ships in the Caribbean at the moment?
There are no Princess ships in the Caribbean until the beginning of October.

May I bring on supplies to deliver to the communities the ship visits?
As it requires infrastructure to receive and distribute supplies and the needs at each Island vary, the organizations responding to the immediate crisis and ongoing rebuilding efforts request money rather than supplies. There will be donation opportunities onboard.

Dominica

As I wake I can not believe how rested I feel, how relaxed I feel, how stress free I feel. As we lay there chatting about everything that comes to mind, which is often hard to do at home with all the pressures of work, home, and schedules.  Somehow on a ship we have the time to chat about whatever enters our minds and share.

How do you explain that to people (well I guess like I just did) but the fact we have time to sit across from each other and have a glass of wine and just talk. It is the same with friends we make on board.

It has been lovely sailing with Bruce and Sharon again. Even though we have not sailed with them in a long time, the fact we can catch up with them just by passing their table in the International Cafe and converstaion flows says a lot.  A ship brings that out in you.

Last night as we sat at dinner, Michael's son Franklin loves playing rummy and I mentioned Rummy Block and we both walked over to the library where I showed him the cases with the Rummy Block game.  I promised that we will get together today and I will show him the game.

Again the fact that families have time to sit down with their kids and play games is priceless.  I will advise later on how the Rummy Block game turns out.

But back to Dominica.  I wish I could say we did something exciting but for us we did what we needed to do and we just stayed on.  I do love this island but a few things are in play this cruise.  First this is an added trip and one we squeezed in and just being on board is the best relaxation for us.  And heck this ship is beautiful so why not enjoy it.

Second we are at the industrial pier in Dominica and it is about 2 miles to the town center.  Shuttles are available for $2 per person one way. And the beaches here are great (black sand because of the volcano) but they are a distance away.  Our favorite thing to do here is River Tubing but again since it was booked so last minute we had to be conscious of spending and so tours were sort of out of the picture.

Instead we donned our bathing suits and headed to the Enclave.  Only one other couple was in the Enclave - actually I have never seen the Enclave so quiet.  This may be because we are in port and it is the morning or it may be the demographics of the ship (much younger, families and newer cruisers) oh heck who knows why but it is lovely.

After showering and dressing we ended up in Alfredos for lunch which is so busy.  Guess people have figured it out now. But it is still a nice change and today I had a bowl of minestroni to start which was very good and then I had the calzone, again very very good.

La La Land the movie is playing in the Vista Lounge and Bernie wants to watch the Star Wars movie in the cabin so I am sitting in the International Cafe sipping a kiwi limi cooler (one punch on your coffee card) and writing my blog.

Ship is decorated for Easter and it is fun to see the decorations. I have lots of pics of the decorations that I will put up in the blog when I get home.  This is the first time we have sailed over Easter.

Dominica - February 4, 2016

No exciting events this morning - no rescues, no calls for blood.  When we wake around 9 we are docked - on the starboard side.  We are once again at the more industrial pier which is about a mile from down town.  There is a shuttle for around $2 each way.

We relax in the cabin watching the culinary demonstration all about Norman Love Chocolate desserts on board.  It is hosted by Executive Chef David as well as the Executive Pastry Chef.  They are so fun to watch.  David is quite funny too - he makes it enjoyable to watch. In fact I would love to see more of him and his demos. 

I write up my blog from yesterday and “thought” I saved it.  I don’t bother to post it right away because the signal is poor here and will down to Vines later to post.

We decide to head to the Enclave to relax.  OMG we are in love with this place. 

They provide you with sandals when you first arrive along with a robe but these sandals don’t fit me.  I wear a size 9. 

Quite a big size I know but many women wear this size.  But I can’t slip my feet into these sandals at all.  No big deal I just wear my own flip flops anyways, probably a good thing too. 

Even the change rooms are well appointed and relaxing.  There seems to always been an attendant in there cleaning up.  Lovely soothing sounds are piped in and the shower is huge. 

We get the Enclave for ourselves today.  Not a single soul joins us.  We move from shower to steam room to the caldera (aka as freakin hot room) but I have learned to just turn on the shower head and keep dousing my body to cool down.  I last only around 5 minutes but the max is ten anyways.  Then cool shower then the next room.

The pool is so relaxing but after a while I begin to feel pickled, but Bernie can stay in here forever.  I am lounging on the tiled beds feeling the warmth penetrate.  I can hear the spa music being piped in but very low, so low I have to concentrate to hear it. 

I move to the warm water bed and fall asleep for a bit on it.  Ahhhh I am coming back new!

We shower back in the cabin and decide to stay out of the sun today.  After a full day yesterday and again tomorrow we need a break. 

I am hungry (no breakfast again) and it is just after one pm.  We venture down to the International Café where we grab a sandwich - found my new favorite (chicken with pineapple) and some salad. 

We sit in Vines (no wine - surprise) and I go to post my blog.  But NO I obviously didn’t save all that I typed earlier today!  Damn…. That is at least an hour of writing.  So I am back at writing it all over again.

Sail Away today is at our friends Angelique and Simon’s cabin for 4 pm.

Dominica January 14, 2016

Darn it is 3:30 am and I am wide awake again!  This time I lay in bed and pull out my book and read for 2.5 hours until I fall back asleep.  Thankfully Bernie can sleep thru.  When he wakes he quietly gets dressed and heads out.  He comes and goes throughout the morning while I sleep.

I finally wake around 11 am feeling refreshed.  When we watch the morning show and then shower and I head down to the International Café to get some lunch around noon.

There are a lot of people who have stayed on the ship.  We are docked in Dominica and we are at the industrial pier which is only a five minute shuttle ride to town but this does deter people from getting off.  You can walk into town too, but it is at least a half hour walk and it is hot.  There is a large building here right at this pier that sells trinkets and stuff if you just want to get off and shop.  But I do encourage people who have never been here before to head out and explore this island.

We love this place and we have used Antours numerous time for many different private tours.  It is even possible to just get off and hire a private guide ashore for a bit of an island tour.  The falls are beautiful and they have a nice botanical garden that you can walk to from the downtown core. 

So as I sit here in the Atrium a group of beautiful women come on and they are representing the Dominican pageant and even Miss Dominica 2016 is here.  It is nice that Princess invites them on for the day.

Lots  happening this morning and afternoon:  trivia, lawn bowls competition, charades, croquet open play, tennis, ping pong, Afternoon Movie the Intern in Vista Lounge, champagne ring toss, win lose or draw, golf putting challenge, sail away with Tyrone Babb, afternoon tea, nail care clinic, Movies Under the Stars is Il Divo, Jewish Sabbath Service and more.

Dominica February 3, 2015

Can you believe it is already February 3^rd?  We still have two weeks to go on this vacation and we are loving it.

We are to dock early at 7 am so the alarm goes off at 6:30 and we dress and head up to the Horizon Court for some breakfast.  The place is busy with people getting some food to start out their day.

Back down in the cabin we are getting ready for our day.  Today we are getting the chance to go to the Kalinago Territory to the Barana Aute (Village by the Sea).  The Kalinago is the original name of the Caribe Indian Tribe, but they go by their original name not the name that was given to them by the settlers. 

We booked an excursion thru Antours again.  We have used them many times and Anison the owner is always very helpful and professional.  He had arranged for transportation to the Village for $45 per person for the seven of us.  We would have to pay our own entry into the Cultural Center though.  To read about past trips with Antours click here.  

But as we are getting ready I notice we are at the pier but the boat is still swaying and I can feel the thrusters kicking in.  Bing bing bing and the Captain comes in over the PA in the cabins to announce that sadly the port is going to have to be cancelled.

The reason is the ship is very long and the wake is pushing the ship to and from the pier and the ship even when tied up is moving up to a meter away from the pier at one end and then crashing back into the dock.  I head down to deck 7 to take a look, and oh my.  I have never seen this before.

The Captain said it would be way too dangerous to put the gangway out.  If the gangway was out and the ship moved back the whole gangway could fall and that would be tragic.  Not to mention the damage that ship and pier would take by this too.  Here is some video of what was happening.

Okay change of plans, we put on our swimsuits and head out to the top deck for some sun.  The place is busy but we don’t have too much trouble getting some lounge chairs.  But after a few hours the sun is so intense and the place is crowded that we head in.

We are definitely feeling the crowds… you see when a ship is on a scheduled sea day people sleep in, they make plans, they are have a routine.  But when a forced sea day is put upon us we have to regroup and people are not sure what to do.  I am surprised at how many are angry that the port was missed. 

Bernie suggests a pizza from Alfredos and I agree, what a great idea.  Daniel our server works in Alfredos during the day so we sit in his section.  He recommends a pizza for us and we agree.  It was great too.

The new Patter has come out and Lisa and her cruise staff have done an amazing job filling it with new activities. But both of us decide to head back to the cabin to watch a movie.  

Dominica

I want to back track a bit to cover our meal last night in Sabatinis.  After the night in Crown Grill we had said we would not dine at the specialty restaurants again but boy are we ever glad we did.  Tonight we stop by Sabatinis just prior to our reservation and ordered some wine so they could put it on ice and open when we arrive.  We head over to Adagio for a drink and we can hear they are doing the sports trivia and Corey is hosting.  It is so nice to see him again after spending a month on the Star we got to know him well.  He is happy to be back on board and is well rested after a two month break and visit home to New Zealand.

We meet up with the other four and have a quick drink and some olives!  Make sure you try the olives here!  They are so good.

When we are sat at Sabatinis for 8 we already can feel the diference.  It isn’t as busy as Crown was and the waiter and head waiter are immediately offering us menus and opening and pouring wine.  We see that there is a new hostess and we all comment to each other on the differences.

Tonight I really wanted to have the sea bass as it is something I have never had but have always wanted but it is a dish that is served for two and I have never found someone to share it with.  Tonight Bill says he will have it with me but our waiter offers to get it and have it for the middle of the table for all of us to share and we are tickled pink this is just perfect!

I start with the Calamari then have I have to have the mushroom tart and both were so good – but I made sure not to eat the entire dish so that I still had room for my entrée.  The pasta course is served next and it is good but again too much and I have to stop myself from eating all that they put on my plate.  For my entrée I love the lobster three ways but I don’t really want the tail what I really want is the risotto and they are happy to provide, but are very concerned that it won’t be enough and offer to add more to the dish and more lobster.  I say I am good with the regular portion but I get a large bowl of risotto with tons of lobster meat in it and even with sharing it with the tablemates it is way too much.  I should also add the sea bass is prepared in a salt crust that is served table side.  The waiter cuts off the salt and debones the fish there and serves succulent chunks of fish on a platter for the table.   It is so good and I have another favorite dish at Sabatinis.

For dessert I once again have the Napolean and a latte and we are all so happy with the food and service and I thank Bill and Cathy for suggesting it.  We thank the waiter and head waiter for a great meal and we don’t hesitate to tip extra tonight as we really appreciate it.

We need to wander and walk off this meal a bit.  After a few minutes we end up at Crooners cause Kory Simon draws us in with his singing and playing and we spend about an hour there laughing, singing along and having our food settle a bit. 

Another Great Day!

Now for Barbados…..

We wake and we both feel tired and grumpy…. Third port day in a row and we really miss those sea days.  We also have another tour planned today and we should know better we get tired of having too many things organized and maybe should of planned better but what is done is done. 

We wake, and Bernie heads upstairs for some food and brings me an egg sandwich to tie me over.  We get our bathing suits on and meet the others at 9 in the coffee bar when I get my latte to go.  We are all commenting on how we are tired and needed a later start today so we all grudgingly head ashore.

Oh I should say we are at the industrial pier about 2 km from town so this doesn’t add to our mood very well.  We are trying to find the sign for Antours.  Now for those that have followed my blogs for years you know we love Antours, this is our third tour with them, all of them River Tubing with one year doing the tubing and the Emerald Falls.  Today we are just doing the tubing again.  We finally meet up with the host who has our names and checks all our names off and says that there are four others that are already here but there are a few others still.  So we are lead to a shaded area that has a fence around it where we all giggle commenting that we feel like sheep that are corralled in their pen. 

Finally after about 15 minutes we are directed to two vans where our group of about 22 is divided and we get in and again all our moods are being put to the test as the fan is stifling hot and humid and we are sitting, and sitting and sitting.  Finally some AC starts and we are still waiting but at least the AC is helping.  The driver of the van in front keeps coming back and checking names.  We once again go thru the roll call and he is looking for Bridgitte!  This becomes the running joke as no one knows who Brigitte is and after an hour of waiting around, sitting, corralling, and checking names we are off.

Our driver does outline some of the sights but we are not interested we have been here before, I am tired and we are all still cranky.  We hope the day will improve, or at least our moods will.

Part way to the falls we are told we have a delay because of a scheduling error and we are told that they will take us to the black sand beach to hang out at for a bit until they can get us onto the river.  We are fine with this, but really we don’t have a choice. 

But as soon as we arrive we see this little girl of about four who welcomes us and says hi and how are you and well heck what do I have to complain about really…. And look at this beach!  Look at the water!  And guess what I didn’t have to drive the bus today so I soon change my tune.  And it looks like others are feeling better too as moods have adjusted after this short stop at the beach.

We are driven the short distance to the river and the drop off spot.  Antour is there and he remembers me and he apologizes so much about the error today.  We feel rushed though as another group from another organization arrives and they want to get into the water too.  We are fitted with life jackets and helmets and we are in the water.  The water is high today and this should help with the flow down the river better and hopefully I won’t get stuck too much.

Some of the people in the other van in our group are still cranky, especially  these two women who constantly complain as they go down the river but I try to block out their complaints and focus on the positive.

My butt can still fit in the river tube!  The river is running fast!  I can still fit in the life jacket!  The trees that surround the river are lush and work like a beautiful canopy for my transport!  The guides are fast and very helpful and getting us out of areas when we get stuck!  And I can physically still do these exciting excursions!

We are met at the end (which took about 40 minutes) by Antour who soon has us drinking beer, water or Kennedy rum punch…. All is right in the world and we are all laughing in our bus on the ride back. 

I am so tired as soon as I get on board I am struggling to stay awake…. Heck I am on holidays and a nap is in order and I crash.  I slept for a few hours and wake just as we are pulling out but I don’t feel guilty I needed it.

Tonight’s drink of the day is the mojito in Skywalkers and I hear that there is one with my name on it, well actually two!  We meet up with Bill and Cathy and Mike and Sue. 

At 7:30 we head to the dining room and Elda and Nathanlian are happy to see us again and we are happy to see them too.  I start with the pear and pineapple salad, then apple soup, then the fish kabobs and all is very good.  Of course a bottle of Santa Margaritta makes it taste so much better.

Tonight we opt to see Rolling Jay Moore in the Princess theater, of course as soon as he comes out we recognize him and we laugh our heads off but we are tired!  Go figure!   Other things going on tonight are Muts Pitch Perfect, Beatles Maniacs in Club Fusion, Majority Rules and Karaoke Madness and of course the regular bands.

Another great day!

Sunday and Dominica

First words out of my mouth “what time is it?” and Bernie’s response “10 o’clock” WHAT!  I guess getting up so darn early yesterday and going to bed around midnight I really needed a good long sleep.  Nothing woke me up (maybe it is the bigger pillows – steward shoved two regular pillows into one pillow case making a normal size pillow) I did not hear others around us get up and go about their day, I did not hear us docking in Dominicia, even the latte’s smell sitting on my bedside table didn’t wake me.  But boy do I feel rested. 

wish my bus was like this

good laugh at the street names in front of the church

I am very very excited about today’s tour.  Alice arranged a cooking tour today with Dominica Caribbean Cooking Experience, but that is not until noon so we have a bit of time ashore wandering around.  Thankfully we are at the pier right in town so we can easily walk around.  A lot of things are closed because it is Sunday but we did walk by a few churches and listen for a bit to the beautiful choirs.  We walk towards the IGA and I pick up my Kennedy Rum Punch for the cabin….  Now this good stuff, it is strong though so you do need to mix it with some soda, I like to mix it with Sprite --  for me at least.

great restaurant located right across from the downtown pier

lots of places to shop

 At noon we meet up with the rest of the group, we are seven in total from our ship and Michael is there and directs us to his waiting van for the ride up into the mountain to his home.  He informs us that we will be joining a group from the other ship that is in port (a German Line) and we meet up with a group of about 10 from that ship and they have someone from the cruise line to translate and even the video crew is on this tour too – but it might be hard for us to buy the DVD since well we are on Princess.

Michael explained to us that him and his wife have been doing these tours for a while, originally they started the cooking class in a closed restaurant in town but around 8 years ago they moved it to their house which is situated up on the mountain side with a beautiful garden and an amazing view.  Right away when we arrive we feel like we are visiting friends in their home and well we need to help with the cooking.  Daria the hostess welcomes us all and introduces us to the chef Elizabeth and their assistant – sorry I forgot her name. 

We stand around a circular counter and Daria explains what we are going to make, how to prepare and describes local cuisine, their ingredients and we get hands on experience right away.

the spices we used

Her and Elizabeth have us prep the rice and bean dish, one person is in charge of cooking that.  Then she prepares some pumpkin for a drink, I know it sounds weird but trust me it was amazing.  She then goes into the demonstration for how they make their spiced rum and she is right Captain Morgan has nothing on this rum!  We then prepare a marinade for a fish dish (today it is marlin) and that gets started.  My favorite is next, the plantain dish where they are sliced, put in flour then a batter mixture then in fresh coconut and then fried.  Lots of steps (Bernie is put in charge of frying them along with one of the German guests).  I along with Alice and two others are put in charge of the drunken grapefruit dish, lots of laughs were heard here.  Another group prepared the salad and dressing.  Everyone got a job or two to do. 

What was the best experience for me was the whole group mixing and mingling even with the language barrier, Germans, Americans, British and Canadians working side by side us learning some German and thankfully many of the Germans speaking a few words of English for us.  If only leaders of nations could be here to learn a few things.

We serve ourselves and sit at a large communal table where we get a performance from two younger people who sang traditional songs from Dominica, beautiful.  We cheer in English and German and dig in while staring out at a beautiful view.

After our meal we all give our email address to get the recipes delivered to us once we get home. And I for one know that I will definitely be making some of them.

Michael takes us all back to the ship and makes a quick detour up to the lookout for some photos then we are back at the ship around 4 pm.

I will add that we were asked for our emails so they could forward the recipes but a month after the tour we still had not received any recipes   I sent them an email and they forwarded them to me finally and asked that I send to the group, but I don't have everyone's email, and was disappointed that they were even asking.  I think they should print out the recipes and hand them out at the end of the tours from now on.

the pier at Dominica - downtown one

Ironically dinner tonight in the Horizon Court is the German themed buffet and we think we are going to head there for our meal.  Also it works out well as there are a few events tonight that we want to attend. 

Tonight’s entertainment includes;  GLBT Get Together; Interdenominational Church Service; Accent is playing in Explorers; Tortuga Rum Cake Sampling; Sol Provider is performing in Club Fusion; Interactive Trivia; Are You Smarter than a Crew Member Gameshow; Best of Abba with DJ Alex; Karaoke and Boggie Shoes is the big production show.

Dec. 4, 2011 - Dominica

Room service wakes us up at 7:30 and we enjoy our juice and tea with some fruit on the balcony as we arrive in Dominica.   Now a lot of people don’t like Dominica, you won’t find a Diamond’s International here, it is not commercialized this is the real Caribbean.  The people are very proud and happy and want to share their lovely island with you. 

We are not in any rush to get off the ship and I really want to get a work out in as it has been two days since my last work out.  Both of us head up to the gym and do an hour’s workout.  Back to the room for quick shower and change and we are heading ashore.

We are docked right in the city of Rosseau, of the four times we have been here twice we have been at the pier further away from town.  The one thing I have been wanting to see but seem to always miss is the Botanical Gardens so today we first walk to the right for quite a ways then we come back and go to the gardens.  Very peaceful, very nice, and we love checking out the trees, flowers and the birds. 

 

We make our way back towards the town and stop into the IGA grocery store to pick up some essentials, Kabuli beer and some Kennedy’s Punch (last time I got the fruit punch, today I got the lime punch).  We tried to stop at our favorite little restaurant for a quick meal but every spot was filled and we didn’t feel like waiting.  One issue we found was today is Sunday and a lot of places are closed, including restaurants.

We come back on board around 12:30 and head to the International Café where I tried the black forest freeze drink (and yes it tastes just like black forest cake – and I am sure there are no calories) it is one punch on the coffee card.  We have a few things from the café there, for me a mushroom and cheese quiche with Greek salad, and a pavlova for dessert.

Tonight we have reservations at the Crown Grill with our friend Al for 6:30.  Tonight is also the Captain Circle party but we are not going, maybe we will attend on the next sailing.

For dinner in the Crown Grill I had the scallops to start, then of course the onion soup, then a filet mignon with potato and asparagus, then well it wouldn’t be complete without the chocolate molten cake.  The Crown Grill now has three different types of salt that they serve and the one thing you have to try is the salt on the Chocolate Molten cake, just a bit but the salt really compliments the chocolate.  We enjoyed one of our bottles of champagne with the meal.  The service was amazing, as usual, the food outstanding and the company the best.

 

We are done in time to step into see the Beattle Maniacs perform, they were once again wonderful and glad we got to see them finally.  After that show we went to the Explorer’s lounge to check out the yes/no game that we had heard was a lot of fun.  I put my name in and was one of the last contestants.  The rule is basically, Tim will ask you various questions and you have to answer but you can’t say yes or no.  Seems easy, well I can tell you not that easy.  I am not sure how long I lasted but it was at least a minute.  Tim is very good with the crowds, the people love him and he seems happy.

Tim and Colin doing the Yes/No game

Another day is done, don’t know where the time goes on a ship but we are off to bed.  Tomorrow is St. Thomas.