Antigua – February 13, 2015

We dock early (8 am) and I must be getting use to the docking feel cause I sleep right thru the thrusters pushing the ship against the dock.  But I wake in time to hear the announcement that we have received clearance to go ashore. 

Remember that even though we dock at 8 am the ship still needs to get clearance from the authorities before allowing people to go ashore.  Similar to when you arrive in a foreign country via a plane.  You need to clear customs for that country.  Now for most of these Caribbean ports clearance is quick and easy, but some people have been upset when they can’t get off right away.

I take my time getting ready, our plans are not till later.  In fact not until 10:30.  So I shower and lather on the sunscreen and bathing suit and all the gear that we need for a day at the beach.

We meet up with our friend Federico and we walk off and grab a taxi outside the pier area.  We are heading back to Fort James Beach and we specifically ask for Candy Land Restaurant cause the beach is right across from it.  The bar and facilities we use are those of Beach Bar Limerz. 

But as soon as the taxi pulls up in front of the restaurant we are shocked to see water on the road.  The waves are crashing high!  So high that they are taking parts of the beach.  Needless to say there were no lounge chairs on the beach where we laid out a few weeks ago.  So we take higher ground and sit in some chairs under an umbrella. 

Federico and Bernie head into the water but they are cautious, these are strong waves and a big undertow.  They don’t go in far but even these guys are falling.  I laugh my head off watching them. 

I go beside them to chat, we are only knee high in the water and while talking this wave comes in and crashes and the water flies up and smacks us all in the face.  Oh my we are laughing cause of it, it is like God said, “hey pay attention”.

you can see me n Federico's glasses

Picture Federico took with his Polaroid

We relax under the umbrella, we get a few showers and then the sun comes out, but we are great.  We are sipping our first rum punches (Bernie is smart he sticks to local beer).  It is lovely getting to catch up with Federico away from the ship.

A woman approaches who we met the last time we were here.  She is from Sweeden and is here for a few months to celebrate her retirement.  She recognized us and we are happy she came by.  She sits with us and we catch up.

We all head up to the restaurant/bar to get a meal and a second (then third) drink.  The restaurant is lovely and has wooden tables/chairs and it is all undercover.  The washrooms are clean and they also have free wifi. 

We each order a chicken curry Roti and we share a plate of fries.  Prices are reasonable and the food was good.

When we are ready to go the staff call us a taxi and Kenny (the driver) shows up and we head back to the pier ($4 per person).  Traffic is heavy cause of the rain but it is also a Friday afternoon.

short rain shower when we get back to the pier,
 but they have umbrellas for us if we need them

Once back at the pier we say goodbye to Federico who has desk hours in an hour and he needs to shower and get ready.  We wander over to the shops and peak inside and buy a few little things.  We really haven’t bought much of anything this voyage.

Back on the ship and we go thru the ritual of rinsing bathing suits, hanging them, drying beach ring, showering, moisturizing (that salt/sun is drying), cleaning sand from well everywhere, especially today.

After three rum punches I am in need of a nap desperately!  An hour and a half nap and I feel much better, but gee at my age you think I would know better!  NOT, but I did have fun.

So the day at the beach was not exactly as we had planned but it was better!  One thing we have learned thru all our travels is that things may not always work out the way we had them planned, but they still work out.

Tonight is our Captain Circle party.  There are three parties, tonight there is just one at 7:30 – 8:00 and two more tomorrow.  Of course if you can’t make the one you have been assigned just see the Captain Circle Host to see the dates/hours for another one and if it suits you better.

We take a seat right at the back of the venue.  We prefer to be in the back where we can sit and relax and have our drink and talk without disturbing others.

Captain Oliver is at the door shaking hands with everyone, we welcome him on board.  We get our drinks and enjoy the event.  Federico (Captain Circle Host) starts the evening, I am not sure where the Cruise Director Peter is, normally he does the introduction.  But Federico and Mathew (Future Cruise Consultant) do a great job.  The Captain talks for a bit and he is so funny, very personable too.  See even the Captain makes you feel like you are part of the Princess Family.

We head to the Symphony dining room for dinner.  It is Italian night and we finish off the wine from the other night (Spellbound).  The dining room for second seating is quieter tonight, I think all these port days are catching up with people.

you can find the Hot Latin Nights video here 

After dinner we are up on the top deck to enjoy the Hot Latin Nights.  The deck is all lit up and New Deal is playing.  DJ Shea is also spinning the tunes.  The dance floor is the water fountain stage which needs to be dried continually. 

I really enjoyed the evening.  Having participated in many an Island Deck Party and White Hot Deck Party I enjoy a change.  Bernie and I dance the night away up on deck 17 and don’t head back to the cabin until almost midnight.

We watch the Wake Show and we get a kick out of Toby/Shea and Peter discussing the lips we gave him.  I did video it and will put up here on the blog when I get 
home. You can find the Wake Show Video here.

St. Thomas February 3, 2015

St. Thomas is always a beautiful sail in.  The Regal is already alongside at the pier at Havensight.  We pull in right behind her, aft to aft.  I am always amazed at how they can park these huge vessels like you are parallel parking a smart car.

We receive clearance soon thereafter, but I role over and try to get a bit more sleep.  We can’t sleep, there is a lot going on around us and all we hear is banging of doors and people in the hallways, people on their balconies.  We watch the movie the Judge and are so engrossed in it that we decide to watch the whole thing before we even head out for breakfast. 

For me it is down to the International Café for a Cappuccino and a yoghurt parfait and I take a sit by the window.  Bernie is up at the Horizon Court chatting with Lynn and Jim, where I find him.

The ship is quiet, most have gone ashore.  There are a lot of ships in port today and I can see a lot of traffic crawling along.  We had discussed what to do here and we tossed out some ideas of going to the beach but really I am not crazy about getting off to visit St. Thomas with so many ships in port.  Just too busy, too many people trying to sell you stuff and why would I want to get off this amazing resort.  And finally since this is our second of three visits here this winter we decide to stay on.  Plus this ship is beautiful and with so many off we get to enjoy it in some tranquility.

We put our bathing suits and head up to the Retreat Pool where it is so easy to find a lounger and we settle in.  The pool is refreshing and the sun isn’t barring down, especially under the canopy of the retreat pool area. Ahh life is so good.

There is quite a bit still happening on board even with many off but my only goal today is to read, do Sudoku puzzles and rest.

looks like this person is Parasailing off the back end of the NCL ship

Tonight we are dining in Sabatinis but first we head to the Elite Lounge to enjoy a Brezza Marina.  Even though I find the Club 6 a nice lounge I really miss Skywalkers and this lounge has the constant flow of people strolling thru it.  Passengers leaving or going to the Princess Theater to the Atrium file thru.  So it doesn’t really feel special, also since you can only get the special price for the drink of the day.  

The staff here though are very good and helpful and they of course remember everyone’s name and their folio number. 

We meet up with friends here and find out that they did go to Morningside Beach which is close to Havensight.  The taxi was $6 per person and the price for two lounge chairs and an umbrella is $25.  I was not there so can’t report on exactly what amenities are there.

The production show Spectacular is happening in the Princess Theater; however there appears to be a problem with the stage and the show is cancelled for the evening until they can get things repaired.  Lisa the Cruise Director has arranged for the Princess Band to perform a Big Band show there at 10:15 tonight. 

We have reservations at Sabatinis tonight at 8 pm.  We arrive and the head waiter greets us and sits us at a lovely table by the window where we can see an amazing moon out there. 

Alice has brought Bernie’s favorite champagne and I order a bottle of wine.  Sabatinis has their own wine list but you can of course order from the “normal” wine list too.

To read Sabatinis Menu click here.   

The meal was very good.  I had the Buffalo Mozzarella salad, then calamari (which I could not finish), and then the sea bass for my entrée.  That fish was cooked perfectly with zucchini slices individually grilled and then placed over the fish to look like scales, stunning.  My favorite part of the meal was the polenta though… I love polenta and it has a lovely texture and flavor, just wish I could duplicate it.

For dessert I have the Normal Love Tiramisu which looks as beautiful as it tastes. 

Personally I love the new menu (well newer menu, it has been around for a few years now).  I have to say that I actually prefer Sabatinis over Crown Grill on board.  The experience here is much more special and because it was not crazy busy like Crown Grill usually is we really enjoyed it.

It is just before 10 pm when we leave but I don’t really want to do much so we wander around for a while.  Kory Simon is performing up in Crooners and New Deal is in Vista Lounge but all I want to do is head to the cabin and have an early night.

I forgot to mention that tonight is formal night and we had ordered the chocolate covered strawberries for our special elite canapés but I am guessing they have run out of strawberries on board cause we are delivered chocolate bon bons instead. 

We also put the clocks back one hour tonight so we get an extra hour of sleep too.

Bonaire – Sunday – Also SuperBowl Sunday

We are suffering from a bit of a headache!  Oh my!  Something tells me our plans that we originally had for Bonaire are going to change today. 

Originally we were going to head over to Klein Bonaire but we are having a hard time getting up and going.  We both are worried that the other is going to be disappointed today.  Okay how many other couples are like this?  I am worried Bernie wants to snorkel and will be sad, and he is worried I am going to miss out in snorkeling.  We finally sit and communicate and we find out neither of us is up for snorkeling and putting this clouded head under water.

After grabbing a bite to eat we dress and our camera and head ashore. 

a variety of means of transportation here

Water Taxi to Klein is right near the pier

This is what you will encounter when you go ashore.  New complex with shops.

We love Bonaire, it is an island they we often comment about coming back to spend more time at but it is so hard for us in Vancouver to get here.  The people are lovely and of course the sea life is everywhere.

Sipke and Dianir Stapert

The first thing we need to do is head to the small craft stalls that have been set up in town.  Two years ago I bought a lovely pendant and earing set here.  Sadly one of the earrings broke in half when I was not carefully and placed it among things that got compressed. 

I bought two sets of earrings and a new pendant.

I quickly find the stall and see they have a lot more items now.  We buy a  new set of earrings that will match the pendant and I buy another pendant and earring set in a different color too.  The couple that make and sell these items are Sipke and Dianir Stapert and they can be reached at tortugos_99@yahoo.com.  The Craft Market's website can be found here 

We decide to walk for a change to see some of the area.  We walk away from the downtown towards the airport.  We see lots of lovely homes, and the wildlife is so fun to spot too.  Bernie loves birds so he is like a kid pointing out birds and wildlife while I try to take photos of them.  At one point we had two green parrots following us swooping down in front of us for about a block. 

We end up at the beach resort/marina that we have been to before.  We sit in a lounge chair and watch the snorkelers and kayakers here. 

This island is a treasure cove of sea life.  You really don’t have to go far at all to experience great snorkeling.  Just walk into the water anywhere and you will see tons of stuff.  Part of me wishes we had our snorkel gear and swimsuits with us but still a little clouded from all the wine last night.

We walk out to the end of the point at this resort and I get a kick out of all the lizards and take pics of all of them.  I wish I could pick one up, yup I was that kind of kid wanting to pick up everything.

somebody's idea of a fence

It is a short stop at this port today cause it is a long distance to Grenada our stop tomorrow.  All aboard is 13:30 sailaway is 14:00. 

I will add the weather is beautiful, but it has been windy today.  Highs have been 27C/81F with high clouds, but no showers today.  And use caution cause that sun is misleading, and many are burned all over the ship.

Once back on board we head up to the Horizon Court for a bite to eat.  Today they have Indian and Asian themed items and I had his last sailing too and it is very good.  I loved many of the items and take note there are more standard food items in the Bistro section.  The Horizon Court never ceases to amaze me.  I love the selection and everything is hot that should be hot.  The staff are very attentive filling dishes and cleaning up.  The buffet stewards are always quick to see if you need a drink and clear a plate and I am blown away at how many are so friendly and happy and wishing us a good day.  I don’t think, no I know I could not be that happy at work.

Bernie is heading up to the pool deck and I head down to the Café to grab a blended latte.  I head out to the Promenade deck facing the pier and watch everyone coming back.  A lot of Princess tours were late but I am pleased to see how attentive the tour operators are.  They are all assisting the passengers getting off the boats.  One woman’s visor flew off into the water because of the high winds.  A tour operator got back in the boat, took her bathing suit cover off and jumped in the water by the pier to get the woman’s visor.  That is impressive.

The crew on the pier handing out cold towels and water are there until the very last guest comes back offering water/towels as they make their way to the gangway. 

Princess I notice all these extra touches and I appreciate it.

Today is SuperBowl but being Canadian and someone who is really not into football, or most sports for that matter I can’t report directly on how the festivities unfold.  Although I can report that there is a lot happening on board to celebrate the event.

The game is being televised on Movies Under the Stars, Princess Live, Vista Lounge, Club 6 and Churchills – seems like every venue!  The Promenade is decorated with balloons and football themed signs. 

The Patter is showing Tailgate Party at 5:30 at MUTS, Superbowl at 7:00.  Vista Lounge is going to have a Superbowl trivia and cheering competition.  There is going to be tailgate food at Trident Grill – wings, ribs etc.  There is a buy one get one free drink special at Mermaids Tail Bar too.  Something tells me the dining room is not going to be busy tonight.

But our plans aren’t in the dining room either.  Tonight we have reservation at the Crab Shack for 8 pm for five of us.  I have never done this and am looking forward to trying it. 

Lots of other things happening too.  Spot the Fake in Facets, These Guys (an Acapella Performance) in the Atrium, Princess Theater is showing What the World Needs Now 7:00, 8:15 and 10:15; Sing A Long with Kory Simon in Crooners; Piano Melodies with Nadia in Wheelhouse; Trevor Cole plays his steel pan in the Wheelhouse later tonight; Party Time with Neal Deal in the Piazza; Superbowl Dance Party with DJ Shea in Club 6. 

Today marks half way thru out trip… wow time flies but we still have lots more to do, so thanks for following and stay tuned.