Martinique

We are not docking till 11 so I enjoy a lovely sleep in. 

After a shower I gather my computer and some books and head out to find a quiet spot to enjoy my coffee and do some research.

But the ship is busy.  People are dressed and ready to get off and are meeting up with friends to plan their days.

I sneak up to Club 6 which is quiet.  The Veteran’s get together is just ending and I take a seat at the opposite end of the lounge.  So proud that Princess does these gatherings.  I also thank them for their service, no matter what country you served for.  It is appreciated.

It is now very quiet and the air conditioning is strong in here but I like it cool but it would be too cold for some, so bring a sweater.  It is a perfect temperature for those dancing at night though.

I am reviewing a Chilean tour book for more research for my destination presentations.  The book comes from the library and I only have a few more days to review it before I have to return it.

The room is starting to fill up.  I finally figure out that they are hosting trivia here.  Matt hosts the trivia and again he is just so funny.  He makes attending a regular trivia even more fun and trust me I need something to keep me going when playing as I just don’t know most of the answers.

We dock and the clearance is stated and the ship feels like the drain has been pulled from the tub.  People funnel out and I feel like I am all by myself.

I too want to go ashore in Martinique.  Last time we were here we took a taxi to a resort and enjoyed the beach.  Read about it here.

Today I am going off by myself.  Bernie is at the Sanctuary relaxing and resting.  He still has that cold so he is doing exactly what he needs to do.  That is the great thing about cruising, a couple can do that and we each know the other is okay.

When I step onto the pier it is very humid and the wind is kicking up.  Make sure you hold onto your hat as you walk along the pier as the wind will pick it up and take it away. 

There are some pedal bikes you can hire to transport you to the pier entrance for a small fee.

As I get to the end of the pier the skies open and a massive shower hits.  We all take cover wherever we can.  I am under the taxi/tour information tent where I chat with some of the other cruisers.  I also help out by translating for some of the passengers with the locals.  Glad I can help out too and I get to practice my French.  Although many locals speak a bit of English it will help if you can help with a few words, or hey maybe a bit of hand signals.

The rain stops a few minutes later and the humidity goes up.  I take a quick picture and as you can see the humidity is not being nice to my hair and it is hot.  Make sure to bring water ashore and keep hydrated.

There are some lovely artisan shops right there at the pier in some tents. I buy a lovely pair of earrings. They take credit cards and will give you a bit better price for cash – note prices are in Euros but will let you know what the price is in US.

I walk by the water taxi stands which are a very short distance from the ship’s pier.

We are very close to the downtown and it is easy to get to. 

The city is lovely.  I walk along and check out the shops. 

There is a lovely three story mall that has some nice stores inside.

Once outside again I see the local market.  I always enjoy the local markets.

After wandering about the city for an hour or so I wander back on board.

I am up at the Sanctuary in no time and totally relaxing.  

Those serenity stewards are the best.  Again I find the Royal’s Sanctuary to be the best in the fleet – but I am a bit biased.  I even get in a small nap!

We are slow to get moving in the evening and are only out of the cabin at 8 pm. 

Of course you all know where we start out our evening – VINES. 

Bernie and I agree we are due for a pizza at Alfredos. 

Tonight’s buffet theme is Bavarian Night – or German Buffet.  Although we love the German buffet we agree a pizza is more of what we want tonight.

Oh and it was so yummy! 

It is the Love Boat Disco Deck Party and we were not sure if it was going to happen tonight but thankfully the weather cooperated and it is a go!

Todd and Sue are with us and boy did with have a fun night.  We dance all night long – yes I am quoting Lionel Richie!  We were up on the stage too dancing with each other and the cruise staff.

When the dancers come out to perform I watch and try to follow.  Hey I will never see these people again.

The electric slide comes on and Matt O is leading us in the steps.  At one point he turns around and cracks up when he sees that most are facing all different directions!  Yup we are all going by the beat of our own drum. But hey the key is to have fun and we ARE!

There was a few technical issues tonight.  The Mutts Screen was not working.  I joked that one bulb is burned out and the whole lot goes out just like a string of lights on a Christmas Tree!  Just kidding but hey might be!

What is great is seeing how the crew come together to make things work even when not all things work.  That is a great team!

We end the night at the Retreat Pool where BOGO is happening (Buy One Get One for a Dollar).  So glad to get this venue up tonight.  This is the first cruise in four that the Retreat Party is happening tonight.

Overall today rates as one of the best days on this voyage.  

A big shout out goes to Todd and Sue for being a part of making that happen.  

Mazatlan

We once again sleep soundly and are woken to the sound of room service knocking.  They are 15 minutes early (8:15 - requested 8:30-9) but they are busy and probably just getting a jump on things.  I roll over and wait for alarm to go off while Bernie sips his tea.

Today we slather on the sunscreen (using the 60 SPF now) so we don't get fried. There is a light breeze and the sun is out in full force and it can be misleading.

We meet Lydia and Marco at Vines and we head ashore.  Here in Mazatlan you dock at their industrial pier.  So you will see containers ready for shipping all over the dock.  Becausse of this it is not safe to walk to the gate so there is a small train shuttle with benches that shuttles people back and forth.  It is very efficient and fast and we have never had to wait for one. 

Once we jump off the shuttle we are ushered into the maze of the shops and people selling tours, taxis, tastings for tequilla, and time shares.  We focus and just keep walking to the gate.

We are heading back to Stone Island and we are heading there independently.  We exit the gate and turn left.  Keep walking till the end of the street (maybe 10 minutes if that).  You will see a Naval Base on your left when you come to the end and a path with fences on both sides. 

There is a sign that says Stone Island Water Taxi.  Just walk down the path and buy your ticket from the booth.  Today I paid more attention to the cost.  Written right on the wall is the price 30 Pesos for a round trip.  Which technically should be $1.50 US at the bank exchange rate of 20% but we rarely get that.  Here the conversion is $2 US for 30 Pesos.  No biggie we will survive.  Last week we paid with a $5 bill and got change back so that makes sense.  Again we wish we would of had more pesos instead of being hit with the exchange twice for the 3 weeks.

We walk to the Carmelitas again and we are welcomed and take four lounge chairs and two umbrellas facing the beach.  It is so beautiful here.

We get a bucket of beer and two margaritas! 

We spend the next four hours or so chatting with Lydia and Marco and enjoying the tranquility.  We do get some food but not much.

One tip is make sure you get the menu and keep it to track what you are spending. Again when you see the bill you may want to double check that they have not overcharged.

Aroung 2:30 we start making our way back to the ferry and there is a ferry that is just about to leave but waits for us.  The ride across the channel takes maybe five minues.

Note you can take a taxi to Stone Island (which is really a peninsula).  But a taxi will take a long time as it has to travel all away around the harbour and will cost a lot of money.

If you want to travel into town it is easy too and walkable.  In fact they have made it easy for tourists to head into town by painting a Blue Line on the sidewalk as soon as you exit the pier that leads you to downtown. 

Also there are many expat volunteers at the gate that can answer your questions without any pressures - seek them out.

Once back on board we shower and decorate the bottom of our shower with sand.  Bernie falls asleep while I read.

Tonight is the Most Travelled Cocktail Party and this voyage we have moved up again we are the fourth most travelled couple.  The party is like the other two, but the best part about the party is Colleena who is a hoot!  This time we get a picture wtih the new Captain who just came on board Captain Pomata. 

We head to the Horizon Court afterwards and the theme tonight is Italian Night.  It is busy up here even at 8 pm.  Food is very good and the waiters are quite attentive and helpful.

After the meal we are up on the sun deck to partake in the Love Boat Disco Deck Party that is always a good time.  We dance the night away and even make it onto the Kiss Kam - and Lisa Ball even calls out our name when we appear!  She is a sweetie.

Sidenote: the Intertaional Cafe is improving.  The other day I noticed a Head Waiter down there directing staff and overseeing them.  It improved imensely.  The staff are good but they need direction.  Lets hope it continues.

Duke our Cruise Director has fallen ill a few days ago and Lisa Ball the Entertainment Director had stepped in to take over. But today in Mazatlan Duke was sent home due to illness.  We wish him well.  A new Cruise Director will be coming on in Los Angeles.

Wednesday Evening

After resting, showering and dressing for the evening we head to Adagio bar for the Most Travelled Cocktail Party.

We pose for pictures with the Captain – great pic and he even signed the frame.

Lisa and Elkie join us for drinks – it was so nice to see them again and catch up.  

The party is over in an hour and well I have to say that of all the parties we have attended I normally enjoy the cocktail party over the lunch.  But this cocktail party did not live up to the other cocktail parties at all.  

The food they came around which was minimal (normally there is such great food that we skip dinner). They had a meatball, a sushi roll, a shrimp, and a piece of sashimi. Later they came around with a bit of lobster with a parmesan crisp. 

So if you don’t like seafood you are out of luck and enjoy the meatball.

The company and the drinks were the best part of the party.

So since we were still hungry after a few nibbles we decide to head to the dining room.  Michelangelo was not too busy and we got a table for two.  It is Italian night and we start out with a salad and then I get the chicken.

It was all very good.  We had a great meal, and it was nice to spend the time reflecting on the day.

After dinner Bernie wants his dessert – a Bugsy Martini so we are off to Crooners for a drink or two.

Tonight is the Love Boat Disco Deck Party so we head up there.  It is being held at the Muts Pool as the Love Boat Cast makes an appearance. It was great to see the dancers there too and so impressed because they did two shows tonight of Once Upon a Dream.

Bernie and I are up on Sun deck dancing away and really enjoying ourselves.

Lou and Ken approach us introducing themselves and how he reads my blog.  So we chat for a bit and pose for pics! 

Nice couple and Happy Birthday Ken!

Bonaire - February 2, 2016

Oh it is an early arrival into Bonaire.  I did not sleep well and we are both slow to get going.  Our original goal was to head to Klein Bonaire but that isn’t going to happen.  We dock at 7 am and again the pier is on the Port side.  We are docked at the South Pier just two blocks from the main square of Kralendijk.

This little beach is  just to the right of the pier if you don't have much time

We both comment on how much the pier area has changed since we started coming here.  We use to be able to see the actual airport but now there is a large apartment complex blocking it.  The pier area has a big shopping area - it was all dirt here the first time we came.  (I will try and do comparison pictures when I get home).  There are numerous hotels, apartments, stores, and tour companies all around the ports now.

But thankfully the heart of Bonaire hasn’t changed much.  

Bonaire is part of the ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao) and is very close to Venezuela.  It is hot here today (high 20s) with a light breeze coming from the water. 

There is a lot to do here in Bonaire and the Shorex Dept on board has lots of tours that I can highly recommend.  There is also the option of private tours once you are ashore too. 

Time today is limited as we have to be all aboard at 1:30 so plan your time.  We do wish that Princess would schedule a full day here some time and maybe skip one of the other upcoming islands (like Grenada or Dominica). Then maybe on the next itinerary make one of those islands a full day and skip Bonaire.  Just a thought.

So when we finally get our butts moving we head ashore around 10 am!  I know we are so bad, but we know what we want to do and we are going with the flow.  We have our bathing suits, sunscreen is on and snorkel gear is in hand. 

our little snorkel heave

We don’t bring much just what we need and no valuable (only $20 cash) as we leave our bag on the beach while we snorkel.  So if someone does take off with it, it is a minor loss.

this is where we went - withing walking distance of the ship

After getting off the ship we turn left and walk along the water.  We walk for about 15 minutes to a snorkel spot we were taking to a long time ago by Rene when we did her private snorkel trip.  We leave our bag and we walk in.  Yes the rocks - which really are coral broken up is hard on your feet but we manage.

We snorkel around for around an hour and see so many beautiful fish.  You don’t have to go far to see so much.  I will try and post pictures now but at the very least I will post them when I get home.

After snorkeling we sit out on the boardwalk and dry off soaking up the heat from that beautiful sun. 

Our walk back was one block inland on the main street with many shops.  Kralendijk is a fair size (well for an island that is) and you can find grocery stores, pharmacies, coffee shops, ice cream, you name it.

I still wish we could do a North Island Tour sometime but that will have to wait.

We are back on board just before one (all aboard is 1:30) and I head down to the Enclave.  It is totally quiet in here today.  I think maybe five people came and went when I was there.

I have been to other ship’s Thermal Suites and even though I like them this far surpasses the Thermal Suite.  Here the steam rooms are huge.  I remember one ship I was on that the steam room could only sit four people and it was the size of a closet.  These steam rooms sit probably 15 (although that would be a friendly group). 

After an hour I am back in the cabin relaxing.  We both watch sail away from the balcony and I mention to Bernie that I wish we were staying on for the next seven day cruise.  It will be hard to leave.

We dress and head up to the Horizon Court for a salad - this is all we both want as we want to participate in the Afternoon Tea - which is held in Concerto Dining Room from 3:30 to 4:30.  This is the first Afternoon Tea we have done and Bernie just really wants the scones with jam. 

After relaxing in the cabin for a while, tried to watch a movie but couldn’t keep my eyes open.  I try to nap but the phone keeps ringing.  Now we have the Do Not Disturb in our door.  Apparently Room Service has a delivery for us.  

So they don’t knock on the door but they call us.  After they call they come and deliver it - so much for Do Not Disturb. 

Other ships see the Do Not Disturb and then slide a card under our door saying we tried to deliver something but could not because of the sign, please call the dine line to get the delivery. 

So I am awake now.  It is six pm and I say, well let’s get dressed and get pre dinner drinks.

Of course our go to place is Vines and we enjoy a bottle of the 50^th Anniversary Prosecco (which is on sale right now).  Anastasia gets us some cheese from the International Café to go with it.  Michael and his friends Meg and Neil join us. 

Again this is why we cruise.  Getting the time to chat with people and not be so pressed with time constraints from home. 

Tonight we head for dinner (again in Symphony) where we sit at a table for two.  No problem getting a table for any size at 8 pm.

After dinner we want to head up to the open decks for the Love Boat Disco Deck Party that starts at 9:30.  It is not too busy up here (again I think it is the demographics) but we have a great time dancing, and dancing and more dancing.  

I love this deck party!  It is a nice change and wish it was on all ships.

The Night Sky Lounge in the Retreat Pool is having to be rescheduled because it is just too windy.

While the deck party was happening the Captain comes on announcing that there is a need for A positive blood.  All those with A positive, carrying their blood donor card and give regularly to head down to the Vista Lounge.  This happened last year too.  (note: the next day we find out that they were able to get enough blood donors). 

It was a fun night! 

Other things happening tonight:  What the World Needs Now 6:45 and 8:15, Crab Shack, MUTS The Killers Live At the Royal Albert Hall, Evening Grooves with Tyrone, Live Music and Dancing with the Orphea Quartet (which we loved), Princess Pyramid Game Show, A Night at the Movies: Black Mass in Vista Lounge, Music Madness Trivia in Princess Live, Feature Film: A Walk in the Woods in Princess Live, and more.

Afternoon in Dominica

We set sail at 4 so all aboard is 3:30 and many people have stayed on the whole day.  One thing about this big ship is we always dock at this more industrial port away from town.  The other ships are able to dock right in downtown and it is a short walk to many stores/sites.  

After lunch Bernie and I meet up and head to the gelato bar on deck five to have our first ice cream sundae.  I get the strawberry sundae and Bernie gets the Peach Melba sundae.  
If you have a coffee card use it as it only cost one punch on your card.  Or you can charge it to your account for a small fee, I believe it is $3.50.  We really enjoyed them, mine was extra sweet with the sauce so if I got another one I would request a bit less strawberry sauce.

Sail away is a pretty one and there is a rainbow just over the island.  We enjoy the balcony sipping some wine and snacking on some guacamole and chips.

We dress for dinner and we head to the dining room to our regular table.  I am happy to report that Federico the Maitre D’ has confirmed that we will be able to have the Wine Maker’s Dinner on the last sea day with our group of friends to celebrate Bernie’s Birthday.  

Tonight is Italian night theme, but it is a bit different than it use to be, but was still very good.  We start with the lentil soup, the pasta dish with the spice and garlic and for my entrée I have the breaded veal.  I have the orange sorbet for dessert.  

We also get a bottle of wine to take with us for the cabin from our wine card.  Make sure to check the blog I wrote all about the wine card, here is the link.  The only downside is you can’t get wine from it in the bars or Vines.  So we get a bottle and take it back to the cabin for another time.  

The Silver card entitles you to bottles at a value of $29.  If you order something over $29 they charge you for the full amount of the bottle then credit you the $29.  It use to take a day or two to get the credit, I have noticed that on this ship it is happening within 12 hours.  Very good.

After dinner we head up to the top deck for the Love Boat Disco Deck Party that starts at 9:15.  This is the first time we have seen it.  It is only on the Regal or Royal and it hadn’t started when we were on board last year.  

Atomic is playing and they are playing Disco tunes.  The singers and dancers come out and perform and I especially enjoyed the video of the original Love Boat cast.  At one point they had the kiss cam and they directed it to couples.  I laughed when we were brought up on it and Lisa calls out “yes Vickie and Bernie kiss” so of course we did.

Photographers are out too taking pictures with the giant Love Boat Life Preserver - but with the wind and humidity I can already tell you I will not be buying that picture.
We dance, we sing, we do the Issac - yup the Issac.  You have to see it to believe it.

After the show we then head further forward to the Night Sky Lounge that is held in the Retreat Pool.  Beautiful lighted structures are all around.  The ambiance is so cool - kind of a South Beach bar feel.  DJ Shea spins the tunes and at 11 it is Buy One Get One for $1 Happy Hour.  There are quite a few people up here.  We stay for around 15 minutes but we are now beat and ready for bed.