Today is Aruba. We have been to Aruba several times in the past, and since I am still a bit sore from the fall yesterday, we cancelled our tour.
Breakfast early as the ship leaves here at 2pm. So all the tours go out early and we needed to see how I felt. Then we swam for one hour.
The other day, while we were swimming, a gentleman joined us to swim his laps. While all of us were in the hot tub, we got to talking and asked what he did for a living. He lives in New York City and is a toy inventor. So I asked what toys he invented. Guess which one Aiden and Gretchen. Connect Four. I told him we played that we our children and grandchildren.
And I also forgot to mention that they had a special tea for those of us doing multiple legs. There are about 78 doing the entire 72 days. But then there are some who are doing more than that.
Last night we had dinner with Jean and Harry. They were having the BBQ up on deck 11 but we don't go to them. But as luck would have it, it started to rain so they had to move everything under cover. It takes a lot of work to pull these special night together.
Some history of Oranjestad. It is the capital of Aruba and a very important city. It is located on the southern coast near the western end of the island.
It is a Dutch city and takes its name for the Dutch Royal house of Orange and became the capital of Aruba in 1979. The city is named after the first King Willem van OranjeNassau - the first heir to the Dutch House of Orange. Side note, the King of the Netherlands is now King Willem. We were in the Netherlands when he was crowned.
Oranjestad has the largest port on the island and is capable of docking up to five large cruise ships at once. Today we are docked in the working port along with the Carnival Triumph. The Jewel of the Seas passed us this morning so I think they are docked right down town. We have shuttle service to get us there.
Tonight we are having dinner in Signatures. This is the first time this cruise that we have been able to dine in one of the special restaurants. The show is a tenor that did one show earlier in the cruise and we heard mixed reviews so not sure we will go or not.
Thursday, January 21, 2016
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Kralendijk, Bonaire
Today we are docked in Kralendijk, Bonaire. This is the capital city and main port of the island of Bonaire in the Caribbean Netherlands.
Fort Oranje was built in 1639 to defend Bonaire's main harbor. The fort was extensively modified during the end of the 17th cent rue. The English settlement of "Playa" was established adjacent to the fort in 1810. The town was renamed "Kralendijk" by the Dutch colonial rulers in 1840.
On May 10, 1840, 461 Dutch and German citizens were transported to Bonaire and interned in a camp just south of the fort. After World War II, this camp was converted into a hotel, which is now the Divi Bonaire.
Bonaire is an island in the Leeward Antilles in the Caribbean Sea. Together with Aruba and Curacao, it forms the group known as the ABC islands, located off the north coast of South America near the western part of Venezuela. It lies outside the hurricane belt and have an arid climate. This helps tourism as visitors to the islands can reliably expect warm, sunny weather. Bonaire is a popular destination for scuba divers, well known for easy access to its reef from the shore.
We elected not to take a tour as we have been here before. We swam in the morning as the pool will be closed at 3 pm so they can set up the area for the outdoor BBQ. But this morning, after breakfast we took a walk on deck 12 and wanted to watch the Carnival Sunshine arrive. While walking on the wet deck, I slipped and fell. Bob and a deck hand helped me up but I had to take off my flip flops because they had no tread. Not good for a wet deck.
Lunch was okay. Jean and Harry joined us and we talked for quite a bit. Then back to the cabin to nap for Bob and I worked on my projects. Then down to the coffee connection for a latte and then I sat on the balcony and worked on the needlepoint.
We plan to meet Jean and Harry for cocktails and dinner. Neither of us like the BBQ. NO show tonight. Last night I went to the show. A magic show plus some comedy.
Tomorrow Aruba.
Fort Oranje was built in 1639 to defend Bonaire's main harbor. The fort was extensively modified during the end of the 17th cent rue. The English settlement of "Playa" was established adjacent to the fort in 1810. The town was renamed "Kralendijk" by the Dutch colonial rulers in 1840.
On May 10, 1840, 461 Dutch and German citizens were transported to Bonaire and interned in a camp just south of the fort. After World War II, this camp was converted into a hotel, which is now the Divi Bonaire.
Bonaire is an island in the Leeward Antilles in the Caribbean Sea. Together with Aruba and Curacao, it forms the group known as the ABC islands, located off the north coast of South America near the western part of Venezuela. It lies outside the hurricane belt and have an arid climate. This helps tourism as visitors to the islands can reliably expect warm, sunny weather. Bonaire is a popular destination for scuba divers, well known for easy access to its reef from the shore.
We elected not to take a tour as we have been here before. We swam in the morning as the pool will be closed at 3 pm so they can set up the area for the outdoor BBQ. But this morning, after breakfast we took a walk on deck 12 and wanted to watch the Carnival Sunshine arrive. While walking on the wet deck, I slipped and fell. Bob and a deck hand helped me up but I had to take off my flip flops because they had no tread. Not good for a wet deck.
Lunch was okay. Jean and Harry joined us and we talked for quite a bit. Then back to the cabin to nap for Bob and I worked on my projects. Then down to the coffee connection for a latte and then I sat on the balcony and worked on the needlepoint.
We plan to meet Jean and Harry for cocktails and dinner. Neither of us like the BBQ. NO show tonight. Last night I went to the show. A magic show plus some comedy.
Tomorrow Aruba.
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
St. George's, Grenada
Today we are docked in St. George's, Grenada. We arrived around 7am. Breakfast in La Veranda and now getting ready for our tour. Today we are doing a tour named The Spice of our Life. We have been to Grenada several times so we are trying to do things we have not done in the past.
St. George's is the capital of Grenada. The town is surrounded by a a hillside of an old volcano crater and is on a horseshoe-shoped harbor. The town has developed in recent years, while preserving its history, culture, and natural beauty. It is home to St. George's University School of Medicine. On a side note, the university was closed during the government overthrow.
We gathered for our tour and headed out. First stop was where they used to produce Rum. After hurricane Ivan, most of the sugar cane crops were destroyed. Now they do not produce sugar like they used to. At any rate, this stop was an old rum factory. We learned about the production of rum front the sugar cane and then had a tasting of seven different rums if we wanted. I only tried one kind.
Next stop was to a spice garden. Here we were able to smell the leaves of the plants and try and recognize them. Another interesting exercise. After a while, they all seemed to smell the same.
Final stop was to a factory where they make jams and jellies from nutmeg and other spices. I did purchase some Nutmeg Jam. Nice flavor.
We returned to the ship and had lunch and then Bob has his nap while I did some needlepoint. Then we headed to the coffee connection for a latte and then I went to needlepoint for a short while.
We then swam for one hour and cleaned up for dinner. Tonight they had a gathering of the people from each state. There are 78 people from Florida on this leg of the cruise. We were late getting ready so we just went to the Mariner Bar and sat at the bar and had our cocktail. A gentleman from Florida came up and ordered a drink and we got to talking with him. He then asked us to join he and his wife and another couple for dinner. Larry and Judy are from Bonita Springs, Florida and David and Penny are from Ohio, outside of Cleveland. We had a very nice dinner with them.
Side note, Jean and Harry stopped by while we were at the bar. I had said we had not seen them for some time. Jean's mother had passed away on Thursday so she had a few bad days. This was not unexpected. Her mother had been in a coma when they left for the cruise. But it is sad none the less.
Back to the cabin to read and sleep. Tomorrow is another sea day.
St. George's is the capital of Grenada. The town is surrounded by a a hillside of an old volcano crater and is on a horseshoe-shoped harbor. The town has developed in recent years, while preserving its history, culture, and natural beauty. It is home to St. George's University School of Medicine. On a side note, the university was closed during the government overthrow.
We gathered for our tour and headed out. First stop was where they used to produce Rum. After hurricane Ivan, most of the sugar cane crops were destroyed. Now they do not produce sugar like they used to. At any rate, this stop was an old rum factory. We learned about the production of rum front the sugar cane and then had a tasting of seven different rums if we wanted. I only tried one kind.
Next stop was to a spice garden. Here we were able to smell the leaves of the plants and try and recognize them. Another interesting exercise. After a while, they all seemed to smell the same.
Final stop was to a factory where they make jams and jellies from nutmeg and other spices. I did purchase some Nutmeg Jam. Nice flavor.
We returned to the ship and had lunch and then Bob has his nap while I did some needlepoint. Then we headed to the coffee connection for a latte and then I went to needlepoint for a short while.
We then swam for one hour and cleaned up for dinner. Tonight they had a gathering of the people from each state. There are 78 people from Florida on this leg of the cruise. We were late getting ready so we just went to the Mariner Bar and sat at the bar and had our cocktail. A gentleman from Florida came up and ordered a drink and we got to talking with him. He then asked us to join he and his wife and another couple for dinner. Larry and Judy are from Bonita Springs, Florida and David and Penny are from Ohio, outside of Cleveland. We had a very nice dinner with them.
Side note, Jean and Harry stopped by while we were at the bar. I had said we had not seen them for some time. Jean's mother had passed away on Thursday so she had a few bad days. This was not unexpected. Her mother had been in a coma when they left for the cruise. But it is sad none the less.
Back to the cabin to read and sleep. Tomorrow is another sea day.
Monday, January 18, 2016
St. Bart's and Martinique
Saturday we arrived at St. Bart's at around 12:30pm. We were only 15 minutes later than scheduled. The ship made up lots of time during our sailing. Because St. Bart's does not have a deep water dock, all cruise ships must tender. Open tender service did not start until around 2:30pm so we elected not to go ashore. We have been to this island several times in the past so we felt we needed to swim on the ship first.
So our first water exercise occurred this afternoon. We were basically the only ones in the pool. We did 45 minutes of exercise and then a dip in the hot tub. The water in the pool is cool but not cold so you can enjoy the swim.
We cleaned up and headed to the Mariner Lounge for our pre dinner cocktail. Mel Meyers and Millie joined us. Mel spends about 6 months a year on the ship. He got on this ship in early December and will get off in May. We met them while on the Asia Grand Cruise in 2014. Millie does not do the entire trip with him. She embarked in Miami the same as us. At any rate, we had a great dinner with good conversation with them. Very nice people.
Sunday is a sea day in the morning and then we arrive in Martinique around noon. So after a breakfast of Champagne, Caviar, and Eggs Florentine, we needed a rest. But they had a special event for the Gold, Platinum, and Titanium members. It was a Culinary Demonstration on how to prepare steak tartar and tuna tartar. We all got to taste them. I have never been a fan but decided this was a good time to try them both. I found them quite enjoyable. What have I been missing all these years? And of course, they served us champagne and cold vodka to enjoy with the tartars.
We decided to skip lunch and Bob took an early nap and then we headed into town. Well, the town was pretty much dead. This is a Sunday and most of the stores were closed. Even the shoreside area was not open. So we did walk around a bit and then returned to the ship. They were have a Carnival Parade in the afternoon but we elected to swim and get in some good exercise instead.
We cleaned up for dinner and headed to the Mariner Lounge for our pre dinner cocktail. Dinner in Compass Rose was good as usual. We did not go to the show as we have seen it before.
Back to the suite where I finally finished the book I was reading. Now to start a new one. I loaded the Kindle before we left so I have several to choose from. Tomorrow Grenada.
So our first water exercise occurred this afternoon. We were basically the only ones in the pool. We did 45 minutes of exercise and then a dip in the hot tub. The water in the pool is cool but not cold so you can enjoy the swim.
We cleaned up and headed to the Mariner Lounge for our pre dinner cocktail. Mel Meyers and Millie joined us. Mel spends about 6 months a year on the ship. He got on this ship in early December and will get off in May. We met them while on the Asia Grand Cruise in 2014. Millie does not do the entire trip with him. She embarked in Miami the same as us. At any rate, we had a great dinner with good conversation with them. Very nice people.
Sunday is a sea day in the morning and then we arrive in Martinique around noon. So after a breakfast of Champagne, Caviar, and Eggs Florentine, we needed a rest. But they had a special event for the Gold, Platinum, and Titanium members. It was a Culinary Demonstration on how to prepare steak tartar and tuna tartar. We all got to taste them. I have never been a fan but decided this was a good time to try them both. I found them quite enjoyable. What have I been missing all these years? And of course, they served us champagne and cold vodka to enjoy with the tartars.
We decided to skip lunch and Bob took an early nap and then we headed into town. Well, the town was pretty much dead. This is a Sunday and most of the stores were closed. Even the shoreside area was not open. So we did walk around a bit and then returned to the ship. They were have a Carnival Parade in the afternoon but we elected to swim and get in some good exercise instead.
We cleaned up for dinner and headed to the Mariner Lounge for our pre dinner cocktail. Dinner in Compass Rose was good as usual. We did not go to the show as we have seen it before.
Back to the suite where I finally finished the book I was reading. Now to start a new one. I loaded the Kindle before we left so I have several to choose from. Tomorrow Grenada.
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Sea Days
The first two days of the cruise are sea days. That means not a whole lot to report of interest to anyone. We go to the lectures and I do needlepoint. They have not opened the pool yet as we are traveling at a rate of speed that causes too much motion in the pool. The Staff Captain has decided that it is too rough to open. So no water exercises yet. Did do some walking on the inside decks.
On Thursday night they had the block party. This is where you take a glass from your suite and stand outside in the hall and meet your neighbors. The Captain, General Manager and Cruise Director then come through the halls and greet you. It is a nice way to meet some passengers who are living near you. We met Sandy and Dana from Alabama who are right next to us, Buddy and Edward from Long Island (not a couple but traveling together), and Frank and Marie from California.
Our dinners have been good. We have only eaten in Compass Rose but always have been able to get a table for two when we wanted.
Last night was the Captains reception. We elected not to attend as it is always crowded. So we had our cocktails in the Horizon Lounge with ten other people. And dinner was Caviar and Lobster. Good stuff.
Spoke with Terry Breen this morning. She is the lecturer on South America. We met her several cruises ago. So we will be having dinner with her one night. She has been giving the lectures on South America and Alaska for 17 years. I think she is great. Does not use any notes. I guess if you have been saying the same thing for 17 years, you must know all of it by heart.
This afternoon we are suppose to arrive in St. Bart's. We have been traveling at a rate of 19.6 knots. This is fast in the cruise world. But we won't know if we can tender until we arrive. Depends on the swell of the ocean. Time will tell. We have been here several times and so we are not sure we will go ashore.
On Thursday night they had the block party. This is where you take a glass from your suite and stand outside in the hall and meet your neighbors. The Captain, General Manager and Cruise Director then come through the halls and greet you. It is a nice way to meet some passengers who are living near you. We met Sandy and Dana from Alabama who are right next to us, Buddy and Edward from Long Island (not a couple but traveling together), and Frank and Marie from California.
Our dinners have been good. We have only eaten in Compass Rose but always have been able to get a table for two when we wanted.
Last night was the Captains reception. We elected not to attend as it is always crowded. So we had our cocktails in the Horizon Lounge with ten other people. And dinner was Caviar and Lobster. Good stuff.
Spoke with Terry Breen this morning. She is the lecturer on South America. We met her several cruises ago. So we will be having dinner with her one night. She has been giving the lectures on South America and Alaska for 17 years. I think she is great. Does not use any notes. I guess if you have been saying the same thing for 17 years, you must know all of it by heart.
This afternoon we are suppose to arrive in St. Bart's. We have been traveling at a rate of 19.6 knots. This is fast in the cruise world. But we won't know if we can tender until we arrive. Depends on the swell of the ocean. Time will tell. We have been here several times and so we are not sure we will go ashore.
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Travel to Miami and Embarkation
We rented a car and started this trip on Monday January 4th. We drove as far as West Palm Beach area and stayed in an Embassy Suite Hotel by the West Palm Beach Airport. What I did not realize when I booked this hotel is that they have regular rooms along with the suites. I just booked the least expensive room and found out it was not a suite. Oh well. This just meant that Bob had to put up with my watching the first half of the college football game.
After breakfast we packed up and drove to Miami airport where we turned the car in and took the shuttle to the Embassy Suite Hotel at the Miami airport. Our room was ready so we headed up to drop off our hand luggage and then a quick lunch and then a nap for Bob. I started knitting a sweater and watched some TV. We did attend the managers reception and had a small dinner at the hotel dining room and then turned in after watching NCIS.
Wednesday we took a taxi to the port where we were early and they had not opened the doors to the check in area yet. When they opended the doors we headed in and took a seat. They were not going to start checking people in until noon so I continued knitting and waited. We finally all got in line to check in and then found out there was an internet problem and they could not check in anyone. Finally able to line up and start the process once more. While we were waiting we met a couple from Ft. Lauderdale who were on the Voyager in 2014 with us. Lynn and Eddie. We had met them only once and I finally did remember them. And while we were waiting we also saw Jean and Harry.
Once onboard, we headed to the grill for lunch. Lynn and Eddie joined us and when Jean and Harry arrived, we got to talk with them. We arranged to meet them for drinks and dinner later on.
Muster drill was painless. Our luggage arrived one bag at a time. But at the end of the drill, all four bags made it to the cabin. I was able to breath a sign of relief.
Drinks and dinner with Jean and Harry. Dinner was good. I had the Caynon Ranch suggestions and Bob had the lamb chops. No dessert. But lots of wine.
Back to the suite and lights out.
Thursday we got up and had breakfast in La Veranda. Today is a sea day. This morning at around 6am we were awanken with a loud sound outside. Found out later that we had a medical emergency and had turned around and headed back toward Miami so the Coast Guard helicopter could off lift the patient. So what we all seemed to hear was the chopper. At any rate, we are now back heading south. Might be late getting to our first port. Will know later as it is dependent on weather, etc.
That is all for now. Will continue when there is more to report.
After breakfast we packed up and drove to Miami airport where we turned the car in and took the shuttle to the Embassy Suite Hotel at the Miami airport. Our room was ready so we headed up to drop off our hand luggage and then a quick lunch and then a nap for Bob. I started knitting a sweater and watched some TV. We did attend the managers reception and had a small dinner at the hotel dining room and then turned in after watching NCIS.
Wednesday we took a taxi to the port where we were early and they had not opened the doors to the check in area yet. When they opended the doors we headed in and took a seat. They were not going to start checking people in until noon so I continued knitting and waited. We finally all got in line to check in and then found out there was an internet problem and they could not check in anyone. Finally able to line up and start the process once more. While we were waiting we met a couple from Ft. Lauderdale who were on the Voyager in 2014 with us. Lynn and Eddie. We had met them only once and I finally did remember them. And while we were waiting we also saw Jean and Harry.
Once onboard, we headed to the grill for lunch. Lynn and Eddie joined us and when Jean and Harry arrived, we got to talk with them. We arranged to meet them for drinks and dinner later on.
Muster drill was painless. Our luggage arrived one bag at a time. But at the end of the drill, all four bags made it to the cabin. I was able to breath a sign of relief.
Drinks and dinner with Jean and Harry. Dinner was good. I had the Caynon Ranch suggestions and Bob had the lamb chops. No dessert. But lots of wine.
Back to the suite and lights out.
Thursday we got up and had breakfast in La Veranda. Today is a sea day. This morning at around 6am we were awanken with a loud sound outside. Found out later that we had a medical emergency and had turned around and headed back toward Miami so the Coast Guard helicopter could off lift the patient. So what we all seemed to hear was the chopper. At any rate, we are now back heading south. Might be late getting to our first port. Will know later as it is dependent on weather, etc.
That is all for now. Will continue when there is more to report.
Monday, January 4, 2016
Luggage Out
Today is the 4th of January and we are getting ready for the cruise. Because we are doing the entire 72 days, Regent will pick up our luggage and get it to the ship for us. So we each have packed two large suitcases and are not waiting for the FedEx man to come and pick them up. This service is really handy for those folks who are flying. For us it just means we have to be organized early.
Tonight we are having dinner with MaryAnn and Gary before we leave next Monday. We are driving to Miami so we have rented a car and will pick it up on Monday and return it on Tuesday. Then board the ship on Wednesday.
We had a great Christmas with Katie and her family. And a wonderful visit from Elizabeth the week before.
Tomorrow we will see Star Wars. Bob is looking forward to seeing it, me not so much. But we thought we would wait until the children were back in school before we went. Of course, we just found out that the children of St. John's County do not go back until Wednesday. But maybe they have all seen it already.
Found out some friends are going to be on this cruise also. So it should be lots of fun.
Tonight we are having dinner with MaryAnn and Gary before we leave next Monday. We are driving to Miami so we have rented a car and will pick it up on Monday and return it on Tuesday. Then board the ship on Wednesday.
We had a great Christmas with Katie and her family. And a wonderful visit from Elizabeth the week before.
Tomorrow we will see Star Wars. Bob is looking forward to seeing it, me not so much. But we thought we would wait until the children were back in school before we went. Of course, we just found out that the children of St. John's County do not go back until Wednesday. But maybe they have all seen it already.
Found out some friends are going to be on this cruise also. So it should be lots of fun.
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