Goulaigan

Blue Water- What ships stay in the area beyond 8 hours? You mention a 7-8 hour port stop would be crowded. That is SO dependent on the ships in the area. Not everyone has interest in the Baths. I would love to look at ships in port for more than 8 hours!

 

I suggested Spring Bay Beach as it is flat terrain. If you use facilities before leaving for the beach, you should be fine.

I do not like the general offerings at the Top of the Baths. It is very touristy. We are not at the beach that long that food is needed; water taken off the ship was fine for us.

Using the Top of the Baths defeats anyone who has challenges traversing those steep and moss covered stairs either going up or down.

The beauty of the rock formations at The Baths or Spring Bay Beach are unsurpassed.

I have been to Tortola and The Baths several times and I vote every time to return to Spring Bay Beach. I actually arranged a group taxi tour for 14 to go to Spring Bay. We were docked off the island and all said it was the best ever.

I do not agree that Spring Bay "has similar topography". It is the same topography as The Baths only less crowded and accessible for many such as myself who like the approach, the beauty of the water, rock formations and all things to be found at Spring Bay. There are also picnic tables in the shade if you want to sit out of the sun.

There are UTube videos of Spring Bay our fellow pax used to decide they were able to manage the access to the beach.

Loucat,

The Baths at Virgin Gorda are truly beautiful and truly the main reason I booked to return this December however your comments about Spring Bay have me intrigued. I never heard of it before but the online pics are very appealing especially since I am travelling with a young one this time. I assume the easiest way to get there is to ferry to VG then taxi?

How far is Spring Bay past the Baths?

Thanks for your help in advance...

This may help a little......

 

If you look at the very bottom of the photo, you'll see a ship docked.

 

The tourist compound with the attractions we are discussing is located at the far right of the photo. It is the green, or dark, patch before the end of the jetty.

 

It is perhaps a 10 minute easy walk as was disclosed earlier.

 

As you can see, ships' tours bring you back to the ship and bypass this nice attraction, so ask to be dropped off before you reach the ship, or walk back.......

 

......it's worth the extra effort. :)

 

 

Ming,

Your picture will not open. Could you post a link?

I have a long standing total irrational fear of Columbia.

You and Tim have coaxed me off the ship as far as the Oasis....

Thanks!

sppunk,

I cannot take credit for any of the assistance your wife received. I heard the commotion and noticed your wife convulse and go to the floor. I was on the opposite side and worked my way over best I could. Everything appeared to be under control and it appeared that my interference would have been just that, interference, so I never interacted with anyone involved in the incident. Everyone was very happy to see your wife walk off the ship under her own power!

A few positives for HAL.

Loved the potato chips. HAHA

Lanai idea is great and we really enjoyed the Promenade access.

Crew was very friendly.

Our cabin steward was awesome.

(I agree with your comment that the water should be handled by Maintenance)

Housekeeping was doing a good job under the circumstances.

Despite other posts the NY port is my new favorite!

Transportation to LaGuardia soooo easy.

Worst job on the ship....

There was a table in front of the pursers desk where front office staff discuss unresolved complaint's with passengers.

Very uncomfortable for all involved.

The staffer that had to handle those should be put on a suicide watch.

I observed one interaction with a passenger. The passenger was speaking calmly but was clearly unsatisfied.

You could read the helplessness on the staffer's face.

Can you imagine listening to those same complaints all day long and being powerless to make corrections!

I wanted to give the poor girl a hug.

Looking forward to your next cruise review.

I like the way you think!

We were on the ferry with you sppunk and glad to hear all is well. I am volunteer fire and thought I was quick to respond but by the time I got from the starboard to the port side your wife was already in good hands.

What you may not know was after dropping you and your wife off and picking up the 12:00 the captain made the crossing in 12 minutes. Impressive!

Very well written review!

I would like to possess your positive confidence in HAL management but am afraid I don't.

The embarkation issue was unfortunate but has HAL created a contingency plan should this sort of delay occur again? I doubt it.

I found myself trying to understand why HAL would manage a ship the way this one is managed.

Look up during a walk around the Promenade and you will see rubber tape and Tye wraps everywhere trying to hold the plumbing together(unsuccessfully). There is a gapping hole in the ventilation ductwork in the Promenade aft. This did not occur overnight. If this is representative of the condition of the ventilation system it is a wonder that any AC works.

The muster drill was bewildering. Spoke to a gentleman in a wheel chair that had to pass several life boats to get to his assignment.

The dining room experience was OK but painfully slow.

The rest of the venues have crazy schedules and are very poorly organized / managed.

We made a special effort to eat at the Martini bar. Carefully read the menu the night before and showed up at the appointed time. After 30 minutes of no service (I mean no one there even to ignore us) my wife sought out the neighboring bartender who suggested we go to the Lido bar. Unbelievable.

I found it hilarious that an attendant keeps glasses full of ice tea at the Lido but keeps his back turned to the tray of empty glasses. People would drop off empty glasses there and others would scoop them up to refill with water.

Let that be a lesson to you!

I watched restraint managers admire their setup while customers could not locate a spoon or bowl. Crazy.

Their setup would piling salads including seafood in between other salads effectively preventing people with allergies from eating anything. Not impressed!

I just reread and apologize for the ranting. This was not my intention....

Time for a funny.

We also had a very wet carpet. It went from the Patio door (Lanai) to the edge of the bed, under the sofa etc. I called the Office to advise and they immediately set up the dehumidifier and fan set up as you had.

They would regularly call the room and leave a message asking about the status. This would be good practice if they answered the return calls.

I had to make 5 trips to the office by their request. The third trip was the best. The attendant asked if we planned on staying in the room that night. I could not believe my ears and asked her to repeat! I told her that we intended to stay on the ship to which she answered " If you change your mind let us know so we can leave the fan in the room overnight."

OMG they need a manager!

OK one more.

Leaving the ship on Thursday we got wet in spite of clear sky's. The geniuses on the top deck were cleaning gutters with a hose paying absolutely no attention to the end of hose that was randomly spraying water off the ships edge. We watched this for 30 minutes from Front St. till my neck got sore for shaking my head.

That was the better entertainment than the ship offered all week!

We walked out of every performance except for the comedians. He was good. (Also to be fair the lounge entertainers seemed to be pleasing their crowds)

I believe the itinerary that enticed us is also part of the problem. Staying in port so long must make it difficult for the ship to generate any income from the casinos , bars etc.

I even felt sorry for the photographers (honestly) since they had little opportunity to take pictures of guests.

We did notice some grumpy passengers but was more bothered by the incompetent management.

We did have a great time in Bermuda. The ships location was awesome but the on board experience was more discount hotel than cruise ship.