PORT ROYAL

We are D, friends travelling with us have always been allowed to board with our priority.

Yes…. Exit port… Top of port entrance road turn left and follow the mass of walkers (ants) from the ship. Take a cab….

It’s the people that make St Lucia unique… But, if there was one so called tourist visit that will condense the sense of wonder and beauty of SL it’s Diamond Falls and Gardens. Take it slow, look up/around, take it all in and let the island hug one. Then adding the people to the feelings, one will then understand St Lucia. As an aside, a personal open question to @reedprincess, for next year, asking for one special place, not on the usual tourist trail, where one can just to sit, look and sigh. A small local bar nearby would be great.

To assist link…… https://restaurantwebx.com/LaPlywood/ The menu prices are in Caribbean Dollars.. To roughly convert into US$, divide by 2, then deduct 25%

Drop off at La Plywood - a far better experience. The ferry shuttle is close to Silversands… So Google “distance from La Plywood to Silversands Hotel Grenada” No doubt your van driver will be pleased to collect you from La Plywood at the required time. Not latest - Pre-COVID - From La Plywood to Cruise Terminal was $15 - so work on $20 now - No doubt CC members will confirm current price.

Totally agree with Gentlemancruiser. However, there is one piece of information to assist when booking with Cunard. Pay for one’s flight, in full, on booking, as one would normally. If within the period of flight opening, one can immediately receive the locator number and select one’s seat/s. Otherwise, you’ll wait until balance is paid, possibly by then all the ‘good’ seats have gone.

If considering a day at Great Bay, remember this protocol. Off ferry, down pier, do not turn right towards the Marina (the raw sewage outfall - you’ll find out post or during rain), turn left, into Duty Free, purchase a bottle of one preferred spirit, exit duty free, turn left, keep walking until one finds pink umbrellas. This was the furthest point away from the Marina.

For a great beach day with excellent food/drinks Consider: Palm Beach YellowBeach Karibuni Best to book in advance.

Pre-COVID Okay, let’s give facts about the $2 alleged public bus (private minivan- aka Jintys) Off ferry, down pier, walk to main road (Front Street) turn left down Front Street, turn 1st right, walk down side street, at main T junction you’ll meet Back Street, search up and down Back Street for a Jinty with a sign in windscreen for the required destination, board, wait until full before departing. Journey will encompass off main roads, stopping to drop people off and pick-up. On arrival at destination agree where the best Jinty pickup point is for regular passing Jintys to return destination. Returning one has to stand at the pickup point, view from distance/search the windscreens of approaching Jintys for the destination sign required, flag down the Jinty, which may not stop if full. Repeat until one stops, board. Arrive at destination. Note the time taken to arrive, from the time one left the ship, walked to ferry, queued, paid, queued, boarded, sailed etc.. Then allow an extra 30 minutes minimum for the return journey for flagging down and heavy port traffic. Fun and interesting?

To those who have questions regarding trips and tours on St Kitts, to assist one posts contact details… https://www.stkittstourism.kn/contact-us Good luck to all.

La Plywood is a beach bar…… on Morne Rouge Beach About 20 minutes there, but allow and extra 5 on return for port traffic. One could queue for more than that for a water taxi. The taxi fare, from memory, was USD 15 e/w, but work on $20 as being the possible highest. Book the taxi from the government approved official kiosk inside the cover port area. Think it was close to the tourist information desk. Fares are officially published. The driver out will be happy to collect at your required time.

This thread have given one an idea for a collective letters for Ships (Crew), Herds and Towels. Take the initial capital letters and construct - “S.H.T.”

Sorry to mention BA. But there are other airlines that have a carry on allowance.

Decline Mount Cinnamon’s AI day pass and book Silversands AI….A far better stay

GA can be Babylon/Mayhem. Be brave and sensible. Go over the hill to La Plywood, better ambiance, view, food, drinks. Plus one’s money will go further and custom will be greatly appreciated.

As an aside. If the weight limitations for a single hold suitcase on an economy flight is the reason for not packing a Tux. Then consider paying for an additional suitcase. Or one can place a a pair, or two, of men’s shoes within the cabin luggage case. BA gives a generous 23 kilos for cabin.

Sweetfield is not a beach hotel….. Sorry, one never heard of a stand alone luggage storage facility. Someone on CC may know different.

Have used https://www.stluciantaxiandtours.com/private-tours/ But hopefully @reedprincess will give excellent up-to date recommendations- thanks PS One can always take a taxi from the port cab rank.

Sweetfield Manor offer day passes. A short drive from the port and Airport and close to the beach. Check/call direct for availability. a nice, clean and a very reasonable price for Barbados. https://sweetfieldmanor.com

One’s efforts are appreciated. The view from the alleged Anne Prom Deck does appear to not lift one’s spirits, but the opposite. No doubt the Anne open minded cheerleaders will put a more positive spin on the potential photographic evidence kindly provided by 3Gen.

1st on Cunard Countess in 1992 - Fly Caribbean- DW remembers Tux/Suit/Jacket taken because of DW first true sparkly red evening gown - Therefore it possibly changed between 1992 and 1997

As an aside. Ceased cruising with Princess in 2013 when the word “suggested” entered to wording for the Dress Code and semi-formal (dark suit) disappeared from the dress code. But can’t remember the year when Cunard dropped semi-formal (dark suit), then making a dark suit (semi-formal) acceptable formal wear. Can anyone assist?

Shops and stall within the port area should have something. Then around Basseterre are many shops, stalls, cafe/art galleries etc. video link

Like it….. Also tried Carnival (Defeat) once…Boarded San Juan….Disembarked (Early) Barbados… Flew home

Pass on Mullet. Consensus of discerning opinions for a better stay give votes for: Palm Beach Karibuni Yellow Beach Best to book day/lunch etc in advance