Victory Review 2/21....w/PICS

[newt98]

orient beach, notice lots of seaweed
[IMG]http://i40.tinypic.com/ftn960.jpg[/IMG]

orient beach again
[IMG]http://i41.tinypic.com/17wt45.jpg[/IMG]

this is the cafe we stopped at for a break and water
[IMG]http://i39.tinypic.com/11me3vm.jpg[/IMG]

at the same cafe
[IMG]http://i43.tinypic.com/2h4x6di.jpg[/IMG]

our $6 bottle of water that looks like a bottle of wine
[IMG]http://i40.tinypic.com/i1mgxy.jpg[/IMG]

[newt98]

definately not in kansas anymore
[IMG]http://i40.tinypic.com/mkzrx1.jpg[/IMG]

back at phillipsburg, a couple blocks back from the main stretch
[IMG]http://i43.tinypic.com/28luwp4.jpg[/IMG]

on the main beachfront at philipsburg
[IMG]http://i39.tinypic.com/33y6c8z.jpg[/IMG]

people have now filled the chairs and gotten their beer
[IMG]http://i39.tinypic.com/2wdtws1.jpg[/IMG]

it's gotten more expensive as the chairs have filled up
[IMG]http://i41.tinypic.com/5lwkfb.jpg[/IMG]

[newt98]

so when we got back to the taxi spot we saw some of our friends from the trip. they unknowingly set up on the nude side. and as inder was getting comfy on his towel an older very large woman plopped down directly in front of him about fifteen feet away. i was wondering why in the heck inder had set up right behind this lady? i think inder was trying to be cool about the whole thing and act like it was no big deal, it was a very big deal if you catch my drift.

just glancing around while talking i could see that this beach came as advertised, nekked.

so after chatting for a bit we hopped in our taxi and headed back to town. we ended up looking for a couple particular items. we had our eye on a canon camera but we didnt find a deal that we liked. and so my wife started searching for a tanzanite ring that she had been looking for. finally she found the style and size that she wanted, and after a brief negotiation they settled on a price. so as we waited for him to put it in the correct setting they gave us a few beers to help ease the wait.

after that we just got back on the taxi and headed over to the ship.

ken and joe from the roll call
[IMG]http://i43.tinypic.com/20z2ueh.jpg[/IMG]

a bit busier now
[IMG]http://i44.tinypic.com/2dm8rrc.jpg[/IMG]


on the water taxi headed back to the ship
[IMG]http://i41.tinypic.com/2qiciky.jpg[/IMG]

looking back at philipsburg
[IMG]http://i39.tinypic.com/a07zwl.jpg[/IMG]

[newt98]

coming back to the ship
[IMG]http://i39.tinypic.com/a07zwl.jpg[/IMG]

getting closer
[IMG]http://i41.tinypic.com/2hxvy9.jpg[/IMG]

decisions, decisions
[IMG]http://i39.tinypic.com/210ft77.jpg[/IMG]

probably posted this already, but there's different people in it now
[IMG]http://i42.tinypic.com/2ntlqqe.jpg[/IMG]

i bought some jd to give to our room steward, and the cuban was for me!
[IMG]http://i43.tinypic.com/9hqivd.jpg[/IMG]

[newt98]

this might be the next ship we cruise on
[IMG]http://i39.tinypic.com/sv3n0x.jpg[/IMG]

going through security
[IMG]http://i44.tinypic.com/m0bnn.jpg[/IMG]

uh oh, getting even closer
[IMG]http://i42.tinypic.com/e6aws2.jpg[/IMG]

cant remember the name of the ship
[IMG]http://i42.tinypic.com/28u5nvp.jpg[/IMG]

[newt98]

our home away from home
[IMG]http://i41.tinypic.com/155rvit.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i41.tinypic.com/n2h1yp.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i42.tinypic.com/2cijqsn.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i44.tinypic.com/epnfoh.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i44.tinypic.com/5xvfjq.jpg[/IMG]

[newt98]

i really dont like these next set of pics, you can see my wife has her head down
[IMG]http://i40.tinypic.com/a1n5t5.jpg[/IMG]

walking off of our last island is not something i should have taken a pic of
[IMG]http://i42.tinypic.com/16c0yug.jpg[/IMG]

now i'm getting upset, stop staring at me! take a picture, it lasts longer!
[IMG]http://i41.tinypic.com/351tp43.jpg[/IMG]

so sad, almost time to go
[IMG]http://i39.tinypic.com/206ifya.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i43.tinypic.com/10p4suf.jpg[/IMG]

[newt98]

so after returning onto the ship we come to the realization that our time in the caribbean is about to be finished up. and after many tears we figure it is probably time to leave the captain to his job. so we start packing and try to get ready for dinner at the same time.

then we head to dinner to see all our friends and make our plans for our next cruise, and our post cruise dinner in san juan. we have a good meal, and stay for quite awhile. but after dinner we head back to our room, finish packing, and lay our head down for the last time.

looking across at the miracle
[IMG]http://i44.tinypic.com/erhmrm.jpg[/IMG]

looking into port
[IMG]http://i40.tinypic.com/xqb49u.jpg[/IMG]

this was actually taken in the morning
[IMG]http://i44.tinypic.com/fm6v09.jpg[/IMG]

the aft deck on the miracle
[IMG]http://i41.tinypic.com/90y2dz.jpg[/IMG]

the rear of the funnel on the victory
[IMG]http://i39.tinypic.com/10p3axc.jpg[/IMG]

[newt98]

saying goodbye to the miracle
[IMG]http://i44.tinypic.com/212u0i8.jpg[/IMG]

one of my favorite shots from the entire trip
[IMG]http://i39.tinypic.com/14m5mj4.jpg[/IMG]

st maarten
[IMG]http://i43.tinypic.com/2py2vd4.jpg[/IMG]

part of our group at dinner
[IMG]http://i41.tinypic.com/10em3dc.jpg[/IMG]

[newt98]

sue and joan
[IMG]http://i42.tinypic.com/lwldk.jpg[/IMG]

we had a tremendous group of friends from the roll call from two years ago, plus the roll call for this cruise. it really was a special group of people that we sailed with, and i hope we can all meet up again in 2012.
[IMG]http://i41.tinypic.com/1jqkc2.jpg[/IMG]

[newt98]

i will do another summary when i get totally done with pics, but i still have a few from san juan post cruise and fort lauderdale post cruise.:)

[Jeans*Fanatic]

[FONT=Century Gothic][SIZE=4][COLOR=darkorchid]Mike,[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Century Gothic][SIZE=4][COLOR=darkorchid][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Century Gothic][SIZE=4][COLOR=darkorchid]Did your wife get a pretty good deal on the Tanzanite ring? I am thinking about getting one on my next cruise....[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Century Gothic][SIZE=4][COLOR=darkorchid][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Century Gothic][SIZE=4][COLOR=darkorchid]Your pictures are really awesome!!! I can tell that you guys had a great time![/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[newt98]

[quote name='Jeans*Fanatic'][FONT=Century Gothic][SIZE=4][COLOR=darkorchid]Mike,[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Century Gothic][SIZE=4][COLOR=darkorchid]Did your wife get a pretty good deal on the Tanzanite ring? I am thinking about getting one on my next cruise....[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Century Gothic][SIZE=4][COLOR=darkorchid]Your pictures are really awesome!!! I can tell that you guys had a great time![/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/quote]


no she really didnt. she thought she would be able to get them talked down quite a bit more than what she did. she wasnt willing to spend more than a few hundred on a ring, so her choices were a bit limited. she had a friend last year go to a different port and got a 1600 dollar ring for like $300, so thats what she was trying to do, but we figured that maybe the friend got such a good deal because it was fake. you can definately get them to move on price so it just depends on how much your ready to spend.

[newt98]

[quote name='buffetfan']Mike, Lovin the review and photos are great with the narration.
Can you tell me what photo host you use, and what size you pick to insert photos? Thanks-just trying to learn about posting photos with help of CC members.[/quote]


did you get the photos figured out yet?

[Buffettfan 225]

Mike, great reviews, photos awesome.
OK- perhaps it is me as love shopping for "designer" belt buckles fro DH & DS, but I also like sunglasses found in St.Maarten--did your wife change sunglasses from early in day to one's with hearts on in later pics?

Also Jack Daniels for room steward-was that a St.Maarten purchase, or earlier, or from home? Just wondering how it made it as inquiring minds want to know.:rolleyes:;)
Suzy--buffetfan

[newt98]

[quote name='buffetfan']Mike, great reviews, photos awesome.
OK- perhaps it is me as love shopping for "designer" belt buckles fro DH & DS, but I also like sunglasses found in St.Maarten--did your wife change sunglasses from early in day to one's with hearts on in later pics?

Also Jack Daniels for room steward-was that a St.Maarten purchase, or earlier, or from home? Just wondering how it made it as inquiring minds want to know.:rolleyes:;)
Suzy--buffetfan[/quote]


WOW! very detailed aren't we? LOL. she found the sunglasses in st. maarten. that's too funny. and i bought the JD in st maarten then i put it in my pocket because it had a plastic cap. security actually noticed it though, and made me check it at the desk, but i told the girl it was for my steward, which it was, and she just kind of pushed it back to me. i could have made it through with it if i had hidden it a little better though, i just didnt think he would be doing his job at security. there are ways to get liquor back on the ship if you take your rum runner into port with you.;)

[Buffettfan 225]

Yes, Since I shop for those same items I noticed-tell her I liked them.
Regarding liquor-we did same technique with rumrunners and pockets do not work well- but let the err liquid go anyhow,like your jack for steward.
I think in bags might have been better or on backside vs. cargo pockets.
Do you recall if they sold regular coke at San Juan Duty store? We usually get ours at Walgreens, but have to tow it back then.

[newt98]

i showed her your previous post, she is like that also. i am pretty sure there was coke at the san juan duty. it sounds like you will be pretty well prepared by the time you get on your cruise!;)

[Buffettfan 225]

Mike,
I logged into and got three photos uploaded to site of tinypic dot com- however right after I did that I started getting tons of warning notes,trojans,infection warning (perhaps a spoof but came from Vista) -so will set up better firewall and security before I start again.
I was on step ready to use link etc. -from CC due you use the chain link thingy? hints..
buffettfan225-cruise at yahoo dot com

[newt98]

[quote name='buffetfan']Mike,
I logged into and got three photos uploaded to site of tinypic dot com- however right after I did that I started getting tons of warning notes,trojans,infection warning (perhaps a spoof but came from Vista) -so will set up better firewall and security before I start again.
I was on step ready to use link etc. -from CC due you use the chain link thingy? hints..
buffettfan225-cruise at yahoo dot com[/quote]


i sent you an email

[newt98]

nvm..

[Dirkgun]

I love your review. I also love your pictures of St Maarten. We did not get to go there, we had to miss it.... could not dock due to large swells. I guess I have to go back again. Thanks for putting in the time for your review.:D

[PreciousCruiser]

Dirkgun:

So sorry to hear that you had to miss St. Maarten. I know you hated that, but like you said, "guess you'll have to go back". I'm cruising on The Victory on April 25th and hopefully that won't happen to us.

 

Mike: What a great review. Thanks for posting all. I got more and more excited as your review went on.

 

Dirkgun: Your review was good as well, but I need to find it again to make sure I finished it. Thanks for posting it.

[crusing48/51]

I enjoyed every minute of it. Since we'll be sailing on the Victory in September, it is wonderful to have the pictures and experiences of a previous traveler to put us on the right track.

 

I especially want to thank you for the heads up about the scam artist in San Juan. If we see him, we'll know his story is bogus!

 

I'll be looking for future reviews from you. You put a great spin on things! Thanks again!

[newt98]

I love your review. I also love your pictures of St Maarten. We did not get to go there, we had to miss it.... could not dock due to large swells. I guess I have to go back again. Thanks for putting in the time for your review.:D

 

Dirkgun:

So sorry to hear that you had to miss St. Maarten. I know you hated that, but like you said, "guess you'll have to go back". I'm cruising on The Victory on April 25th and hopefully that won't happen to us.

 

Mike: What a great review. Thanks for posting all. I got more and more excited as your review went on.

 

Dirkgun: Your review was good as well, but I need to find it again to make sure I finished it. Thanks for posting it.

 

 

thank you.:)