Jewel ~ S. Caribbean and Panama Canal ~ April 25th & May 2nd ~ My Diary

[maxs mom]

Patti.....great picture of the new dig. I never saw that. Like Karen....the nap monster got me, too!

[BillB48]

Patti, I missed this construction site -- was it on the Pacific side? I barely stayed awake long enough to get photos of the Bridge of Americas before taking a nap. :cool: Sorry I missed that!

 

That is the construction site of the new locks on the Pacific side. The new locks would have been visible on the starboard side after clearing Miraflores Locks (the last set of locks going in your direction) and before passing under the Bridge of Americas.

 

You'll just have to schedule another transit:)!

Edited June 2, 2015 by BillB48

[maxs mom]

Next up was drinks in the CL. Here we are on the way in our private elevator!

 

 

Not many people here tonight. We were invited to join a large group of mostly Pinnacle folks and we had a very enjoyable time chatting with them. A CC member was among them and recognized me as "Max's Mom"! ( Hey catgirl!) That was nice. This was when we met our now good friends, Alice and Jerry from Texas, and their friend Bernadette, from Colorado.

 

 

 

We also came across another cruise buddy that we have cruised with before, Ronald. When we first met Ronald a couple of years ago.....we thought he was just a grumpy old man. We sat down with him in a crowded CL and he did NOT want us to sit with him. We ran into him again on another cruise and sat at the same lunch table with him.....got to talking to him and decided that he was a nice guy. So we spied him in the CL tonight and discovered that he had also cruised with Bernadette before and they were buddies. Turns out that ole' Ronald is quite fun!! Tonight he recruited us for his Quest team and he guaranteed a win!! Couldn't wait to see what this was all about!!

 

 

On to dinner in MTD. We sat at a table for 4 tonight, which was not in Ann's section, but she waited on us anyway. It was nice to have a little more room. Ann recommended the sea bass tonight and it was delicious. I also had a wonderful baked spinach appetizer and a really good berry cobbler for dessert.

 

 

 

Went to the casino after dinner and the machines were not nice.

 

We then got our iPads and were able to connect for about 20 minutes with one of our free access codes for being B2B. It was good to clear out e-mail and make a couple of posts on Facebook.

 

Time for bed! It was a great day!

[maxs mom]

Wednesday ~ May 6, 2015 ~ At Sea

 

Another Sea Day! I love it!

 

 

 

CL was once again very busy. These older cruisers get up early!! One special couple that I met in here almost every morning was Kay and John from Oregon. They were so cute. I just loved listening to their observations every day. Priceless!!

 

 

We got down to breakfast at 8:15......very crowded! We sat at a large table with mostly people that we knew. We had a great time chatting. Good thing because they were overwhelmed. It took a while to get our food.

 

Edited June 2, 2015 by max'smom

[Mamacane71]

This makes me want to do a Panama Canal Cruise someday!

[maxs mom]

Spent some time in the CL after breakfast.

 

Later we went to the Seaview for lunch. I think we got the last table and it wasn't even noon yet!! It's gotten very popular! John went back to his hot dog and I tried a hamburger. They don't have any iced tea up here, so if you want any.....stop by the WJ first and get a glass before you go up.

 

 

We ran into the boys from Durham here. They are friends with the ever popular "Max Power" and his mom, so I finally got to meet them.

 

 

 

After lunch....we headed down the stairs to the WJ to get some frozen yogurt. (And I keep wondering how I gained these 5 pounds that I am now trying to get rid of!!!)

 

 

I stopped by Deck 10 where our roll call group had a message board. This is how we knew what activities there were each day and where to go. It was a neat system!!

 

 

I made an appointment for a manicure at 3 o'clock, so I headed up to the salon around 2:45. I got a really good shellac manicure for a nice hefty price!! It should last for the rest of the trip. The manicurist was a mad Jamaican girl who just seemed bored to tears!! But she did a good job massaging my hands and arms with a scrub and then oil. Then at the very end there was the upsell of products . I really don't like that!! I just said no thank you and went on!

[maxs mom]

This makes me want to do a Panama Canal Cruise someday!

 

You should really look into it. It is fabulous and one of our very favorites!

[maxs mom]

Tonight before cocktail hour there was a fabulous sunset!!

 

 

 

 

 

[maxs mom]

We're still chugging along! Time to head to the CL:

 

 

 

 

Great time tonight. We got our Quest plans in order. Nice conversation with everybody!

 

 

 

We had a very nice dinner once again in MTD. Next it was time to gather for the Quest!!

[jzad]

Tonight before cocktail hour there was a fabulous sunset!!

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Jane,

It's looks a bit hazy, is it humid on this cruise?

 

thank you!

janine

[Cat54]

Enjoying your review. Need to put this cruise on my bucket list.

 

We are doing our first b2b in February on the AOS. It was nice to find out about some different beaches. I was at odds about what to do on St. Kitts. It is one of my least favorite islands. I thought about a trip to Nevis but after reading your review of the Marriott we might just end up there for the day.

 

Can't wait to read some more!

 

Thanks:D

[maxs mom]

So we meet up with our Quest team and head to the Safari Lounge to stake out our seats. Some dancing was going on in there at the time, so it was hard to get good seats, however.....it wouldn't matter. Our very own Dick and Jane were doing some of the dancing.....as always! They were always fun to watch.

 

 

This was a great Quest......Senior Citizen Style!!! Ronald and Bernadette were our leaders!! We were Team #1 of course!

 

 

There were only 5 teams and as promised......Ronald did not disappoint. I can not even begin to tell you what a good captain he was. I swear, I have never laughed so hard during a Quest game EVER!!!

 

These ladies were nicknamed "The Golden Girls".

 

 

They got quite a show!!

 

 

 

[maxs mom]

Enjoying your review. Need to put this cruise on my bucket list.

 

We are doing our first b2b in February on the AOS. It was nice to find out about some different beaches. I was at odds about what to do on St. Kitts. It is one of my least favorite islands. I thought about a trip to Nevis but after reading your review of the Marriott we might just end up there for the day.

 

Can't wait to read some more!

 

Thanks:D

 

Oh my! We love St. Kitts. We've been all over but happily spend our day at the Marriott each time. I hope you like it!!

[maxs mom]

For some reason, they added a Men vs. Women hula hoop contest at the end. Our very own Bernadette won that for us. We had the most points in the game by far......but everyone was given a medal!! Great fun! This beats Quest on the big ships by 100 miles!!!!

 

 

Our fabulous Team Number 1!!!

 

 

After this, we retired for the evening! Still some dancing going on in the Centrum:

 

 

Good Night!

 

[The Big Booper]

For some reason' date=' they added a Men vs. Women hula hoop contest at the end. Our very own Bernadette won that for us. We had the most points in the game by far......but everyone was given a medal!! Great fun! This beats Quest on the big ships by 100 miles!!!!

 

...>>>snip<<<...

Our fabulous Team Number 1!!!

 

 

...>>>snip<<<...

 

 

 

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How many people on your team ?;)

[maxs mom]

Hi Jane,

It's looks a bit hazy, is it humid on this cruise?

 

thank you!

janine

 

Janine.....humid isn't the word!! We were in Central America after all.....extremely humid.....we were drenched every time we went outside. Camera lenses kept fogging up, etc. Yes.....you must prepare for the humidity.....but we're from the South, so we're used to it!

[maxs mom]

How many people on your team ?;)

 

LOL!! I think there were about 11 or 12. Ronald and Bernadette did most of the work, but we all contributed......so much fun!

[zigybean]

Here are the beers I had on board the Jewel: Miller Light, Heineken, Dos Equis, and Peroni. I think I also saw someone drinking a Fosters. There are plenty of opportunities in the ports to try local beers.

 

Hi Jane! I love your review. You put a lot of work into this. I'm in the early stages of reading, and I haven't gotten to the Panama Canal part yet. It was a great cruise, and we so enjoyed meeting you and John. Your review is a terrific way to bring back fond memories.

 

 

Thank you both for your replies. Looks like I will have to drink wine. Darn the luck. :)

[travelgoddess1]

That is the construction site of the new locks on the Pacific side. The new locks would have been visible on the starboard side after clearing Miraflores Locks (the last set of locks going in your direction) and before passing under the Bridge of Americas.

 

You'll just have to schedule another transit!

 

I did get a photo of the new lock gates, and another of what looked like a big ditch being dug (no structures), but missed the new locks themselves. And, oh, yes, I'm going back through the Canal in October. I will keep my eyes peeled, lol!

 

Spent some time in the CL after breakfast.

 

Later we went to the Seaview for lunch. I think we got the last table and it wasn't even noon yet!! It's gotten very popular! John went back to his hot dog and I tried a hamburger. They don't have any iced tea up here' date=' so if you want any.....stop by the WJ first and get a glass before you go up.

 

 

We ran into the boys from Durham here. They are friends with the ever popular "Max Power" and his mom, so I finally got to meet them.

 

 

 

After lunch....we headed down the stairs to the WJ to get some frozen yogurt. (And I keep wondering how I gained these 5 pounds that I am now trying to get rid of!!!)

 

 

I stopped by Deck 10 where our roll call group had a message board. This is how we knew what activities there were each day and where to go. It was a neat system!!

 

 

I made an appointment for a manicure at 3 o'clock, so I headed up to the salon around 2:45. I got a really good shellac manicure for a nice hefty price!! It should last for the rest of the trip. The manicurist was a mad Jamaican girl who just seemed bored to tears!! But she did a good job massaging my hands and arms with a scrub and then oil. Then at the very end there was the upsell of products . I really don't like that!! I just said no thank you and went on!

 

I had the same woman for a pedicure -- she told me she does all the mani's and pedi's. I agree with you, she was not a happy camper.

 

And don't even get me started on my weight gain. I even went to the fitness center every day, but it didn't seem to make much difference. But I'm not complaining.

 

Loving your review, Jane! :D

[maxs mom]

I did get a photo of the new lock gates, and another of what looked like a big ditch being dug (no structures), but missed the new locks themselves. And, oh, yes, I'm going back through the Canal in October. I will keep my eyes peeled, lol!

 

 

 

I had the same woman for a pedicure -- she told me she does all the mani's and pedi's. I agree with you, she was not a happy camper.

 

And don't even get me started on my weight gain. I even went to the fitness center every day, but it didn't seem to make much difference. But I'm not complaining.

 

Loving your review, Jane! :D

 

Nice to know it wasn't just me!

 

Well....I AM complaining about my weight gain! It took me all winter to get those 5 pounds OFF. It's such a long process. I am going to HAVE to do better on cruises so it's not so bad. I start out with good intentions, but that darn frozen yogurt machine gets me every time!!!

[maxs mom]

Thursday ~ May 7, 2015 ~ Punteranus, Puerto Rico

 

Land Ho!!! I love the sea days, but it was nice to have some land to step on to today!

 

 

The door to the CL would not open this morning. There was nearly a riot!! When I got there a little after 7.....there were about 5 officers fiddling with the door trying to get it open. It was quite comical! Lots of guests were chomping at the bit to get in The girl with all the food was there. To make matters worse.....once we got in .....the coffee machine wouldn't work. Things finally settled down, though.

 

One good thing......there weren't so many people at breakfast this morning. We were hoping that things would move a little faster. Not so much. The poor waiters here always seemed to be CONFUSED. But breakfast was excellent once we got it.

 

We went back to the CL after breakfast. Lots of folks were scurrying around here...gong on excursions today. We had one booked but it wasn't until later. Diego stuck this on my coffee cup! LOL!!

 

 

So.....we have not been to any of these ports on this cruise, and it was challenging to find things to do. I am usually very confident and know exactly what to do in each port, but not this time. Soooooo we did something we haven't done in a VERY long time.......we booked a couple of ship's excursions. One in this port and one in Guatemala.

 

We were to meet in the Safari Lounge at 12:15. We got our stickers and waited to be called. It wasn't long before I remembered WHY we stopped booking ship's excursions!! We won't be booking any more any time soon!!

 

We booked the train and boat tour. We were HERDED on to a bus. (Now I must say.....they made it very convenient so there wasn't much walking on any part of this tour, so it was great for those with mobility problems.) Our guide for the day was Gustavo and he was very pleasant.

 

First we bused over to the Tarcoles River......about 45 minutes. The air on the bus was not working properly. There were so many people here. Ugh! We got in our boat. The river was NASTY!!!! Did I say it was HOT!?

 

 

 

We floated for a little while.....saw two submerged crocodiles and a bunch of small birds that you couldn't see unless you used the telephoto lens on the camera. Here are the two crocodiles that we saw.

 

 

[maxs mom]

We floated around for about 30 minutes. Here is some of the wildlife that we saw.

 

 

 

That was about it!

 

 

 

 

After we got out of the boat, we had some fresh fruit.....pineapple, watermelon, ad bananas. That was good. Plenty of restrooms here.....and of course......souvenir shopping.

 

[maxs mom]

We took these silly pictures before getting back on the bus. They fixed the air while we were here!

 

 

 

We got back on the bus and road down the bumpy roads again.......our guide said it was the Costa Rican massage! We rode for a while and then got on this old train that took us through the countryside. (Very bumpy.....more Costa Rican massage!)

 

 

 

[maxs mom]

We saw some interesting sights I guess. A little bit of nice countryside, but mostly we traveled through people's back yards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[maxs mom]

 

 

 

 

The train ride finally came to an end. And the bus pulled right up to the train so all we had to do was walk right from the train into the bus! We had about a 30 minute ride back to the port. We were glad to get back to the ship.

 

 

Well we saw some of Costa Rica today. I think there are much more beautiful parts that I would like to come back and try to find. This just didn't do much for me today. We will know better next time.

 

It was almost dark when we got back. We almost had to peel our clothes off when we got back. The air conditioning on the ship sure felt good!