LIVE 47 Days 3 Ships Caribbean Escape January 30th - March 20th!

[countess5]

Evening from Day 5!

Before I start can I share that we woke up to the toilet not flushing! What a panic! 🙀 We called guest services and they said they would notify the correct people. It took a while but they got it fixed. That was the second time since boarding in our area. We didn’t notice it the first time. May not of hit us but the cabins around us. Guest services called us back when it was fixed and asked if everything was ok. Good follow up. 

Pics are not loading up to the IPad so fast tonight so may have to post some pics tomorrow, but a great day in Grenada! Last time we were here was 25 years ago for my BIL 40th birthday. We were tendered in. Today they have filled in an area on the other side of the hill from town and built a port. Our guide Clinton said about 15 years ago. 

 

Today was visiting a chocolate “factory” only three people work there, the lake in a middle of a volcano then a water fall. Our guide Clinton was great, his sister lives in Philadelphia, where we live north of and works at Children’s Hospital. He spent time in NY but came back to Grenada, sorry but I would have come back too! 

 

The island has changed a lot from 25 years ago. Clinton shared that China has been buying a lot of land and are expanding the airport. Ok, politics aside…. It’s a fact. There was an area that China had build a pavilion at the lake we went to and just recently they had it removed because it was too much influence on the island. 

In addition to that they just had elections and the government has changed from the current party to the other party. Promises of an improved quality of life.

Tuesday they celebrate their independence of 49 years! There are flags all over the island to celebrate. I’ll post pictures.

Anyway, I’ll post pics and more tomorrow. Need to get ready for dinner. martini bar at 6 (go figure) then Tuscan again ( our MDR)

 

Great night to all!

 

Cheers! 

 

 

[Redking]

6 hours ago, countess5 said:

Evening from Day 5!

Before I start can I share that we woke up to the toilet not flushing! What a panic! 🙀 We called guest services and they said they would notify the correct people. It took a while but they got it fixed. That was the second time since boarding in our area. We didn’t notice it the first time. May not of hit us but the cabins around us. Guest services called us back when it was fixed and asked if everything was ok. Good follow up. 

Pics are not loading up to the IPad so fast tonight so may have to post some pics tomorrow, but a great day in Grenada! Last time we were here was 25 years ago for my BIL 40th birthday. We were tendered in. Today they have filled in an area on the other side of the hill from town and built a port. Our guide Clinton said about 15 years ago. 

 

Today was visiting a chocolate “factory” only three people work there, the lake in a middle of a volcano then a water fall. Our guide Clinton was great, his sister lives in Philadelphia, where we live north of and works at Children’s Hospital. He spent time in NY but came back to Grenada, sorry but I would have come back too! 

 

The island has changed a lot from 25 years ago. Clinton shared that China has been buying a lot of land and are expanding the airport. Ok, politics aside…. It’s a fact. There was an area that China had build a pavilion at the lake we went to and just recently they had it removed because it was too much influence on the island. 

In addition to that they just had elections and the government has changed from the current party to the other party. Promises of an improved quality of life.

Tuesday they celebrate their independence of 49 years! There are flags all over the island to celebrate. I’ll post pictures.

Anyway, I’ll post pics and more tomorrow. Need to get ready for dinner. martini bar at 6 (go figure) then Tuscan again ( our MDR)

 

Great night to all!

 

Cheers! 

 

 

Interesting read. We saw a lot of Chinese investment in Fiji and Tonga on our recent cruise. As you say politics aside, an interesting observation.

 

[countess5]

Good Morning to Day 6

We have arrived in Martinique! 

 

 

Will be heading out for our excursion soon, but some follow up pics from yesterday in Grenada. By the way I forgot to share that a gallon of gas in Grenada is $15!!! I complain about $3.64! 

 

 

As I shared it’s Independence Day Tuesday so these the of flags were flying all over the island.

 

 

 

 

They say there is no bottom to this lake in the volcano 

 

 

We ran into this little guy

 

 

Only tunnel on the island

 

 

Of course you end the day with…….

 

Another great time at Tuscan last night! 

 

Cheers! 

 

 

[countess5]

What an Outstanding Day in Martinique! Our tour guide was fantastic! Just 6 of us touring together. We learned a lot about the Island and the history and devastation of the 1902 volcanic eruption. From Port to a beautiful church to the rain forest too the beach.

 

The Port Area, very well done

 

 

 

Our First Stop. This church was designed in France and brought over by ship then built here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We then headed up to the rain forest. Very Lush! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a great day for a family swim!

 

More to come of the day out and about!

 

Cheers!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[countess5]

Ok I’m back! been a crazy two days of excursions. Early morning late back and then dinner. No time to post. Let’s finish Martinique. If I have said it already (not going back to read) our tour company was the best. Every stop we had a home made treat or something to drink that was local. 

After the rain forest we moved onto a Rum factory. 

When the volcano Pele exploded in 1902 54 people of this family that owned the factory died. 

 

 

This was the “driveway” leading up to the owners home.

 

I’m going to take a moment and say that I have Starlink Premium Internet and while it is 5 PM people I am sure on it and it is very bad. If you have basic you have nothing I am sure. very disappointing. 

 

We then went into a town just below the volcano where the blast traveled at 1,000 miles an hour. The stories were amazing and sad.

The pics following is the theater and jail which is just next door.

 

Well As said the internet at the moment Sucks, so I will try and send the pics and continue tomorrow. 

 

Cheers! 

 

 

 

[countess5]

Ok go figure it wants to work now! 🙄

Pics from the theater and jail. The volcano is just above it.

This is where the only survivor was in the jail. He was burnt so bad he became a freak show with Barnum and Bailey Circus. Sad

 

Orchestra pit

 

 

 

Story of the survivor 

 

Alright have to get ready for Martini bar and Tuscan.

Back in the Am. we have out B2B meeting at 10 AM. 

 

Cheers! 

[montythecat]

You are putting together a proper story and are writing it

beautifully. Thank you making it so enjoyable to read. We had The

Shamrock Tenors on Millennium last February and loved them to

bits. Very entertaining and a delight to chat to. Entertainment on

ships can always be a hit or miss. I reckon you have started with

a hit. I hope that continues.

[countess5]

3 hours ago, montythecat said:

You are putting together a proper story and are writing it

beautifully. Thank you making it so enjoyable to read. We had The

Shamrock Tenors on Millennium last February and loved them to

bits. Very entertaining and a delight to chat to. Entertainment on

ships can always be a hit or miss. I reckon you have started with

a hit. I hope that continues.

thank you for the nice words.
They have been very good, have performed twice. They were at the Sunset Bar at sail away yesterday and was able to tell them we enjoyed their great performance. 
 

Cheers! 

[countess5]

Morning from at Sea! Two days on our way back to Ft. Lauderdale. 
let’s see if I can wrap up Martinique.

 

as I had shared our guide was fantastic, a former English teacher. At every stop she would offer us a bite of the island with traditional food or a sip of the island with different drinks. My favorite…..banana wine! 
she personally made all the tasteful bites.

 

 

 

 

ok, that ends Martinique and onto St Lucia, but that will be a bit later. We have our B2B meeting this morning. 
 

Cheers! 

[smtcan]

Really enjoying you review.  We have a 23 day B2B coming up in April, Eastern Caribbean and Transatlantic on Silhouette.  Thirty days B2B in Asia is the longest cruise we have taken,   
I must admit that the football references are over my head.  Growing up in Wales, the Six Nations Rugby interests me more, even after Wales lost badly to Ireland last weekend.

[Spif Barwunkel]

32 minutes ago, countess5 said:

Morning from at Sea! Two days on our way back to Ft. Lauderdale. 
let’s see if I can wrap up Martinique.

 

as I had shared our guide was fantastic, a former English teacher. At every stop she would offer us a bite of the island with traditional food or a sip of the island with different drinks. My favorite…..banana wine! 
she personally made all the tasteful bites.

 

 

 

 

ok, that ends Martinique and onto St Lucia, but that will be a bit later. We have our B2B meeting this morning. 
 

Cheers! 

countess, we also enjoyed Christelle and her Karambole tour in December '22. It was a very pleasant day on Martinique. Indeed, the banana wine did make for some really good sipping.

Edited February 7, 2023 by Spif Barwunkel

[countess5]

47 minutes ago, smtcan said:

Really enjoying you review.  We have a 23 day B2B coming up in April, Eastern Caribbean and Transatlantic on Silhouette.  Thirty days B2B in Asia is the longest cruise we have taken,   
I must admit that the football references are over my head.  Growing up in Wales, the Six Nations Rugby interests me more, even after Wales lost badly to Ireland last weekend.

You have a great cruise planned! For some reason when we board we don’t want to leave! 😂

I understand about “football” my friends in England and I go back and forth a bit about it. Really enjoyed the World Cup! 

 

Cheers! 

[countess5]

43 minutes ago, Spif Barwunkel said:

countess, we also enjoyed Christelle and her Karambole tour in December '22. It was a very pleasant day on Martinique. Indeed, the banana wine did make for some really good sipping.

She was the best! 
Wait until you hear what happened on Antigua and our guide. 🙄

 

Cheers! 

[Kandtcruisers]

Great review and pictures.  Thank you taking the time to entertain those of us still on land. 

[clochette]

we also toured with Chrystelle back in 2013 maybe, she was terrific and one of the best tour we have ever done.

[countess5]

Ok, let’s try to get up to date! We are back in the cabin DW is getting ready for the last chic night.

Bare with me the internet is questionable at best and that is with premium!

 

St Lucia

what an outstanding excursion! Clinton ( as he said like the President) picked us up and started a full day of experiencing his island. 
 

First stop was a view of our home for the past few days. 

 

Then it was off to learn about the Banana business. I was interested in this since I have to have a banana every morning. The Banana farms on St Lucia are all privately owned and the Bananas produced are shipped to the UK. 
the banana tree takes 9 months to grow and produce fruit then the tree is cut down and left in the field to fertilize the ground. The bananas are placed in a bag to protect them from insects and birds. 

 

 

Once the tree is cut down, there is already a new one starting to grow. 
then it was off to have a taste of the local food. Clinton made a call to who we found out later to be Claudia. Claudia lives with her mother in a home her father owned before he passed away. It was beautiful, with plants everywhere and fees to die for. We all said Air B&B!

 

 

 

 

 

the view out of the bathroom had to be taken in!

 

you get the picture, an amazing stop,  tasting the food Claudia and Mom made for us. We all sat in the living room talking of the experience and how great the food was, including the banana ketchup. Now being from PA and Hienz Ketchup I was sold. 
Did  I mention we were also provided a variety of rums to sip! 🍸

A nice tip and Thank you to Claudia and we were off to the Pitons! 
 

Cheers! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[countess5]

Onto the Pitons

o will say as Clinton drove he shared a lot of local information to help us understand life on the Island. 
 

We next arrived to a spot to see our first sight of the Pitons.

 

sorry have to pause, “Premium” internet isn’t working! 😡

 

Cheers! 

 

[Spif Barwunkel]

10 minutes ago, countess5 said:

Ok, let’s try to get up to date! We are back in the cabin DW is getting ready for the last chic night.

Bare with me the internet is questionable at best and that is with premium!

 

St Lucia

what an outstanding excursion! Clinton ( as he said like the President) picked us up and started a full day of experiencing his island. 
 

First stop was a view of our home for the past few days. 

 

Then it was off to learn about the Banana business. I was interested in this since I have to have a banana every morning. The Banana farms on St Lucia are all privately owned and the Bananas produced are shipped to the UK. 
the banana tree takes 9 months to grow and produce fruit then the tree is cut down and left in the field to fertilize the ground. The bananas are placed in a bag to protect them from insects and birds. 

 

 

Once the tree is cut down, there is already a new one starting to grow. 
then it was off to have a taste of the local food. Clinton made a call to who we found out later to be Claudia. Claudia lives with her mother in a home her father owned before he passed away. It was beautiful, with plants everywhere and fees to die for. We all said Air B&B!

 

 

 

 

 

 

the view out of the bathroom had to be taken in!

 

you get the picture, an amazing stop,  tasting the food Claudia and Mom made for us. We all sat in the living room talking of the experience and how great the food was, including the banana ketchup. Now being from PA and Hienz Ketchup I was sold. 
Did  I mention we were also provided a variety of rums to sip! 🍸

A nice tip and Thank you to Claudia and we were off to the Pitons! 
 

Cheers! 

 

countess - The banana ketchup is delicious, and we brought some home. I'll catch up with you in three weeks since I don't do social media when on vacation. Continue to enjoy your Caribbean cruising.

 

Antarctica, here we come.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[pd7277]

10 hours ago, Spif Barwunkel said:

countess, we also enjoyed Christelle and her Karambole tour in December '22. It was a very pleasant day on Martinique. Indeed, the banana wine did make for some really good sipping.

Can someone share the contact information for Christelle?

[Spif Barwunkel]

58 minutes ago, pd7277 said:

Can someone share the contact information for Christelle?

Simply Google Karambole Tours, Martinique. That will get you to the right place for all the information.

[pd7277]

1 hour ago, Spif Barwunkel said:

Simply Google Karambole Tours, Martinique. That will get you to the right place for all the information.

Got it. TY

[countess5]

11 hours ago, pd7277 said:

Got it. TY

 

[countess5]

It was onto the Pitons and our first view of them.

 

when we arrived at the lookout they were local coconut milk! 

 

then we continued to a volcano. It is active but has not erupted since 1700. You had a choice

Of mud baths or going to the volcano activity area where mud was bubbling.
 

 

 

 

next was a waterfall 

 

 

The great part of this tour is that Clinton took us to a water taxi to head over to Sugar Beach which lies between the Pitons! Jason was our Captain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

this guy was trying to hide between the palms! 😂 He was selling drinks and something about a food smoke! 

 

ok commercial time! Have to have Piton Beer when on the island!

 

then it was back to the ship. Great Day great tour!

 

Cheers! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[countess5]

Next stop Antigua!

as we docked at Antigua there were three ships following us in.

 

 

Now here’s a story, we met our tour company as we departed and was assigned to Marley. A very nice guy who started out well telling us about what we were seeing. We stopped at a church which was 353 years old.

 

 

then It was in to the next stop

 

 

 

 

Queen Elizabeth had visited in 1966 and planted this palm.

 

 

we then went on a boat buying tour! 😂

 

 

 

 

 

of course you have to have a beer break after that. Carib I always like but never had a Blue Carib! 

 

We returned to meet Marley and there was something wrong. He didn’t look good and DW determined he was not well. He spoke very little and when he did spoke very low. We continued to the rain forest and back to the ship.

 

 

 

Markey spoke about a black pineapple which he stopped to have us taste.

 

ok back to Marley being quite and not looking good. My friend Walt asked if he was ok. Marley said his stomach was hurting and he didn’t feel well. Our other friend Bev offer some pepto chewable tablets to help. He took two and within a few minutes Marley was leaning out of the van throwing up! 🙀🤮🤢

 

now panic sets in on whether we were going to catch something or not!!! We were concerned he couldn’t get us back to the ship but he did and we said goodbye.
 

Cheers!  

 

 

 

[CruisinBanka]

Great pictures! Thanks!