Carnival Victory 11-2 / 11-9 Review

[Cigar Dude]

Don't stop now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

[kelz66]

OK...I have to ask...what camera do you use?

 

:D

[Aplmac]

OK...I have to ask...what camera do you use?

I use a Nikon D60

but it's not so much the camera I use, but the lens that's on it

 

..and that lens is a Sigma 10-20 mm. super-wide-angle lens

Sailaway from St.Thomas on November 3rd.

 

 

 

Cropping and other minor alterations after shooting

also help produce distinctive photos. ;)

 

 

[Aplmac]

The Sigma lens cost nearly as much as the camera did, originally :eek:

 

 

This photo may seem 'wide'

but it has been substantially cropped both at top and bottom..

that's how wide this lens is... 102 degrees of view - darned near a fisheye. ;)

[justbob55]

Thanks for such an in-depth review of this cruise. We leave on March 1st, taking my sister and her hubby on their first cruise. This one with be just our 5th. We are soooo hooked! So we really appreciate all the pics and tips on what we should include.

[Aplmac]

Sailaway from St. Thomas on 3rd. November 2008 looked like this..

 

Can you see the small plane, just to the left of the sun?

 

as we slowly made our way out of the Charlotte Amalie inlet.

[Aplmac]

Having lunch at one of the Lido specialty buffets..

 

 

Our view of the Charlotte Amalie inlet, while we were docked at St. Thomas!

[Aplmac]

Early morning, as we approached Barbados

 

 



the Lido pool area at the stern, near the Pizza place -under cover at top left

.

[Aplmac]

Paynes Bay on the West coast of Barbados

 

 

Reid's Bay also on the West Coast..

[Aplmac]

Bathsheba over on the East Coast

 

.

 

[Relayer]

What would be your choice for a first time visitor to Barbados? The Crane Beach or Rockley? We are low maintenance and just love to relax on the most beautiful beaches in the world!

As always I cannot wait to see your posts and pics!

[michiganirish]

What's left to say but WOW!!!! We'll be doing this in 27 days - thanks for preview:D:D

[Aplmac]

What would be your choice for a first time visitor to Barbados?

The Crane Beach or Rockley?

We are low maintenance

and just love to relax on the most beautiful beaches in the world! ===> You need a week here, you realize...

I'd say Rockley("Accra" as we locals call it)..because it's not that far away from the Port(15 mins. by taxi)

and it's definitely The best beach on the South Coast of the island.

 

It also has beach and umbrella rentals available, food and drink kiosks/bars right in back of the beach area,

+ Chefette fast food and Pizza right across the street

and even some shopping at Quayside Mall, 150 yds. down the street,if you get bored with all this surf-washing-up stuff..

 

..........................

 

Crane's gorgeous alright, but also kinda far out there....I'd leave that for a second or third visit

-or when you come to stay for a 4 days -1 week spell, then you can do far-flung places at your leisure.

[Relayer]

Thanks a million! Surely would enjoy a week or a lifetime, but will fully enjoy our day thanks to your help.

[Aplmac]

Thanks a million!

Surely would enjoy a week or a lifetime, but will fully enjoy our day thanks to your help.

Just don't let the taxi driver coerce you

into going to Blue Monkey Bar or Paynes Bay(same location) on the West Coast

 

Accra/Rockley is a far nicer location, a lot less jet-ski's -and no intrusive vending

other than maybe the guy asking you if you want a chair/lounger and an umbrella

(trust me, you do! the sun can be fierce).. ;)

 

Either that or set up camp in the shade of the low trees nearby

 

 

Don't forget the sunblock -and the camera!

 

Different umbrella's...different days on Rockley Beach

[kelz66]

I use a Nikon D60

but it's not so much the camera I use, but the lens that's on it

 

..and that lens is a Sigma 10-20 mm. super-wide-angle lens

Sailaway from St.Thomas on November 3rd.

 

 

 

Cropping and other minor alterations after shooting

also help produce distinctive photos. ;)

 

 

 

cool!

 

 

Thanks for the info.

:D

[cruiselover00029]

Just don't let the taxi driver coerce you

into going to Blue Monkey Bar or Paynes Bay(same location) on the West Coast

 

Accra/Rockley is a far nicer location, a lot less jet-ski's -and no intrusive vending

other than maybe the guy asking you if you want a chair/lounger and an umbrella

(trust me, you do! the sun can be fierce).. ;)

 

Either that or set up camp in the shade of the low trees nearby

 

 

Don't forget the sunblock -and the camera!

 

Different umbrella's...different days on Rockley Beach

 

 

I am piggy backing here, but first, I have to give credit to Aplmac for keeping this up. I must say I have hardly been on cruise critic since I got back. That is why it was so hard to me to finish my review. I was addicted before I left, I mean really addicted, but now that my cruise is over I hardly visit. I do check in from time to time to see what Aplmac has posted though. These photos are amazing. I just got back some pictures that I took during vacation. I will post them when I get a chance. They are no where near as great as Aplmac's but you guys might like them. BTW yes I still use film. I have a great Nikon camera that I used when I took a photography class, it was so expensive (at the time), and it still takes such great photos that I still use it.

 

Now the I got that over. In Barbados, we already knew that we wanted to go to the Boatyard and our driver tried to convince us to go to another beach. He asked us where did we hea baout that beach? He then said okay but I just dont take a lot of people there I usually take them to XYZ Beach. So be firm and go to the beach that YOU want to go to.

[Aplmac]

In Barbados, we already knew that we wanted to go to the Boatyard

and our driver tried to convince us to go to another beach.

He asked us where did we hear about that beach?

 

He then said okay but I just don't take a lot of people there ===> He lied!

..I usually take them to XYZ Beach. ===> Nonsense!

 

So be firm and go to the beach that YOU want to go to.

See? I told you! ;)

 

This happens a lot with local taxi drivers.

They have their 'arrangements' to bring tourists to Their Contacts

regardless of where you think you want to go. :cool:

 

 

...riiiiight!

 

[padre]

See? I told you! ;)

 

This happens a lot with local taxi drivers.

They have their 'arrangements' to bring tourists to Their Contacts

regardless of where you think you want to go. :cool:

 

 

...riiiiight!

 

 

I just got off the Victory yesterday (man, it's cold here!) I told the driver I wanted a beach that offers chairs, umbrellas, and a place to buy refreshments and he brought us to the Boatyard!

[IHATESNOW]

See? I told you! ;)

 

This happens a lot with local taxi drivers.

They have their 'arrangements' to bring tourists to Their Contacts

regardless of where you think you want to go. :cool:

 

 

...riiiiight!

 

 

 

We were really looking forward to Crane Beach. You don't sound as if you're recommending it because of the distance. We are docked from 8:00-6:00. I was thinking that we should head back at about 3:00-3:30.

How long of a ride is it? How much can I expect to pay for a taxi for 4 people? Now I am wondering if I should stay closer to port.

[Aplmac]

I am piggy backing here, ===> this is your thread here,lady..

but first, I have to give credit to Aplmac for keeping this up. ===> I've bin having fun.. :)

 

I just got back some pictures that I took during vacation.

I will post them when I get a chance. - yes I still use film.

I have a great Nikon camera that I used when I took a photography class,

it was so expensive (at the time), ===> What model?

and it still takes such great photos that I still use it.

Perhaps your Photo Shop gave you a CD with your pics burnt to that CD?

 

Many of them offer that service these days,

so you get back both paper prints and digital images, from your film(negatives)

 

 

If you didn't get the CD, you can prob. take back in those negs

and ask for them to do a CD for you, so you don't need to bother scanning them! ;)

 

 

__________________

And I'm still having fun...

when CigarDude goes to Accra for the day, he'll be facing South as he looks out to sea,there.

 

To his right side will be West and if he heads down the beach Westward-ho..

he'll come to some steps at the very end, that lead up to the new South Coast boardwalk

providing an easy pleasant stroll all the way down to Coconut Court Hotel, almost..

 

 

 

Along the way, he'll pass these spots..

 

The new South Coast boardwalk -BARBADOS

 

 

[gaylensgigi]

Thanks for the awesome pictures. I will be on the Victory, next year but its nice to see these.I have never been, so your advice and pictures are wonderful.

[Aplmac]

We were really looking forward to Crane Beach. ===> Do it. you have the time!

You don't sound as if you're recommending it because of the distance. ===> It's a bit far but not at all impossible.

 

We are docked from :confused:8:00-6:00:confused:

I was thinking that we should head back at about 3:00-3:30. ===> Maybe even 4 p.m. --see warnings below

 

How long of a ride is it? ===> I'd allow for 1 hr. going back.

How much can I expect to pay for a taxi for 4 people?

Now I'm wondering if I should stay closer to port. ===> DO the Crane if your heart is set on it.

I can't help you with taxi-fare to/from Crane since I've always owned my own car and rarely(if ever) use local taxis

but getting to the Crane shouldn't take more than 45 mins - 1 hour getting there, depending on the driver

and an hour getting back, only because Bridgetown traffic and congestion approaching the Port area

might take a little longer on the Getting-Back journey.

 

If you're allowed off the ship at 8:00 a.m, get your Shore Act together early

- move early and you could be on the Crane beach by or before 9:30, man.

 

Take pictures from Up Top before you go down to beach level

because there's no better time, light-wise, to take great Crane Beach pics

than 9-10 a.m.(trust me) ;)

 

Start closing the show down regretfully around 3 - 3:30 p.m. and leave Crane by 4

if your time to be back on board is truly 6 p.m.(somehow I doubt that)..

to allow for an hour back to the ship by taxi.

 

 

____________________________________________

Many ships leave (pull away from the dock) at 5 p.m.

Maybe yours pulls away at 6...I dunno.

Be clear on these actual times...there are ship-moving times

and there are Cruisers-Allowed-Ashore times....don't confuse the two!

 

 

This is how folks get left behind -with crying wives! Not cool.

Ship happens, okay? :cool:

[IHATESNOW]

I can't help you with taxi-fare to/from Crane since I've always owned my own car and rarely(if ever) use local taxis

but getting to the Crane shouldn't take more than 45 mins - 1 hour getting there, depending on the driver

and an hour getting back, only because Bridgetown traffic and congestion approaching the Port area

might take a little longer on the Getting-Back journey.

 

If you're allowed off the ship at 8:00 a.m, get your Shore Act together early

- move early and you could be on the Crane beach by or before 9:30, man.

 

Take pictures from Up Top before you go down to beach level

because there's no better time, light-wise, to take great Crane Beach pics

than 9-10 a.m.(trust me) ;)

 

Start closing the show down regretfully around 3 - 3:30 p.m. and leave Crane by 4

if your time to be back on board is truly 6 p.m.(somehow I doubt that)..

to allow for an hour back to the ship by taxi.

 

 

____________________________________________

Many ships leave (pull away from the dock) at 5 p.m.

Maybe yours pulls away at 6...I dunno.

Be clear on these actual times...there are ship-moving times

and there are Cruisers-Allowed-Ashore times....don't confuse the two!

 

 

This is how folks get left behind -with crying wives! Not cool.

Ship happens, okay? :cool:

 

thanks for all the detailed information, I appreciate it. The schedule that I have shows the ship leaving at 5:00 PM so we should be back on by 4:00 the latest. That was my mistake(had it confused with Antigua). So it looks like we pack it in not later than 2:30-3:00.

[Relayer]

The Crane was featured last night as the 17th sexiest beach in the world. We don't believe in coincedences here and we're usually up and out by 6:00. So.....The Crane is looking better all the time!