On a cruise of the Caribbean this time, with Princess.
Our cruise route.
Monday 19th September 2016
Cruise booked and paid for. USA visas sorted. Just shore excursions and packing to do.
Wednesday 28th December 2016
Bags packed, Christmas tree put away for another year. At 15:00 we drove to the airport and checked in to our hotel. After dinner we had an early night as we have an early start in the morning.
Thursday 29th December 2016
Up at five o'clock, washed, dressed and out of the hotel. Driving to the long term car park we found a spot and parked. The terminal transfer bus arrived before we were ready, so Jackie kept the driver talking whilst Martin secured the car.
Happy that we hadn't had to wait in the cold in our summer clothes we rode to the terminal. Through bag drop and security we grabbed breakfast. soon we were boarding and after taxiing for 15 min we got airborne.
BA have reduced their catering and you could tell, no drinks service. Everyone was getting up and down to go to the galley for drinks. Eventually after seven hours the drinks cart made an appearance. By this time the steward knew us and gave us extras, "because the cans and bottles are only little".
An hour before landing we had a snack served in a picnic hamper box. Coronation chicken sandwiches and clotted cream scone.
After landing we found our way to immigration and were able to use one of their new electronic visa machines. This saved a massive queue. Having collected our bags we were met by Princess Cruise staff and put on a coach to our hotel for the night.
After a light (by American standards) dinner we retired for the night. We had a good nights sleep only disturbed by the train whistles every hour and a half. There is a level crossing just outside the hotel and all the trains sound their horns as they approach.
Friday 30th December 2016
Miami Florida, USA
Getting up early for the complimentary breakfast was a good move because later we heard the other guests complaining about the 45 minute wait to be seated.
Our bags were collected by the bellhop and we found seats in the atrium and blagged another coffee from the breakfast service before it closed. After a while the Princess cruise rep found us and got us to identify our cases. There were only four of us going to the Caribbean Princess the other thirty were going to the Royal Princess. So we had to sit at the front of the bus in the "Reserved for Disabled " seats.
Arriving at Port Everglades after a 30 min drive we made sure our bags came off of the bus and went through security and check in. With our cruise cards in hand we boarded the ship and found our cabin. We were greeted by our steward Angelo.
After unpacking and the usual emergency drill we grabbed a snack in the Horizon Court before exploring the ship and watchi g the ship sail. In the evening we watched a show with the cocktail of the day before dinner and bed.
Saturday 31st December 2016
At sea
Waking at about seven o'clock we opened our curtains to see Havana Cuba on the horizon. We stood on our balcony for a while enjoying the sunshine and the view.
Wandering upstairs for breakfast then taking our coffee out onto the Lido deck we spent some time people watching. Then it wastime to find Club Fusion on the Promenade Deck for a trivia quiz. Poppies at Sea came in third so not bad.
Taking a turn around the deck 1/3 of a mile we stopped in the atrium for a coffee, Salted caramel layer cappuccino and watched the beanbag toss comptition.
After a light lunch we repositioned to the aft swimming pool and spent a couple of hours reading and people watching. Later we attended the invitation only Captain's Circle Event and after a chat and performance by the ships singing group we were brought a drink by Captain Giorgio Pomata. Then it was time to scrub up for the formal dinner and New Years Party.
New year seen in it was time for bed as we have another early start in the morning.
Sunday 1st January 2017
Costa Maya (Mahahual), Mexico
Alarm went off at six, up washed and dressed. Down to the International Cafe for a breakfast bap and coffee before heading for the theatre. From here we left the ship and boarded a coach to Chacchoben to visit the Mayan Ruins.
After an hours bus ride we spent a couple of hours exploring the archaeological sites before hopping the bus back to the ship for lunch. After chilling out by the pool it was happy hour in the bar so we dropped in for a quick drink.
At 16:30 the ship sailed so we watched from the Promenade Deck in the hope that someone is late. We sailed on time with everyone on board. After a shower we had dinner then watched a show by a Canadian comic doing improvisation. The it was time for bed.
Monday 2nd January 2017
Belize City, Belize
Up at six again but as the clocks had gone back an hour overnight it was an hours layin. Coffee and bap for breakfast again before reporting for todays excursion. Belize City doesn't have a pier big enough for the Caribbean Princess so we anchored off.
Once Belize Customs and immigration had cleared the ship we went down and boarded a tender for the twenty minute run into the jetty. Boarding our bus we rode out of town. Two hours later we arriver at our drop off point. Leaving the bus we boarded a hand winched cable ferry to cross the river. Then hetting in minibuses we were driven up hill to the archaeological site.
From the entrance it was a short steep walk up to Xunantunich Mayan Ruins. With two hours on site we were given background information befor we climbed El Castillo. The veiw from the top was spectacular if scary as there was no edge protection and a very long drop.
The steps back down were even scarier than the ones comming up but we got safely back down. Then it was back to the bus for the 15 minute ride to our lunch stop .
After a lunch of Rice and beans with spiced chicken and deep fried plantain it was back on the road to town. With an hour and a half drive it soon became nap time.
Waking up we pulled onto the port and after shopping we were back on board for a shower before dinner.
After dinner we stopped by the theatre to watch an Elton John tribute act. Then it was time for bed.
Tuesday 3rd January 2017
Island Of Roatan, Honduras
Lazy start this morning, no tour. So breakfasr and then stroll down to the gamgway and ashore. Not many places to go on the island so spent a couple of hours looking at shops and the beach before going back on board for lunch.
Trivia quiz in the bar. We came third again. Who knew how many sylables in a Hakai or something like that. Then it was time to get pimped for tonight's formal dinner. After dinner bed because the clocks go forward an hour tonight and we have a tour on the morning.
In our post box outside our door two notices. The first saying our tour is leaving an hour early in the morning. The second telling us that our tour is delayed an hour later than the original departure time. So we have three departure times 07:55, 08:45 and 09:45. Carefully reading all the paperwork, one was titled "Final Meeting Time", so we are going with that.
Wednesday 4th January 2017
Island Of Cozumel, Mexico
Upstairs for a large breakfast as we have a long day and only a box meal. I wonder if this will be like the ones at work. Sandwiches , 1 brown, 1 yellow and 1 white. Fruit drink, crisps and an apple.
We are going to Chichén Itzá today to visit the Mayan Ruins . The travel time is 4 1/2 hours each way with an hour on site. Collecting in the theatre we left the ship and boarded a ferry to the mainland. This crossing took 30 min. Boarding the bus we left town for the three hour drive to Chichén Itzá. Our tour guide "Angel" talked the whole way. As a Mayan decendant he gave us his people's view, which was very interesting.
Arriving at Chichén Itzá we joined the queue of cars and coaches to get in. To shortcut the queue Angel phoned one of his friends and organised tickets and tax for cameras. Getting close we got off of the coach and walked the last few hundred metres. This would have saved time, but as usual one of our party got lost and we had to wait until she was found. This cut into the hour we had at the site.
After a whistle stop tour of the ancient monuments and seeing where the serpent appears at the equinox. We checked out the acoustical properties of the site before getting back to the coach. Boarding the coach we were handed our packed lunch by the driver. Cheese and ham bap, packet of crisps, two biscuits and a small bottle of water.
Driving back to the ferry was nap time. With half an hour to go Angel woke us up for selling souvenirs. Getting back to the port we boarded the ferry that was being held for us. We crossed the channel as the sun was setting and arrived back at the Princess with the last light. There were staff waiting to heard us all straight back on board and prevent last minute shopping as the ship was already an hour late sailing.
After a long day and as it was getting late rather than showering and getting into our smart casual clothes, we decided to have dinner inthe Horizon Buffet. It turned out to be an Indian Theme night so we sampled a little of every dish available except the prawn dish. Then exhausted it was time for bed.
Thursday 5th January 2017
At Sea
A day of relaxing and laundry. Jackie watched a cooking demonstration by the Head Chef and the Maitre d' followed by a kitchen tour.
In the evening we watched a talent show of ships staff with a hidden talent. Very good entertainment .
Friday 6th January 2017
Fort Lauderdale Florida, USA
Docking back in Fort Lauderdale we enjoyed the facilities of the ship whilst those leaving the ship checked out and left. Then it was our turn we mustered in the Princess Theatre and after a wait we were escorted ashore. We had to pass through immigration. Stamp in the passport entering and another departing.
Having cleared immigration we had to wait in the waiting area whilst the ship was cleared. After 15 min two more passengers were found who either didn't think the procedures applied to them or decided not to bother. After they were off the ship we were allowed back on.
We sat in the sky lounge until sailing. We then heard that we had been delayed due to a shooting incident at Fort Lauderdale airport. Over a hundred passengers bound for our ship were trapped at the airport due to the lock down. Five hours late we sailed but we have two sea days so we can make it up and still arrive in Antigua on time.
Saturday 7th January 2017
At Sea
Had a duvet day today. Breakfast on our balcony then spent the afternoon wandering around the ship. Jackie entered a paper plane competition. She made her plane just like she does in the nursery for the children. Throwing her plane it just missed the winning hoop by a fraction of an inch. Later we walked to the theatre for the Captains party for repeat passengers. While we had been in port the Captain had changed and was now Captain Mario Ciruzzi. Having watched the show and been given a free drink voucher we walked to the dining room for dinner.
Sunday 8th January 2017
At Sea
After breakfast we went for the morning trivia. There are a lot more people quizzing this time but we still came in the top ten. After the quiz we wandered around the ship chatting with people til lunch. After lunch we looked at photos before heading back to our stateroom.
Leaning on the guardrail of our balcony enjoying the sun and the sea. We watched a humpback whale breaching a hundred yards from the ship. We saw it breach ten or so times before it disappeared astern.
In the evening we watched a comedian in the theatre. He was very funny.
Monday 9th January 2017
Antigua, Antigua and Barbuda
Getting ashore at 09:00 we walked up through town to the church on top of the hill. It's a bit ramshackle but they are refurbishing it. The roof was leaking and had to be replaced and then they found all the timbers had termites. The inside was a building site but they were very proud of thier new concrete floor and locally made pews.
Walking back into town we asked about a taxi to Nelsons Dockyard. We were quoted $25 per person, this turned out to be a 2.5 hour tour jammed into an overloaded minivan. We refused and another person asked $80 for a private taxi return trip. Going back to the tourist information we hired a car for the day for $80 and spent the day driving around the attractions in air conditioned luxury.
Driving out to Nelsons Dockyard we first stopped at an old fort to enjoy the view. After visiting the Dockyard and walking around the museum and shops we headded back towards the ship.
We pulled in at a beach on the way back for a walk on the hot sand and a paddle in the beautiful azure sea. Putting 10 dollars of petrol in the car we returned it and went back on board.
Tuesday 10th January 2017
St Kitts, Saint Kitts and Nevis
After a lazy start we opened the curtains and there was St Kitts. After breakfast we walked ashore and through town. Visiting Independence Square and the church we shopped as we walked back to the ship.
Back on board we went for a swim in the Terrace Swimming Pool at the rear of the ship. Then we spent some time in our quiet place the Skywalk Nightclub. It's on deck 17 so a long way up and as it is closed there is no service.
After a nap it was time for the afternoon trivia quiz and happy hour in the Fusion Bar. Later we caught a show with a comic magician. He was ok but not as funny as the previous comedians.
Wednesday 11th January 2017
St Thomas, US Virgin Islands
Leaving the ship after breakfast we took a taxi into town. Climbing the 100+ steps to "Blackbeards Castle" was a huge disappointment. It turned out that it was in the grounds of a hotel complex and there was a $15 charge to get in and use the hotel's facilities. While the lady on the gate was taking money off of the group in front of us Jackie snapped a photograph through the open gate. The lady took the hump and slammed the gate saying "That's the only photo of the castle you will get today". She was wrong as we took lots on the way back down.
Back in town we walked through the shops but as we don't want diamonds, watches or tourist tat there was nothing to buy so we jumped a taxi back to the boat for lunch.
In the evening we came second in the "Where in the world" trivia quiz. Jackie was the only person in the room who correct identified Southampton. After a late dinner it was time for bed again.
As the sea was rough we were rocked to sleep to the noise of the ship creaking.
Thursday 12th January 2017
At Sea
Room service for breakfast this morning as we were not due to reach port until lunch time. At ten o'clock the Captain announced that due to having to slow down to improve the way the ship rode the weather we would be late arriving at Grand Turk. So we got up and went to trivia quiz time. Later the Captain announced that due to the very high wind it was not safe to try to get into Grand Turk so our visit was cancelled.
The itinerary change gave the Captain time in hand so instead of steaming through the heavy sea we could take an inside route between the Bahamas and Cuba. After dinner we watched a show by the ships singers and dancers.
Friday 13th January 2017
At Sea
After a lay in and a late breakfast we attended the quiz again before returning to our cabin to pack.
Saturday 14th January 2017
Fort Lauderdale Florida, USA