Well folks its been a long time since I lasted posted, my apologies for this, so trying to get this done whilst still a recent memory. I must apologize if it seems a little dry, but its already taken ages to write,I should of asked Jane to check it before posting but felt it would be okay. Instead I am adding a little more detail to help it as a read, plus very important is that Janes company made so much of it as fun and her enthusiasm and personality left me with some lovely memories but I felt some were personal and others sadly given I am more of a Mr Grump these days make it hard to express myself sometimes lol, so lets help after this its a more fun read
After disposing of my caravan I decided would have a good holiday this year and found a cruise in The Caribbean, the price seemed reasonable and included 3 nights in Barbados so I could get away from cold damp UK and spend birthday in a beautiful setting, my friend Jane was eager to go with me as she had never been on a cruise or travelled to the Caribbean before.
Usually I do lots of research on this sort of holiday but as I had been on a cruise before to the same places saw no issues, until I spoke to friends who are frequent cruisers.
The first question was why was I flying from Gatwick when there were flights locally, uuum first mistake and as the tale unfolds how I have regretted not investigated this option. Then they informed me that in actual fact there is little of interest in Barbados rather is just a popular port for cruises, I did inform them that we were staying in a hotel just across from a beach so they said that sounded ok. They had said to beware of cruises from American ports full of US citizens as they are quite different to the English ones, so I said, it did not seem an issue (funny how our words come back to us at time)
Well we had our dollars, all the paperwork, cases packed, car checked over, hotel with car parking in Gatwick sorted out, had checked no US visa required, had checked in for flight and cruise in advance and taxis arranged in Barbados what could go wrong, also took my new microphone and receiver to assist with my hearing, plus had asked for assistance at airports due to poor mobility.
Trip to Gatwick went well, nice hotel and room, had very pleasant meal to celebrate good sleep, shuttle to airport on time so off we set. At this point maybe I should mention how excited Jane was that at long last she going to go to the Caribbean, No problems at airport or boarding plane, seats were a little close together so we were due to arrive at 5pm their time. Initially all was well, but we all know that situation where child is sat behind us and for reasons I still do not understand decides to push feet into seat in front and parents seem oblivious to this, well that’s what happened to me, I did consider asking parents if they would like to swap seats with me, but resisted the temptation. Eventually they seemed to settle so watched a couple of films and had a doze.
On arrival at Barbados, was quickly sorted out through immigration, off to taxi and hotel, weather much as home but more humid, hotel seemed pleasant staff friendly, room ok, only issue was their restaurant was closed, we had been looking forward to not have to go out rather to just sunbath and read with the odd walk. So it was a shame to have to go to supermarket first to obtain some food and fruit and drinks. But the area was sunny, the people in cars stopped so we could cross the road, the beach was lovely and white, with beautiful views. I found despite my hearing issues in the evening it seemed noisy even with hearing aids out, it took a couple of days to realize we were near to a busy main road and bus stop, but decided to ignore it and just relax, We went to the beach a few times in a little bay which was pleasant, but the slope was quite steep so we did not venture in other than Jane to have a paddle. The hotel provided a breakfast that was ok in the open by the swimming pool, the staff were very welcoming and friendly, we had some time sunbathing there.
The following day, it was very windy and poured down all day, so apart from a brief walk we stayed in, the third day was my birthday and we had brought cards and presents with us, we decided to go to local nice restaurant to celebrate that evening, but as a contrast went to other beach area to sample local food, the beach was a beautiful white one spoilt only by rather odd looking seaweed that affected the view. That night we dressed up and the meal was very good in a beautiful setting with the moon shining down as we were sat outside, only problem was the flying insects attracted by the light for a while. we both really enjoyed this first extra special time, one of the best birthdays I have had. We had an early night in anticipation of the start of our holiday the next day on the ship.
In the evening there was an option to eat in the dining room more formally, with waiter service, the choice and quality of food was good as was the service plus at certain times in the night, the waiters stopped serving and treated us to a dance, it made the time better, it was lovely that Jane and I could be dressed up and enjoy delicious food well cooked and presented. We decided to see the show. I am not sure quite what I expected but definitely not what we got. The room was huge, but had lots of pillar so hard to get a good view of the stage in many places, the entertainment manager came on, I struggled to hear him both due to his accent but because of how fast he spoke. Then the music started it was deafening and nothing like the sort of entertainment I would of hoped for. but the audience did. At the end I went to guest services and explained that I had hearing loss so they were very good and loaned me for the duration equipment to assist. Over the period on the ship we did find small areas that were quiet such as the library and piano bar, plus the bedrooms, but for the rest there seemed to be most of the time pounding music throughout the ship.I think its fair to say if I did not have my problems it would of sounded much better Jane seemed happy with the sound.
On return to the room it was a pleasant surprise to have a welcome card from our steward, plus a visitor namely an animal made out of towels sat on the bed, it made a good impression and was a lovely end to our first day. We had decided not to have Wi Fi and instead spent our time in the room and at times on deck reading the magazines and the novel I completed whilst away, there was also no service on our mobile phones, not sure if that was good or bad thing. But just to be able to relax was such a change from normal life
The next day we went down to self service restaurant for breakfast, the place was packed and the queues were long, think people were making sure they got their moneys worth, the only drink I found I could cope with was green tea which was very refreshing, but again think it was me and a health issue I have at present, Jane was happy with the range of food and drinks. I did feel sorry for the staff who had to keep clearing up the mess left and the food left on the plates by other people, but the staff were always very pleasant and helpful.
Today we were in St Lucia, the previous night we had looked at the tours run by the ship, due to my health issues some I would of liked to try were not available and the others seemed to be full, so we disembarked the ship eventually as I think many of the other 1000 or so others also decided to do. It was more than a little chaotic, with tour company and taxi drivers trying to get us to join them, instead we noticed there was a ferry to the town so had a relaxing trip there, we walked along the beach and had a paddle and a walk round the town, Jane said how nice relaxing and beautiful it was and it would be lovely to of had more time there, in the end we went back to the ship, more food, then a rest for me on the sun loungers and a swim for Jane, only issue was the pounding music, then back to the cabin for peace and quiet, that evening was a formal night for dressing up, so down we went in our finery, were quite surprised how many others had not made the effort, again food and service were excellent. After we tried the show, it was a mystery murder event, but all really odd, then good old BINGO, so we left and wandered round the ship hand in hand, both indoors and on the decks, it was a pleasant evening on deck, then back to the cabin and yet another different towel animal to greet us. I forgot to say each evening they also left a leaflet with what was happening the following day, so an interesting read but sadly most things did not appeal to us.
We had to meet in the theatre for our trip which was a road and rail exploration, then off we went to disembark and onto our coach, the information was interesting and we saw the beautiful countryside that was still recovering from the hurricanes last year, all the people seemed so positive and enthusiastic about life, then onto the train, it was a narrow gauge train, we were served a range of cold drinks as the guide explained about the island but also the effects of the hurricanes last year, it was a gentle trip through the countryside with beautiful views, then after another trip on the bus back to the ship for our dinner, what a shame the dining room was not open as today it seemed particularly busy and noisy with long waits for food and problems finding somewhere to sit,in the self service restaurant, then off for a lie on the sun loungers and later a swim for Jane, before retiring to the cabin for a cooling down and rest before our evening meal.
I must say at this point all the staff were pleasant and helpful all over the ship despite some of the behaviour of a small number of passengers throughout the cruise
We were up early for breakfast before our trip round St Maarten, which is a mixture of French and Dutch, on the trip there were lots of photo opportunities and interesting information from our driver with stunning views of the island from lots of points of interest, a good day out again. On return we had another relaxing afternoon and a rest on the sunbeds, before going back to our room and later getting dressed up for the evening meal. At the lifts we got chatting to a family and in the queue whist waiting for a table they asked if we would like to join them, they were pleasant and it made the evening meal different for all of us I feel mixing with others enjoying good food and company.I think it was this evening we found the piano bar where we could listen to some of the standard= tunes in a pleasant atmosphere, it felt quite romantic, then the anticipation of what animal would be greeting us this evening
Well now the problems began, today we visited San Juan which is an American colony, so the day before we had paperwork from the ship, to explain that everybody had to go through immigration and passport control then leave the ship and that we were not let back on for a further 2 hours. We thought not a problem we will go on a trip, sadly as this port was the official one for the start of the cruise there were only a couple of short ones available.
So we decided to have a look round the port, when we had been processed and left the ship we went for a walk through the port then the promenade, another problem was that it was overcast and there were high winds, we walked for a while found the local tourist office, they provided us with a map and the advice was to get a taxi to the beach and back. We decided to wander back along the beach for a while and in the end got fed up had a drink then back to the ship, it was only later that on the ship we could see if directed well we could of walked through the town to the beach, not sure given the weather if we would benefited from it, so joined others in the buffet restaurant yet again, then a sunbath as sun had now come out, still very loud music but as ship fairly empty found place a little quieter. For the evening there were many more people going down to dinner, but service still quite good, we shared the table with a family problem was due to my poor hearing I struggled to join in.
Next day was St Thomas again up for breakfast, not really sure at present about what we did here other than a trip on the ferry to the beach, which was very pleasant followed by a walk and back on the ferry, note to self must ask Jane for more information, then again day followed the same sort of path as others
Last port of call before final destination was Antigua, we had booked a trip with a bus then beach for 3 hours, all went well with this and finally I ventured into the crystal clear water for a swim then a sunbath on a beautiful white beach, Jane spent a lot of the time enjoying swimming luckily we had an umbrella as it was very hot. there beaches in this area were all beautiful, it would be nice to come back for a holiday here I felt. Afterwards yet again a trip back to the ship, lots more food, rest and sunbathing. This evening was a formal night so we both dressed up and had a very pleasant meal, we went down to the theatre to see the show which was okay but deafening, I thought it would be nice to go up on deck and take some photos, problem was the ship was sailing at 15 knots and we found out later there was a 25 MPH wind, so no relaxing photos to see, but still was fun, so back to the cabin, our last animal visitor, I finished my novel off then went to bed so would be fit for trip home the following day, Oh forgot to say had to have cases packed ready to be collected early the following morning.
At airport went to Virgin desk, all was going well until I asked about an upgrade as it was a night flight and more legroom would make it better, man said yes and there was a row of four seats available so we could have two seats together the price he quoted was okay, he then asked for my passport again, unfortunately he had not returned it, but everyone decided I had put it away somewhere, after some delay they found he had dropped it on the floor. No mention of upgrade and we were given boarding cards and set off with me in wheelchair. When we got to the boarding gate I realized he had not changed the seats, so Jane mentioned to member of staff he came over and explained there had been a mistake and it was not possible to sort out at the check in desk, they would now have to wait until final boarding to see what could be done, well the good news was it was sorted and because they had caused issues it was at no cost
Sadly there was some sort of issue so got a taxi instead back to hotel and to collect my car. Jane was not well so I ended up driving back home. We had got to the hotel at 8 30 and the driver said to wait until after 9am when the M25 traffic would of abated. By the time I had refuelled the car it was time to set off, luckily I had downloaded a Tomtom app to my phone, which therefore warned me there was an hours delay on the M25 and redirected us down back roads for some miles. We stopped at the first service area and had a McDonalds breakfast before setting off again. There were further delays so in the end it took six hours to get home
I dropped Jane off home, she was now feeling a little better and came home, first task was to empty the case and start on washing, I was tired out but could not sleep, it has taken a few days to get back to some sort of normality, a mixed blessing is that the temperature here is very high in the 20s, so typically British now complaining is to hot and we could do with some rain to cool everything down.
Now I have had time to think about the holiday, there is some advice to help others considering this sort of trip. To start off with
Do lots of research on which cruise line suits your needs, I presumed they were all pretty much the same but found that the Celebrity cruises and I presume others are geared to the American market, so for me they were to loud, the food for most of the day was not to my taste, the activities also were not to my taste, nothing wrong with the cruise but was me and my needs. Maybe a smaller ship that caters for the British is better for me.
Make sure how you want to get to the cruise, I chose the wrong airport so it meant lots more travelling before I started. Think about what grade of seat, as these are long flights.
Check if dealing with the cruise line is better than a broker to make easier to create the links and value for money, also compare different packages and dates.
Make sure about the time of the year you are going, we went when it was windy and raining at times, also avoid the hurricane season
Do you want to sail to your destination and fly home or the reverse, or fly both ways
Research where the ship starts its cruise, we chose the wrong port so therefore had to go through immigration twice and wasted at least one day
Look at the various ports, are they places you want to go to, would having some rest on the ship be helpful certain days
Do you want a smaller ship or boat, what sort of price do you want to pay
Well I have not been put off the concept of going on another cruise but think the next will be a totally different one to the Norwegian Fjords maybe next year
