Aruba
Bonaire
Curacao
Barbados
St Lucia
St Kitts
St Maarten
S1 Aft Suite Room 7307
Steward Dellen
Butler Arnel
Suite gives us access to Michael's club which is open most of the day, hosted by concierge Sylvia, drinks are complimentary throughout the day. The server at night was Kay. Also, new this trip is a restaurant dedicated to suite passengers- Luminea. A nice addition.
Cruise director is Eddy Jenkins. Low key guy, the kind of cruise director we like.
We left Sanibel a little before 9:00. Stopped for breakfast at McDonalds in Ft Myers and arrived at the port around noon. We paid a lot more attention to where we parked this time, hoping not to repeat our fiasco last time we parked at the port in Miami. Dropped off our bags, went through security, checked in and on the ship by 12:30. Couldn't be any easier. We ate lunch in the restaurant for suites, Luminae. We went ahead and upgraded to the premium package while eating lunch. I had soup and sandwich and Greg had a hamburger. After lunch we reacquainted ourselves with the boat. By this time we headed to Tuscan for muster. With the air temp in the 60's and very windy, thankful for an indoor muster! It was short and sweet. We headed back to our room and found our suitcases had arrived so we unpacked. Both the steward and butler stopped by and introduced themselves. Sailaway was at 4:00, the seas were rough with a strong north wind so we did not meet up with the people from the Cruise Critic roll call. Hopefully, we will leave the cold front behind quickly.
The layout of the room is nice. One room but very roomy. Bathroom has one sink but again plenty of room. Not a ton of drawers but we were able to find a spot for everything.
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| 2 poles in the room, but wasn't a problem |
We stopped by Michael's for pre-dinner drinks. The lemon drop martini was excellent. Dinner tonight in Luninae was very good but very slow, not quite two hours. We both had smoked tomato soup and filet mignon. After dinner we attended the late show featuring a comedian Wayne Cotter who was good. With the hour change, we called it a night.
Monday Sea Day
We woke up a little after 8 and had breakfast in Luminea. The lady next to us recommend the crepes and Greg had eggs Benedict, both very good. We went to Michael's club so Greg could have another coffee and we made our reservations for Murano, one of the Specialty Restaurants. The seas are still rough and wind strong and the Lido deck was not open. When we returned to the room it had not been cleaned so we returned to Michael's to read, and Greg had more coffee. We lunched in Luminea where I had tomato soup and chicken flatbread sandwich. Greg had seared tuna. We went back to Michael's to read and then to the room. We are still rocking and rolling with no sun. The doors to lido deck remained locked. It was formal night but Celebrity has changed the policy to dress up if you want to. I would say 75% of the men had on a jacket and most of the women were dressed nicely. Michael's was packed due to the officers being there. We visited with the Captain but went outside to get a drink at the Ensemble Bar because we couldn't find a seat. It cleared out and we went back to Michael's for a second drink. Dinner again in Luminea and we both ordered lobster salad. I had Jerusalem soup and halibut, Greg had beef tartare and veal loin. After dinner we watched the production show, Toppers. It didn't do much for us. We went back to the room so Greg could watch the NCAA championship game, Clemson vs Alabama. I fell asleep and missed most of the game.
Tuesday. Sea day
Michael's club tonight had a jazz combo playing before dinner. Again, it was crowded but we were able to find seats. For dinner we were asked if we wanted to see the MDR menu as well. I ordered scallops, a salad, and trout which was from the MDR menu. Greg had scallops, gnocchi and veal cannoli, all from the Luminae menu. After dinner we saw the show which was an Acapello group Eh440 from Canada. I enjoyed them more than Greg but they were just okay. The production singers performed in the Sky Lounge at 10:30. It was the same show from 2 years ago but nicely done.
Wed Aruba
We ordered room service for breakfast but ate in the room due to a light shower that made the seating wet outside. Left the ship around 9:30 looking for a private tour around the island. Could not find a private tour so joined a small Van tour. There were 10 of us and we did the 2 hour your, stopping at a large granite Boulder,
church by the sea
and lighthouse.
Cost was $15 per person so not bad.
Example of housing development in Aruba.
After dropping us off at the pier,
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| port still decorated for the Holidays |
Thursday Bonaire
Breakfast in Luminea. With the rains the balcony has been too wet for eating outside. A disappointment. We disembarked and went to the taxi cab stand. Had to wait a few minutes for someone to join us in the taxi. We had day passes at Harbour Village. The hotel was beautiful, perfectly groomed and everyone very friendly. The beach was very pretty with lots of trees for shade.
Greg snorkeled and saw lots of fish.
Dinner in Luminea was very good tonight. We both had smoked potato soup and scallops for the main entree. I had bananas foster from the main menu for dessert. The entertainer was an illusionist, Jason Bishop. His personality was low key but his illusions were very good. We tried to listen to sounds of the rat pack in the ensemble lounge but no seating available so off to bed.
Friday Curacao
We grabbed coffee and pastries from Michael's and left the ship to meet our driver to Santa Barbara Resort. We booked an all inclusive day pass at a resort 45 minutes from the pier. The booking included transportation. We booked through Shoreexcursioneer. The rep met us at the port, we paid her and she gave us the vouchers and put us in a taxi. The resort was beautiful with a nice beach, pool area, restaurant on the beach and a couple of drink stands.
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| sting ray |
Saturday Curacao day 2
Finally we had weather for breakfast on the balcony. However, it must have rained during the night so we had to dry off everything, but it didn't rain on us while eating! Weather has been very mild, mostly partly cloudy, with a rain shower every day. Not overly hot nor humid. However, the water temp in Bonaire and Curacao was on the chilly side. Not enticing to get in and swim. After breakfast we wandered out.
The swinging bridge was closed for a vessel so we took the ferry across. We revisited the market on the wharf but the sun quickly turned to a downpour and we took cover under a store's awning. In about 15 min, the sun was out again. I bought a couple of tshirts and a new swim bag. The bag I bought in St Lucia on our very first cruise has seen better days and the zipper no longer works, although it will be hard to throw away. I found the Curaloe shop and stocked up on their face cream that I like. We went back to the ship to drop off packages and pick up the camera and then headed back to get a bite to eat. We stopped at Douwe Egberts and both had toasties with a few Doritos, and I mean few!
We took a few pictures of the area and the Christmas decorations that were still up.
After getting back on the ship we went down to the Solarium for a bit. Same ritual, pre dinner drinks in Michael's and dinner in Luminae. Dinner was just ok tonight. We both had French Onion soup which needed more flavor. I had grilled shrimp for appetizer and bacon wrapped trout. Greg had seafood fettuccine. We did not go to the theater as Greg wanted to watch the NFL football game.
Sunday Sea Day
We slept in a bit but made breakfast in Luminea then attended the Future Cruise presentation for Suite passengers in Micheal's. Lunch was in Luminea where we both had lobster bisque which was very good. I had a salad and Greg ordered a sausage sandwich. Came back to the room and I read on the balcony. It was sunny then raining then sunny then raining all afternoon! We skipped Micheal's club tonight to watch the Cowboy game. For dinner we both had the crab cake and loin of lamb. We watched the end of the cowboy game and then headed to the theater. We missed just the beginning of the show. Performer tonight was a very good piano player and singer, Liam Ryder. Great musical skill but a little awkward on the talking! After the show we went to the Ensemble Lounge to listen to the piano player.
Monday Barbados
Breakfast on the balcony with sun shining! This was our 6th visit to Barbados but we had never ventured very far so we booked an island tour with Glory Tours. It was expensive but included all the entry fees and lunch so probably not that bad. Our tour guide was Steven
and we had a group of 8. We were the only cruise ship passengers. The tour, Los Barbados, started at Harrison Caves. They had a nice introduction room and then a film explaining the formation of the caves. Greg said the explanation was very accurate and well done. They created a road that was wide enough to pull a tram through the cave. Each tram seat sat 4 people, so,the road was nice and wide. The cave was very interesting.
After the cave, next was a drive along the area called Bathsheba. A very rocky coast with a strong current, causing the water to look milky, thus the name. We stopped first high above the water for pictures
and a second stop on the beach at Dino's Bar for pictures.
Lunch at Sand Dunes was very good. We both had flying fish and agreed this was probably the best lunch that we had eaten in a Caribbean tour.
After lunch we stopped at Cherry Tree Hill for photos
Last stop was to see the monkeys. They feed them at 2 and there were plenty of
monkeys, turtles, peacocks, guineas, and deer to observe.
We were back to the
ship by 3:30, wandered the shops at the pier, and then onboard by 4. Stopped
for a drink by the pool and wanted to pick up towels for tomorrow but there were
no towels to be found.
For dinner tonight I had cream of broccoli soup,
shrimp cocktail and tuna. Greg had a salad, crab cake and chicken sombolta. In
the theater, the entertainer was an impressionist, Shawn o'Shea. He had a
strong voice, lots of antics and did a good Neil Diamond, Tom Jones, and ended
with Elvis. Tuesday, St Lucia
After breakfast in the room (balcony wet again) we left to meet our tour guide (Spencer Ambrose). We booked the beach break to Sugar Beach which is between the Pitons. This was our fourth time to go with Spencer and our third time to do this tour. The ride was much rougher this and we were not the first group to arrive. However, we did find chairs in the shade. We got in the water immediately and snorkeled for quite a while. The snorkeling was awesome as usual. After snorkeling, we rested and visited with the young couple that was on the tour with us. They were on a delayed honeymoon and both graduated from Texas A&M. Enjoyed visiting with them. Lunch was typical Caribbean lunch, chicken, rice, peas, plantains, cole slaw, etc. Spencer provides unlimited beer, soft drinks, and rum punch.
We were supposed to leave at 3 but didn't leave until 3:30. The ride back was even rougher. We went straight back to the boat and showered.
For dinner we both had the venison loin and it was good. The show was a Broadway singer, Jeri Sager. She had a fantastic voice. We stayed for the Liar's club with the CD, Captain Leo, and the singer from last night. It was pretty funny
Wednesday St Kitts
Breakfast on the balcony with sunny skies. We booked the catamaran and rail with the cruise ship. Met at 8:30 in the theater and then off the ship by 8:45 and on the catamaran by 9:00. It was a group of about 30. The guys running the catamaran were super nice. We sailed north up the west coast and then transferred to a bus which took us to the train.
The St. Kitts scenic Railway is a narrow gauge train built in the early 1900's to take sugar cane to Basseterre. The train runs through the middle of the island and we saw many ruins of old plantations and beautiful landscape and seaside photo opportunities. A lady gave commentary throughout the trip. Liquid refreshments were provided and a trio of ladies sang songs local to St Kitts. It was a 4 hour tour and very enjoyable.
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| Prime Minister's Home |
A 10 minute bus ride took us from the train station to the port. We wandered around the port for a few minutes and then back on board. Today, suite passengers had an invitation for sailaway on the helipad which is deck 7 on the front. It was windy but a nice view.
Dance Town (band) provided music in Michael's before dinner. Greg and I both had prime rib for dinner. The theater show was a Billy Joel tribute show by David Guidice. We very much enjoyed the show. The Sea Monkeys were playing Country tunes in the foyer after the show so we listened for a bit.
Thursday St Maarten
Waited for room service but realized that we didn't put out the breakfast request so we went down to Michael's for coffee and pastries. We didn't have anything planned today. There were 5 ships in port including The Allure but it really wasn't that crowded, surprisingly. We took the water taxi (which is now $7 instead of $6) and went to the far end away from the crowds and on the side with no jet skis. We paid for 2 chairs and an umbrella for $20 from Micheal who also brought us drinks. The water was calm but chilly here too. For the longest time no one sat next to us and it didn't really get crowded until around 1.
We went in search of the restaurant that we ate at years ago that grilled lobster. We found it, Caribbean Blend. Lobster had increased from $18 and up to $40 and up so we passed on the lobster. I had Jerk wings and Greg had grilled grouper, both were excellent. After lunch we went back to the loungers. There was a couple next to us and started talking to them. The were from Tennessee but their son was going to school at UNT. A music major and had he had just formed a jazz band. We got his contact info for FOL. Small world. We caught the water taxi back to the ship at 2:30 and went to the Solarium to rinse off in the shower and cool off in the pool. Beautiful sunset tonight.
Pre dinner drinks in Michael's and dinner in Murano. We both had venison and it was excellent. The show tonight was a comedian, Ed Regine who was very funny.
Sea Day
We had breakfast in Luminea. Greg was brave and ordered heavos rancheros and they were pretty good. I had French toast. At 10:15 in Micheals we had an appointment with a future cruise consultant to book a cruise in May of 2018, Dublin to Dublin going through the Norwegian fiords. After that we had an invitation to visit the navigation deck. Celebrity had a navigation officer give the tour. On other lines, the captain has done the tour or at least been on available.
We went back to the room and Dellen had not cleaned the room. We watched the Inauguration for awhile and then went to lunch. When we returned the room still had not been cleaned. Dellen has not been visible and certainly didn't have the eyes in the back of his head to know when we had vacated the cabin like other room stewards.
I headed for the pool area but was not able to find a lounger on deck 12 so went up to the sun deck and found one. They are packed in so tightly, there is no room to move or set anything down. I read for a while and they headed back to the room where Greg had stayed and worked. We watched more of the inauguration and then dressed for dinner. Tonight was evening chic (formal night if you want to dress up, but don't have to do so). We had Scallops Rockefeller and lobster. I think it was the best lobster that we had eaten in a main dining room. Show tonight was Rock City. We had hoped there would be songs we recognized but only a few. This was the first cruise that we did not enjoy any of the production shows. The crew is talented and we blame Miami for what they create, not for how it is performed. We stayed for the late night comedy show with Ed Regine. It was a funny show.
Saturday sea day
Slept in and had breakfast on the balcony. Beautiful day with really calm seas.
Greg attended the end of CD Eddy's talk 10 things you didn't know about cruise ships and Captain Leo's talk Navigation system. Said it was much more informative than the Bridge Tour. After lunch in Luminae I sat on the balcony reading. Love my aft balcony!
We went to the Solarium. The pool felt 20 degrees cooler! A bit of a shock when we got in. I stayed for a while reading. Last night of drinks in Michael's and dinner in Luminae. Greg had Chateaubriand and I finally tried the cruise ship favorite, lamb shank. Tasted like a tender pot roast. The evening show was Almost Three Tenors. They were very good and funny. One of the guys was from Lubbock and now lives in Frisco. After the show we went to the Sky Lounge where The Sea Monkeys were playing. They are one of the better cruise ship bands.
Bags had to be out before 10 and the time changed tonight, we got our hour back.
Sunday. Disembarkation
Our baggage tags said Suite/Zenith which meant we could go anytime we wanted to leave. We went to breakfast in Luminae then went to Micheals, where we were supposed to wait. Sylvia said we could leave whenever we wanted, so Greg drank a cup of coffee and we walked off. Took a bit for all 3 bags to show up on the carousel but not too bad. Walked through customs without a wait, walked to the parking garage and found our car easily and off we went. Driving to the port certainly makes life so much easier.
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