Homeward Bound

 Very very sadly, our Suite time had come to an end. We packed up our few remaining bits into our hand luggage, and I was going to sit out on the balcony one last time while Ian did his back exercises, but we had a sudden rainstorm, the first since our very first day in Bridgetown. I had to content myself with watching the Azura ship from inside, and commentating on how early their excursions departed. We had to be out by 8am, which we were, on the dot, then we headed for the theatre to leave my hand case. Our airport transfer was at one, so we had a few hours to kill.

We started with our usual Epicurean breakfast, amazing as always, before saying our goodbyes to the good waiters. Then a look in the library where we still couldn’t see Kathy’s books. Wonder where they are? 

We decided to camp out in the Crows nest where we spotted The Queen Mary had docked.

Crows nest

Around 12 we wandered down to the Sunset Bar for some snap and a last free drink, then collected my hand case and waited in the Theatre for instructions. Before 1pm we were all loaded on to buses and headed for Grantley Adam’s airport. The stern lady on the bus informed us we would be waiting in the Concorde hanger. Apparently Barbados was one of the routes for Concorde and they were gifted one when it stopped flying. They use its hanger as an overspill waiting area. We queued up and went through security then wandered around a bit. Ian decided to take some photos so he went to the nose end where a security guard let him go back out! On the way back in they just waved him through, no need to pass through security again! 

The Concorde hanger

We were called nice and early, and were all ready to leave bang on time. No captain Pizza Hut this time sadly. We managed a few hour’s sleep before we landed 20mins early at 4am and were soon on our way having picked up the car from the excellent Meet and Greet.

We had a wonderful time on our cruise. We loved the suite, the Epicurean breakfasts, the excursions and all the Caribbean Islands. We both agree our favourite island was Bonaire and the golf cart exploration. I especially liked the beaches and the warm sea.

We probably wouldn’t cruise with P&O again, the Dining room let them down and we are Royal Caribbean fans at heart, but we wouldn’t get that kind of suite for anywhere near the price we paid so are glad we did it this time. We would definitely visit the Caribbean again, there are so many islands left to see.

Cheers!

Back in Bridgetown

 As the sun began to peak through the window I noticed a huge crane passing slowly by the window. We were back in Bridgetown. I got up to have a look and find it was only 6.05. Captain Afoot usually gives us a bit of a longer lie in. We even had time for pfaffing, or Ian did. As we were about to leave for the Epicurean, little Rhapsody of the Seas motored in. Her captain lets his guests have a lie in.

Rhapsody again

The way this cruise works is that half the people go home on Friday, and a New lot arrive, then same on Saturday. The Friday people had to be out of their cabins by 8am and were clogging up all the seating areas and lifts. We eventually made it for breakfast, where there was much shaking of hands and many goodbyes. After this we had to go to the live lounge with our passport and room key for immigration purposes. The queue was horrendous and Ian was getting tetchy. The wait for the lift had already sent him over the edge. In the end we were less than 10mins and done. 

Back in the suite we sun creamed up, packed our beach bag, and set off to walk to Brandon Beach. We could see it from the balcony, and google maps said it was 30min walk. We negotiated the Friday people once more and disembarked. I had copied a photo to my phone of the route so we could’nt go wrong. We went wrong! The shops at the port made me loose my sense of direction, and the taxi drivers baying for customers flummoxed me, so we ended up walking in the wrong direction. Eventually we got turned the right way, and finally arrived at Brandon’s beach. The beach chair guy is called Jerry, otherwise known as Black Irish. I had seen him recommended on face book and indeed he seemed like a nice guy. He rented us a sun bed and umbrella, and Ian rushed off for a swim. The sand looked so nice that he didn’t put his beach shoes on and there were hidden rocks beneath the surface so he immediately gashed his foot! Poor Ian. He returned for his shoes though and had a nice swim, although the waves were bigger than we are used to.

Waves 

Black Irishes umbrella

I went in for a swim next and was struggling to get back to shore. I kept looking at Ian, but he didn’t notice. Eventually a big wave tossed me in and I escaped, cooled but ruffled. So I sent Ian for one of Black Irishes beers.

Beer on Brandon’s Beach

We had a couple of hours just watching the world go by after that, before setting off on the, hopefully shorter, walk back to the ship. On the way we passed this place, lots of history happened here. 

The famous Windies cricket ground

The guy behind Ian is Sir Garfield Sobers, who famously hit six sixes in one over, and is a West Indies cricket legend.

Eventually we arrived back at the port and another photo opportunity 

Just to remind us where we were

As we entered the ship a lot of the Friday people were leaving, so we quickly changed then popped up to the buffet for some lunch, and ate it at the sunset bar with a beer and a Mai Tai. Both were mercifully quiet. Sadly it was then time to pack, we had to put our cases out for 6pm. We managed to do that while watching England beat Albania 2-0.

Tonight was the last night for the main dining room pot luck shuffle. Sadly, (or happily!) it was back to bad. We got water but I had to go round the corner in search of bread. The over waiter was even curter than usual, although the under was quite amiable, and neither had any time for us. Looking around, the other waiters had time to stand around chatting to each other, or taking time with their guests. What happened on the other side of that pillar who knows. We didn’t leave a tip. 

We had to put our last case out and there was no entertainment at all so we just went back to our room, completed the packing, and went to bed.

The final sea day

 I woke fairly early as usual, but sadly too late for the sunrise. I did see the sun low down over the water though. We lazed in bed a bit before heading for the Epicurean. I spent most of the time watching the couple in front have almost everything off the menu. Fruit juice each. Then they both had fruit compote and muesli, we usually have one or the other. The lady also had weetabix. Then a big full English each, with everything on. Then toast. Then two croissant's each. Amazing.

Our walk through the library was to no avail. I’m wondering if someone has nicked Kathy’s books. Then back over the open decks, again no joy from the many many sun bed people. 

We passed the morning reading on the balcony,  neither of us usually has, or takes time, for a long read, so it was lovely. Ian even did some sunbathing! I kept my chair firmly in the shade.

Sun worshipping

Ian then went for a run while I wrote my blog before going up for some lunch and a Mai Tai. I thought I would mix it up a bit.

Mai Tai time

Back in the suite I read some more, as did Ian after his run. It was a lovely day of doing nothing. 

Sunset time, and it was a bit of a disappointment, Caribbean sunset wise. It was still lovely out on the balcony with a beer though.

Relaxing on the balcony

We had decided to ‘eat out’ again tonight, in the only place we had missed. The Beach House. It’s a funny place, they section off a bit of the buffet and all the waiters change to a red and black outfit. They also, obviously, serve you at your table. We enjoyed it though.

My fish burger

Ian had goat curry

As we were at the top of the ship we decided on a nightcap at the Crows nest. The turn was a George Michael tribute, and to be honest, neither of us was a big fan. Then it was time for bed. We would wake up in Barbados tomorrow for the final day of our cruise.

St Martin

 I had never heard of St Martin till we planned this cruise, but turns out it is just north of St Kitts. (Not Nevis). It is another shared island, half is French and half Dutch. The capital, Phillipsberg, is in the Dutch bit, and that was where we sailed into at the very early hour of 6.30. Captain Afoot had told us that he wanted to be there early to beat the crowd. There were a lot of cruise ships due in port! Luckily, I woke up just in time to see us spin round and dock. At this time there was a TUI German ship already there, Mein Schiff.

Phillipsberg and Mein Schiff

Not long after The Queen Mary rolled into town, closely followed by a ship dear to our hearts. The Rhapsody of the Seas. We had sailed on her on our cruise of the Adriatic. Then the enormous Womder of the Seas pulled up right next to us blotting out the sun. She is big! Kathy would love her.

Here comes little Rhapsody

And big wonder

We did the Epicurean breakfast as usual before disembarking and taking a water taxi over to the nearby beach. Us and a million others. It was very crowded by the pier, but we walked along to the far side and rented some chairs and umbrellas from a bar. This bit of beach was really quiet. The sand was beautiful and white, and the sea lovely and warm.

On land in St Martin

A bit busy!

Much quieter

Cooling off

Cheers!

We were joined by a busload of Americans at one point and they had to get some more chairs out for them. On the second row. Behind us. It seems they had paid for an excursion but our friend at the bar was a businessman ready to sell the front row to the first bloke who wanted them. Their excursion also seemed to include water sports and we had great fun watching them fall out of canoes and off paddle boards. 

That’s Britannia in the distance

After two or three hours of swimming, chilling, and drinking beer we set off back for the water taxi

Back down the busy end

The taxi this time was a bit ramshackle looking. It was called Black Mambo. The captain had everyone singing on the short journey back though.

Black Mambo

Back on Britannia we had our customary Pina Coladas. It was black tie night so we showered and prepared ourselves. We had booked Sindhu, the ‘signature’ Indian restaurant for 6pm. Captain Afoot came on the tannoy at 5.30 to tell us the usual, all on board, 33, bun fight to see who gets away first kind of thing. We popped out onto the balcony to hear a sing off between us and Wonder. I feel our lido deck gained a comprehensive victory, most of them having probably been drinking rum punch all day! We also won the sail away battle, and there was lots and lots of whistling and waving each other goodbye. It was great fun.

James Bond

 Me

Our final sail away

No sunset for us tonight, one because we were on the wrong side, and two because we were eating. It was a lovely meal and we thoroughly enjoyed the evening.

Sindhu

We walked down to the atrium to listen to the very good busker, while having a nightcap. Then we were shattered so wended our weary way back to the suite. I went out onto the balcony to view the stars, which are amazing by the way, and I saw a shooting star! My mum always told me that if you saw one coming towards you it’s seven years good luck, and going away is seven years bad luck. Sadly it kind of went from right to left so I can’t predict promotion or relegation for next season.

Antigua

 The sail into St John’s, capital of Antigua is through a narrow channel and quite spectacular at 6.30 in the morning with a coffee in hand. Captain Afoot did a very nice, tight pirouette before reversing onto the berth. At this time there was loud music blaring out from a bar on the wharf. And I mean LOUD music! 

Sailing into St John’s 

Today was the only day where Ian had expressed an interest in doing anything. Being a history buff he wanted to see Nelson’s dockyard. We had booked a trip leaving at 9.30 so were up at the Epicurean nice and early. The usual waitress was very keen to make sure we had plenty of time, and so we did. 

On Antiguan soil

There were quite a few heading for English Harbour and the dockyard. Luckily we got on a small minibus with an excellent driver and tour guide called. Rowan. To be fair, he mainly showed us the cricket grounds where The West Indies, and Brian Lara and Viv Richards in particular, had humiliated England. 

At the dockyard, we had a short introduction before being offered the ubiquitous rum punch. I decided 11am was way too early, Ian thought it was fine. 

More rum punch

We had a good look round after that. It’s a world Heritage Site and you can see why. It’s also stunningly beautiful.

A sand box tree

In a posh hotels gardens

When we got back, the music was still blaring out, even louder than ever. We went up to the sunset bar for some food and you could hear the DJ getting the crowd going. Back at the suite I sat on the balcony to write this blog. I was getting a headache. Which is what the people will have tomorrow that I saw staggering back to the ship! 

Port of St John’s

At 5.30 Captain Afoot came over the tannoy as usual. Everyone was safely on board and we would be departing shortly. In his morning address he always says it will be a hot day (really!) with highs of around 28. In his evening address he always says that it has been a hot day (you don’t say!) with highs of around 33. He is a creature of habit. 

As we sailed out of  St John’s we were treated to a spectacular sunset, again. We are getting used to this.

Sun setting over Antigua

And over Nevis

Down in the main dining room we were greeted like old friends by the underwaiter, name unknown. He and Ian have discovered a shared love of the ships gym. The overwaiter, name unknown, was still quick and curt though. You can’t have everything. After a hard day we decided on merely a nightcap in the Crows nest then bed. We didn’t really fancy the ventriloquist who was on on the theatre!