Caribbean Cruise – Barbedos,  St Lucia, St Kitts, St Maarten, St Croix & Puerto Rico 21/12/16 – 28/12/16

Barbados
We arrived in Barbados around 1pm after travelling for over 12 hours. There are no direct flights from Mexico or Belize so had to buy tickets from Belize via Miami. Our first time in the states so had to go through the rigmarole of having an eye scan and finger prints done even though we had an ESTA. Anyway from the Airport straight to our digs late at night via cab and straight to bed. Up early the next day and a cab to the port. Our first cruise so not too sure what we had to do once in the port. We had been given boarding passes so had to produce these before entering the ship and our large bags taken. As directed we went to deck 8 for registration, had our photos taken and were given our I’D cards, (this was around 10am). We were then informed our room was not going to be ready until after noon. So what else to do but explore the ship. We are on the Carnival Fascination on a 7 night cruise around the Eastern Caribbean. The ship to be honest isn’t as big as we thought it was going to be, however when at full capacity it holds 2500 passengers. As you’d expect there’s plenty of bars and restaurants on board and a couple of duty free shops.
We’re in Stateroom M127 on the fifth floor with a balcony. Again not as big a room as we thought but we’re all cramped onto a floating chunk of metal going across a vast ocean! Once unpacked we decided to look around the shops in the port, here in Barbados, bought a few last minute essentials, (2 bottles of bubbly), cos that’s all the alcohol your allowed to bring on board, chocolate and cigarettes. Did you know that Barbados has a law against smoking? Your not allowed to bring cigarettes in via duty free? We certainly didn’t know. Anyway back on board and our ship set sail at 5pm bound for our first destination – St Lucia. Glad rags on and we headed for pre dinner cocktails in 1 of the many bars. There’s a host of info, (the size of an encyclopaedia), for all to read prior to boarding, including a section on dress codes. That first night at dinner, some people hadn’t even bothered to get out of their shorts, t-shirts, jandles etc…………Our dining room the “Serenity” is huge with a menu just as big. A great selection of fish, meat and vegetarian meals to delight all gastronomical tastes. This dining room isn’t buffet style, oh no you order from a menu and the waiters/waitresses bring your order to your table when ready. They even know your names! Must be because we have to swipe our I’D cards before being shown to a table. Very grand indeed. Too tired to hit the bars tonight so early night in order.

Day 2 St Lucia

We awoke finding that our vessel was moored up in the port of Pointe Seraphine in St Lucia in the West Indies. After breakfast, (we chose one of the many buffet restaurants on the main deck), we decided to go ashore and found a day trip of the island, which included sight seeing, a trip to a village, the beach and shopping, all for USA $35 pp. As soon as we got on the bus, the heavens opened and it rained all day so after the village tour, some went to the beach, where as we and a few others decided to go back to the ship. Did you know that there have been many battles over the centuries between the French and British for ownership of St Lucia. The Brits wining the last war and took control of the country until 1970 when St Lucia became independent and it’s own country.
Back on board a wee siesta was had before putting on our glad rags again. Unfortunately Tina’s been sniffling all day and now it’s blown into a full cold. Poor thing what a time to get a cold. So after dinner we had a further wonder around the ship and found more bars even a night club, most of these don’t open till 10.30pm and go on to the wee hours. Around 1pm the captain announced on the tannoy system that our ship was going to answer an SOS distress call from a boat 15 minutes away. We were all agog as the ship turned around and went in search of the distressed vessel. Everyone and I mean everyone all went to the side of the ship where the small boat was and watched the rescue boat attend. Half an hour later the captain informed us that the people on board the small boat were ok and just needed fuel and supplies!!!! Who leaves an island with not enough fuel to get to their next island destination with not enough fuel!!!!! It’s not as if you can call the AA out. Anyway emergency over and we were back on our way.
Day 3 St Kitts

Again when we woke our ship was moored up in the port of St Kitts so after another buffet breakfast, and I must say the home made bagels, cream cheese and fresh blueberries are great, we went ashore. As yesterday we were met by hoards of locals selling day trips around the island. We opted for Veronica’s Unique Tours, as the lady herself informed us of what treats lie ahead for us if we chose her trip. In total there were 19 of us who bought tickets, as a cost of USA $25 pp for a trip around St Kitts Island. We all got onto her “truck” including her 15 year old son – Steven- who was our narrative guide. And he must have played particular attention to his natural history lessons at school cos he was very informative. This island is linked to a second called Nevis and both islands are collectively called St Kitts and Nevis. The ancestors (the Caribs) were invaded by the French many centuries ago who took over the ruling of the islands until the British came along and fought the French and won, hence the island is full of French and Colonial English architecture. There are still a few scattered Carib tribes around the Caribbean, and one still exists in St Kitts. Our tour led us through this very basic, run down village where life is simple and easy going. In 1986 the locals took back the governance of the island and it became it’s own independent country, relying on tourism for its main economic stance. This small island has also had its fair share of hurricanes, the last severe one being hurricane George in 2007 where most of the island was destroyed. Our tour also included a drive through the islands only botanical gardens, a visit to an old derelict sugarcane plantation and finally onto the best beach on the island. Our host Veronica even supplied us with water, beer, brandy and cola all included in the price. There a place on the island where the land only stretches a few meters wide with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Caribbean Sea on the other, quite a spectacular Vista and a lovely photo opportunity.
(T) i spotted a rasta santa on a donkey wearing a hat stating ‘bob’ and huge sunglasses so decided on a photo. I was expecting mr rasta clause to get on but next thing he had hoisted me up, Roy took a few pics and just as i was getting off he stuck a monkey in a nappy on my head, gave the donkey a huge slap and it took off! Half a trip round the car park and the donkey headed for the cliffs, my panic only made rasta clause laugh louder, yeah mate, share some of that weed next time, not funny!!
We were back on board around 4 pm so the days trip was thoroughly well worth it, and it only rained once today for around 5 minutes so the weather was awesome too.
Day 4 St Maarten

Again we awoke looked out of our balcony and found we were moored up in St Maarten, a Dutch Territory in the Antilles, Caribbean. Today we had until 4pm for our day ashore before returning to the ship. From where we moored we had to catch a water taxi (USA $7), pp return, to its capital Philipsburg for shopping and beach. It’s capital is stunning, full of beautifully coloured old colonial buildings with cobbled streets. In 1493 Christopher Columbus on his 2nd voyage to the West Indies, he discovered the island and named it Isla de San Martin after Saint Martin of Tours. The French and Dutch fought over the island for many centuries and both declared neither would yield easily, therefore avoiding a civil war, they signed a treaty in 1648 which divided the island in two. The shops in the capital are full of artisan products and we opted to buy a small painting of a turtle by a local artists. It also has many jewellery shops selling lovely silver goods with precious stones. It’s beach is a paradise in itself, crystal clear blue waters, fine white sand, with a backdrop of lush green forest, beautiful. There’s plenty of locals hiring out beach chairs of every description, the one we decided on had 2 chairs, a brolly, free WiFi and 2 cocktails all for USA $20, bargain! The sun today was bright and hot, only a few clouds in the sky making it a perfect day for swimming in the ocean then drying off in the sun on our chairs drinking cocktails, lovely, and it’s Christmas Eve.
Back on board and in our cabin, we heard a knock on the door. Tina answered it to find a steward with an old man with him saying, “is this your husband”. The old man, bless him, looked around 100 years old, either drunk as a skunk or had lost a few marbles as he couldn’t remember where his room was, but insisted it was M127 (our room). What fun we could have had in our responses! The thing was there was another cruise ship moored up next to ours and we had visions of him being on the wrong one. Later we noticed him in the room opposite ours, so at least he got home for Christmas.
That night we decided to see just how many bars there are on board. We also opened up the 2 bottles of champers we brought on board, which went down a treat. 6 bars later and for some reason we stopped swaying! Strange how on dry land , you get squishy and sway, on board a ship in the middle of the ocean you walk in a straight line!!!!!!
(T) I don’t remember much of this night….

Day 5 St Croix – Christmas Day

Up early this morning, I mean 6.30am as directed by the crew yesterday, as today we moored up at St Croix in the US Virgin Isles, and all passengers had to go through US customs, which was actually on the ship! An hour or so later after breakfast we headed ashore and joined an island tour, just USA $25 pp for a half day trip. This island is beautiful and although most places were closed due to it being xmas day, there were a few touristy shops open, probably as the cruise ships were in port. It is not known as a major tourist destination therefore has very few hotels, however our first stop was at a lovely beach north of the island owned by the Renaissance hotel group. When thinking of a tropical island this place is it, the finest white sand, the most brilliant blue/green seas, waves crashing onto rocks and lush rainforests very peaceful and tranquil. We then took the road East and visited a spot where Christopher Columbus came ashore in 1498. The story goes he came across the island and saw an inlet, thinking this to be a river he sent some of his crew in search of fresh water. They were met by a local Carib tribe and so a battle began. His crew totally annihilated the tribe and moved further inland where a huge battle occurred, killing hundreds of the locals over a few weeks. This was all in vain as the island hasn’t got any rivers, instead it has salt water lagoons everywhere. These stories whether true or false makes you think of how life was back in the day of explorers the world over. One day your doing your own thing, the next a gigantic vessel arrives on your shores, the next a huge battle begins, the locals never seeing firearms before. Next our tour went South to a lovely small town called Christiansted, the islands capital. Wow this place was stunning, with crystal clear waters and a lovely boardwalk, with small artisan shops dotted along it. It even had a bar which was open so in we went. The place was packed, xmas day lunchtime and it looked like the whole island was in it. It even had a small island just a short ferry ride across the waters, that we could see called Protestant Cay. The story behind this island is that it used to be a haunt for pirate ships in the 18th century. Whilst walking along the boardwalk we noticed giant fish swimming just under our feet. I’ve no idea what fish they were but they were about 1 meter in length and maybe 6 inches in diameter with a blue grey colour, dozens of them. Very beautiful. In fact the island of St Croix is said to be a snorkelling/divers paradise with huge reefs and a unique underwater trail. Out trip then headed back to our cruise ship. What a lovely day.
Day 6 San Juan Puerto Rico USA – Boxing day

Today’s island of Puerto Rico was very surprising, we had no idea how big it’s capital San Juan was. We read that everything to see and do here was within walking distance of the port. From our balcony we could see tall skyscrapers, a modern city and even an area with old walls. Once on dry land we noticed a “hop on hop off” city sight seeing bus, so bought tickets and hopped on. The cost was USA $25 pp for the whole day, and as we didn’t have to be back on the cruise ship until 9PM we thought it was a great deal. Like any other hop on bus, it took around the old city and a change of bus took us around the new city with its many well known high end hotel chains and fantastic beaches. Like I said this city is huge, its very clean, modern looking and the locals we chatted to were very friendly indeed. At one stage we decided to walk around its old walled town, and what a step back in time is showed us, full of history of pirate times. At its entrance there’s the Fort San Felipe Del Morro, built in 1539 to guard it’s entrance and defend the harbour. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983 and is part of the USA National Park Service. El Morro covers 70 acres and has 6 levels stretching from sea level to 145 feet, so yep its very steep in places. Inside it’s walls are narrow streets with beautiful coloured buildings in a Spanish architecture style and are inter woven with cobbled streets. Very picturesque. Wandering through its streets you come across several squares all adorned with lovely palm trees and seating areas, and every so often there’s glimpses of its past with old churches and original buildings from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. The new city is so very different with its tall skyscrapers, city living and beaches, very similar to Miami South Beach, very touristy indeed. We didn’t spend any time here as we didn’t get off the bus, besides the whole area was open to mother nature and there was a strong wind blowing today. Yep San Juan has it all for any age group and we would love to come back here for a longer stay.
Day 7 At Sea

Today were at sea all day, heading back to Barbados, so I suppose it’s a good time to reflect on the cruise itself. To say it’s our first cruise we both expected more than what we had. On each island we visited we were moored up with several other cruise ships, and although ours (Carnival Fascination) looked huge when stood next to it, it was obviously the smallest cruise ship when next to others. Yep it had what you’d expect, bars, restaurants, buffet stations, a night club, various on board shops etc, but still we weren’t wowed by it. Its main atrium, grand, spectacular and rose 6 stories high, very colourful at night with lights galore, still it didn’t make us stand there in awe. Everywhere on the cruise its air conditioning was set to freezing, so we were cold most of the time. It’s food in the restaurants was good, but not quite fine dining, the buffet stations again weren’t too impressive and if this is where you chose to eat, you stood in line for ages and once you got your food, it wasn’t that warm, and the plates were plastic. It’s entertainment also wasn’t that brilliant, most evenings you had a choice of bingo or karaoke, with the odd comedy or magician show. Even on Christmas day, we thought they would push the boat out, (excuse the pun), but no, it was the same as every other day, not even any christmassy activities for the kids on board. The staff were pleasant enough on the whole, but still they could have put more in, I suppose this could be because it was Christmas and they were working. We paid just under NZ $6000 for this 7 night cruise, and to be honest even though it was xmas week, we could have spent far less, on better accommodation, better food and better entertainment. The best thing about the week was the day trips to the 5 islands and I think if we had done the 5 islands independently, flying or island hopping on ferries, it would have come in a lot cheaper. Will we ever do a cruise again, possibly yes but not with Carnival Fascination, but will definitely do the research before hand.