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Caribbean Tour

January - February 2022
A cruise around the islands of the Caribbean. Read more
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  • TravelerCaribbean Tour
    1
    Day 5

    Funchal, Madeira

    January 7, 2022 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    An interesting day to start the holiday. Arrived at the AirLynx car park in good time after a quick journey to Southampton, parked the car and after a short while boarded a mini bus that took us and baggage to the Mayflower cruise terminal. There we left our main luggage and then crossed the road and walked the short distance to the COVID testing centre where we were to have our lateral flow test. We joined quite a long queue at 1205 hrs in the open air (a very good thing the weather was dry). It took forty five to fifty minutes complete the exercise and we then walked back to the terminal building and joined another queue to give a verbal health declaration (we had already completed a written one online two days previously but that wasn’t good enough). We then sat down for about 15 minutes until the result of our COVID test was messaged to us and, being negative, we joined another queue for the priority passengers which was longer than the normal queue. We then arrived at the check in desk where we had our photographs taken even though we had uploaded our photographs during the online check in process. We then joined a queue to pass through security where my jacket, belt and shoes had to come off. Given clearance, we boarded the ship where we were directed to our muster station where we were logged in. We had to watch the safety video on the TV in our cabin. Ignoring the cabin at this point we headed straight to the appropriate restaurant for what turned out to be a really nice lunch, for me, of squid and sea bass and a lot of sparkling wine, which, at this juncture, we felt we deserved after two hours of testing and checking in. Our baggage was waiting for us but before unpacking, I tried to download the ‘Myholiday’ app, which we need on board, but failed. After some time I joined a queue at the ‘Myholiday’ desk close to reception to speak to somebody, which I did, but they were of no help. I returned to the cabin and discovered that my VPN application on my phone and tablet was to blame. Once I disabled it I managed to download the app. It looks as though it could be useful. Dinner in the evening was very good and met a couple from South Wales who were excellent company. Went to bed early. We had had enough enjoyment for one day.

    4th January. Sea a bit choppy today as we head south through the bay of Biscay but is forecast to improve later this afternoon. Joined the virtual queue for breakfast and no sooner had we done it we were informed our table was ready. Good system this. The ‘Myholiday’ app seems to be working well at present. No lunch today but afternoon tea with sandwiches, cakes and scone. Really nice dinner in the evening. The food, so far, has been excellent. Almost everybody complying with the need to wear a mask around the ship, which is encouraging.

    We all have to have antigen test either tomorrow or 6th and a further test the following week to comply with Barbados requirements. They also require a passenger locator form to be completed. Instructions are to follow. These tests will be paid for by P&O.

    5th January. Stood in a queue for 35 minutes at 0810 am for the lateral flow test. Well organised but a bit slow. By the end of the day, apparently, two thirds of the passengers had been tested. We will only get to hear the result if we are positive. So far all is quiet. The ‘Myholiday’ app broke down for the black tie evening dinner and we just had to turn up. Working well until then. During the day we were able to sit outside in the sun for a while as the temperature warmed up. Still heading south towards Madeira and will arrive there on 7th.

    6th January. A pleasant day. 16 degrees but feels warmer in the sun and out of the sea breeze. The app is working again and so joined a virtual queue for breakfast and lunch. I can see this being permanent. Had a vegetable sushi roll for lunch with wasabi and it almost blew my head off. I had not realised that wasabi was so hot! The waiter came to my rescue with more water. The entertainment so far has not been to our taste. The comedian the night before was not good and a ventriloquist on a black tie evening?

    Forecast for Madeira tomorrow is mainly sunny with a risk of a shower in the morning and a high of 22 degrees. Good enough for us. We have both been vaccinated twice, had a booster, had a tetanus renewal and I have had a shingles jab, we were given an antigen test before check in and a further antigen test on board. Madeira has nothing to fear from us!

    7th January. Arrived in Madeira and docked at 0800 hrs. Boosted with COVID jabs, fully masked and smothered in sun tan lotion we set off and wondered the pretty streets of Funchal. We came across the cable car and took the ride to the top (32 Euros for two return) and at the top walked to the. church of Our Lady on the Mount where one of the emperors of the Hapsburg Empire is buried. Wonderful views from the top. Took the cable car back and now sitting in a cafe with free wifi. We leave tonight to cross the Atlantic to Barbados.    Read more

  • TravelerCaribbean Tour
    Day 10

    West Atlantic

    January 12, 2022 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Having a very good crossing from Madeira. Reasonably calm although Ventura does move about a bit. Probably because she is a bit high and consequently rocks in any wind. The further south west we sail the warmer it has become and it is now hot and sunny. We now have the usual hoards of semi naked passengers sunning themselves for eight hours a day in a sweaty heap and turning a dark shade of leather. Barbados has now relaxed its covid requirements and testing needs only to be carried out on those going ashore independently. These antigen tests will be carried out on the ship tomorrow. Our shore excursion to the beach is safe and we will be able to access the cruise terminal building independently without testing. Grenada, on the other hand, is now saying that no cruise ship passenger (from any ship) will be allowed to visit its beaches!! We have switched excursions to a tour of the island, which is allowed. We are a bit befuddled and bemused. Dancing is proceeding on one of the top decks twice a day. The dance instructors, Chris and Dora (adorable Isadora) are brilliant. They are from Hungary and were Strictly dancers on the Hungarian show. They are young, funny and enthusiastic. They are doing a dance demo on the ship tonight. We had an open air dance last night under the stars. Fine if you did not stumble because of the movement of this ship. Arriving in Barbados on Friday.Read more

  • TravelerCaribbean Tour
    Day 11

    Barbados

    January 13, 2022 in Saint Lucia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    Berthed alongside the quay at 0800 hrs. We had an organised tour booked to the beach at 0845 hrs and it was obvious that we were never going to make it ashore in time. Disembarkation was chaotic due to a number of factors and we did not arrive at Harbour Lights beach until approx 0930 hrs. However, after one or several rum punches, a good swim and snorkel and a very nice conversation with a young American couple next to us, we felt very relaxed. The temperature was 31 degrees and by the time we had to leave at 1245 hrs, it was becoming too hot to lay there. Some interesting news. On my way back to the cabin (Erica had diverted somewhere else), I saw three or four crew members further down our corridor wearing full PPE equipment and spraying the corridor. When Erica finally made it to the cabin, she said she had seen some crew members being taken off the ship and one on a stretcher. She had been told by somebody else who had heard it from somebody else that the crew members had been diagnosed with COVID and were being taken to the Queen Victoria, berthed around the corner from our ship, which is being used as a hospital ship for crew members! No doubt tomorrow there will be another story. Next stop Castries, St Lucia, arriving tomorrow morning.Read more

  • TravelerCaribbean Tour
    Day 13

    St Lucia

    January 15, 2022 in Saint Lucia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    There will have been a few disappointed passengers this morning. The St Lucian authorities came up with new regulations at the last moment. Only those passengers booked on an organised shore excursion and those booked on tours with a government approved taxi service were to be allowed on shore. All the others would only be allowed to enter the cruise terminal building where there are a few shops. Fortunately Erica and I had booked on a ship’s excursion to the west and south of the island to walk a nature trail alongside the Pitons and then stop for a Creole lunch. So we set off in the rain by small coach along very narrow and twisting roads but through lovely countryside. The walk itself was quite steep in parts and by this time the sun was out, but the views from the top of the trail were fantastic. We then stopped for lunch in a small restaurant alongside the entrance to Hotel Chocolat’s cacao research centre. I couldn’t confirm that this is the same company as Hotel Chocolat in the UK, other than they are involved in chocolate. It was a good day. On arrival back tried to obtain wifi in the terminal building but pretty useless.Read more

  • TravelerCaribbean Tour
    Day 14

    Grenada

    January 16, 2022 in Grenada ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    The Grenadian authorities were quite strict this morning. As we already knew, only those booked on P&O shore excursions and those booked on tours with government approved taxis were allowed on shore. All the rest had to remain in the cruise terminal or on the ship. We had already booked to tour the island so at 0800 hrs we left in a mini bus and had another tortuous drive along winding rounds dotted with pot holes. However, dramatic scenery and pretty verdant. No doubt due to the rain which was falling at the time! The rain stopped though and we had a very interesting tour visiting a volcanic crater lake and the Annendale waterfall. Had a good tour around St George also (the capital). The tour took four hours and then spent time trying to access wifi in the terminal building with better success than yesterday. A day at sea follows and then we arrive at the Dutch island of Bonaire.Read more

  • TravelerCaribbean Tour
    Day 16

    Bonaire

    January 18, 2022 in Bonaire ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    Our journey between Grenada and Bonaire was calm and hot. Bonaire is one of the three Islands comprising the Dutch Antilles. They are Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao. They lie outside of the hurricane belt and have a steady temperature of between 28 and 32 degrees. They are close to the coast of Venezuela. We will be visiting Bonaire first and then Curacao and finally Aruba. We have nothing organised in Bonaire and hope to just wander around the capital, Kralendijk. If we have time we might take a taxi to the beach.

    Lovely morning for our arrival in Bonaire. Forecast to be 28 to 30 degrees and light winds. The ship docked close to the town centre and we disembarked about 9.20 hrs. For the first time we were asked for evidence of our vaccinations. We had them stored on our phones and so this was straightforward. We walndered around Kralendijk. Not much here apart from the brightly painted buildings. We had a coffee and then took a water taxi to the nearby Eden beach. Not the best beach ever but the snorkelling was fantastic. Lots of fish. Spent a long time swimming. At 2pm we returned by water taxi and walked back to the ship in time for afternoon tea. Tomorrow we will be in Curacao where we have booked a snorkelling trip.    Read more

  • TravelerCaribbean Tour
    Day 18

    Curacao

    January 20, 2022 in Curacao ⋅ 🌬 28 °C

    Late yesterday afternoon, after returning from the beach, we completed our passenger locator forms as required by government legislation. P&O provided wifi access and they did not take too long. It seems that quite a number of passengers are finding them difficult to complete and staff are having to help them.

    We arrived in Wilemstad, the main town in Curacao, at about 0800 hrs on 19th. Lovely start to the day although a bit breezy. No examination of vaccination certificates this morning on the quayside and we boarded the bus to take us on our snorkelling trip. The journey took about fifty minutes to the far north west of the island. The beach is used by local fishermen and, usually, turtles can be seen. We had on our swimwear and we’re given life vests but we had our own snorkel and masks. The fish were plentiful and suddenly turtles came into view. A number of them were big, others younger and smaller. We stayed in the water for half an hour before coming out. A great visit. We then travelled further south along the coast to another beach where we had a further opportunity to snorkel. No turtles this time. After about an hour we boarded the bus and returned to the ship. A good morning’s activity. In the afternoon we strolled around Wilemstad. This is a very interesting town. It is divided down the middle by a river. We travelled across the river by ferry (free) to the other side. At times you might think that we were in Amsterdam because of the houses. On the was back, the swing bridge was back in place (it had opened to allow a Royal Caribbean ship in) and we walked across and back through the walled part of the town. We like Curacao although the three Dutch island of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao are classified as semi arid and, therefore, not as green and verdant as islands further north. You learn something every day!

    We travel to Aruba later this afternoon, arriving on 20th.

    Aruba hot and windy. Took a taxi to the beach but a bit sand blasted. However, had a pleasant swim. Later we walked into the town of Oranjestad, the capital, which is actually very pleasant and very Americanised. However, very clean and full of bars and recently modernised.

    Just a quick word about the Myholiday app which is used around the ship to book meals, see your onboard account etc. It is working very well and broken down only twice so far. It is very easy to use and avoids the queues that form at dinner time. The response of the system is generally very quick and, to be honest, we hope that P&O maintain this after Covid. Checking your on board account could not be more simple and the system is immediately updated if we spend anything with the onboard allowance. Very impressed with it.

    A day at sea tomorrow and then Dominica.    Read more

  • TravelerCaribbean Tour
    Day 19

    Dominica

    January 21, 2022 in Dominica ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    21st January. In the ship’s daily publication of activities for the following day, it was announced that the Dominican authorities had decided that all passengers who were booked on shore excursions or who were booked to use government authorised taxis or who intended to use them, were required to take a lateral flow test to ensure that they are negative. Accordingly P&O arranged to undertake these tests at £18 per head. So this morning we went along and had our tests taken as we were booked on an excursion. A certificate would be issued if negative which we had to take ashore as well as evidence of our vaccinations. At 1040 hrs, whist we were drinking hot chocolate in Costa Coffee on board, it was announced that the Dominican authorities had changed their mind!! No tests were needed. P&O said that those who had already had their tests would not be charged for them. Goodness me! Those who were not booked on an excursion or in an authorised taxi will not be allowed to leave the port or terminal building. I suspect that there will be a few passengers who will decide to stay put.Read more

  • TravelerCaribbean Tour
    Day 20

    Dominica

    January 22, 2022 in Dominica ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Arrived early in Dominica to overcast skies and a bit of drizzle. However, the sky slowly cleared up and the sun came out not long before we had to board our open top truck to take us on a tour around some of the island. No documentation required to leave the ship but we had to have our temperature read as we walked along the pier. Never been here before but it looks beautiful from the ship, mountainous and very green. Obviously Dominica receives a lot of rain. The truck was not exactly comfortable but we had a very enthusiastic young guide. We stopped at a viewpoint overlooking the town, visited the botanical gardens and then headed up the hills. The island is very volcanic with all nine volcanoes still active. As a result there are hot springs all over the island and the smell of sulphur in places was very strong. We stopped to allow some of the passengers to have a swim in an area which was featured in the film ‘Pirates of the Caribbean 2’. The water was far too cold for my liking! To recover from the shock, we had the obligatory rum punches afterwards. What a beautiful island this is. Very impressive and very friendly.

    It is difficult to find good free wifi anywhere. I am currently sitting on a roadside kerb writing this because the wifi is not too bad. Next stop Antigua on the day after tomorrow.    Read more

  • TravelerCaribbean Tour
    Day 22

    Antigua

    January 24, 2022 in Antigua and Barbuda ⋅ 🌧 25 °C

    Had a bit of a shock this morning when I rose out of bed, threw back the curtains and found the Queen Victoria parked right next to us. She does not look good. She needs urgently painting and there are clearly no passengers on board. A lot of furniture is piled up on the balconies. So why is she in Antigua? It probably confirms the rumour spread in Barbados that she is being used for another purpose, possibly as a hospital ship.

    Antigua had no Covid restrictions for our visit other than a temperature test and the need to wear masks everywhere.

    Very warm here but a bit drizzly but the forecast is better for later. Currently sitting in a bar drinking iced coffee with Jean, who dances with us on board. Already visited the local church, which badly needs repair and walked around the town of St John but not particularly interesting.

    A lot of speculation taking place as to how many passengers are currently in isolation suffering from Covid. We know that people who have danced on board are in isolation with the virus but the interesting thing is that yesterday, trying to access the rear of the ship we came across one of the security doors that secures the isolation areas at the rear but which a crew member had left open briefly and there were trays, which would have held meals, lying empty on the floor indicating that there were several people in isolation along that particular corridor. We are still testing ourselves twice a week with an antigen test and we continue to be negative.

    St Kitts tomorrow and a visit to the beach.    Read more

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