Day 114: Antigua

Today must have been the funnest day of our entire winter, in a "laugh out loud good time" sense. I can't say it was necessarily the best day of the winter, because we've had so many truly excellent ones. But in terms of pure play pleasure, today has to top the list.

We enjoyed breakfast in the dining room (with blueberry pancakes!) before packing for a beach day and taking a taxi over to....the Segway Antigua office! That's right- for the third visit in a row, we had reserved a Segway tour. Hmmmm...do ya think we might enjoy it?!?

We like to go to the Segway office early. They have the BIG five of Caribbean Internet there: free, fast, cool, quiet and shaded, and are kind enough to let us use it. In fact, while we were in the taxi going there, we passed Juliette from the Segway Antigua office riding a Segway over to the pier to meet up with the others taking the tour with us. We stopped-she stopped, and she said she had left us a note at the office. When we got there, the other two members of the Segway Antigua team, Yandeen and Elizabeth, were out with the 9:00am tour, and with Juliette away collecting the other passengers, they would normally have locked up the office. But Juliette, knowing G and I as she does, left the door unlocked and the sweetest note, advising us to come in and make ourselves comfortable and giving us the wifi password.

We love these people!

We wifi-ed fast and furiously until the 9:00am tour returned. Jenny and Bill had taken that tour and we were anxious to hear how they liked it. Jenny had told us the cutest story about her 86-year old, 4' 11" mother riding a Segway in Florida, totally successfully. But the visual of this little lady looking over the handlebar just cracked us up. Well now, Jenny knows she can keep up with her mom!

The rest of our group turned out to be a family of six from England. We all watched the training video again (those stick figures showing what NOT to do still quicken my pulse), geared up and then went outside to train with the Segways. G and I were allowed to just get started and run them around, but we listened carefully to the dismount instructions. That's still the trickiest part ("Jenny's 86-year old mom, Jenny's 86-year old mom, Jenny's 86-year old mom" became my dismount mantra. If she can do it, I can do it!). Soon we were off, on a longer tour today, through some residential areas (dogs! Barking dogs! Another fear of mine!) while Yandeen took action photos and Juliette used a blow horn to talk about Antigua's history and culture. I actually heard a lot more today, probably because my brain wasn't stuck on "stay upright".

We stopped for a stretch and water break at beautiful Runaway (or it's also called Runway) Beach, just south of Dickenson Bay Beach, and noticed that the surf today was bigger than it had been on our previous, recent visit. Ooohhh, this looked like fun!

We headed back down towards Fort James. Instead of hyperventilating at the potholes, I was slaloming around them, having the time of my life. For the fourth time this winter, we visited Fort James (we went once on our own, plus the three Segway tours). G had made that a goal for this winter- to get to Fort James. Guess we accomplished that one! After a water-sugar cane-fruit kabob break at the fort, it was time to cross that damn arched bridge again to leave. That is a trick, and convinced I was going to fall backwards, and become the living representation of one of the stick figures in training video, I cried "help me!" and Juliette was there to keep me upright and save my life. With my legs like jello, we headed back to the Segway office where we were offered a local beer (Wadadli) or a local fruit drink, or both (they're good mixed together!).

Then it was beach time, and if scooting around Antigua on Segways hadn't been enough fun, I played in those glorious waves for over an hour (Sheila, it was Ilhabela, Brazil all over again), jumping and diving while G watched nervously from shore. Sorry, hon...I wasn't going to sit that one out! When it comes to bigger waves, I'm still a kid at heart, squealing and laughing and having a grand old time. What I didn't realize- then- is that every wave was filling my swimsuit with another bunch of sand. I was padded all over on the ride back to the ship, and it all dumped on the floor when I peeled off my swimsuit. THAT wasn't going to make for a happy Steward Nazi!

We just had time for quick showers before we dressed for dinner and went up to Skywalkers to watch sailaway from Antigua (one of our favorites because of the beautiful harbor at St. John's). Once again, I was struck by how much later the sun is setting. Instead of setting while we were still in the harbor, we had already gone to dinner when it finally set, beautiful with the island of Montserrat in the distance. Montserrat is the island with the still-active volcano, and we've set as a goal for next year to get over there somehow, even if it's just by helicopter from Antigua.

Following dinner, we went to this cruise's Most Traveled Passengers (MTP) party. (Cutoff was 368 days- one of the lowest of the winter). We're now 11 for 11 for this year in qualifying for that; although one time I think we were passenger numbers 39 and 40 on the list. Professional cruisers love these 10-night itineraries, and sometimes the top three couples all have over 1000 nights on Princess. Wow.

We met Captain Nick Nash, who now becomes the "resident" captain of the Emerald Princess, as Captain Pomata is moving to the Caribbean Princess. If our plans for next year don't change, we'll be seeing a lot of him next year. The three Breeza Marinas I consumed there marked the end of my evening, and entertainment was out of the question, although production show What a Swell Party was being performed in the Princess Theater and pianoman Kory Simon was in the Explorers Lounge. Segways, waves, beach and Breeza Marinas- I was done for the day, but what a fun way to get there!

Photo 1: Runaway Beach

Photos 2-4: Fort James

Photo 5: this is how close the Segway Antigua office is too Fort James Beach...it's right there!

Day 113: At Sea

G was up and out of the cabin ridiculously early today (but, of course, napped a few times the rest of the day). When I awoke at 4:30am and he was gone, I never did fall back asleep, waiting for the click of the door lock that would signal his return. Still, I was slow to get moving, and it was close to 8:00am before I joined him on the Terrace Deck and saw him talking...to Jenny!  Yay!  We finally connected!  We sat and talked for awhile, and then I grabbed some breakfast from Cafe Caribe. It was too pretty a morning to go down to the dining room for breakfast (but we heard about our absence later from headwaiter Luis.  We can't get away with playing hooky!).

Still, by 10:30am, we were done with the sun. We'll have several beach days this week...can't overdo before we even start. We came inside, and G took the first of his naps while I rested a bit.

We joined Jenny and Bill in the DaVinci Dining Room for lunch at 12:30pm. We are still trying to figure out when we first cruised together, but it could have been as far back as our first Princess cruise in December 2003. Cruise friendships are something every cruiser understands; non-cruisers maybe not so much.  They might wonder how we can consider friends people we have only met a few times years ago.   That's just one wonderful part of cruising!

Afterwards, I had a bit of a lie-down. I'm feeling so much better, but still tire more easily than I'd like.  I didn't sleep...not that I could have anyway, as G was practicing juggling with the juggling scarves I got him for his birthday last year. He had arranged a lesson with Team Rootberry this afternoon after their 3:15pm performance in the Piazza, and wanted me to identify where I thought he needed help.

Where to start?  He looked like he was being attacked by a swarm of bees, flailing wildly while the scarves rained down on me lying on the bed.  But help was on the way!

Team Rootberry did their usual 12-minute Piazza performance, and then, as promised, did stick around for a lesson. Within a few minutes, Jonathon (Team Rootberry Jonathon, not SN Johnathon) had G juggling successfully several times in a row. Other students included Pierre from Canada and a little boy who didn't speak English. It was darling to watch Jonathon working with him, all through gestures, and all the "kids" seemed to enjoy their lesson. Thanks to Team Rootberry's Jonathon and Bill for the special tutoring, and to Jenny and Bill for leaving their top-deck Sanctuary loungers to come and watch and cheer G on!!

By the time that wrapped up, it was after4:00pm and, being a formal night, was time to start getting ready. We went to the 5:30pm performance of comedian Scott Wyler in the Explorers Lounge- different material than last night's show- and then headed to dinner. With not much time nor appetite, we had just the beef tenderloins (though Sutti added four large shrimp to mine) and pink grapefruit sorbet for dessert. Sutti and Somphong were bedecked with boutonnières a tonight, a gift from near-tablemates Steve and Kathy, who, as suite passengers, receive them the first formal night. That was very sweet, and Sutti and Somphong seemed very pleased.

Then it was Welcome Aboard Champagne party time for this cruise. The bar staff knows it's our last cruise...it was raining champagne!

We next went to the 8:30pm performance of production show I Got the Music. I couldn't help but feel a bit sad...we're going to miss these talented performers we've enjoyed so much this winter.

9:30pm was a long time after 4:30am when I had awakened.   It was time for popcorn, fuzzy water, penicillin, blog and bed. We have fun plans again for tomorrow on Antigua!

(BTW- today's special treats included honeydew frozen yogurt for dessert at lunch, and my first frozen white chocolate mocha coffee (with whipped cream) from the International Cafe since Christmas. Happy New Year to me!!)

Photo 1:  Team Rootberry doing their thing in the Piazza

Photo 2:  G getting the hang of it!

Photo 3:  Somphong, G and Sutti, all dressed to the nines

Photos. 4 and 5:  I Got the Music with our favorite Brazilian dancers Rodney (barechested) and Renato (with the big smile)

Day 112: At Sea

It was just a bit bouncy last night, but we slept well in spite of it. I should say I slept well...I'm hearing tales that G was up around 1:00am, checking out the International Cafe, Skywalkers and the other lounges, just to see what goes on at that time of the night.

The things that happen when my back is turned! 

Still, G was up early, and grabbed two chairs on the Terrace Deck. By 7:30am he was back in the cabin, making enough noise that it was inevitable that I'd wake up. I joined him on the Terrace Deck, and he took care of getting coffee and breakfast from the Cafe Caribe (and have I mentioned that the Cafe Caribe is serving made-to-order omelets too?). Although the sun rose in front of the ship, by 9:00am or so the back area was in the sunlight. Luckily, it wasn't quite as hot today as it had been two days ago...we sat comfortably back there, G waiting on me hand and foot (a real "who are you and what have you done with my husband?" experience, I assure you!) until about noon. G had checked...veggie burritos were on the dining room lunch menu, and we LOVE them.

It's kind of strange this cruise; G suggested last night that we shouldn't hold back this last cruise, we should allow ourselves to eat whatever we want (I didn't realize he was exercising moderation himself, what with his four scoops of ice cream for each lunch and dinner dessert) because this is it. Every cruise, there is something that I might want to eat, but I tell myself, "I'll have that next cruise".  Suddenly, too soon, there is no "next". So last night I had the spring rolls as an appetizer (first time all winter), for breakfast I had a chocolate croissant (ditto), and for dessert at lunch I had blueberry frozen yogurt (ditto again). 

This is fun!  It's also kind of softening the blow of our final cruise of the winter.

After lunch, we stopped by the Cruise Critic meet and greet hoping to catch up with Jenny and Bill, but didn't see anyone we knew. G then made a bee line for a hot tub, while I made the "items I couldn't cruise without" posts, taking photos of all those odd things in the cabin while G wasn't here to question why I was taking pictures of the Fabreeze bottle and the clothesline. By 2:00pm I was in the Terrace Pool, treasuring the still sunny, but fairly windy day. 

Every time I pass the area in which Cristian is working, I'll say "Hi Cristian!", and from somewhere in a cabin with an open door I'll hear back "Hi Mrs. X!"  Not once this winter have I heard the same greeting from our Steward Nazi. 

I've really missed it!  No, we haven't suffered too badly (the worst was wrapping used dental floss in toilet paper for 2 days because we had no tissues, despite leaving a note requesting some, and that wasn't that awful), but there's just been something missing. And I don't mean tissue or bath towels. Something that makes cruising a special kind of vacation- a different kind of vacation.  Now we have it again. 

Yay!

We got dressed for the evening and went to the Captain Circle party for Gold members again at 4:45pm. G likes that program better than what we get at the Platinum and Elite party, so Captains Circle host Tracey allows us to attend.  Without enough time to go up to Skywalkers before dinner, we instead opted to have a pre-dinner drink in Crooners, which is an excellent place for people-watching. 

I couldn't wait for dinner tonight...what would I have that I'd denied myself all winter? I was giddy with the thought of it. So, what did I have?  The same lychee and watermelon with candied ginger as an appetizer, sorbet as an intermezzo and chili shrimp as an entree that I always have. But when Sutti presented the dessert menu, I was pleased to see that it's been changed yet again (see photo for tonight's dessert menu), and a cheese plate is back on the menu. That's another positive tweak of the menus. We've seen a lot of that this winter!

We finished dinner in time to catch the 7:15pm show of comedian Scott Wyler in the Princess Theater. G liked him, as did many people around us. I....just have a tough time with comedians, I've decided. I love political humor poking fun at the other side (a la Jon Stewart). That's hard to find on a cruise ship. 

We're sitting in Club Fusion listening to band Sol Provider right now, and then will move to Adagio for the Emerald Princess orchestra playing jazz at 9:00pm. Then popcorn, fuzzy water, penicillin and bed, in that order. 

It's been a good day. 

:-)

Photo 1:  sunset from our dining room table

Photo 2:  tonight's shrimp entree

Photo 3:  the new dessert menu format

Photo 4:  the Brie and Gouda cheese plate

Things I couldn't cruise without for 120 days- Part 2

Fabreze- big bottle  We downgrade t-shirts (especially)...breakfast/lunch wear to beach wear to workout wear before sending them to the laundry and Fabreze makes that possible. They also keep our water shoes smelling good enough to have in the cabin.

Tiny sewing kit with pre-threaded needles (there's not enough light in the cabin to see to thread a needle)  Princess used to give these away as an Elite amenity, but I haven't seen them for a few years

Clips with magnetic backs The cabin walls are metal, and these hold each cruise's planning Patter, invitations, coupons, photos, cards, etc. I really wish we had something like this at home too, because it's very handy!

Large cloth cooler (from Sams Club or Costco) which also serves as a beach bag

Plastic suction cup shower organizers These are a must for anyone who doesn't want their shampoo, etc. and razor on the shower floor. We like the hard plastic ones best. We simply stack them and fill them with socks or underwear in the suitcase.

5'x7' picnic tarp We got ours at Home Depot and it lasted two winters. We're not taking it home with us...it's started to rip in a few places, but it was used hard for two winters. It's also nice to use even when we rent beach chairs; we keep it mostly folded up, put it between the chairs and put our beach bag and backpack on it. 

Beyond these things, we bring other items of a personal nature:  wahl hair cutter with which we cut each others hair (something I do for G at home, but he doesn't do for me), Swimways floats, masks, fins, snorkels, wet suits/dive skins, 2-way radios, accordion folders to handle paperwork. 

Things I couldn't cruise without for 120 days- Part 1

I thought I'd take a sea day to talk about those items we bring that enable our 120-night stay in a tiny inside cabin while cruising the Caribbean. I could do without most of these items if cruising for 7 or 10 nights, but for anything over a month, they're really nice to have.

First, though I have to mention the one thing that allows us to be away from home, largely out of the country, and still keep things going at home. Of course, it's the iPhone with banking, credit card, webcam, overdrive, offline pages apps, and Lifeproof waterproof case. It goes without saying that we couldn't do any of this without being as electronically automated as possible, a feat that took us a year or two to fully achieve. Even when we're home, we do pretty much all of our business transactions using our phones; it's good practice, because it's all a bit more difficult when we're using slow wifi on the ship. 

But, back to the items we use in the cabin:

Over-the-door shoe rack There are only 4 drawers in an inside cabin, two in each nightstand, and they don't begin to neatly hold all the small items we bring with us. The over the door shoe rack holds my makeup (and after the green eyebrows experience, I was careful to put eyeliner pencils in one pouch and eyebrow pencils in a different one to avoid any future mixups), sunscreens, the few first aid/medical items we bring, scissors, a small ziplock bag of office supplies, nail polish/remover, Qtips, cotton pads, spare razors, etc.  We used to have one column of pockets for my stuff, one for G's, and the rest for what we call "common items", but, over the years, I've slowly taken over more and more of it. We bought this one at WalMart in 2002, intending to use it for one 23-night trip. Eleven years later, it still does the job. 

Extension cords or power strip We need something to turn one outlet into many for electronics charging. I would bring this even for a short cruise. 

Metal, wide mouth water bottles I fill them with ice and use them as ice packs to keep our drinks cold on the islands, and  we can drink the melted ice too.

Twisted clothesline with suction cup ends to stretch across cabin  We attach the suction cups to framed prints on either wall. We always have something hanging on this line, plus it frees up the shower line so we don't have to move things when we shower. We'll only use the shower line for really dripping things (like a wetsuit)

Photos 1 and 2:  over the door shoe rack

Photo 3:  our charging center. You can even see the Christmas tree nightlight we plugged in in December and like so much we've left it. :-)

Photo 4:  metal water bottles for ice

Photo 5:  twisted clothesline that stretches from one side of the cabin to the other