Prepared Saturday evening, February 22nd, but couldn't get on wifi to publish
I think Barbados is my very favorite island of all of those we visit on these itineraries, but that's not new news to you. The people are wonderful, the beaches perfection, there's history, there's scenery. There's rum. ;-)
We were up fairly early today and, after yesterday afternoon's nap, and a good night's sleep, I felt 100% again. We started our day with breakfast in the DaVinci Dining Room. We were still at our windowside table as we entered the port of Bridgetown, Barbados, and I could tell by the way we were entering the port that the Emerald Princess was going to be on the breakwater (aka the bad dock). Damn. But I was still surprised at what I was seeing out the window. The Noordam was in the second berth on the good pier, the P&O Azura was at the first berth, and Star Clipper's Royal Clipper was at the terminal berth. CruiseTimetables.com had said that just the Noordam and the Seaborn Spirit would be with us today. I wasn't even seeing the Seaborn Spirit and still I could count four ships. Hmm...
When we returned to our cabin to pack for a day on the beach, we turned the TV to the "front of the ship" channel, and I was shocked to see another masted sailing vessel in front of the Emerald Princess. With the Seaborn Spirit (still unseen), that would mean that there were SIX ships in Barbados today. What I hadn't counted on was that there are some ships that begin cruises on Barbados, particularly on the weekends. And that's what happened today; the Royal Clipper, the P&O Azura and the Windstar Wind Star were all embarking passengers, luggage, food, beverages...everything for their cruises in Bridgetown today. Yikes!
Our arrival wasn't until 10am; I was convinced that the beaches would already be full. We walked off the Emerald Princess and, as there was a waiting line to take a shuttle to the terminal, decided to walk. However, everything- shuttles and pedestrians- was stopped by freight being delivered to the Wind Star. We were routed up on the breakwater wall to continue on our way to the terminal.
The three ships on the breakwater- the Emerald Princess, the Wind Star and the Seaborn Spirit:
Traffic jam on the breakwater:
Up and over to bypass the traffic:
The Windstar Wind Star:
We started out walking to Lobster Alive on Carlisle Bay Beach. Going to the left instead of the right as we left the terminal, we bypassed all the taxi congestion.
Just past the security gate, G was approached by taxi driver Richie, who made us an offer too good to refuse ($10) to take us to Lobster Alive. Although it's just a 30 or so minute walk, G was still hoping to get a good lounger location on the beach, and so took Richie up on his offer...
...and before we knew it, this was our view from the very last of the front row loungers available at Lobster Alive (still $15 for two loungers and one of the best umbrellas on the beach and three half-priced drink coupons). Yay G for thinking ahead and getting us a quick taxi!
Lobster Alive from the water. Ours were the two loungers on the left.
Look at those wide, nicely spaced umbrellas...
...then look at the umbrellas at the Boatyard.
See why we like Lobster Alive? In addition, the Boatyard thumps with loud music all day, and frequent announcements when food orders are ready. There's none of that at Lobster Alive; it's the age 55+ neighborhood on the beach!
Lobster Alive also has the BEST rum punches in the Caribbean, made daily by Cheryl. I waited until 11am for my first one ($2 with coupon), and had planned to combine our two remaining coupons for a free drink, but G decided to have one too. Here's Cheryl serving up a rum punch for each of us.
Despite a light, 30 second rainshower shortly after we arrived at 10:30pm, the remainder of the day gifted us with beach-perfect weather. We spent the day in and out of the water, using our floats, walking on the beach...and using free, unlimited, fast wifi from Lobster Alive. This was a nice surprise, since last time we were there, it wasn't even turned on. Well, we sat on the beach and called Mom and friends at home using Vonage (for free! Get the app!) just to make sure everyone knew where we were and that we were surrounded by powdered sugar white sand and blue water. And
letting them know we wished they were there too, of course!
The Emerald Princess wasn't sailing until 7pm tonight, and with an all on board time of 6:30pm, we never had to clock-watch today, and that was wonderful. Finally, about 3:45pm, we gathered up our gear and walked back to the ship. We cleaned up for dinner (as much as I love a day on the beach, I hate how sticky, stinky, salty and sweaty it leaves me) and went to the Michelangelo Dining Room around 5:15pm for Dinner with Darko. I was hoping that tonight was Italian night- penne arrabiata wih chicken and brocolli would have been perfect after skipping lunch- but no luck. Instead I had a salad and a seafood skewer.
The Noordam sailed at 5pm, and while we were at dinner, the Seaborn Spirit sailed. That ship is so tiny (10,000 tons) that it did a U-turn right in the port, and sailed out bow first. We skipped coffee and dessert (temporarily) to go up on deck to watch the Emerald Princess sailaway. The lights of the P&O Azura and the Royal Clipper reflecting off the water were stunning.
Also beautiful was what was left of the sunset, which we had missed. See, good things come to those who are late! ;-)
We finally positioned ourselves up on Deck 16, where we could watch Captain Stenzel on the bridge wing as he used the controls there to thrust away from the berth. He backed into the basin and turned the bow to starboard and we left the lights of Barbados behind us as we sailed.
G and I next sat on the Terrace Deck watching the lights of the island fade behind us, then returned to the Michelangelo Dining Room for Dessert with Darko and Coffee with Komang. The only featured entertainment tonight was two performances of production show Boogie Shoes. The Ultimate Deck Party was starting at 10:15pm, but we're skipping it all in favor of an early bedtime. The rum, the sun, the time spent in the water and walking have caught up with us, but we can sleep with visions of clear, turquoise water dancing in our heads.