For our first time ever, the Pacific Princess was docked at the freight port on St. Kitts, about 15 minutes east of the cruise ship pier and all the shopping at Port Zante. We were thrilled by this, as we were able to walk right off the ship and get a taxi a shorter distance to a beach. For those passengers interested in shopping, a free shuttle ran back and forth to Port Zante all day long. After a quick breakfast on the Panorama Terrace, during which a brief shower passed over (and we saw a beautiful rainbow), we gathered up our minimal beach gear and walked off the ship. The rain had already stopped and the rest of the day was mostly sunny with no additional showers.
We soon discovered the one drawback of being on the Pacific Princess at the freight port...nearly every disembarking passenger wanted to shop instead of go to the beach (go figure). We waited a few minutes for two more passengers to join us in a taxi; the price was $16 for 1 to 4 people and G is just frugal enough to not want to pay $16 for two of us. Finally, two crew members showed up wanting to go to the beach and, in the end, we still paid the $16 as a gift to them, but that way G was fine with it. At least we weren't wasting money. ;-)
We wanted to go to the beach bar on the east end of South Friars Bay Beach called Shipwresk. Carambola on the west end is far more upscale and trendy, but there is a charge for chairs and umbrellas and an even higher charge for food and drinks. Shipwreck is a dive through and through, and the beach is quite narrow, but the chairs and palapas are free and there is no pressure to buy food and drinks. Since we weren't sure at that point what the day would bring, weather-wise, we decided a no investment day gave us the opportunity to return to the ship if it started to rain.
We first went to Shipwreck over ten years ago, when it was even more of a shack, selling just beers and drinks. Now there is a kitchen and small restaurant/bar with a sand floor. We settled into two loungers and I wasted no time getting in the water. As far as beaches go, none of them on St. Kitts compare to St. John yesterday (the sand is browner and coarser and the water rougher), but we love the atmosphere on St. Kitts. I plugged in ear buds and listened to an audiobook (Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher; I read/listen to it every December), and we enjoyed watching the five masted sailing vessel Royal Clipper tendering its passengers directly into Carambola. Carambola has built a huge business since it opened just a few years ago, with Royal Clipper and Azamara tendering passengers there instead of Basseterre where Port Zante is located.
Carambola Beach bar is down by the white canopy
Cheeseburger in paradise
I swam and played in the waves app much that by 1pm I was starving. We walked into the beach bar and I ordered a cheeseburger (I only crave them after being in the water) and G got nachos and cheese and we drank a couple of beers and enjoyed the phenomenal views east towards Nevis. About 3:30pm we decided to walk down the beach 10 minutes to Carambola because it would be easier to hook up with two more passengers to share a taxi back to the Pacific Princess from there, and it was. By shortly after 4pm we were reboarding the ship.
After quick showers, we watched sailaway at 5pm from the Panorama Terrace. At the same time, the Royal Clipper raised its many square sails and made quite a picture sailing away with Nevis in the background. We went to dinner at 5:30pm. It featured a menu that was new to us. I ordered roasted asparagus with bacon and a warm vinaigrette dressing and -wait for it- an Austrian pot roast with red cabbage for my entree. I mostly hate German food but I do love red cabbage, and the beef pot roast was surprisingly good.
Nevis
The southern end of St. Kitts
Port Zante
The Royal Clipper sails away
G and Maitre d'Oscar
G and headwaiter Petros
At 7pm we were gathered in the Atrium for what I had been looking forward to since we booked this cruise. The Pacific Princess crew and officers (including Captain D in a Santa hat) stood on the T-shaped stairs and, accompanied by Jere Ring on the keyboard, we all sang Christmas carols. It was my favorite part of Christmas on the Pacific Princess in French Polynesia and will no doubt be my favorite part of it this year too. There is just something so homey and fun about doing that, especially with Captain D waving his Santa hat in the air during Jimgle Bells. Both Decks 4 and 5 were full of passengers, but it wasn't crowded. It's the Pacific Princess!
Jere Ring at the keyboard
Caroling in the Atrium
Captain D sings along
Tonight's entertainment was guitarist Duncan Tuck. We had seen him in French Polynesia two years ago and he is so talented and does a very entertaining show. Following that, we listened to Jere Ring in the Casino Lounge playing mostly Christmas carols but other songs too, and he played Do You Hear What I Hear, which he announced is my favorite song (it's certainly my favorite Christmas song he sings). We stayed until I could stay no longer, but when I returned to the cabin to prepare this blog post, G went into Duncan Tuck's late show. He has just returned to the cabin as I am finishing up this post, so that worked well.
We are at sea tomorrow, which I think is a perfect way to spend Christmas Day. It will also be an opportunity to recover from two beach days and prepare for five port days in a row. Thankfully, even days spent playing in the waves are less strenuous than walking 20 zillion steps in a European port. We've been cruising for more than ten weeks, and less strenuous is a wonderful thing.
Finally, I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe holiday. All the best from me and G. :-)