Friday, December 29, 2017 – Bridgetown, Barbados – Partly Cloudy – 84F

Port Information. Barbados is the furthest east of the West Indies Leeward and Windward Islands. The island is only 21 miles long by 14 miles wide. Barbados was founded in 1627 and gained independence from Britain in 1966. The people on the Island are called Bajans. Bridgetown in the capital of Barbados boasting a population of around 100,000 or about a third of the total population of the island.

This is our second stop in Barbados in as many cruises.

We are both on tour today and early so we ordered room service again. I asked for three scrambled eggs today and I got at least that – along with Special K and bananas, no one is going to go hungry this morning. The tour runs through lunch so a bigger breakfast was in order.

The problem today is the number of ships here – NCL Gem, Windstar Pride, P&O Adonia, P&O Azura, Oceania Riviera.

NCL Gem

Oceania Riviera

The shuttles, which take you from the ship to the terminal are overloaded and slow (because all the equipment the ships are using are blocking the road). We were advised to make the 10 minute walk to the terminal building so hundreds of passengers marched in single file to the terminal building (using the sea wall path, which has a railing). An easy walk for the able and a tough walk for the mobility challenged).

As we started our hike to the terminal, I got a nice (albeit photobombed) shot of QM2.

We are both on “Best of Barbados” and today we are using full sized busses. My bus was completely full (36) and I was squished in the far right corner of the back seat. Our guide in Antheia and she is very easy to understand and also likes to sing an occasional song. The first stop on our tour is the Gun Hill Signaling Station – we have been by here several times on past excursions but never actually stop at the Station itself. Today, we are able to get the view from the station – looks over the flat Barbadian countryside.

Gun Hill Signaling Station

Next up is “Orchid World”, a nature preserve featuring all sorts of air plants. I started off down the hill with our group but the angle of the road was a problem for my back and the warning twinge sent me back up to the patio area near the entrance. While Ellen went through the flowers, I took in my complimentary rum punch (which was good).  I did get a few nice pictures of the vegetation before heading to the patio.

The Ramp that Told me NO

Banyan Trees

Coral

Luckily, there was a lot of stuff to see on my sort walk to the patio.

Our final stop was Sunbury Plantation – a cane sugar plantation and now a museum of sorts.

Sunbury Plantation House

Cannon in the Front Yard

The house last belonged to the Melvillles and there are creepy mannequin versions of the Melvillles sitting in the living room (Mr. Melville looks a lot like Dick Cheney).

Super Creepy Melville Statues

I took a cursory look around the house and then went to the back yard and got another complementary rum punch (this one even stronger than the first).

From the plantation, we headed back to Bridgetown – the tour did give everyone a feel for the island’s vegetation and terrain. On our return, we saw some of the main town’s sites including the statue of “Buster”, a key figure in the emancipation of the slaves on the island.

Back on the ship, we ordered room service snacks – a mushroom quesadilla and a tuna melt – they were hot and tasty and just enough to get us to dinner.

I heard from Dave, the Production Manager, that there had been another change in the schedule and that I was not on tomorrow’s program and that I would be delivering the final two talks on the last two sea days.

We are now permanently at Table 103 – we pre-ordered some veggie items off the special menu – I had the roasted pepper soup (very good), another yummy flatbread, and portabella mushroom with ricotta cheese main dish. There was lemon meringue pie for dessert and the coffee was good this evening.

We passed on the headliner tonight – Stephani Parker – a Whitney Houston tribute singer. We had seen a number of these acts so instead we went up the Commodore Lounge on Deck 9. When the show started, the place emptied out so it was the quiet evening we were looking for. I have been sneezing a lot on the ship and the drip has turned into a sore throat so I am glad I do not have to work tomorrow.

Thursday, December 28, 2017 – Basseterre, St. Kitts – Sunny – 82F

Dawn – St. Kitts

St. Kitts was sighted by Christopher Columbus in Voyage 2 (1493), who named the island after St. Christopher, the patron saint of travelers (and not himself as our guide told us). 

We are both of semi-early tours so we ordered room service. There was a little mix-up in the order and my scrambled eggs turned out to be the equivalent of half an egg. I did have oatmeal so I wouldn’t starve.

We are docked at Port Zante along side the Grandeur of the Seas.

We are on “The St. Kitts Scenic Railway” tour this morning. We went on separate minibuses (Deon was our driver-guide) on a mini-tour of Basseterre and surroundings (45 minutes) before hopping on the train.

Departing – From Through the Windscreen

 

A Catholic Cemetery

War Memorial

We passed a village called “Old World” by our guide, who told us that this was the first British settlement on the island.

First British Outpost

I spotted Brimstone Hill in the distance as we made our way to the train hop on point.

Brimstone Hill from the Van 

The train was an old narrow gauge machine pulling about four cars (Ellen and I met up in Car #2).

 

Leaving the Station

On Our Way

The train was super squeaky and noisy so it was hard to hear the narration – she sounded really good. The train supplied either Pina Coladas or punch as we rolled along the Caribbean and Atlantic Coastlines. The drink was good so I asked for seconds and the “bartender” made me another.

We saw lots of sugarcane fields (even though they are not currently producing), caught views of neighboring Nevis.

Nevis from the train

Brimstone Hill – a UNESCO World Heritage Site - also came into view. Brimstone Hill dates back to the 17^th century and was the site of a siege imposed by the British on the French.

We also got a nice look at the dormant volcano, Mt. Liamuiga (3793 feet).

Mt. Liamuiga

The Atlantic Ocean waves was clearly rougher than the Caribbean.

The Atlantic Ocean

The train ride took about two hours and ended up just outside Basseterre. The ride back took just about 10 minutes. We decided to just go back to the ship instead of wandering around Basseterre for a while (it was hot). I ran into Ellen at the entrance to the pier, where she was tending to a woman who fainted due to the heat. The guest was drinking and feeling a little better. I flagged down the guy who was shuttling people and told him we need to get the passenger to the QM2. The guy was charging $1 a person for the two minute ride – I picked up the tab for us and for the passenger. The passenger was able to make it up the gangway.

We got a late lunch and then out to the open deck.  From there, we were able to get good views of Basseterre and Nevis.

The sail away from St. Kitts was super scenic.

Ellen’s discussion with the Maître D’ seemed to work because we were assigned to Table 103, which had no neighbors and was very quiet. We had pre-ordered some veggie items – mushroom soup and a pizza flatbread for me. I had a pasta with creamy tuna sauce – not bad. Ellen tried the haddock. Overall, the meal was good and a quiet one as well. We pre-ordered veggie items for tomorrow’s meal.

Tonight’s entertainment was “Singers in Concert” featuring the Cunard Singers plus both orchestras, the string quartet, and the harpist. The singers were fantastic both individually and as a group. We have seen this show before but the song list seems to have changed. A very entertaining show.

Singers in Concert

A really nice day in St. Kitts.

Seas are smooth and the room is quiet.

Wednesday, December 27, 2017 – English Harbour, Antigua – Sunny – 82F

Unscheduled Sea Day

English Harbour is a tender port and this is our first time here. We are also both on tour today – Ellen has a very early tour so she ordered room service. I am on the afternoon version of the same tour so I had breakfast up in the Kings Court – the usual.

As I looked out the window upstairs, I noticed a little chop in the water but I also noticed that many of the tenders had not been lowered.

Ellen was in the Royal Court Theater and I was on my way down when the Captain said that because the vertical rise of the tender vs the pontoon was in excess of 3 feet, it was considered unsafe. There would be no tenders in the water today and no tours – instead, QM2 was going on a “Voyage of Discovery” i.e. a cruise to nowhere or an unscheduled sea day.

When I got back to the cabin, the phone rang and it was Chris, the assistant EM. Because of the new sea day, he wanted me to move up my next talk. “The Search for the Unknown Titanic Child”, to this afternoon at 2:15 PM in the Royal Court Theater. Chris also told me that all the talks would move up and the extra talk I brought along would be given on the final sea day. He had a copy of all the titles and we were set.

Dave, the Production Manager called next and asked me to come to the theater at 1:30 PM to check out the equipment.

Paul came on the PA system and announced the changes for the day and a new Programme was rapidly published and brought to the staterooms.

The weather was nice and we spent the morning on Deck 7.

The turnout in the theater was difficult to gage – Chris was supposed to introduce me but he didn’t show so I self introduced. The turnout was good (considering the short notice and the crowd would have filled the Illuminations venue).  The lower section was essentially filled and there were lots of people in the balcony. The talk went well and finished in 48 minutes to a really nice extended round of applause.

The rest of the afternoon was spent out on the deck. Since we moved our deck chairs back to get away from the breeze, this is my view of the ocean.

Storm at Sea

Dinner in the Britannia Room was very different tonight – we got a table for two but it was sandwiched between two other tables for two. The dinner was great tonight (I think because it seems my fork was always in mid air). Once one of the couples introduced themselves we knew that this would not be a quiet dinner. When they found out I was the lecturer, then both tables entered into a dinner long discussion. I never ate much of my delicious mushroom/cream pasta. Both couples left before we did so we had a moment to settle down. They meant well and it was nice to chat with them.  In our discussion with our table mates, we found out that the ship offered a vegetarian menu (some nice soups and a Caprese flatbread appetizer). We would check that out in the future.

The Entertainers tonight “Power of 2 – Ilia and Olesia” were supposed to board in Antigua so the show tonight became “Variety Showtime” – “Royal Cunard Singers and Dinners Jive” and Violinist Katarina Rossa – I liked her show this time out. I guess we will have to wait for another cruise to feel the Power of 2 and to visit Antigua..

Tuesday, December 26, 2017 – Crown Point Pier, St. Thomas, USVI – Partly Cloudy, 84 F

The weather is markedly warmer as we docked at our first Port of Call, Crown Point, St. Thomas.

Today, I had pancakes and an egg today from the buffet – a change up for my waffle cook.  The breakfasts are very good.

QM2 at Crown Point Marina

We don’t plan to take the walk or a taxi to Charlotte Amalie today – instead we are just going to check out the local vendors at Crown Point. We are parked next to the Celebrity Equinox so there are a lot of passengers wandering about. Being in St. Thomas also gives us a chance to make phone calls back to the US.

Celebrity Equinox

The vendors may have increased in number from the last time we were here.  We explored the whole area and did not find anything we needed to buy.  It’s a pretty warm day, so we returned to the ship for lunch.

St. Thomas from QM2

From where our ship is, it is difficult to see the damage caused by the September double hit by Hurricanes Maria and Irma. There seems to be power and the vegetation on the hills seems intact. It’s all deceptive because the island was without power and water for weeks.

We spent a cool and quiet afternoon on the outside deck. 

We are having continued good luck getting a table for dinner and the food has been pretty good. The Maitre D’ has been very helpful.

Comedy Magician Nathaniel Rankin (from Canada) is the headliner. Lots of juggling, cut neckties, and mind reading. We have seen him before and his act has changed little.  I think some people in the audience might have been recruited to be part of the act.  We met one guy who was asked to switch his tie for one supplied by the magician. 

Monday, December 25, 2017 – At Sea (Atlantic Ocean – Sunny Skies – Mid 70s

The cabin continues to be a quiet one and the sea is smooth so we are getting some sleep.  We are still in the Atlantic Ocean but getting closer to the warmer waters of the Caribbean.

I now have a pretty good arrangement with the waffle and pancake maker – he starts a waffle when he sees me. The waffles have improved daily since I started having them.  Again, all the other fixins are available and I get up there early enough to find a quiet place to sit.  Breakfast is OK.

It’s another beautiful day at sea – starting to get a little warmer still.  A great day to spend all your time on the open deck on a comfy lounger.

We pushed our loungers back away from the railing to get away from the breeze (and that way, it was warmer).

View from my Lounger

On Ellen’s advice I paused my current book (“Evidence of Murder” by Lisa Black) and started a new book she had already read: “Dinner at the Center of the Earth” by Nathan Englander. The book is about the Israeli – Arab situation but the storyline is hard to describe. It is interesting.

Before getting ready for dinner, I captured a wonderful sunset in the Atlantic.

Tonight is our second Formal Night.

Instead of going to the Dining Room, we had dinner in the Italian Café in the King’s Court – Caprese Pizza and pasta with mushrooms plus a Cesar Salad – very good.  I think the food here is better than the Dining Room and it is much quieter.  Tonight, it is not crowded.

The headliner tonight was Phillip Browne – West End Performer (Lion King) and former bus driver. He has a booming voice (very unusual and distinctive). He must have burned a 1000 calories moving around the stage. He was very entertaining – a good show.

After the show we went to the Queen’s Room to take in the Christmas Ball.  We managed to get some really good seats and it was fun watching the Gents pop around and dance with the single ladies.

The Christmas Ball

A nice day at sea.

Sunday, December 24, 2017–At Sea–Atlantic Ocean–Cloudy–60s

A smooth day at sea but too chilly to be out on the open deck.

My arrangement with the waffle maker continues to work out so breakfasts are turning out to be OK.  I am getting my own coffee refills as I empty cups faster than the wait staff can get back around. 

Another full day of lectures ahead.

I am starting off with the 10:00 AM lecture by Christine Roussel in Illuminations.  Christine is an art restorer and we have been on QM2 together in the past.  Her presentation – “Art Theft” – drew a pretty small turnout, which was very unusual based on past talks. 

Hanging out on Deck 3

At 11:00 AM, we head to the theater to hear the Celebrity Presenter, Sir Ivan Lawrence, speak on – “My Life of Crime: Defending the Infamous, etc”.  Sir Ivan is an amusing speaker with a lot of humor thrown in – some of the levity is Brit oriented so I didn’t understand it.

We had lunch up in the King’s Court buffet (Salad Bar and pizza).

In the afternoon, we attended the 3:30 PM presentation in Illuminations by Derek Fraser – “Caribbean Slavery” - such a down topic – we didn’t stay for all of it.

Once again, the Maitre D’ got us a table for two in the Britannia Dining Room.

Showtime tonight was “Jingle Bell Rock” – a wonderful show of secular songs by the wonderful singers and dancers. Very entertaining.  Ironically, one of the songs not performed was “Jingle Bell Rock”, which I had seen in the past and really liked.  Maybe, next time.