luv2cruise53

So into this imposing architecturaly indefinable structure I sauntered. It was rather sparse but had several rooms that traced the history of the dockyard, the history of Bermuda and a lot on colonization by...who knew...many portuguese interests.

So after being thoroughgly educated(30 mins) I headed back outside to visit the last exhibit....The Dolphins.

But first a pic of me....

Behind me is the Dawn so obviously I took this picture a couple of years ago, but today it is the same ocean, sky, stage and good looking guy so you get the drift.

Next up: The Dolphins

Kev:cool:

A day late and a couple dollars short...Kev has FINALLY returned. Geesh. Keep it coming! I need more Bermuda info! :p

Kim, I am leaving Bermuda in 3 hours. I posted 15 pages of info on Bermuda.....My God girl you be greedy. Go back and cut and paste this Bermudas info into a word doc from all the info previously posted...for now we only have the Museum, and the Dolphins left..then sailaway....Be a good mitsugirly....LOL Kev:cool:

Kevin, here's a name forgetting story for you! It's a good one! OK, so I am reading along for hours of your review (not complaining and thoroughly enjoying it) and giggling here and there. All of sudden, I come to the part where you are in the casino and you are betting your numbers, hmpf, I think, those are MY numbers. What a coincidence! Then I think, "yea, I remember on my Spirit cruise there was a guy that was betting the same numbers as me". This guy would come and sit and LOSE to 29 and then leave and sometimes later would come and check to see how 29 was doing.

 

But, I continue reading! Then, BING, DING DING DING...it hits me KEV! Yep Kev, you and I were on the Spirit together in March 2012. You and I sat down together on the pool deck and you showed me pictures of a prior cruise on your Kindle Fire. I do remember teasing you about your Boston accent and then you said "ME? You're talking about ME having an accent" LOL! Yea, well, I guess I do have that southern Louisiana accent don't I?

 

I can NOT believe I read about 10 pages of your review until I realized who you were! Notch one up for the Cajun Blonde!

 

Enjoying your review! Bermuda is definitely in the future cruise bucket!

How nice to hear from you again. I truly loved that Spirit cruise. How are things in the Bayou?...Anyways, I am mad you only giggled a little here and there....I thought I was writing in high comedic prose....

After I finish this review I will be doing our Spirit cruise review and I will need your help correcting my mistakes as it has been almost a year.

Nice to hear from you,,,,say hi to hubby.

Kev:cool:

So out of the $5.00 gate:

and into the $7.50 gate....

Apparently it costs more to be educated and culturized than to swim, snorkel and get drunk.

So it opened to a nice somewhat claustrophobic courtyard that had arrow sign posts describing how easy it might be to get lost..which Kev promptly did. I found a family who were doing the Segway's and I snapped a pic.

I decided to head to my left cause it looked like the place to start so I followed the path and came to some armament holes and some stairs leading to these tight tunnels that lead to nothing and so I left there and regained sunshine and checked out the meadow which had some kind of Bermudian animals that were a cross between a sheep and a cow.I decided I would call them sheecows. I can't find a picture but take my word on this anomaly.

So after this dose of scenic culture I decided i would check out this museum up the hill to the right.

Up next: Educating Kev

So when I left off a couple...LOL...days ago I was in Snorkel park Beach.

Whereas I had paid my $5.00. I decided that this was kinda a rip off as the beach was kind of below par, and horseshoe Beach was free. But as they say, when in Rome...

Kev had paid so Kev would stay for a bit even though I do not do the snorkel. It should also be noted that I had no intention of giving that bar/restaurant any more $$$. I did have my beach duds so I figured I would swim about for a few.

and maybe watch some volleyball.

It really was a pretty spot all kidding aside, so I climbed up to that bars second for some Kev Arials.

And after a swim and some lounging it was going on 1:00 so I figured I would spend no more, tan no more, swim no more, snap no more and become a cultural guru next door at the Fort and Museum.

Up next:

The fort and the museum and a chance to watch swimming with the dolphins.

Kev:cool:

Kev is scheduled back today. Wait, I think he was due back yesterday. :eek:

I Love ya Camz I really do. What is holding me up is dumping my last photos into Photobucket....the worlds worst program ever created so I can zip along. Also I am putting away my Xmas stuff, cleaning, cutting my hair,applying for a job and generally doing nada....:D

Cleaning....Check

Haircut....Check

Xmas Away....Check

Job app....Check

Photobucket....Check

So now I have no excuses left and I better hop to it....Or I will lose my loyal followers..

Thy will be done.

Kev:cool:

Have patience loyal followers, Kev is back and will resume tomorrow....

Stellaaaah!!!!!:eek:

Next Up:

Bermuda Sailaway

The Bier garten

Back to La Cucina!!!

The Bier Garten

The Bier Garten

The Bier garten

Bed:eek:

Ha Ha...2 years....I just located it way off the boards and brought it back to page 2.....I am done with family and done with school till Feb so I fully expect to get out of Bermuda and finisgh ASAP. Strap in, it's gonna get bumpy and fun....:rolleyes:

If anyone who wants to see the Star from a somewhat drunken solo perspective:eek:....that hasn't already...here is my link:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1732203&page=17

Kev:cool:

Hey Kim

This review is awesome. It gives me a great perspective of a family cruise. As anyone knows my aspect is from a solo crazy one. As anyone who has read my review knows.

I did this same itinerary last march on the Spirit, but amazingly I did completely different excursions at every port. In Roatan I did Gumbalina Park and it was the best excursion I have ever taken.

These same ports and different excursions will be reviewed in my upcoming Spirit review if I ever finish the darn Star Bermuda review. LOL

Kev:cool:

Wow....Kev procrastinated and got bumped completely from the board..

I apologize and I will finish.

Luv Kev:D

At this rate, you just may finish your review before Kev finishes his Star to Bermuda review. :D

Thanks a lot Camz...though you may be right....LOL anyways...my review is special and requires patience...right.....

I hope to complete sometime in 2013...OK ....OK

Luv kev:cool:

Anyone that has read my reviews knows that I like to do a thorough job with pictures included and a link to additional pictures. However, thanks to the awesome review that “Kev” aka Gambee, I decided I would do it a little different this time around. I’m not sure how I’m going to do the ports because usually I do each port individual, in 1 posting, with the allowed 6 images only, and a link to additional pictures. I do this so that people on any of the Ports of Call boards that ask a question about a place I’ve been, I can link them to JUST that posting within the review. We’ll see how it goes.

 

*Disclaimer* I tell my story through my eyes. This may or may not be the experience other cruisers have had with the Star or ports or even those that were on board with me. I’m honest, I’m not too hard to please with service or food, and try to have the mentality of any cruise is a good cruise because you are not at home, work, or school right? I will make reference to the good and the bad and it’s made as an observation and might not necessarily mean that it would provoke me to discourage others from trying it or having their own experience. This is MY experience only.

 

We booked with NCL after returning from our Pearl cruise back in March. I’ve always wanted to sail on the Star, which seemed to always be in Bermuda and I’ve always wanted to go there, and thought I would hold out and book my Bermuda cruise on the Star. So, originally we booked the Epic, which we have already been on when she was new in 2010. We LOVED her so and wanted our 4 year old to experience the Epic as well. (That year was a mommy and daddy only cruise). However, prices dropped drastically on another ship and I just couldn’t pass up the deal. We then changed to the Dawn out of Tampa. Then magically I found out that the Dawn would now be cruising to Bermuda come next year when the Breakaway comes and the Star gets “bumped” from her port, so I decided that I would need to sail the Dawn at that time INSTEAD. LOL So we changed once again to the Star. Hey, I’m a girl and I change my mind a lot. (If you haven’t figured it out yet, my goal is to sail the fleet and don’t want to do the same ship over. I know, I have big dreams and not enough time or money to do it, but I can at least have fun working on it right?)

 

So its official, we are going on the Star out of NOLA (which we sailed the Spirit out of NOLA last year and LOVED it). We are staying with this ship this time. No more changing our minds (I say “our” loosely, like if my husband had a choice or even a say in the matter. He just sits back, I do the research, I book everything and as he says “I just show up and enjoy it”).

 

I have to say I really liked her “smile” and had seen interior pictures of the Atrium prior to booking and I’m one of those that like the WOW factor when entering the ship. I hate that a lot of the ships have gotten rid of the beautiful stories tall atrium with glass elevators and waterfalls. This definitely looked like one of those “wow” ships.

 

 

 

We did get the “kids sail free” promo, the $100 HSN OBC with the booking, the $25 latitudes OBC, and $100 OBC from our TA agent. Win-win!! We always book the cheapest interior room we can find. This allows us to cruise more often and spend more on other things. We are on the go all the time and only come to the room to change, shower and sleep. So, it just doesn’t make sense to book anything else at this point.

 

At one point NCL had drastically reduced the price and we were able to get upgraded to a room with a view…well, supposedly a port hole view of one of the life boats on board, but hey, it’s some light in the room. We remained on the same deck (deck 8) and in the same location (mid/front ship area) and from the looks of the blueprints to the deck, maybe the obstructed view just might not be so obstructed after all. We’ll see when we get there.

 

A little about me: I started cruising in the 80’s (with NCL) and did a cruise in the 90’s with RC. We started cruising again in 2010 and this is now our yearly vacation (with this year taking 2 cruisesßmy goal from now on if we have the time to swing it). I’m in my 40’s, my husband in his 30’s.We’ve been married for a little over 6 ½ years and going on our 11th year together. I have 3 grown children (ages 26, 24, 18 who have all cruised with me years ago and are by my first husband of 18 years) and 1 small child (who is 4 and this is her 3rd cruise and she is HOOKED!!! It’s all she talks about. Yea what can I say; she’s a little consumed with it like her momma). I also have 2 grandbabies, also age 4. I know… this is the part that everyone gasps at. Yes, me, my daughter, and daughter-in-law were all pregnant at the same time. Yes, we planned it that way. Yes it was a blast and yes the 3 of the little ones are VERY close. I’ve been trying to get all of my kids to go on a cruise with me (and was successful in getting my daughter and her boyfriend on our Pearl March cruise) but not all of them at the same time.

 

I work part time at the local hospital in the Emergency Room. I started working there in 1984. Yea, I’ll probably die working there still. I just love the environment, helping people, and yes…even the gory stuff!!! I’m in school to become a nurse and will graduate in May 2014 (can anyone say cruise graduation present? Not like I wouldn’t have taken one anyhow right?). My husband owns his own company and works from home now (after closing his shop) in order to play “daddy daycare” as he calls it while I go to school.

 

We have been cruising exclusively with NCL since we started cruising in 2010. We have been on the Epic, Spirit, Pearl and now Star. We have the Dawn and Jewel for next year. I don’t know, we just like the “Freestyle” aspect of NCL and we buy the cruise rewards certificates each cruise and it’s just been a line we have come to love. (Although I will admit, SOMEDAY my goal is to cruise the Oasis or Allure…what an experience that would be!)

Thank you for the heads up....and yes I agree with you on everything from...insides that can get bumped...to Loving NCL and Freestyle...cruise rewards etc...and yes I secretly wish to try the Oasis and or Allure.

Don't tell anyone... I am so glad you are reviewing...Jeesshhh I still haven't finished my October Star to Bermuda but I am getting there. I am not sure what you were saying about the Dawn, but it appears she is sailing April to September out of Boston to Bermuda through 2015. I would have booked her for June, but I wanted to try the new Breakaway...for a few bucks more, but still cheaper for me because of solo cabins.

I will now read your review and chime in at will....cause I am Kev and I do that ...LOL

:cool::cool:

Wait, what did I miss? Did you go on the Spirit? Or going on the Spirit? That's my favorite "small" ship so far. It's the only ship (of the smaller fleet) that I would ever cruise on again if I could. Fill me in!

I went out of New Orleans on The Spirit, March 11-18-2012. So it will be a see if I can remeber review.

Kev:cool:

I can certainly see you as a travel writer! You remind me of Anthony Bourdain on the travel channel.

Wow...what a nice accolade....I am honored...I would love to write travelogues...I am pretty good at it, but there is not much of a market for it...I will try to polish up my skills with the next few reviews...and will be thankful for any tips....

Kev:cool:

Anthony Bourdrain never waivers when asked to try local drinks or customs....dat be me....LOL:D

You better get going Kev...I've already started my Star review from last week and people are betting I'll have mine done at the rate I'm going before you have yours done. ;) :p

I saw that ...you are so good...I am a procrastinator...I know...but I will finish ASAP...then start my Spirit review....

It is not nice to hang people on a review...but I have been crazy and being Kev...I will endeavour to bring a happy conclusion.

Kev:cool:

I am back from the family Christmas stuff...trust me when I say tht could be a review in itslf...Drama galore..but family is family...anyways, my sister and her hubby and my two nephews (21) are debating on the Breakaway for June 09, so I am hopeful for a family cruise. I will now finish the Star review and shortly thereafter will start a new thread for my Spirit March review.

I hope all my loyal followers and everyone had a nice holiday.

Kev:cool:

So reluctantly I had to head back to The Dockyard, I drove through that imposing gate one last time till next June and drove around the dockyard a few times cause it wasn't quite 12:30. I zoomed past the choo choo a couple times looking like I was gonna side swipe em just to fake out the people movers, whose usual excitement tends toward how many plates they can fit on a mover.

Apparently the Clocktowers are the Dockyard Centerpiece

But the Entire complex is quite impressive.

So I dropped off the scooter, parked it in back, then walked out road to drop off helmet and keys....stepped in horse %$#$#@ in my flip flops....NOT Funny, rather oozy gross... walked over to the docks, climbed down onto pier, dangled foots into boat acess and had to use a lot of sand to scrub out &^%$#@ Stop Laughing, this is not funny....yeah it is actually. So now I had my purse and clean, relatively, feet and decided to head over to Snorkel park Beach. This is perhaps the worlds most expensive sliver of sand...$5.00... known to mankind.

But its Bermuda kids,...ya better get used to plopping down some green for the best place on earth.

Up next:

More Snorkel park,

The Fort Museum and flipper

Kev

So out of the glass beach and immediately up the coral rise to Fort Scaur. Seaglass beach and Fort Scaur are a beautiful scenic 20 minute walk from the dockyard....

There is a long switchback hill I had to take, but if ya walked you could sidecrab it LOL...anyways, parked scooter, several tour vans etc,...not much of a fort as far as Bermuda forts go but very nice and pleasant. Notice I say pleasant a lot today....most likely cause...It was very pleasant.....until who should I espy....yep...The farting princess and her hubby...LOL..haven't seen em all week....Toot goes that pleasant morn...just kiding...

And a beautiful Beach Below, Thank you very much, Last swim anyone????

Next Up:

Dockyard Grand Tour

Some dolphins, a $5.00 Beach

Lunch and Dockside Cafe....(Rum Marine Shop):D

Kev:cool:

So after my Hammered Head shook off the clouds, I showered and dressed for the sunny 84 degree day. Again....Wow, blessed with great weather, not a drop of rain and mid70s at night 80's days.....Love it...Love Bermuda. So decided I would buffet it and headed up to deck 12...No pizza boxes in hallway, so I think the others got the message.Buffet was more crowded than usual but I guess that the 8:30 time was reason. Let me say this about washy washy, girls, there are always 2 at both port and star sides and they are always pleasant and polite ...No grand songs or washy tantrums, just nice and pleasant. bellied up...to the buffet ..as they say ...and by now I had a sizeable belly increase,,, couldn't be the frozen drinks so must be Bermuda air...LOL.

The morning buffet really grew on me...and I mixed and matched all sorts of delectables and even had my good sausage and several chocolate milks.

After Bkfst I headed back to 5501 and packed my shoulder bag....not a purse...LOl and headed off ship and to the scooter parking lot. I was bound for a palce called Blacks Bay Beach which is a sea glass beach and is a 20 minute walk from Dockyard, or take the 8 or 9 bus or like me scooter for 5 minutes and turn right.

Which I did.....There was a beautiful, cove area with a couple of picnic tables and the small beach looked rocky....which turned out to be ....come on....guess....seaglass...who knew?

It was now 11:00 ish and scooter had to be back by 12:30ish so I decided to head up to that fort that i passed earlier at the top of the coral road rise.

Kev

Enjoying your review very much. We were on the March 18 Spirit sailing...wondering if you were on the same one. It was my son's first cruise, he loved it, and we are leaving friday on our third one this year!

Hi Beachlover, I missed you by a week as I cruised March 11th. We were probably a block away embarking and disembarking.:D

I am definetly going to do a NOLA Spirit review afdter this one is done.

Kev:cool:

We will be sailing on the Star from NOLA in April. What inquiring minds want to know is more about the ship.

 

Norine

Norine, How can I possibly tell you more...I covered it from top to bottom and back for over 250 posts....I don't think there is anything more I can possibly tell you, but watch for:

Chocaholic Buffet

Elements Show

Bermuda Sailaway

Bingo Bust

Kev:cool:

Found this thread back on page 4 again. :eek: The saga must continue..... :D

Yes, Last paper handed in at 5:00 PM Today....Nothing left to do but finish this revoo...LOL:D

I think I will be sad when it is over but I was just thinking, I never reviewed my Spirit from Last March so maybe I will do that to entertain myself. that one was out of New Orleans so you can imagine what a debacle that will be,....LOL

Next Up Day 6

Blacks Bay...Sea Glass Beach

Return of the scooter

Lunch at the pizza joint in dockyard

Snorkel park Beach

The fort and the dolphins

relaxing on the waterfront

Kev:cool:

Ok Kevin, me thinks you will be tracked down on the breakaway by many of us and held hostage with mudslides until you cough up all the tourist tips that we've made no effort to write down. Having our own guide will be fun lol.

Thank's I think:D Mudslides would work....Anyways, I will re-post all the Bermuda stuff as we get closer to our Breakaway...you know like maps, and bus/ferry schedules/and things to do and all that stuff.

I am also thinking I will organize a scooter tour on day 1, for those who rent scooters and I will bring everybody to all the spots and then they casn be on their own. Most people fear not only the left handed driving but also of getting lost, and there really are only 3 main roads....and every road seems to lead everywher...LOL

Kev:cool:

Found this thread way back on page 4. We can't have that..... Bump, bump it up...... :)

Thanks Camz...I am handing in a seminar paper tonite, then I will go as far as I can before I begin last 9 page paper tomorrow. I hope to be done, or done enough by Staurday....whewwwww

Kev:cool:

We are booked on the NCL Breakaway in May 2013 (inaugural cruise to Bahamas) and 2014. The 2014 is our wedding cruise. We will be married onboard by a member of the crew and an Episcopal priest from our church here in Boise, ID.

 

Beachmonkey (Robert and Ralph)

I am booked in a solo cabin on the Breakaway to Bermuda June 09, 2013.:cool: