Jamman54

After stopping and picking up two beach towels on the Lido, (thanks Edy!), I make my way back to the cabin where Patti and I prepare our beach bags for today. We decided to do this Carnival Excursion: Magen's Bay Beach & Skyride to Paradise Point Starting at: $69.99 / Adult (ages 13 and over) $54.99 / Child (ages 12 and under) Moderate Activity Level, No Minimum Age, 3.5 hours Details: Enjoy two of St. Thomas's most popular attractions in one excursion. Meet your driver at the pier side to transfer to the heart shaped, palm lined Magen's Bay. Enjoy a scenic overlook and photo opportunity from Drake's Seat. Legend has it that Privateer Sir Frances Drake commanded his fleet from this very spot! After you take your photos continue on to Magen’s Bay. The admission is included to the dazzling Caribbean Beach. Enjoy a wonderful relaxing time as you swim in the turquoise waters, and sunbathe on the soft white sand feeling the gentle breeze of the ocean! Plenty of restrooms are located along the beach. A welcoming bar offers many refreshing and delicious drinks for purchase. Have an appetite? Enjoy a pizza, hamburgers, and much more at the well-known “Hungry” cafeteria. If you want to purchase a souvenir or just go shopping, visit the nearby gift shop. After two hours at this lovely oasis, meet your driver to continue on to your to your next destination, St. Thomas SkyRide to Paradise Point. The state of the art SkyRide whisks you 700 ft above sea level for the most spectacular views of St. Thomas. As you soar, you will see the harbor of Charlotte Amalie, and the ship docked below. Don't forget your camera to take amazing pictures! While enjoying the views, purchase food or beverages, and browse the many shops. When you are ready, the admission bracelet allows for the return trip back down the mountain to the main street where the ship is docked directly across the street. We could have done this on our own for much cheaper, but there was something appealing to catching our ride right by the ship, as opposed to walking a short distance to the taxi stand. Lol. We were off the ship at 9:15am for our 9:30am tour. We found our meeting spot and were led to our safari truck. Here’s Patti at her window seat…. Here are a few views as we wait for one straggling person to show up….. We are on our way. Here are a few views as we head through town and then up the hills, where we’ll have a great view of the Venezia….. To be continued…..

We are not planning to eat breakfast this morning, but I am going to go to the Java Blue Café for my morning coffee. I bring the camera with me to capture the towel invasion….. To be continued…..

Day # 18 - 10/10/23 - Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas (8am – 4pm). We are up at 6am to another sunny and warm day. The seas are calm as we approach St. Thomas…… Captain Cenzo has us docked at 7am, a full hour earlier than our scheduled time of arrival….. Here are some views from our balcony….. Here are today’s Fun Times….. Looking at the Aft Camera, we can see that a towel invasion has taken place….. To be continued……

Yes, about a block away. 😀

Here are some more views from the Fantastick Patrick Show…… It was a great show! Afterwards, Patti posed with Joey for a picture….. Patti was tired so she went back to the cabin for the night. She put in the miles today in that heat, so who could blame her. I decided to head to the Amari Bar and visit Zora….. Four Pain Reliefs later, it was time to head to late night comedy in the Teatro Rosso. Tonight, Cruise Director Joey is taking the stage…. He was very funny. I gave him a solid 8.5 out of 10! I decided to call it a night, so back to the cabin I went. Goodnight! Coming up next: Our final port of call, St. Thomas!

Tonight, we are heading to the Teatro Rosso for the Viva Variety Show starring Fantastick Patrick….. Cruise Director Joey gets the crowd ready….. Here are some views from the Fantastick Patrick Show….. To be continued…..

We were a little hungry so we went up to the deli for some sandwiches and fries, topped off with some cooling frozen yogurt. We went back to the cabin to relax until sail away. Here is tonight’s sunset….. The Pilot Boat heads out….. We are sailing from St. Maarten….. To be continued……

I had thought about hanging out at Sharkey’s while Patti browsed the shops, but it was just too hot out, so I went back to the ship and took a cool shower. Patti went exploring for a little while…… After about 45 minutes Patti heads back to the ship….. Here is today’s towel animal. In reality, a couple more towels for Patti’s collection….. To be continued……

After finishing our drinks, we decided to take the next Water Taxi back to the port area. Here are views of the beaches from the Water Taxi pier….. Now on the Water Taxi, we are heading back to the port….. Captain Enzo is on the Water Taxi with us after enjoying some shore time….. Looks like the whole family is hanging out now….. To be continued……

We were on the Venezia for 21 days in September / October. There is not a dedicated library on the Venezia, just a couple of shelves on Deck 11 mid ship. This picture was taken early in our cruise. My wife Patti, who is an avid reader, said by the end of the cruise there were many more books, probably left by fellow passengers.

If it's a Journeys cruise, which I believe it is, there will be a 3rd elegant night called the Captains Dinner which will take place on the Throwback Sea Day. That sea day will happen sometime mid cruise. 😎

Maybe Blerk One figured you out. 😜

We would do a S2S with either the Liberty or Getaway. For your 25th treat yourself to a 7 day cruise for your 2nd leg. Pick your ship based on itinerary & pricing. Have fun planning, and see you on the Valor!

Patti is back on the boardwalk and heading back to the Dutch Blonde Beach Bar….. Patti has made it back to the Dutch Blonde Beach Bar where she has a couple of well-deserved ice cold Malibu Bay Breezes. She has walked quite a few miles on this brutally hot day. Well done babe!!! To be continued…..

Here are a few views down by the marina….. Patti checks out the action on Front Street….. To be continued……

Patti is exploring Back Street….. Looking down Old Street….. There’s a playground by the beach….. To be continued……

Patti is going to head down the boardwalk to the far end of the beach….. Now that’s a good deal! Patti’s heading down to the end…. Here are some views looking back towards town….. To be continued…..

I have chosen the Dutch Blonde Beach Bar as my Husband Daycare for today….. I’m in my happy place now….. This is my view of our ship….. Patti heads out to begin her picture tour. I start knocking down Coronas. I haven’t eaten yet today, so if I’m going to drink I need some food in me. I order a grilled ham and cheese sandwich and some fries. They really hit the spot! To be continued…..

We are approaching Phillipsburg, St. Maarten….. Once on land, the first order of business is to pick a Husband Day Care for me. There are so many choices! To be continued…..

I’m picking up our Water Taxi tickets….. Apparently, seniors don’t get a discount here anymore….. We have our tickets. This way to the Water Taxi….. This guy’s just hanging out at the Water Taxi pier….. There are two Water Taxis running. This one is headed back to the port….. Our Water Taxi sells beer! We are on our way to town……. To be continued…..

We left the ship at 10:30am….. Here are some port area views….. To be continued…..

Here are today’s Fun Times….. We have no specific plans today, except to try and stay out of the sun, so we’ll get off after the initial rush. I’m not hungry, but I’ll make my usual stop at the Java Blue Café for my morning coffee, and then back to the cabin to work on pictures. Patti is hungry, so she heads up to the Lido Marketplace for some breakfast. Here are some views from our balcony….. Looking across the Great Bay….. To be continued…..

Day # 17 - 10/09/23 - Phillipsurg, St.Maarten (9am – 6pm). We were up at 7am to another sunny and very warm day. The seas were very calm as we approached Phillipsburg, St. Maarten….. The Pilot has arrived….. A short time later Captain Enzo guides the Venezia to her berth…… We have arrived in St. Maarten, a full hour early! To be continued……

Remember back when I said Patti requested to Edy that we wanted three sets of towels? Well, since that was so difficult for him to remember that, Patti started disassembling the towel animals for the extra towels. She had a whole pile of towels in the closet by the end of the cruise! 😁

We're along for the ride as well! 😁