Another Froufie Review - Jan 21-28, Carnival Liberty

[Froufie]

Tuesday, January 24 - If it’s Tuesday it must be St. Thomas

 

Room service smoked salmon/fruit arrives on schedule and very yummy. Pack up the bags and head out to try and find Sunny Liston (our tour is at 10 am St. Thomas time which is 9 am ship’s time but we only docked at 10 am hence some confusion on start times - but I knew that Sunny would be aware and would be waiting).

 

 

We wander off into the heat of the day checking out all the drivers and signs and finally find the Sunny gang - we are then directed to a van and sit for awhile awaiting other passengers. We are on tour #1 which includes shopping, touring and a beach visit before being picked up and brought back to the ship. About 5-6 hours altogether for $35 pp - very reasonable.

 

 

This is when I ask Bonnie if she remembered to bring the cash (I had left a $10 deposit as required for each of us and Bonnie was to pay the balance of $50) - well the look on her face told me she forgot her ‘envelope’ back on the ship! She has some cash - maybe $20! YIKES - luckily I happen to have my spending money on me - $50 which we use to pay for the tour....and hope we have enuf cash for the rest of the day!

 

On our way downtown:

 

We end up in downtown Charlotte Amalie for about 1 hr of shopping and Bonnie being a pandora bracelet fan is on the hunt for some beads......we visit all those high-end jewellry stores salivating over the gorgeous stuff but don’t find what we are looking for. Soon time to head back to the van.

 

We can see our ship from downtown:

 

We find Sunny’s van but alas our driver is Elvis and not Sunny himself - oh well. Elvis does try to get us all hyped up with music and singing - Bonnie and I join in as do a few others, but it seems to be a bit of an older crowd on this ‘van’ and they are not the ‘singing’ type!

 

We stop at several stops including the newly rebuilt Mountain Top which looks quite different than it did a few years ago. Much more ‘commercial’ looking.....I have a look around and buy myself a sterling silver ring while Bonnie gets some other souvenirs...then onto the ‘balcony’ for that gorgeous view of Magen’s Bay and the surrounding islands!

 

View from Pilgrim Terrace:

 

3 ships in port this day:

[Froufie]

Gorgeous shot of Megan's Bay from Mountain Top:

 

Bonnie makes a new friend!

 

Gorgeous flower outside!

 

Finally after the tour we head to Sapphire Beach - some of us are staying for a couple of hours while others are just stoppingn to take pics and heading back to the ship! As we turn into the Sapphire beach resort there is a collective gasp as we take in the beauty of the beach and that magnificent turquoise water - what a sight!

 

 

 

 

 

We discuss our pick up time and then head to the washrooms to change into our bathing suits. Bonnie uses some of her remaining cash to get us some lounge chairs ($7pp) and we find a sunny/shady spot to relax in and take in the view.

 

But we are now hungry! Hmmm - 1st we see a girl with menus - but cash only. Then a young man comes by - David, from the Sapphire Bar and Grill - and yes they take credit cards! YAAY- he drops off a menu and comes back a few minutes later to take our order (blackened ahi tuna wraps with seasoned fries - and a spicy sauce which luckily we get on the side - it’s very very hot!)...the menu included burgers, sandwiches, salads, fish and chips so something for everyone.

 

We have a delicious lunch with a fabulous view - then we head out to check out the fish and swim around a bit. You can see areas of grass/seaweed/rocks as you enter and I’m sure there are lots of ‘fish’ and things to see in those areas.

 

 

 

We did enter in the ‘sandier’ areas and swam around a bit - I took some underwater videos as well - but frankly we were happier just sitting and absorbing some rays.

 

Here is an underwater video of some 'friendly fish' at Sapphire Beach!

 

 

 

 

 

[NurseW2Kiddies]

Loving it Froufie!!! Thanks for writing. I didn't think I could get any more excited than I already was:D. My DH will be planning an intervention soon!

 

Loved the Piano Bar vids. Was that your lovely voice I could hear?? :D

[soccersharon]

Hi Froufie! We are doing the Sunny Liston tour #1 as well - funny, I'd like to visit Sapphire Beach as we visited Megan's Bay on our last trip...

 

Will appreciate all the details you can give on Sunny's tour :)

[Froufie]

Loving it Froufie!!! Thanks for writing. I didn't think I could get any more excited than I already was:D. My DH will be planning an intervention soon!

 

Loved the Piano Bar vids. Was that your lovely voice I could hear?? :D

 

If your dh needs help with the 'intervention' let me know I can certainly help out providing it is done ONBOARD the ship ha ha ha :p

 

...and most likely I am singing along in the background (couldn't help myself I guess? ;) )

[Froufie]

Hi Froufie! We are doing the Sunny Liston tour #1 as well - funny, I'd like to visit Sapphire Beach as we visited Megan's Bay on our last trip...

 

Will appreciate all the details you can give on Sunny's tour :)

 

We have done the Sunny Liston tour before - when cruising with the kids (and they still talk about it). Try and make sure you are on Sunny's van (he does have other drivers and his wife tours as well when he is busy!).

[Froufie]

Hi Froufie! Another EXCELLENT and well written review.....just sitting here and drooling!!!!!!

 

Hi Diane!!!

 

Thanks for stopping by :D:D....Glad you are enjoying the review! (but you gotta do something about all that 'drooling'!!:p)

[soccersharon]

We have done the Sunny Liston tour before - when cruising with the kids (and they still talk about it). Try and make sure you are on Sunny's van (he does have other drivers and his wife tours as well when he is busy!).

 

Just booked our tour with Sunny! I'm sure our driver will be great! I'm getting REALLY EXCITED now!

[NurseW2Kiddies]

If your dh needs help with the 'intervention' let me know I can certainly help out providing it is done ONBOARD the ship ha ha ha :p

 

...and most likely I am singing along in the background (couldn't help myself I guess? ;) )

 

 

 

Loved your "Holy Sh*t. Come on in." Made me giggle!!!:p

[Froufie]

Just booked our tour with Sunny! I'm sure our driver will be great! I'm getting REALLY EXCITED now!

 

Make sure to tell Sunny you are a friend of Froufie's! :)

[soccersharon]

Loved your "Holy Sh*t. Come on in." Made me giggle!!!:p

 

Brad Alexander used the same line! It was pretty funny to see how people reacted (some made a bee line to the exit, some were embarrassed - but came in anyway, and some lapped it up!).

[Froufie]

Loved your "Holy Sh*t. Come on in." Made me giggle!!!:p

 

It was so funny - you can imagine how hard I laughed the first time it happened - then had to try and 'capture' it to share - too funny - and it happened a lot! :D:D

[carol louise]

Since the show was before dinner tonight we took the opportunity to visit the piano bar and I am happy to report that it was packed and everyone was having fun - while piano man Bob is not the greatest singer - he is a good ‘entertainer’ and can show the crowd a good time. I had to take some videos in there cuz it was so funny - he had everyone already trained - so if you stepped in or peeked in the door he would stop playing and say “hey everyone look who’s here’ and the entire population of the bar would respond ‘holy sh it, come on in’ - it was HYSTERICAL (at least I thought so and just cracked up every time and yes it happened to me later in the week but of course I was expecting it).

 

 

First off, I want to say how much I am enjoying your review. I was on the same cruise, sailing solo, and did not take many photos, so it is really fun to re-live it and see your photos.

 

And I want to thank you for alerting people about the piano bar guy. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do after dinner the first or second night and I stopped for a moment at the door of this bar to see if it appealed to me. I was NOT expecting him to stop singing and announce over the microphone "HEY EVERYONE, LOOK WHO'S HERE" and for everyone in the room to turn to me and shout in unison "HOLY S***." This was just embarrassing and when they got to the "Come on in" I had already turned to escape. I noticed in passing, later during the cruise, this little trick had the same effect on some others who approached the door, too.

 

There were other singers on the ship I really liked, especially the combo with a female singer who performed opposite the casino. Also the country singer and ballad singer who took turns singing in the pool area and the atrium.

 

Thanks again for taking the time to write a review and include your wonderful photos! I look forward to the next installments.

[soccersharon]

Make sure to tell Sunny you are a friend of Froufie's! :)

 

Will do :)

[blondietink]

Anxiously waiting to read more! We are on Liberty in October. :D

[carol louise]

(duplicate post - sorry)

[soccersharon]

(duplicate post - sorry)

 

I would have done the same thing :) At least this time, we'll know what to expect!

[magic&buddy]

So excited to read another Froufie review!!!! :)

[Froufie]

Anxiously waiting to read more! We are on Liberty in October. :D

 

Bet you can't wait for your cruise! :)

 

So excited to read another Froufie review!!!! :)

 

Thanks so much!;)

[Froufie]

First off, I want to say how much I am enjoying your review. I was on the same cruise, sailing solo, and did not take many photos, so it is really fun to re-live it and see your photos.

 

And I want to thank you for alerting people about the piano bar guy. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do after dinner the first or second night and I stopped for a moment at the door of this bar to see if it appealed to me. I was NOT expecting him to stop singing and announce over the microphone "HEY EVERYONE, LOOK WHO'S HERE" and for everyone in the room to turn to me and shout in unison "HOLY S***." This was just embarrassing and when they got to the "Come on in" I had already turned to escape. I noticed in passing, later during the cruise, this little trick had the same effect on some others who approached the door, too.

 

There were other singers on the ship I really liked, especially the combo with a female singer who performed opposite the casino. Also the country singer and ballad singer who took turns singing in the pool area and the atrium.

 

Thanks again for taking the time to write a review and include your wonderful photos! I look forward to the next installments.

 

Glad you enjoying the review and pics - too bad we didn't get to meet on the cruise!

 

As for the piano bar somehow Bonnie and I slipped in 'unannounced' (maybe he was busy or something?or just didn't notice us wander in?)....but only moments later did we witness his 'welcome' and I can see how many would be embarrassed or mortified to have this kind of attention drawn to them when they just wanted to peak in to see what was going on!

 

Of course later on in the week when I walked in I got the 'special welcome' but was expecting it so no big deal!

 

Hope you enjoyed the Liberty as much as I did!;)

[mississauga]

Loving this review! Thanks for taking the time to write and especially thank you for sharing your photos. Looks like you had a great time.

 

Can't wait to enjoy the 2.0 upgrades on the Breeze. We're on the Inaugural.

[Froufie]

Loving this review! Thanks for taking the time to write and especially thank you for sharing your photos. Looks like you had a great time.

 

Can't wait to enjoy the 2.0 upgrades on the Breeze. We're on the Inaugural.

 

You're very welcome - glad you are enjoying it (and try and keep the Breeze in good shape for me as I'll be boarding in November for the Transatlantic cruise! :D:D)

[mississauga]

You're very welcome - glad you are enjoying it (and try and keep the Breeze in good shape for me as I'll be boarding in November for the Transatlantic cruise! :D:D)

 

 

Wish we could come on the TA with you. Love long cruises but we need time to recuperate from our Spirit b2b to OZ. You seem like a fun person to cruise with.:D

[Froufie]

Wish we could come on the TA with you. Love long cruises but we need time to recuperate from our Spirit b2b to OZ. You seem like a fun person to cruise with.:D

 

I am lots of fun - and if you want to bring me along on your Spirit cruise I can be your mascot or something? or tour organizer? Heck I'll even drag your luggage around for you!! (and pack and unpack it as required!) :D:D

[carol louise]

Glad you enjoying the review and pics - too bad we didn't get to meet on the cruise!

 

As for the piano bar somehow Bonnie and I slipped in 'unannounced' (maybe he was busy or something?or just didn't notice us wander in?)....but only moments later did we witness his 'welcome' and I can see how many would be embarrassed or mortified to have this kind of attention drawn to them when they just wanted to peak in to see what was going on!

 

Of course later on in the week when I walked in I got the 'special welcome' but was expecting it so no big deal!

 

Hope you enjoyed the Liberty as much as I did!;)

 

Absolutely, I enjoyed the Liberty. It was a different sort of cruise for me, very quiet and less "social" than I have been on previous cruises. I had a very stressful week just before the cruise, so I spent a lot of time on-board just unwinding, people-watching, listening to music, resting, and gazing at the sea. Looking forward to the continuation of your report.

 

Carol