GAPearl's Second Valor Review- Solo Southern Caribbean Cruise! (2/24/13)

[teetee6263]

I would love one too right now. I haven't tried making them at home, but since I have so much rum I brought back from Barbados, I think I might, maybe even tomorrow! :)

 

Love love love Miami Vice, make them all the time at home. Make em just as good & even stronger the way I like em, but i must admit they do taste much better on Lido....must have something to do with the sea air;)

[skittl1321]

Af

 

What happens in the Eagle's Lounge STAYS in the Eagle's Lounge!

 

 

My last cruise director (Tex) said "What happens on a Carnival ship....ends up on youtube 3 days later."

 

 

I am loving your reviews. While waiting for more from this one I actually went back and read all your other ones. Fabulous! They just all sound like SO much fun. I keep telling my husband "we should go to the disco and dance until 3 a.m." and he tells me "uh, you go to bed at 10 and I don't dance- I don't think that is going to happen" I guess we all cruise in our own way- haha

[SexyK]

Good review. Enjoyed your others also. I have to learn to pack like you. I like to take extras you never know what may happen or who you may meet. Keep up the excitement.

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the report!

[gapearl]

Cruise- Day 4! Barbados!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[gapearl]

I slept very hard the night before, so hard I didn’t hear the anchor drop in the morning. I was eventually up around 8:30 am and was out the door to grab a quick bite an hour later. On today’s agenda was a trip to The Boatyard to have a nice beach day, as well as swim with the sea turtles. The taxi area was organized chaos! Go to this van, go to that van! It was a mess and a little frustrating. It was only $5 one way and about a 10 minute ride (we dropped off others downtown for shopping first), or you could walk there in about 20-30 minutes.

 

 

The Boatyard.

 

 

Once at The Boatyard, I had to pay a $12 entrance fee. That included a chair, umbrella, free drink, and a taxi ride back to the ship. They have free internet, but it’s only available in the immediate bar area and very slow. I could get online just long enough to check in on Facebook, and that took about 10 minutes. A local guy approached me for a jet ski for $20 (I can’t remember if that was for 15 or 30 minutes). I declined, but asked him if he knew of any boat operators that could take me out snorkeling with the sea turtles. He made a phone call and less than 5 minutes later, a boat as yellow as my nails pulled up. I told him I was by myself and asked if that was ok because I didn’t mind waiting for others, and he said it was fine. For an hour and a half, he would take me to swim with the turtles and then snorkel at a shipwreck. I got my own private tour for $20! My guide’s name was Neville.

 

 

Neville drove me about 10 minutes to the other side of the beach where a couple of other small boats were parked. He provided me with snorkeling equipment and I was ready to hit the water. I took a bad step on the way down the ladder and ended up hitting my arm and lip instead. Man, that hurt! But I’ll survive. The cut on my lip healed in a few hours, but I’m still wearing Band-Aids on my arm as I write this 2 weeks later. When I got in the water, immediately I felt how choppy it was. I’m normally a pretty good swimmer and don’t need a life jacket when I snorkel, but today I did. Neville handed me a life jacket that I didn’t put on all the way, but just used as a floatie. Here come the turtles!

 

Turtle pictures from the boat.

 

 

 

[gapearl]

These are some beautiful, amazing creatures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jaxstiles]

<3 LOVE these pics of the turtles!! :)

[gapearl]

 

 

 

Originally, I was contemplating swimming out to the turtles on my own. I even went to the Barbados board to ask how many people had done it and how far was it. You can see from this picture it wasn't far and would have been a manageable swim. This is not zoomed in. You really can swim out on your own when you see a few boats. However, I'm glad I didn't because the water was a bit rough today. Again, this was on the other side of the beach away from The Boatyard. I'm not sure the exact name of the beach area where we were here.

 

[gapearl]

After about 45 minutes, we headed to the shipwreck. I could see a lot on the way since Neville's boat had a glass bottom area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[gapearl]

The morning got even better when I got back on Neville's boat and he poured me a glass of some potent frozen rum punch.

 

 

That's the Jolly Roger. I really wanted to book this when I first started my planning for this cruise. Even though food and drinks are included, $90 was a bit much. The tour goes from 11-3, so that wouldn't have left me with any real beach time before or after either. All those people paid 90 bucks, and I paid 20 for a private tour. I think I came out ahead! If you're looking for a fun, cheap, quick snorkel trip in Barbados, find Snorkel Wid Neville!

 

 

 

Back at The Boatyard.

 

 

Police patrolling the beach.

 

 

The water toys and rope swing area.

 

[gapearl]

I saw two of the guys from my dinner table and we found 3 beach chairs together in the first row. We got settled in and I headed to the bar to order some food.

 

The prices are listed in Barbados dollars. For US dollars, just divide the price listed by 2.

 

 

 

 

 

I had a chicken sandwich and fries for $11.

 

[jabberjaw070596]

We were at the Boatyard at the same time :D I have been scanning pics looking for myself and DH!!

[gapearl]

I fell asleep under my umbrella for what must have been at least an hour. It was really hot, so I headed out to the ocean to cool off and got to talking to a girl from Canada. She said the bartenders called for all the cruisers to come to the bar for a free shot. I hate I missed that! Lucky me, it was happy hour though.

 

 

Two rum punches for $4.50. :D

 

 

Rum punch by the cop.....

 

 

Rum punch in the ocean.....

 

 

I just can't get enough of this stuff. :D

[gapearl]

A couple more shots before leaving.

 

 

 

I packed up and left The Boatyard around 3 pm. It was a short, 5 minute cab ride back to the ship.

 

 

A little welcome back music from a reggae band.

 

 

A table with cold water if you need it.

 

 

One of the posters here, Leo's Rule, had mentioned in her southern Caribbean review some rum punch in Barbados called Cockspur. Once at duty free, I found a bottle of it for $8, as well as two other bottles of local rum for $5. When I passed through security, they said make sure you go check it at the table. I said ok and went straight to my room. Believe me when I say they're not paying attention. If they were, what I was planning to do was to turn over one bottle and take the other two to my room. Yay me, I ended up with this!

 

[gapearl]

For dinner, I had two orders of the vegetable spring rolls from the every day menu, and the chicken sicilian style from today's menu.

 

 

 

 

You should already know by now what I had for dessert.

 

 

Each night, a girl came around offering a different fruity shot with a souvenir glass. One of the guys at my table ordered a round for everyone. It was called sexy in the sky. Did they name that for me? hahaha

 

 

[gapearl]

 

 

Tonight was the mega deck party. It started at 10:15 pm and was in full swing by the time I got there at 10:30. They did the usual line dances. I didn't join in this time, but just sat back and watched while drinking a huge glass of rum punch, compliments of Barbados. :) The Mexican buffet was tonight as well. I never ventured over there to see what they had. I was so stuffed from dinner, I wouldn't have been able to eat anything else anyways.

 

Conga line coming to an end.

 

 

[funinthesun1964]

A couple more shots before leaving.

 

 

 

 

 

I packed up and left The Boatyard around 3 pm. It was a short, 5 minute cab ride back to the ship.

 

 

 

A little welcome back music from a reggae band.

 

 

 

A table with cold water if you need it.

 

 

 

One of the posters here, Leo's Rule, had mentioned in her southern Caribbean review some rum punch in Barbados called Cockspur. Once at duty free, I found a bottle of it for $8, as well as two other bottles of local rum for $5. When I passed through security, they said make sure you go check it at the table. I said ok and went straight to my room. Believe me when I say they're not paying attention. If they were, what I was planning to do was to turn over one bottle and take the other two to my room. Yay me, I ended up with this!

 

 

HAHA!

 

You are bbbbad to the bone! :D BAD TO THE BONE :p

[gapearl]

 

The guys from the entertainment staff were so funny. They were having way too much fun.

 

 

Is the assistant cruise director doing the wobble in the hot tub? Why yes he is! :D

 

 

Are they all now in the hot tub with one of the guys wearing a balloon hat from Senor Frogs? Why yes they are! :D

 

 

I would fit right in with them! Someone start a petition! Kim for cruise director!!!!!!

 

Next installment: The ultimate vacation workout.

[vsangel41108]

Me too, they are so cute!

 

I've been thinking the same! Loving the wardrobe!

[pbmsmile]

I've been thinking the same! Loving the wardrobe!

I hope my December cruise is as much fun as yours!!

[Leo's Rule]

 

 

One of the posters here, Leo's Rule, had mentioned in her southern Caribbean review some rum punch in Barbados called Cockspur. Once at duty free, I found a bottle of it for $8, as well as two other bottles of local rum for $5. When I passed through security, they said make sure you go check it at the table. I said ok and went straight to my room. Believe me when I say they're not paying attention. If they were, what I was planning to do was to turn over one bottle and take the other two to my room. Yay me, I ended up with this!

 

 

Sad, I can't remember which post had the picture of the rum, but I got all of those...but because the actual rum was a gift...I couldn't remember the name was Mount Gay. I'm glad you got that one too.

 

Oh...and your swimsuit was cute! I wish posting pictures here wasn't such a pain for me...I take photos with every man I see...good-looking ones. :D In the words of R. Kelly, "I'm a flirt" :p;):D

[Cruiser 2 too]

Here I am reporting for reading duty! Do you have any pictures of the refurbished areas? I am anxious to see the improvements. More,more,more!!!

Edited March 11, 2013 by Cruiser 2 too

[Leo's Rule]

Ms. GAPearl, you have us all hooked on your style of writing. You interject humor in your posts and you make us feel like we were right there with you. So, try and forgive me when I act like a fiend. LOL

 

When I was on the Victory, no one came to our table with a different Shot of the day. I wish someone had done so. Sexy in the sky looked like it tasted good. Was it good?

 

As for the Mexican Buffet, if it was the same like on Victory, there were a bunch of sweets, some fruit, cheese, and ice carvings, and then there was the Mexican food. I can't tell you what they were serving because I too was stuffed from dinner and I'm not fond of Mexican food...and yes, I live in Texas.

 

Wow, the CD and ACD and Entertainment Staff had a ball. Now I really can't wait to do this itinerary again. And thanks for sharing information about the Boatyard. I wasn't going to get off the ship in Barbados because I wasn't that impressed...although the beaches are beautiful. I just have to remember the guys name that you used. You can't beat $20!

 

OH, and you aren't lying about the cab situation...that was nucking futs!!! :eek:

 

Keep up the excellent work. I'll log in later tonight to see if you've posted anything more.

 

Oh...and I have a correction to make...I did get the Cockspur Rum Punch but the other rum was the Morgan's Bay (or whatever the name is...short term memory is failing me right now:p), but I got the dark rum. But it was a gift for a friend. I didn't try the Cockspur rum.

 

Glad you were able to sneak yours on...I"m too chicken to do it...but if they let me on with some Nuvo!!!! It will be on and popping!:D

[deladane]

Once at The Boatyard, I had to pay a $12 entrance fee. That included a chair, umbrella, free drink, and a taxi ride back to the ship. They have free internet, but it’s only available in the immediate bar area and very slow. I could get online just long enough to check in on Facebook, and that took about 10 minutes. A local guy approached me for a jet ski for $20 (I can’t remember if that was for 15 or 30 minutes). I declined, but asked him if he knew of any boat operators that could take me out snorkeling with the sea turtles. He made a phone call and less than 5 minutes later, a boat as yellow as my nails pulled up. I told him I was by myself and asked if that was ok because I didn’t mind waiting for others, and he said it was fine. For an hour and a half, he would take me to swim with the turtles and then snorkel at a shipwreck. I got my own private tour for $20! My guide’s name was Neville.

 

 

Neville drove me about 10 minutes to the other side of the beach where a couple of other small boats were parked. He provided me with snorkeling equipment and I was ready to hit the water. I took a bad step on the way down the ladder and ended up hitting my arm and lip instead. Man, that hurt! But I’ll survive. The cut on my lip healed in a few hours, but I’m still wearing Band-Aids on my arm as I write this 2 weeks later. When I got in the water, immediately I felt how choppy it was. I’m normally a pretty good swimmer and don’t need a life jacket when I snorkel, but today I did. Neville handed me a life jacket that I didn’t put on all the way, but just used as a floatie. Here come the turtles!

 

 

We had such similar experiences on this cruise... I also went out with Neville to swim with the sea turtles! AND, I also got injured on his boat, due 100% to my clumsiness! I nicked my shin on the ladder when I was climbing in because I was juggling my camera, water wallet, and snorkel gear. Tomorrow will mark 3 months to the day since I was there, and I now have a permanent scar on my shin from that cut! I like to think of it as my Barbados souvenir ;) Neville was such a great guide for the hour, and how awesome was his rum punch?!?!!!