Brilliance of the Seas March 16th Sailing - A review with with photos

[Kevin's girl]

After the Banana Plantation we were off to the Longueteau Rum Distillery. Another family owned business.

 

This is the Great House and the grounds.

This is the view from the Great House. You can see the distillery and sugar cane fields. The distillery was not producing at the time we were there because they were getting new machines, but the shop was open and we bought some really rum.

 

Next we were off to the botanical gardens and lunch. What a beautiful place.

 

 

 

[Kevin's girl]

 

 

 

 

Where we ate lunch here

[Debde]

Point A Pitre' date=' Gaudeloupe: GU28 Classic Basse Terre Full Day Tour

 

Let me just start out by saying that this port was wonderful. I was a little concerned about it after some of the reviews I had read. book a cruise sponsored excursion and GO SEE THIS ISLAND. The island is beautiful and the people warm and friendly. [/quote']

 

Thank you for saying this and maybe some will actually get off the ship and see this island!! We did the zoological ship sponsored tour and loved it and seeing the island. People are very nice there.

[Kevin's girl]

As you can tell this island made quite an impression on me. I really did enjoy our day here and would not hesitate to come back.

[Kevin's girl]

I must admit I never realized just how much work it is to do one of these reviews with pics. I swear I really will finish this thing. Please don't give up on me.

[Kevin's girl]

Lunch

 

Views of the island as we drove to the Waterfall of the Crayfish (I think)

 

 

 

And now the waterfall.

[Kevin's girl]

After a very long enjoyable day we headed back into port to re-board the Brilliance. I wanted to share a few pics of the city as we came back.

 

 

 

[Kevin's girl]

The port area from the ship.

 

looking straight out into the city from the ship.

 

A closer view

 

Looking left

 

And looking right.

 

This really was such a nice island to stop at.

[Kevin's girl]

Views of Gaudaloupe as we were leaving the island:

 

 

 

 

 

[Debde]

I must admit I never realized just how much work it is to do one of these reviews with pics. I swear I really will finish this thing. Please don't give up on me.

 

you are doing a GREAT job!!:)

[MrFunInTheSun]

Great review and pictures! Thank you for sharing your cruise adventure with us!

[Kevin's girl]

You are so welcome. This is my first try at this, and I'm glad to see people actually reading it.

[goodycruising]

Loving it! Real people's pictures mean so much more than tourism promotions. We love Radiance of the Seas and would like to do something on a Radiance class ship elsewhere one day....one day! :) I can relate to wondering if you go to all the trouble and anyone reads your stuff. It is also nice to go back over your trip and relive it!

[AF-1]

Thanks. I'm so glad you are enjoying it. I think Emeril named what you are looking for - wasn't it smellivision?

 

You would be correct. Beautiful pics. Colors are great

[FloGaleRNTX]

Your review and pictures are just fabulous!! YES! We are reading!!!

 

Barb

[Kevin's girl]

St John’s, Antigua AN52 Antiguan Crusoe Island Escape

This was a repeat excursion for us. We first did this excursion when we cruised on the Serenade. We just fell in love with the tiny island called Prickly Pear and the gentleman who owns it. I could not wait to get back there. You are met outside the ship by the tour guide who explains that she will be with you during the entire cruise to be sure that you have a great relaxing day. She said that the point of the tour is for us to do nothing but relax. There is snorkel equipment available, open bar included and a BBQ lunch. I paid $20 for a fantastic 15 minute massage right on the beach.

 

 

 

 

The snorkeling is right off the shallow beach. It’s great for beginners or not real strong swimmers.

 

 

 

[Kevin's girl]

Saying goodbye to Prickly Pear Island.

 

St John’s, Antigua port area

 

 

[Kevin's girl]

Parting views of Antigua

 

 

 

 

[Kevin's girl]

Next up, St. Croix. Our last port of call and I think some of the best photos yet. I mean with an island like that, how could they not be?

[wassup4565]

Terri, thanks so much for your descriptions and beautiful pix. Really glad you liked Guadaloupe, because so many people were fearful about it. We had a fine day there, right in Pointe a Pitre. Keep it coming. I am really loving reliving our experience on this cruise in early Feb. Can't wait for St Croix - what a little treasure that island is!

[shipknotshore]

Love the photos of Prickly Pear Island. Next time we are in Antigua I think we'll head over there!!! Thanks!!!

 

Keep up the good work....great review!

[Kevin's girl]

Love the photos of Prickly Pear Island. Next time we are in Antigua I think we'll head over there!!! Thanks!!!

 

Keep up the good work....great review!

I'm sure you will have a great time on Prickly Pear. I know we have, and won't hesitate to go back.

[Kevin's girl]

Sorry for the delay. I had car trouble yesterday and needed to get new brakes right after work. Let's see, on to St. Croix.

 

St Croix, USVI

This is the only island where we did not book an excursion. We had planned to go to Sandcastle on the Beach and had arranged for the $25 cruise beach day special. We however did not make it. We were so tired from the prior days that we slept in a bit and went ashore for lunch and a bit of shopping. We had lunch at the Blue Moon. The food was great, the place clean and the service friendly.

 

When I finally got up and looked out of our balcony doors this is what I saw.

 

I noticed no wake, so we had to be docked but also no land. It was both surreal and beautiful. I went out onto the balcony and looked up the starboard side and this was my view.

 

This is the Blue Moon. It’s a great little restaurant and bar. The food was great and it’s big with the locals. I would definitely recommend it.

 

 

 

Edited April 6, 2013 by Kevin's girl

[Kevin's girl]

This was my view as I sat at the bar enjoying my lunch. Sorry no food porn pics today. I must have been too hungry.

You can see the ship just across the street.

 

These next pics were taken on the boardwalk just outside of the dock area. I was really impressed with this port area. I had read reviews that made it seem as though it would be run down and dirty and that we would be best to go to Christiansted instead. I’m so glad we spent our day like we did.

 

 

 

 

 

They had a little booth set up inside the gate area as you waited for the shuttle back up the very long dock. They were serving complimentary rum punch and your choice of Cruzan rum drinks. It was really nice.

I see that my pic is a bit crooked. Maybe I had one too many at the bar. I did try the Cruzan rum and seven up they had. It was very tasty.

[Kevin's girl]

This is looking back at the port area from the ship.

 

 

Being back on board early gave us a chance to check the less crowded ship. I noticed while walking on deck that the retractable roof of the solarium was open. The view looking down into the solarium was an unusual vantage point.

 

 

We grabbed a drink from Café Latte-Tudes just inside the Promenade.

 

Looking down, it’s amazing what you notice about the ship after you have been on board for a few days.