GAPearl Goes Solo on the Splendor! 11/1/14 SJU-MIA Repo Cruise Review.

[gapearl]

Absolutely love the dress with those heels! I was planning on taking this cruise but ended up going to nyc instead. Hate that missed it.

 

Thanks for reading! You should have come on the cruise. The itinerary was one of the best I've ever taken.

[Jamman54]

That picture with the orbs is amazing! Looks like you were travelling with a group and you didn't know it!! :)

[soccersharon]

I had to look up what the orbs meant.

 

White or Silver Orbs

 

Spiritually, white or silver is associated with spirituality and connection with a higher source. Some investigators believe orbs that are either white or silver in appearance are an indication that a spirit is trapped on this plane. It may also be a sign that the spirit is there to offer protection to the people in the area. White energy is typically perceived as highly positive in nature.

 

I have had them in a few of my photos before, but didn't realize what they might be...(sorry if this pic is very large).

 

 

Learn something new on this board every day (and not always about cruising!).

 

Really enjoying your review. Any time you need a french-speaking guide in Martinique, I'd be happy to oblige :)

 

 

 

Sent from my phone. Typos are inevitable.

Edited November 17, 2014 by soccersharon

[Jenna1983]

I rarely post here anymore but nice review, Kim! Livelier than the night club was most of the trip! Haha

[Boozebabe]

I had to look up what the orbs meant.

 

White or Silver Orbs

 

Spiritually, white or silver is associated with spirituality and connection with a higher source. Some investigators believe orbs that are either white or silver in appearance are an indication that a spirit is trapped on this plane. It may also be a sign that the spirit is there to offer protection to the people in the area. White energy is typically perceived as highly positive in nature.

 

I have had them in a few of my photos before, but didn't realize what they might be...(sorry if this pic is very large).

 

 

Learn something new on this board every day (and not always about cruising!).

 

Really enjoying your review. Any time you need a french-speaking guide in Martinique, I'd be happy to oblige :)

 

 

 

Sent from my phone. Typos are inevitable.

 

soccersharon....thanks for the info about orbs. Looks like gapearl had someone protecting her on her cruise. I have them in a few of my pictures too. The biggest almost looks like the moon in an ancient petroglyph area in Nevada. I believe in spirit.

[funinthesun1964]

Love the review so far! I've caught some orbs in some photos myself - not cruising, from a historical house! My husband said it was just the lighting! We can believe what we want.

 

Hope to see you on a cruise someday!

 

 

Brenda

[Crusin Karen]

Oh, thank the photo Gods that some posters commented about the orbs because I could not for the life of me figure out what you were talking about, but now I see the little circles. Never would have registered in my brain! :p Read NCTribes review of this trip and her visit to Martinique along with yours and looks like a very pretty island. Someplace I would love to cruise to and I am putting my vote in the hat for suggestion to CCL! Loving your review and TY again for sharing with us! :);)

[soccersharon]

soccersharon....thanks for the info about orbs. Looks like gapearl had someone protecting her on her cruise. I have them in a few of my pictures too. The biggest almost looks like the moon in an ancient petroglyph area in Nevada. I believe in spirit.

 

You're welcome!

 

Sent from my phone. Typos are inevitable.

[KrusII]

Welcome back, you were missed.

[gapearl]

That picture with the orbs is amazing! Looks like you were travelling with a group and you didn't know it!! :)

 

Indeed I was! :)

 

I had to look up what the orbs meant.

 

White or Silver Orbs

 

Spiritually, white or silver is associated with spirituality and connection with a higher source. Some investigators believe orbs that are either white or silver in appearance are an indication that a spirit is trapped on this plane. It may also be a sign that the spirit is there to offer protection to the people in the area. White energy is typically perceived as highly positive in nature.

 

I have had them in a few of my photos before, but didn't realize what they might be...(sorry if this pic is very large).

 

 

Learn something new on this board every day (and not always about cruising!).

 

Really enjoying your review. Any time you need a french-speaking guide in Martinique, I'd be happy to oblige :)

 

 

 

Sent from my phone. Typos are inevitable.

 

That is a cool picture! It goes to show our loved ones that have passed on are still there with us. We sure could have used you with us in Martinique!

[gapearl]

I rarely post here anymore but nice review, Kim! Livelier than the night club was most of the trip! Haha

 

Hey Jenna! We had as much fun as we could considering the circumstances. I think anything was livelier than that dreadful club. lol

 

soccersharon....thanks for the info about orbs. Looks like gapearl had someone protecting her on her cruise. I have them in a few of my pictures too. The biggest almost looks like the moon in an ancient petroglyph area in Nevada. I believe in spirit.

 

I never really thought about it until I started watching Long Island Medium a few years ago. Then sometimes I'll watch those Ghost Hunters shows. It's pretty serious stuff!

[gapearl]

Love the review so far! I've caught some orbs in some photos myself - not cruising, from a historical house! My husband said it was just the lighting! We can believe what we want.

 

Hope to see you on a cruise someday!

 

 

Brenda

 

You know New Orleans is a city known for ghosts. My friend that lives there was house hunting and she posted a picture the owner sent her. There must have been 10-15 orbs floating around the living room. She was like oh hell no, we're not even going to look at that one! Way too much energy in that house! :eek:

 

Maybe one day we will find ourselves on the same cruise.

 

Oh, thank the photo Gods that some posters commented about the orbs because I could not for the life of me figure out what you were talking about, but now I see the little circles. Never would have registered in my brain! :p Read NCTribes review of this trip and her visit to Martinique along with yours and looks like a very pretty island. Someplace I would love to cruise to and I am putting my vote in the hat for suggestion to CCL! Loving your review and TY again for sharing with us! :);)

 

Martinique was very beautiful! My friend Sean posted in his review he saw helicopters circling the ship as we were pulling in and saw some local media because it was such a big deal. Maybe Martinique will campaign for more stops in the future.

[gapearl]

Welcome back, you were missed.

 

I've missed you all too. :)

[gapearl]

 

 

 

 

 

[gapearl]

Tuesday, November 4

Cruise Day 4- Grenada

 

It's a beautiful day and I was off the ship at 8:15 am, ready to explore another new island.

 

 

 

 

[gapearl]

I had a catamaran booked with High Time Sail for Grenada. It was a full day with two snorkeling stops, a beach stop, lunch and unlimited beer and rum punch for $90. It took me a while to find Jennifer, the representative that I emailed back and forth in getting this booked. My payment was collected and we walked over to where the catamaran was waiting. Little did I know I would be a party crasher. The 13 others on the boat with me today were a large group of friends that travel together every year. They met on a previous cruise and that goes to show you that you really can meet lifelong friends on the ship. A few already knew me from the social media group and my reviews on here, and I was immediately welcomed. They weren't a shy, quiet type bunch at all. They were like we're a wild party crowd, I hope you're ok with that! Oh yeah you betcha. :D Surprisingly no one else was booked except us and we had this spacious catamaran all to ourselves.

 

Curbside pickup right at the ship.

 

 

 

Our crew of 3 introduced themselves, gave us a short safety briefing, and we headed out to sea. I went out to get some sun on the trampoline and a few ladies joined me as we got to know each other. We were served some fresh fruit as we sat back and absorbed the beautiful surroundings in the background.

 

 

 

[gapearl]

After a 20 minute ride, we made it to our first snorkeling stop. We had 30 minutes to spend here. The crew threw bread in the water to attract fish. Oh God, I hope this new camera holds up!

 

 

A lot of new friends came to say hello. They asked to be featured in my review so here they are.

 

 

 

 

 

Amazing that my MAC lipstick is still holding up so well. haha

 

[gapearl]

More snorkeling pictures.

 

 

 

One of guides dove far down to grab a sea urchin.

 

 

 

It was moving around in my hand and felt so weird.

 

 

[gapearl]

Our first snorkeling stop was a success. Thankfully, my new camera held up just fine. Back on the boat, we had a short ride to our second snorkeling stop at the world's only underwater sculpture park. I was familiar with this place before booking the Splendor and this is what I was most looking forward to seeing all cruise. It's been here since the 1990's and was built as a way to bring back the coral reefs after a hurricane wiped it all out. I was so excited about coming here that I was prepared to get my PADI dive certification so I could see these amazing statues up close, but after I read reviews that said you can see them just fine snorkeling, I didn't bother.

 

On the way there, we passed some fishermen out getting their catch for the day.

 

 

Now that's what I call a beach house!

 

 

This was my first glimpse at the underwater statues. These were the older ones where some of the people had been knocked down.

 

 

 

Our tour started at the graveyard. A famous local scuba diver's body was used to make a mold for these.

 

.

 

[gapearl]

That one in the center is a mermaid.

 

 

 

I've gotta come up for air at some point.

 

 

I don't remember what these were but they look like some ancient statues.

 

 

 

[Dirkgun]

Lovin your pictures... and your review. This sounds like an awesome itinerary. We went to Martinique on our first ever cruise and Grenada in 2009. I think Grenada is one of my favorite stops.... they love Americans because of our help when they were being over run by communists way back in the 1980's.... very friendly island. Also very jealous of your time on Puerto Rico.

[gapearl]

I spotted a few scuba divers.

 

 

A praying girl.

 

 

Here's the new one to replace the first one. These were all students. I think this is so cool, but also kind of creepy.

 

 

Remember that scene from the Will Smith movie I Am Legend, when his dog runs into the building and he chases after him and comes across the zombies that are in a circle holding hands meditating? Ok that's the only reason I find this creepy because that's what this reminds me of.

 

 

 

[gapearl]

A headless Christ The Redeemer.

 

 

A secretary at her desk working.

 

 

Ummmm....:confused:

 

 

Time to head back after taking this unflattering selfie.

 

 

We spent about 45 minutes here exploring. There were lots of other boats but we all worked our way around each other so it never felt crowded.

 

[gapearl]

Now that we were done snorkeling we could partake in some adult beverages.

 

I know, I know, you're not supposed to drink and drive.

 

 

 

Our ride to the beach was 30 minutes and I had 3 rum punches in that time. I was feeling really good. :) We docked at the beach and we were served lunch on the boat- chicken, fish, salad, potato salad, bread, and more rum punch. Beer was also being served but I hate beer. I will die of thirst before I drink a beer. Pass me another rum punch, please.

 

 

 

The beach wasn't crowded at all. There was a Carnival excursion here and that was it. Everyone was hanging out in the water and the crew would bring drinks out there to you if you wanted.

 

[gapearl]

I lasted in the warm water for about five minutes and headed to the beach to lay down on my towel just for a quick second. Too much rum punch? Next thing I knew I was hearing KIMMMMMMMM!!!! It was time to go everyone was getting back on the boat. That rum punch allowed me to take a really nice beach nap. I'd still be there sleeping right now if they hadn't called my name so loud.

 

 

 

 

The gang all hanging out in the water.