Triumph 2/20/2015 Review San Juan to Galveston with six ports

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

Alcohol is served after snorkeling. Since Lynn & I didn't snorkel we got to get the party started early!

 

The Rum Punch & the Captain's Special are VERY good but also VERY strong & they can definitely sneak up on you (Just ask J.R.)! The staff brings drink trays around for you to enjoy while on the island.

 

 

 

The mock 'fish bite'!

 

While we were playing in the water (and drinking rum punch) the crew cooked a delicious lunch on the back of the boat consisting of chicken or fish accompanied by salad and vegetables. Lunch was served was served buffet style & was very good!

 

Things got a little more lively as we headed back.

 

What did J.R. do now?!?

 

[marvholly]

I am SOOO glad to see a review of at least 1 leg of the possible B2B. With the no solo surcharge I really almost booked this trip BUT Galveston was a deal killer for me. Looking at possibly doing it out of New Orleans (bucket list city for me) or MIA in 2016. Doing only 1 leg is crazy $$$ for me since air is a killer.

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

Really enjoying your review and beautiful photo's.

Thanks. I am enjoying reliving it! :)

 

I am SOOO glad to see a review of at least 1 leg of the possible B2B. With the no solo surcharge I really almost booked this trip BUT Galveston was a deal killer for me. Looking at possibly doing it out of New Orleans (bucket list city for me) or MIA in 2016. Doing only 1 leg is crazy $$$ for me since air is a killer.

Both legs had a great itinerary. Our family 'kind of' did both legs since my daughter & son-in-law were on the 1st leg & we were on the 2nd! :p

I found a great deal on air from Galveston to Nashville & was able to use SW reward points to cover the flights. Of course I had to do some serious online Christmas shopping through SW Rapid Rewards partners to get the extra points I needed! :p:D

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

J.R. decided to get the dancing started!

 

I think Erica felt sorry for J.R. so she joined him. Looks kind of like they are doing a scene from 'Kung Foo Fighting'! :eek:

 

At some point on the way back J.R. got 'rum punched'! I think this might have been when it happened. :p

 

Then Mitch took over for Erika & they started doing 'the J.R.'!

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

Throw a little romance in the mix!

Warning... Kissing on a fast moving catamaran can cause your cap to go overboard. This is where Erika lost hers!

 

And some gorgeous scenery.

 

The motion of the ocean got to Chris for a few minutes (the rum punch probably didn't help either) & Erika had to comfort him.

 

 

 

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

Net dancing?!?

 

Chris was hanging in there!

 

Rum punch was free flowing!

 

Chris is starting to get his dance moves going so he can take over for J.R.!

 

 

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

Antigua is absolutely gorgeous by sea!!!

 

We were having tons of fun!

 

And then the staff started leading us in some dances.

 

J.R. is making sure my cap doesn't go overboard!

 

Not ready to get off the Excellence but at least we have a lot of fun filled days left on the Triumph!

 

And we had to say good-bye to our new friends.

 

We had a great day shared with good friends on a beautiful catamaran in gorgeous Antigua! Can't get much better than that!!!

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

St. Kitts…J.R. & I had been to St. Kitts a few times & it is one of our favorite islands. This time we booked Royston’s Tour with Lynn & Mitch. My daughter & her husband toured with Royston last year & said it was one of the best tours they have ever done.

 

Royston's website...

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCcQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.roystontoursstkitts.com%2F&ei=Hm4QVba7FYW0ggSf74OADg&usg=AFQjCNH-uNO7GCs1KktCB7JnIBe3ycb8BA&sig2=auceL4SwYRnaH08fBkLEWA

 

Royston's Trip Advisor Reviews

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB4QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tripadvisor.com%2FAttraction_Review-g147374-d628726-Reviews-Royston_Tours-St_Kitts_St_Kitts_and_Nevis.html&ei=Hm4QVba7FYW0ggSf74OADg&usg=AFQjCNEPs1dwHuVzqWy_Qh5dbrCZcMqm8w&sig2=33Gm13YnIHPMkzjv9xUmlg

 

Lynn emailed Royston & got it all set up for our group. We specifically requested Royston for our tour guide & wanted to tour in his old “beater’ van that has the windows removed.

 

This was one of the emails from Royston…

“Here is the tour..

You would circle the island clockwise starting on the Caribbean side touring Basseterre then working around to the Atlantic stopping at Romney Manor, Caribelle Batik, Brimstone Hill Fortress, Dieppe Bay point, Black Rocks, Timothy Hill and a few other scenic places. The island tour is about 5 hours & then have lunch at a beach (South Friars) on the peninsula where you can then have some beach / snorkel time if you like before heading back. $45 each including all drinks, lunch and entrance fee.”

 

I am not usually at a loss for words (just ask J.R.) :p but I am having the hardest time writing about Royston’s tour. I can tell where we went & what we did but I don’t think I can do justice to the ‘experience’ we had that day.

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

Unfortunately J.R. was still suffering from where he got ‘rum punched’ (actually he fell) in Antigua so he slept in that morning & spent the day in the hot tub on the ship. He DEFINITELY missed out on an amazing tour!!!

 

Royston was waiting when we got off the ship at 8:15AM just as he said he would be. We waited a few minutes on a lady named ‘Stacy’ who had booked his tour but was a no show. One of my pet peeves is people who do not show up or even call to let small tour operators know they are not coming. Not only did we give up a few precious minutes waiting for her but he also lost a paying customer for his tour that day.

 

Mitch & Royston were 'looking' for 'Stacy' even though they had no idea what she looked like! We knew we were going to be in for a great day with Royston!

 

We went to get in his 'windowless' van & Royston asked if one of us wanted to sit up front. I did so I went to get in on the right side which is the driver's side. Royston teased me & asked if I wanted to drive & our day of fun & adventure started!

 

 

We passed the house Royston shares with his father. Royston is not a big ‘water’ fan though he literally lives on the ocean so he kept laughing at me for taking pics of the water.

 

There is a reason St. Kitts is one of my favorite islands. It is GORGEOUS!!!

 

 

Having no windows in the van made for some great pics!

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

Royston was fun, friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. He has the cutest sense of humor. Not sure how to describe it exactly but he is funny & very endearing & he definitely knows the history & anything else you could want to know about St. Kitts!

 

Royston asked me what I did in St. Kitts on our previous visits. I told him we did the rain forest hike, etc with Javin. A few minutes later I accidentally called him Javin! He laughingly called me out on it & started calling me Joyce who we had toured with the day before. For the rest of the day I would say, “Hey Javin what about this” or he would say “what do you think Joyce?” Gotta love that guy!

 

 

An interesting tree!

 

Our first stop was at Romney Manor & Royston asked if we wanted to get out of the van & walk around. He walked with us answering any questions we had. We never felt rushed & could stay as long as we wanted at stops.

 

 

 

Never seen a tree like this! Ouch!!!

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

Romney Manor is the home of Caribelle Batik.

 

This 400-year-old SAMAN tree presides over Romney Manor.

 

 

 

The ladies gave us a short batik making demonstration.

 

When you reverse the material it is the same on both sides.

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

The boards at the top show the steps in making batik.

 

 

The Batik store has plenty of items for sale. I expected them to be more expensive.

 

 

 

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

To say Royston’s tour goes ‘off the beaten path’ would be an extreme understatement! He took us places that I bet a lot of Kittitians have never been in his old ‘beater’ van that I thought we would have needed an ATV or a Billy goat to get to but we never felt unsafe though I teased him the whole day about his driving ‘on the edge’! He could get a job as a stunt car driver if he ever gives up being a tour guide because he can put that van on a dime!

 

Royston's tour included the $10pp entry fee into the Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park.

 

Off we go through the fields. Royston is very fit but does not walk anywhere he can drive on his tours!

 

 

HI!

 

 

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

Royston drove us right up to all the greatest spots for the best views!

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were parked on the edge of an embankment & Lynn & I were yelling at poor Mitch to not lean out the window!

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

The Fortress offers amazing panoramic views of the area.

 

 

 

What a great day with great friends!

 

Most of the tour guides waited in their vans but Royston went with us in to the fort & answered any questions we had.

 

It is a bit of a hike to the top.

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

The fort is a must see when you go to St. Kitts especially if you are a history buff.

 

 

 

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

Royston showed us so much of St. Kitts!

 

Royston drove us to this great scenic overlook & parked at the edge of a drop-off. Wish the pictures did it justice!

 

Mitch was being daring & standing on the edge of the drop-off & Lynn & I were telling him that was close enough. Royston teased & said, "It's ok. He has led a long good life"!

 

 

Royston said this was a Drive-In Theater!

 

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

Royston kept teasing me about taking so many pictures of the ocean!

 

Royston calls this 'window shopping'!

 

Royston picked us up some delicious coconut cakes there. Of course he never got out of the van!

 

While we were driving Mitch commented on a baby calf he saw in a field so of course Royston went over to investigate.

 

 

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

Royston drove us to another scenic overlook/dropoff. You can't see how far down it really was! :eek: I was sitting in the front so I leaned way back! It was beautiful though!!!

 

 

Blazing trails again.

 

 

Royston stopped & cut some sugar cane for some friends of his he said we would meet soon.

 

Royston's 'friends' go crazy when they see his van coming!

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

I know I am posting a lot of pics from St. Kitts but our tour with Royston was so amazing & St. Kitts is one of my favorite islands!

 

The Black Rocks are so majestic!

 

 

 

Royston is DEFINITELY the adventurous type! We looked up & look where he was!!!

 

 

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

Royston stopped & picked up our lunch.

 

This guy makes some great barbecued chicken!

 

And we were underway again!

 

Royston did not take us to the 'usual' tourist stop to view where the Atlantic & the Caribbean meet.

 

This is where a lot of the tour guides stop, way below us!

 

What a view!

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

There were a ton of monkeys in the trees at the top of the hill.

 

 

Edited March 27, 2015 by Cool Breeze Cruiser

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

Royston took us to Friar's Beach for our picnic.

 

 

We had Barbecued Chicken, Garlic Bread & some kind of donut thing.

 

 

 

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

All to soon it was time to head back to the ship.

 

Royston wanted us to take a pic of me 'driving' since I originally tried to get in on the driver's side. That would have been a scary day! :eek:

 

We felt like we were leaving an old friend behind in St. Kitts.

 

Royston’s tour was such a ‘deal’! Our tour ended up being 7 & a half hours and included lunch, snacks, drinks (water, juice, beer) & the $10pp entry fee in to Brimstone Hill Fortress. You do not pay until after the tour. I asked him how he can afford to offer tours for the price he does & he responded, “My needs are simple”.

 

Royston loves St. Kitts & is very passionate about sharing it with visitors.We had such a great experience with Royston & will definitely book with him again when we go back to St. Kitts.

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

St. Croix...

Docked in St. Croix. The pier is pretty long.

 

I LOVE being greeted by a local band!

 

Welcome to St. Croix!

 

We booked the 2-Fer package with Gecko that included 11/2 to 2 hours on the ATVs, 1 hour wave runner rental & two beach chairs & an umbrella at Rainbow Beach. It also included a ½ off one rum punch & 10% off entrée coupon to use at Rhythms Restaurant. The cost was $222 per package & we had to put down a $50 deposit.

 

We booked the 10AM tour & had to meet at Gecko’s office 15 minutes before our tour to fill out paperwork & get fitted for helmets. Gecko's is a short walk from the pier.