MITSUGIRLYS FREEDOM OF THE SEAS REVIEW & PICTORIAL

[mitsugirly]

They were still smiling...that's a good sign of happy kids.

 

 

 

 

Sitting at the very back of the boat had its disadvantages. You could mostly hear the motor and not what was being said or hear the music (unless they stopped the boat). Well, all of a sudden I see both Kendra and Sakari with dancing heads. I have no idea what the song was but it was hilarious when they both started doing this at the same time.

 

 

 

 

Seagulls gone wild....mine, mine, mine

 

 

 

 

During one of those "turns"  woo hoo

 

 

 

 

 

 

Previous George Foreman house

 

 

 

 

 

The hubby was enjoying a local beer

 

 

 

 

We came to Marigot Bay. This is pretty much the "rich and famous" area. It's also the bay that's used when a possible hurricane is coming to protect the boats in St Lucia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scouting places to stay for a land vacation. Kia made the comment that she is really seriously thinking about doing a land vacation here and we plan on joining her. This would be an amazing place to stay and we haven't even seen most of the island.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 11, 2019 by mitsugirly

[mitsugirly]

Ok, I swear the last time we did this tour they said this was the area that pirates of the caribbean was filmed. This time, they just said it was "shoe rock". See the high heeled shoe?

 

There were guys up on top waiting for us to come by. They put on a show by jumping off the rock into the water.

 

 

Two of them jumped. The other stayed at the top and said he had a broken leg? How the heck did he make it up there if his leg was broken?

 

Anyhow, the 2 kids that jumped came swimming over to the boat begging for money. "Money for jumpers?" They kept repeating themselves and no one gave them any money. They acted highly upset about that and the mean scowl they had on their faces was enough to put my money back in my wallet if I had it out to begin with.

 

 

 

This is the same as the last time we toured. I'm now thinking these are not kids just jumping off a rock and having a good time. They are either contracted by the tour companies that go by and to make money. Spencer ended up giving them money when no one else did. Last time I remember him handing them drinks.

 

 

On we went.

 

 

We were back to the dock in no time and there sat our beautiful Freedom.

 

 

 

 

Here are the leaf animals they made us that day. Some fish, a rose, a bird and a grasshopper.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

Back in port we visited some of the shops.

 

 

 

Then we headed back to the ship for showers and to get into something dry.

 

It wasn't quite time for dinner yet (not open of course) so we waited out on the pool deck and we spotted some dolphins playing in the water.

 

I grabbed my camera and tried to move the chairs out of the way to get some video of it. It's so hard to film when there's a glass in the way. There were 3 of them. My video sucked and wouldn't focus, but you can see them come up, where the bubbles area is at, and back down.

 

 

 

This time we decided we would head to the MDR for dinner. It would be our first (and sadly our last).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All the food was yummy and the service was good.

 

 

The staff put on a show for us on the stairs and did a dance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then they ask for people from the audience to come up and participate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Everyone was having a great time. We ordered our deserts and it was yummy too.

 

 

 

 

 

After dinner the hubs and I decided to go to the casino for awhile and Sakari wanted to go back to the room and watch t.v. and draw. She's like this at home. She's such a homebody and would rather stay at home than go anywhere. There's just too much going on in her head and she needs to get it out on paper.

 

It wasn't the greatest night at the casino, but we were entertained for about an hour.

 

 

 

We returned back to the room and found our towel animal for the night. Now night one I left a note for the room steward to "leave all towel animals". We had 2 of them from the previous 2 nights and this would be our third. I have NO IDEA what it is. But it was looking cool with Sakari's sunglasses on.

 

 

 

 

I packed our beach bags for our next port tomorrow, watched a little t.v. and went to bed.

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

3 hours ago, broberts said:

Incredible!

 

 

Thanks

 

3 hours ago, newdestination said:

Nice photos!

 

 

Thank you

 

2 hours ago, brookie848 said:

 

Kim -- I am the one who said "St. Lucia" is a dirty word in our house. We weren't on a speed boat, though (I think we would have been fine if we were). We private chartered a catamaran for the day and the seas were definitely not smooth. I normally don't get sick on small boats, but this was an experience. We were tossed around and two of us got sick.

 

The weather that day was a factor -- part of the day it was 80+ degrees and beautiful. Other parts of the day were in the 60s and raining like crazy.

 

I'm really enjoying your review. We're going to St. Lucia and St. Kitts next year, along with the ABCs. I'm getting into planning mode now and love all of your beautiful pictures.

 

That really sucks that you had a bad day and sounds like some really choppy water. I'm so glad that you are getting a chance to return to St Lucia. I hope you have an incredible day next time around. Maybe it will become the best word in the house if you have a good experience. It's just one of my favorite ports ever.

 

Gosh I really want to do the ABC's. I just can't find a ship to do it with. They are so few and far in between.

 

Thanks for the comments.

 

 

2 hours ago, blueridgemama said:

How long does Sakari stay underwater and how deep does she dive? I notice she doesn't  use a snorkel.

 

She can stay under for a very long time if she wants. She's really good at holding her breath and has been for many years. She has challenged her brother (my 24 year old) before and won each time. She says she wants to do free diving some day. (I'm hoping she grows out of that wanting stage because that just scares the crap out of me).  She does NOT like a snorkel at all. Never has. She also don't like a regular mask either. She prefers her goggles that just cover her eyes only. Have you ever tried to wear those things??? So uncomfortable and I feel like I'm cross-eyed in them. LOL But it's what she likes and if it makes her comfortable, then I'm ok with that.

 

 

[Russ Lomas]

On 5/10/2019 at 8:55 AM, mitsugirly said:

 

 

 

Next up was supposed to be Darkwood beach, but when we got to this one, he said it was Ffryes Bay. Once I laid eyes on the water toys...I knew this wasn't the place we wanted to stay. With this many kids, it just wasn't a good idea to have to deal with resisting the temptation not to play on them for the youngsters. So, we kept going...

 

 

 

 

 

These are the two beach we went to our last 2 visits to Antigua.  Just to clarify...the first photo above here (with the water toys IS Darkwood Beach).  We went there a couple years ago and there were no inflatables in the water when we were there.  The beach when we went was pretty quiet, other than by that beach bar in the 1st photo above.  We went further along Darkwood and it looked just like the 2nd photo above.  We spent our day there.

 

The 3rd photo is condos by the name of Tamarind Hills.  You can walk along the boardwalk you see in the centre of the 3rd photo.  Tamarind Hills looks incredible if you check it out for a week long stay.  If you walk the boardwalk around Tamarind Hills, you end up on Ffryes Beach, which is the last photo above.  We found that beech to be nice but too busy for us.  If you keep walking to the right when facing the water, you reach Little Ffryes.  It is much more remote and quiet.  We spent our day there this past March and enjoyed it.

 

A question for you.  I was told to try a beach on the far side of the island opposed to the ones we have visited before.  Looking at a map of Antigua, I think it was the beach at the Pineapple Beach Club.  Is that the first beach you visited?  The location looks familiar to what somebody told me.

[AKR2011]

Your review is fabulous as always. I love seeing all of your snorkeling pictures. That tour in St. Lucia is giving me ideas. We'll be there on our next cruise in 2020.

[ABQrobin]

Looks like a great snorkeling spot!

Aren't squid cool?  One of my favorite things to find anywhere!

That is an amazing amount of orange cup coral, too.  I have never seen that much.  Usually it is in dark spaces, under docks or under ledges, not easy to find.  I would love to see it at night, all opened up!  It would be like a field of flowers.

The large sponges -  barrel sponges.  They can grow as big as 6' tall and across.  I have seen some in Cozumel big enough for a diver to get inside.

The red rope sponge is pretty awesome too.  

Can't remember what other creatures you asked about...  let me know.  

 

That does look like a fun tour, also.  The mud baths wouldn't work for me though, I don't do hot at all, ever.  

Can't wait until you get to the diving at Barbados!

 

robin

Edited May 12, 2019 by ABQrobin

[blarko]

Thanks for all the information on the baths. I was in the same mind thought as you....that the mud baths were just that.....tubs of mud that you climbed into. Never would I have thought you would have to “apply” the mud from buckets!!! Nonetheless, it looks like you all enjoyed yourselves and you all look 10 years younger!!!!!

[skidawg79]

We booked the same tour with Spencer Ambrose while we are there in 2 1/2 weeks.   Did a similar tour about 8 years ago with Cosol and loved it.  Doing Spencer this time because you travel more on the boat, Cosol drives you to the beach and takes you back on the boat.  The Roads in St. Lucia are crazy curvy and i wasn't enjoying the bus ride.   I have to say about the mud baths, my friend Emily and I had pretty rough sunburn (mine was on my forehead) and after we applied that mud and rinsed it off....the sunburn was practically gone.   It was crazy.   Excited to use Spencers this time.   One thing that i did remember about St. Lucia was that a lot of people were VERY pushy about buying things and giving them money.   Reading your review is getting me so excited for my cruise.   I leave for Puerto Rico in 12 days!!

Edited May 12, 2019 by skidawg79

[mitsugirly]

20 hours ago, Russ Lomas said:

These are the two beach we went to our last 2 visits to Antigua.  Just to clarify...the first photo above here (with the water toys IS Darkwood Beach).  We went there a couple years ago and there were no inflatables in the water when we were there.  The beach when we went was pretty quiet, other than by that beach bar in the 1st photo above.  We went further along Darkwood and it looked just like the 2nd photo above.  We spent our day there.

 

The 3rd photo is condos by the name of Tamarind Hills.  You can walk along the boardwalk you see in the centre of the 3rd photo.  Tamarind Hills looks incredible if you check it out for a week long stay.  If you walk the boardwalk around Tamarind Hills, you end up on Ffryes Beach, which is the last photo above.  We found that beech to be nice but too busy for us.  If you keep walking to the right when facing the water, you reach Little Ffryes.  It is much more remote and quiet.  We spent our day there this past March and enjoyed it.

 

A question for you.  I was told to try a beach on the far side of the island opposed to the ones we have visited before.  Looking at a map of Antigua, I think it was the beach at the Pineapple Beach Club.  Is that the first beach you visited?  The location looks familiar to what somebody told me.

 

 

Awesome. Thanks for the clarification on the beaches. We were supposed to visit them all but when you are driving along, they all get mixed up together.

 

The first beach we visited was called Long Bay Beach. It was absolutely beautiful there. If you look at the map I posted, St Johns cruise port is on the left and take that all the way to the right (over by the "Budget Marine stamp on the map) and you'll see Long Bay.

 

 

 

 

8 hours ago, AKR2011 said:

Your review is fabulous as always. I love seeing all of your snorkeling pictures. That tour in St. Lucia is giving me ideas. We'll be there on our next cruise in 2020.

 

Thanks so much and hopefully it might help you out with some ideas.

 

 

7 hours ago, ABQrobin said:

Looks like a great snorkeling spot!

Aren't squid cool?  One of my favorite things to find anywhere!

That is an amazing amount of orange cup coral, too.  I have never seen that much.  Usually it is in dark spaces, under docks or under ledges, not easy to find.  I would love to see it at night, all opened up!  It would be like a field of flowers.

The large sponges -  barrel sponges.  They can grow as big as 6' tall and across.  I have seen some in Cozumel big enough for a diver to get inside.

The red rope sponge is pretty awesome too.  

Can't remember what other creatures you asked about...  let me know.  

 

That does look like a fun tour, also.  The mud baths wouldn't work for me though, I don't do hot at all, ever.  

Can't wait until you get to the diving at Barbados!

 

robin

 

It was an awesome snorkeling spot. I just love it there. I would love to dive there but since we had the "discount" this time around, we decided to do that instead. Hopefully next time.

 

I can only imagine what it would look like at night. They must have been confused because it was sunny out and they were even toward the top of the water on the rock opened up.

 

Wow, I can't imagine a barrel sponge that big. That would be amazing to see.

 

Wait until you see what I found in Barbados!!!

 

 

6 hours ago, blarko said:

Thanks for all the information on the baths. I was in the same mind thought as you....that the mud baths were just that.....tubs of mud that you climbed into. Never would I have thought you would have to “apply” the mud from buckets!!! Nonetheless, it looks like you all enjoyed yourselves and you all look 10 years younger!!!!!

 

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought the mud baths are a bath of mud and not a bucket. 😄  LOL  I guess I watch too much t.v. and a mud bath at the spa is a tub of mud you get into. LOL

 

I will need to keep going to the mud baths to increase my youth. hehe

 

 

4 hours ago, skidawg79 said:

We booked the same tour with Spencer Ambrose while we are there in 2 1/2 weeks.   Did a similar tour about 8 years ago with Cosol and loved it.  Doing Spencer this time because you travel more on the boat, Cosol drives you to the beach and takes you back on the boat.  The Roads in St. Lucia are crazy curvy and i wasn't enjoying the bus ride.   I have to say about the mud baths, my friend Emily and I had pretty rough sunburn (mine was on my forehead) and after we applied that mud and rinsed it off....the sunburn was practically gone.   It was crazy.   Excited to use Spencers this time.   One thing that i did remember about St. Lucia was that a lot of people were VERY pushy about buying things and giving them money.   Reading your review is getting me so excited for my cruise.   I leave for Puerto Rico in 12 days!!

 

Isn't Cosol the one who was just shot and killed? I was thinking I read about that recently. 

 

So neat about the sunburn part. Since we didn't really get burned this time we didn't get to test that theory. But I know what it feels like to get in anything hot when you have a sunburn and I can't imagine getting into the baths. Ouch.

 

We haven't really ran into too many pushy people in St Lucia. They were all pretty nice. Just the one that had that comment and then he walked away. He didn't even bother us after we came out of the falls. He must have forgotten he said that and he must say it to everyone that goes by. LOL

[jenseib]

On 5/9/2019 at 4:10 PM, mitsugirly said:

Funny thing is, I posted one of these pictures on my SM and one of my cruise friends said they had the exact same picture. LOL It definitely wow's everyone as you come around that corner and see it. 

 

I was so shocked when I saw your pictures on facebook and I had basically the same exact picture from January!

I thought Antigua was one of the most beautiful islands I have ever been on. The water and beaches were just amazing.

[Beav1279]

I love you're review! The pictures are beautiful. Thank you for sharing!

[Russ Lomas]

4 hours ago, mitsugirly said:

 

 

The first beach we visited was called Long Bay Beach. It was absolutely beautiful there. If you look at the map I posted, St Johns cruise port is on the left and take that all the way to the right (over by the "Budget Marine stamp on the map) and you'll see Long Bay.

 

We will have to try Long Bay Beach next time we are there after your glowing endorsement of it (the reason we went to Blue Kay in  Costa Maya and loved it).  I know you can catch the #33 bus in Antigua from the East Bus station and it will take you out there for $1.50 per person each way.  A really economical way to travel.

 

I will also have to take another look at where you did your snorkeling in St. Lucia.  I have done that there twice and never saw one-tenth of what you had in your photos.  I would love to scuba dive the Pitons next time we are there.  As for both your comments and those of the others following this thread on St. Lucia, we found the vendors close to the port to be extremely aggressive and we did not feel comfortable.  The further away from the port, the less aggressive they were.  That said, we walked to the market last visit and I assumed we would be mobbed and basically accosted there because we were tourists in an area I thought they were very aggressive.  We actually really enjoyed it there.  Got amazing deals on cheap (and tasty) spiced rum and fresh fruit.

 

Loving the review by the way...

Edited May 13, 2019 by Russ Lomas
extra info

[skidawg79]

6 hours ago, mitsugirly said:

 

 

 

 

Isn't Cosol the one who was just shot and killed? I was thinking I read about that recently. 

 

So neat about the sunburn part. Since we didn't really get burned this time we didn't get to test that theory. But I know what it feels like to get in anything hot when you have a sunburn and I can't imagine getting into the baths. Ouch.

 

We haven't really ran into too many pushy people in St Lucia. They were all pretty nice. Just the one that had that comment and then he walked away. He didn't even bother us after we came out of the falls. He must have forgotten he said that and he must say it to everyone that goes by. LOL

Omg I just looked it up!  He was killed last year.   Console himself was actually our tour guide that day.  If I remember correctly he was a retired police officer or something like that.  He was awesome. So sad to hear that.  I attached a pic of my friend and Inwith Cosol. Hope that’s ok.     I’ll be happy to remove it, this is your Review.  

Edited May 13, 2019 by skidawg79

[TheGirlNextDoor]

Loving your review so far. I always get excited when you cruise because I know I've got a good read coming!! You're my favorite. I would love to go to St. Lucia. My family is cruising in July and I'm so looking forward to it. I enjoy snorkeling but I never make it as far down as you seem to go. Thank you for always sharing with us. It makes me feel like I am on that trip!

[perfect match]

Beautiful snorkeling pictures, Kim! Hope I can get to St Lucia soon. Snorkeling does look beautiful, so I’m sure the diving would be great, too.

[RNnNC]

On 5/11/2019 at 3:59 PM, mitsugirly said:

I continued on exploring with Sakari. We came across a bunch of "feather dusters" or worms. I love these things...especially the ones that look like Christmas trees or multi-colored.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This purple and yellow coral...so beautiful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Okay, what underwater camera are you using?  Is this at the Marine Reserve that is to the Right when you are looking out to the ocean?

 

 

 

[Utahcouple38]

Thanks for the review. I’m going in November and can’t wait. This has really been helpful. Great pictures!

[Cafedumonde]

Hey mitsugirly, awesome review.  Kind of off topic, but wondering if you have ever been to the port stop Freeport, Bahamas?  I can't remember it being in any of your reviews.

[mitsugirly]

20 hours ago, jenseib said:

 

I was so shocked when I saw your pictures on facebook and I had basically the same exact picture from January!

I thought Antigua was one of the most beautiful islands I have ever been on. The water and beaches were just amazing.

 

I know. Wasn't that neat??? It has to be that it is breathtaking when you go around that corner and you see the beautiful water and beach below. I bet we're not the only one's that have that same picture. hehe

 

19 hours ago, Beav1279 said:

I love you're review! The pictures are beautiful. Thank you for sharing!

 

Thanks and glad you like them. 

 

18 hours ago, Russ Lomas said:

We will have to try Long Bay Beach next time we are there after your glowing endorsement of it (the reason we went to Blue Kay in  Costa Maya and loved it).  I know you can catch the #33 bus in Antigua from the East Bus station and it will take you out there for $1.50 per person each way.  A really economical way to travel.

 

I will also have to take another look at where you did your snorkeling in St. Lucia.  I have done that there twice and never saw one-tenth of what you had in your photos.  I would love to scuba dive the Pitons next time we are there.  As for both your comments and those of the others following this thread on St. Lucia, we found the vendors close to the port to be extremely aggressive and we did not feel comfortable.  The further away from the port, the less aggressive they were.  That said, we walked to the market last visit and I assumed we would be mobbed and basically accosted there because we were tourists in an area I thought they were very aggressive.  We actually really enjoyed it there.  Got amazing deals on cheap (and tasty) spiced rum and fresh fruit.

 

Loving the review by the way...

 

That sounds like a cheap way to get there for sure (the bus). 

 

We did the snorkeling at Jalousie Beach between the Pitons. Amazing snorkeling both times we have been there. When you went, are you snorkeling along the right side along the wall? (When facing the beach). It's over in the area that "regular people" stay at and not the pretty beach where the vacationers are staying at the hotel at. That area is mostly grassy and sand. 

 

So if you are standing on the beach, facing the water, you look all the way to the right. You will see a small boat dock.

 

 

There are chairs under the trees in that area

 

 

 

Along that whole side is the snorkeling...picture below...to the right and the rocks there

 

 

 

Here you see the snorkelers going out and the snorkeling is very shallow on the right and slopes down quickly going toward the dock (there's a rope there that you are not to go past because of the boats coming in and out docking). So it's long and not wide. It goes out a little past that rock you see still out way out there (and still pretty shallow). 

 

 

 

 

Below you can see the ropes in the area not to pass and snorkelers in the background between the rope and the rocks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hopefully that helps locate it if it wasn't where you were before. 

 

 

 

 

16 hours ago, skidawg79 said:

Omg I just looked it up!  He was killed last year.   Console himself was actually our tour guide that day.  If I remember correctly he was a retired police officer or something like that.  He was awesome. So sad to hear that.  I attached a pic of my friend and Inwith Cosol. Hope that’s ok.     I’ll be happy to remove it, this is your Review.  

 

 

Awww, it's so sad. I thought I had read about that recently. I didn't know it was last year though. The picture is fine. No worries. I just didn't know if his company was still going or not. I thought I had heard that family took it over (just in case anyone was planning on touring with him). 

 

15 hours ago, TheGirlNextDoor said:

Loving your review so far. I always get excited when you cruise because I know I've got a good read coming!! You're my favorite. I would love to go to St. Lucia. My family is cruising in July and I'm so looking forward to it. I enjoy snorkeling but I never make it as far down as you seem to go. Thank you for always sharing with us. It makes me feel like I am on that trip!

 

Glad you are enjoying the review. Thanks for such kind words. It means a lot to me. 

 

When you say that your family hasn't "made it as far down as I go" meaning in the Caribbean?

 

12 hours ago, perfect match said:

Beautiful snorkeling pictures, Kim! Hope I can get to St Lucia soon. Snorkeling does look beautiful, so I’m sure the diving would be great, too.

 

Thanks! One day I will dive here! It would just be so amazing!

 

6 hours ago, RNnNC said:

Okay, what underwater camera are you using?  Is this at the Marine Reserve that is to the Right when you are looking out to the ocean?

 

I have 3 cameras and they are all the Olympus Tough cameras. (Someone like me always has to have back up in case something goes wrong. I also have about 8 batteries as well...lol I learned my lesson years ago about running my batteries dead because I take so many pictures). 

 

Yes, the Marine Reserve. 

 

6 hours ago, Utahcouple38 said:

Thanks for the review. I’m going in November and can’t wait. This has really been helpful. Great pictures!

 

You are welcome and I hope you have a blast there.

 

[mitsugirly]

Just now, Cafedumonde said:

Hey mitsugirly, awesome review.  Kind of off topic, but wondering if you have ever been to the port stop Freeport, Bahamas?  I can't remember it being in any of your reviews.

 

 

Yes, we have been there twice. Once on the Pride. Once on the Sky. (I don't really care for the port myself). 

[tcmagnum]

Love your review!!

I'm like you, I love snorkeling...

Have you made it to the Cook Islands in the South Pacific?

Harder to get to, but amazing snorkeling...

[Luke gs Daddy]

Where did you go to school? Nurse correct? 

My wife just graduated from Capital with her Masters In Nursing.

 

As always, awesome review!

[CAC104]

On 5/4/2019 at 4:05 PM, mitsugirly said:

Time for a new review: Spring Break 2019!!!

 

We cruise the Freedom of the Seas out of Old San Juan this time (I just love cruising from here).

 

 

Our ports would be:

 

Leaving San Juan: April 21  8:30pm

Basseterre, St Kitts: April 22  9-6pm

St Johns, Antigua: April 23   8-5pm

Castries, St Lucia: April 24    9-6pm

Bridgetown, Barbados: April 25   8-7pm

Sea Day: April 26  All fricken day long

Philipsburg, St Maarten: April 27  8-6pm

San Juan Arrival: April 28   6am

 

 

This time around it would be myself, hubby and Sakari the Mermaid and Kendra's family (Billy, Brayden, Kambriah) and Billy's niece Shawna.

 

My last cruise in December is when I decided to "resurface" on the web with a new review of our cruise on Carnival's Horizon. So many things had happened in my family since that summer and things were very hectic in life.

 

Well....I have managed to FINALLY complete my bachelors degree (after dragging it out for years...we all know I plan school and "life" around my cruising lol) and I would consider this my "Graduation cruise". (Hey, any excuse used for a cruise is a good excuse right?). I was going out with a bang!

 

Since all of the "changes in life" before my last cruise (new grandbabies, youngest son buying a new house and moving out, schooling, selling one of our businesses, and some home remodeling) there have been a few more changes thrown our way. Our Christmas cruise...we (meaning my family and Kendra's) were set to cruise and Kendra's fiance got word that they didn't think his dad would make it to Christmas. The day we were to fly out, Billy pulled out of going on the cruise. His father did make it, but unfortunately, he passed away February 15th this year. Billy has not taken it well (his dad raised him and all of his siblings so they were very close). To make matters worse, Billy's best friend (along with another good friend and an acquaintance) were also killed in a vehicle accident the SAME DAY! It was a crazy day and he has been dealing with a lot. With all that behind him, he really needed this cruise. But wait...there's MORE! Like how can there possibly be more that can be put on this mans shoulders? Two weeks before the cruise, his Uncle passed away. Then his baby sister passed away the Friday before the cruise. 😞  Less than 2 months from his fathers and best friends death he was once again burying another family member. He was not only dealing with all the loss in his family, but also trying to arrange a funeral prior to leaving. I just feel so bad for him and we were also VERY close to his dad and best friend. It's been a living nightmare for all of us. We really needed this cruise and a break away from life in general.

 

I decided to pick a cruise that would have at least one new port we had never been to before. We absolutely loved cruising with Royal Caribbean last time and figured it was time to come back again for this cruise. Antigua is one port that I had never been to...so we booked.

 

Now originally we were going to go with an interior, especially since this is another port intensive cruise and we aren't the type to spend much time in our rooms anyhow. But we found the ocean views to be a great deal...then for some reason I took a look at an ULTRA SPACIOUS OCEAN VIEW, which happened to be located at the very front of the ship with 2 windows. Hmmm, it's my graduation celebration cruise right? Heck, why not? I was super excited and knew that any room bigger than any previous interior or balcony had to be awesome right? I booked and was super excited!!!

 

Kendra played it cheap and booked an interior for their group. Spring Break cruises are always a lot more expensive than other times and she didn't want the added expense...or at least that's what she thought at the time. lol

 

 

But before the review begins...just a few non-legal formalities heh heh heh.....

 

I am so happy to find this review.  I have been in withdrawal with not reading your posts for a while.  I am so sorry to read about all of the sad news and feel so badly for Billie.  He has gone through so much sadness for such a short period of time.  Congratulations to you on reaching your Graduation! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Russ Lomas]

1 hour ago, mitsugirly said:

So if you are standing on the beach, facing the water, you look all the way to the right. You will see a small boat dock.

 

 

Here you see the snorkelers going out and the snorkeling is very shallow on the right and slopes down quickly going toward the dock (there's a rope there that you are not to go past because of the boats coming in and out docking). So it's long and not wide. It goes out a little past that rock you see still out way out there (and still pretty shallow).

 

 

 

 

 

That is the exact area we snorkeled when we did Cosol's tour (twice).  We saw neat stuff, but nowhere near the amount of amazing stuff that you took photos of.  We did not have too long there on the Cosol stop, so maybe you had more time to search or maybe my eyes are not as good as your eyes.  Like I said, I will have to dive there next time.