I'll Be Good Next Year- Fantasy Eastern NYE 13/14 Updates 6/17

[JKSWonder]

Guavaberry! I bought a bottle on our last cruise on your recommendation and it did not disappoint! Love the stuff.

 

[dvc4life]

What a wonderful excursion. And aren't Chris and Stew just great! They are some fun loving people. And so were the other boat of our group that went with you. And to think, we met them all through DVC and Cruising on the members cruises! Most all of them, plus more of our group, are cruising again this fall from San Juan but we had to cancel due to a family wedding.

I hope to be able to do an excursion like this on our next trip. It looks absolutely amazing. But, in the end I am glad we didn't book it as our friends who were supposed to be going with us weren't able to go due to him being in an accident, which he is still recovering from, and that our oldest daughter had such a terrible head cold that she wouldn't have enjoyed it at all. So to living it through you and your beautiful pictures is great!

Can't wait to see the next beach!

 

[lizzyb]

That tour looks fantastic!

 

[RGirl]

Hi Ellen! Came by to get caught up on your TR - I am loving hearing about your incredible Saint Marten excursion!

 

[rndmr2]

Great updates! Looks like you had a great time in St Marten! I remember your past TR talking about that Guavaberry rum and I made it a point to go to that little stand to get some but my DH talked me out of buying it (we are not real big drinkers at home), But I did get one of the drinks at the little bar there! YUM! I won't be talked out of it next time... LOL

I had told you about my BIL not long ago, I thought I would let you know that he did pass away 5/28. Not exactly unexpected but sudden at the same time, it was a really rapid decline. The kids are handling it pretty well, they are still pretty young ( 5 1/2 and 7) and he has been sick in some way or another most of their lives. So it's sad but still a small sense of relief that he isn't suffering anymore, it was just awful to watch.

Well, to bring the mood back up a little I LOVE those pics of that turtle while you were snorkeling! So Cool!

 

[pillow]

We had such a great day on our excursion. What a bumpy ride! Snorkeling was fun - though I didn't get to see the turtle up that close.

Lunch was our second favorite meal of the cruise (Remy was first ). I loved the Guavaberry Colada!

I would highly recommend the excursion!

Hey there! When is your next cruise?? I know you mentioned one but I can't remember???

Jodie

 

[KristiMc]

Hey there! When is your next cruise?? I know you mentioned one but I can't remember??? Jodie

Hi Jodie! We are going on the Dream this Thursday! Checking in to the DVC Hilton Head resort today.

 

[pillow]

Hi Jodie! We are going on the Dream this Thursday! Checking in to the DVC Hilton Head resort today.

Lucky you. Have fun! We sometimes have appetizers and wine while watching the ships sail away; we call it the "poor man's cruise." I'll try to watch on Thursday. Maybe I'll spot you waving. If not, it will be a good excuse for wine and food - ha!

Jodie

 

[KristiMc]

Lucky you. Have fun! We sometimes have appetizers and wine while watching the ships sail away; we call it the "poor man's cruise." I'll try to watch on Thursday. Maybe I'll spot you waving. If not, it will be a good excuse for wine and food - ha! Jodie

We are in one of the 5e's on the aft deck 9. We plan on waving from our balcony so look for us.

I'm so excited. We are loving the DVC HHI resort.

 

[pillow]

We are in one of the 5e's on the aft deck 9. We plan on waving from our balcony so look for us.

I'm so excited. We are loving the DVC HHI resort.

We stayed there twice when the kids were younger and loved it as well. I loved running/walking through Palmetto Dunes - especially in the spring when all the azaleas are in bloom . . . aahhhh.

I will definitely look for you! We have a 5E booked on deck 7 next April - can't wait to use that enormous balcony.

Jodie

 

[scottny]

Love the pics of the turtle.
Your drink looked good.
Pinel Island looks pretty.
That is too bad one of the captains turned around. It looks like a beautiful day.
All caught up.

 

[podsnel]

I love the turtle pictures. Every time I see pictures like that I long to go somewhere and snorkel with them!!!!

Yes! Go!!

That guava berry colada looks de-lish! I am a blended tropical drink girl too especially when on the beach. Heaven!

It is a very yummy frozen drink- I personally can have one and I am full.

Bummer for the folks that didn't make it due to a little chop water. It's so blue and wonderful. The sand looks so fine and white.

It is gorgeous there- really nice to see the island this way- on land there is too much traffic and graffiti everywhere.

Lunch looks great too. Bad to be reading right now as I am starving.

OOPS!

It's hard to believe that all this goodness is just one afternoon. Love that about the Disney cruise, it's like a bunch of little different vacations in one.

That's right!!!!

We had such a great day on our excursion. What a bumpy ride! Snorkeling was fun - though I didn't get to see the turtle up that close.

I totally was in the right place at the right time for that one. You have to hang near the eel grass- that is where they stay.

Lunch was our second favorite meal of the cruise (Remy was first ). I loved the Guavaberry Colada!

WOW! That's high praise!!

I would highly recommend the excursion!

I am so glad we took it! I am recommending it to everyone I have going to SXM!

What a beautiful day! I'm glad you braved the waves so you could get to these beautiful places.

Me too!

Can you believe I missed out on the Guavaberry cocktail when I was there last summer!!?? Only one wait to remedy that - go back!

Oh noooo!!! You would love it- and you are right, you will go back!

LOVE LOVE LOVE your turtle pictures. So pretty!

Thanks! I was so excited to take them!

Great update! That boat trip looks like fun! What's a little wave action slowing anyone down when you've got a final destination of gorgeous beaches and islands?

Well, the waves were huge- I think we had a great captain so it all worked out for us- plus we weren't freaked out by it.

Love the turtle pics! I took so many pics underwater on our cruise too. Love my waterproof camera!

Waterproof cameras rock- I started with my first one when we went on our first Disney cruise- I could never live without one now.

MMMM Guavaberry coladas are delish SHHH i still have most of a bottle of guava berry rum left and hidden. Now I need to go buy some coconut milk and make one!

GREAT idea!! I have a bottle still, too- I guess I will have to invite some friends over...

Guavaberry! I bought a bottle on our last cruise on your recommendation and it did not disappoint! Love the stuff.

YAY!!! I am so glad!!

 

[englishrose47]

Hi Ellen just poppin' in so you know I am still alive and kicki'

 

[podsnel]

What a wonderful excursion. And aren't Chris and Stew just great! They are some fun loving people. And so were the other boat of our group that went with you. And to think, we met them all through DVC and Cruising on the members cruises! Most all of them, plus more of our group, are cruising again this fall from San Juan but we had to cancel due to a family wedding.

Yes they were great to hang out with that day! Stew had some crazy tan lines at the end of it, tho- lol!! I am so sorry you had to cancel that Southern Caribbean cruise- it looks like a great itinerary, similar to the one we are doing on Celebrity next year in November. Awesome you met all those people on a DVC cruise, too! That is on my list of must-dos for someday, but not quite yet....

I hope to be able to do an excursion like this on our next trip. It looks absolutely amazing. But, in the end I am glad we didn't book it as our friends who were supposed to be going with us weren't able to go due to him being in an accident, which he is still recovering from, and that our oldest daughter had such a terrible head cold that she wouldn't have enjoyed it at all. So to living it through you and your beautiful pictures is great!

Can't wait to see the next beach!

DEFINITELY do this excursion- we all loved it!

That tour looks fantastic!

It really was- we saw and experienced so much-

Hi Ellen! Came by to get caught up on your TR - I am loving hearing about your incredible Saint Marten excursion!

Hi Roni! Thanks for stopping by- I will be over to catch up with you soon!

Great updates! Looks like you had a great time in St Marten! I remember your past TR talking about that Guavaberry rum and I made it a point to go to that little stand to get some but my DH talked me out of buying it (we are not real big drinkers at home), But I did get one of the drinks at the little bar there! YUM! I won't be talked out of it next time... LOL

They make the BEST ones at that little stand- but not on this visit (more on that later).

I had told you about my BIL not long ago, I thought I would let you know that he did pass away 5/28. Not exactly unexpected but sudden at the same time, it was a really rapid decline. The kids are handling it pretty well, they are still pretty young ( 5 1/2 and 7) and he has been sick in some way or another most of their lives. So it's sad but still a small sense of relief that he isn't suffering anymore, it was just awful to watch.

I am so, so sorry! And I know exactly what you mean- unfortunately. I will say a prayer for the kids- amazing how reilient kids can be-

Well, to bring the mood back up a little I LOVE those pics of that turtle while you were snorkeling! So Cool!

Yes! It was wonderful!

Lucky you. Have fun! We sometimes have appetizers and wine while watching the ships sail away; we call it the "poor man's cruise." I'll try to watch on Thursday. Maybe I'll spot you waving. If not, it will be a good excuse for wine and food - ha!

Jodie

OMG, Jodie- that is sooooo funny!!

I am so mad I forgot to watch them sail away this week- June is nuts around here, between baseball, baseball, baseball, finals, 2 birthdays, father's day, our anniversary, school end events- my head is spinning!

Love the pics of the turtle.
Your drink looked good.
Pinel Island looks pretty.
That is too bad one of the captains turned around. It looks like a beautiful day.
All caught up.

Yea- the Captain turned around because the passengers couldn't handle the rough water. They freaked. Really a shame. This was an excellent excursion- VERY HIGHLY recommend-

 

[podsnel]

SO! Back on our little boat, and on to see more of what was to be seen....



We were stopping at Creole Rock for more snorkeling. I was kind of done with that (and actually a little chilled) so I just stayed on the boat along with a few others and sunbathed.







Back onboard, it was time for the next stop-





We went by some nice houses- one of these (or maybe all of it!) was recently purchased by Donald Trump-





It was pointed out to us that the whole beach is public there (and everywhere on St Martin). Our next stop was Maho Beach- which is the airplane beach. We visited last time for our group full body exfoliation- this time it was a lot less painful from the boat! We arrived in perfect time to see the biggest plane arrive for the afternoon which is always an Air France jumbo jet-



Very cool.



We went by the area where all the private jets are parked (are they parked? Is there some other term for it?). So many were here today because all the mega millionaires all had flown down and then hopped on their private yachts to go to St Barth's for NYE.



But some yachts were still here- like this one, which was maybe the Victoria's Secret one?





Sorry guys- no underwear models were seen in the making of this TR (much to the disappointment of many onboard our little boat, I am sure). SOMEBODY was tired....but still giving our day the thumbs up, lol-



Our happy and skilled Captain!





Up on the side of this rock, there were goats- can you see them?



And then, just around the corner....



Thanks Captain V! Souliga is the best day in SXM ever!!

 

[pillow]

I missed seeing Kristie too . . . by the time I thought about it, it was 5:30. Boo! And I forgot all about my poor man's cruise that day (my kids think I'm nuts)! But, its 4:30 now - better go pull out the appetizers!

Jodie

 

[Linda67]

Hi Ellen
Just landed back in the UK yesterday following our 2 week WDW and DCL trip
On my, I am missing the Fantasy in the worst possible way!!
Loved the Eastern itinerary!
Urgh, I need October to come around fast!
You are still double dipping right?
Great pics from St Martiin by the way

 

[rentayenta]

Just wow on the mega planes and yachts. Who lives like that?! I'd be willing to give it a whirl and report back.

That water is so gorgeous. What a truly wonderful day!

 

[podsnel]

We were all back to the port in plenty of time, it was not cut close AT ALL, and we had done SO MUCH!





Our boys, of course, were anxious to get back to Vibe having missed a WHOLE DAY there! The horror!! We stayed off the ship a little longer- first to admire the decorations-



And then to go over to the Guavaberry stand and have one more colada- except, the blender was broken today. So, no guavaberry for YOU.

Let's see....you work in a cruise port. It is New Years Eve. The ships are here. You make 1 drink. It is in a blender. The blender breaks. So of course, the store is closed. Right? I mean I am sure they only missed out on our business and not one person off of the GINOURMOUS Epic would have wanted one, or from any of the other ships. Sooooo island time. Guess it would be STUPID to have a second blender around. Too funny!



Outside the Fantasy's entrance, they had these lovely waters set up- LOVED IT!!!





Welcome home-



We went back to the cabin, and not too long after, we were saying good bye to St Martin....



The island we liked a WHOLE lot better the second time around....

Up next...HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!! A Disney party in style!

 

[englishrose47]

Awesome updates Ellen the scenery, houses boats etc were fantastic!! Love that flavorful water , had me come lemon cucumber at The F&G Show in May and it was surprisingly delish!!!