Link to Sea Day Two (previous page)
The Cast:
Me and DH - Reine and Paul, 50 somethings
Mom and Aunt, 80 somethings, aka "the ladies"
DD the CM, Robyn, 24, met at the port
Up early for our excursion, St. Maarten Island and Butterfly Tour. The only real disappointment of the trip occured this morning. We ordered room service for 7:00 - 7:30 and it didn't come on time. I finally called at 7:30 and they said it was on the way. It finally arrived at 7:45 and we inhaled the food since we had to meet in Rockin Bar D at 8:00 for our excursion. We ordered room service to "simplify" the morning but it didn't work.
The Island and Butterfly farm tour was interesting. You meet in Rocking Bar D and are given a character sticker specific to your tour group. Then you follow the CM with the Character paddle off the ship and to the bus area right by the dock. Board the bus and away you go. FYI, bus was a large airconditioned touring bus. This proved to be interesting on some of the roads. The tour went around the island and stopped for shopping before going on to the butterfly farm. Several stops were made at "picturesque" locations to enable picture taking. I bought a necklace and a hat at the bazaar like shopping area. Note to folks shopping on the islands. Take lots of small bills. The owners of the stalls that offer the best prices are glad to take US dollars but they'll tell you they don't have change so you can get better deals if you have exact change. Take 1's, 5's and 10's rather then 20's unless you plan to buy something expensive.
Butterfly farm was interesting and had some rare butterflies. The person made special effort to involve the children and the kids got a special souvenir of some sort.
The guide on the bus was interesting and knew lots about the history of the island and pointed out interesting things and places.
After the tour, we went back to the ship for lunch and a nap...remember we're on vacation. After the nap, DH and I went to some of the shops near the dock to do some shopping. DH got cigarettes for $11.00 a carton and I got some sunglasses. Went to a drugstore and got Robitussin since DH had started coughing with a cold and we needed to "dose" him. Typical guy, you have to almost force him to take medicine. Found DH a tropical shirt for $10.00. Great fabric and has washed well. I went to the Mr. Tablecloth shop at shopping area near the dock and bought a cutwork Christmas table runner for $13.75. Got a small one that wouldn't hang off the table since I wanted the design to show on the top of my table. Great values on linen tablecloths and napkins, cutwork and embroidered.
Back on the ship to go to the PremEAR of Home on the Range, Disney's newest animated feature. Cute but I wouldn't pay movie theater prices for it. Then wandered around the ship a little before dressing for Tropical night. Leis at our table when we went in. Food was great (as usual). Chicken wing appetizers were almost enough for a meal by themselves. Roasted pork tenderloin with fruit dressing was delicious. Ladies had Beef Tenderloin teriyaki and DD had the pumpkin crusted Tuna. All agreed food was great.
After dinner we had pictures made in Tropical attire. We had WAY too many pictures made even with DD's discount! But the quality of the photographers was really good and it's REALLY hard to get DH to schedule picture sessions so we took advantage of the opportunity. Besides, where else can you have pictures with the Magic in the background? I have really enjoyed the pictures although they all make me look fat! Oh well, I'll just have to be diligent at Curves and NEXT year I'll be smaller.
After pictures, the ladies went to cabin for the night. DD went off to see some friends and DH and I walked around the deck. Really nice to watch as we sailed past islands and could see the lights on the shore.
After the stroll, decided to go to bed since we have to be up EARLY for immigration tomorrow. Anyway by this time it's 11:30. One thing about the 8:30 seating is that we seldom got through with dessert till around 10:30.
Off to bed...Rock me to sleep Magic...ZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz.............
Link to St. Thomas/St. John
The Cast:
Me and DH - Reine and Paul, 50 somethings
Mom and Aunt, 80 somethings, aka "the ladies"
DD the CM, Robyn, 24, met at the port
Up early for our excursion, St. Maarten Island and Butterfly Tour. The only real disappointment of the trip occured this morning. We ordered room service for 7:00 - 7:30 and it didn't come on time. I finally called at 7:30 and they said it was on the way. It finally arrived at 7:45 and we inhaled the food since we had to meet in Rockin Bar D at 8:00 for our excursion. We ordered room service to "simplify" the morning but it didn't work.
The Island and Butterfly farm tour was interesting. You meet in Rocking Bar D and are given a character sticker specific to your tour group. Then you follow the CM with the Character paddle off the ship and to the bus area right by the dock. Board the bus and away you go. FYI, bus was a large airconditioned touring bus. This proved to be interesting on some of the roads. The tour went around the island and stopped for shopping before going on to the butterfly farm. Several stops were made at "picturesque" locations to enable picture taking. I bought a necklace and a hat at the bazaar like shopping area. Note to folks shopping on the islands. Take lots of small bills. The owners of the stalls that offer the best prices are glad to take US dollars but they'll tell you they don't have change so you can get better deals if you have exact change. Take 1's, 5's and 10's rather then 20's unless you plan to buy something expensive.
Butterfly farm was interesting and had some rare butterflies. The person made special effort to involve the children and the kids got a special souvenir of some sort.
The guide on the bus was interesting and knew lots about the history of the island and pointed out interesting things and places.
After the tour, we went back to the ship for lunch and a nap...remember we're on vacation. After the nap, DH and I went to some of the shops near the dock to do some shopping. DH got cigarettes for $11.00 a carton and I got some sunglasses. Went to a drugstore and got Robitussin since DH had started coughing with a cold and we needed to "dose" him. Typical guy, you have to almost force him to take medicine. Found DH a tropical shirt for $10.00. Great fabric and has washed well. I went to the Mr. Tablecloth shop at shopping area near the dock and bought a cutwork Christmas table runner for $13.75. Got a small one that wouldn't hang off the table since I wanted the design to show on the top of my table. Great values on linen tablecloths and napkins, cutwork and embroidered.
Back on the ship to go to the PremEAR of Home on the Range, Disney's newest animated feature. Cute but I wouldn't pay movie theater prices for it. Then wandered around the ship a little before dressing for Tropical night. Leis at our table when we went in. Food was great (as usual). Chicken wing appetizers were almost enough for a meal by themselves. Roasted pork tenderloin with fruit dressing was delicious. Ladies had Beef Tenderloin teriyaki and DD had the pumpkin crusted Tuna. All agreed food was great.
After dinner we had pictures made in Tropical attire. We had WAY too many pictures made even with DD's discount! But the quality of the photographers was really good and it's REALLY hard to get DH to schedule picture sessions so we took advantage of the opportunity. Besides, where else can you have pictures with the Magic in the background? I have really enjoyed the pictures although they all make me look fat! Oh well, I'll just have to be diligent at Curves and NEXT year I'll be smaller.
After pictures, the ladies went to cabin for the night. DD went off to see some friends and DH and I walked around the deck. Really nice to watch as we sailed past islands and could see the lights on the shore.
After the stroll, decided to go to bed since we have to be up EARLY for immigration tomorrow. Anyway by this time it's 11:30. One thing about the 8:30 seating is that we seldom got through with dessert till around 10:30.
Off to bed...Rock me to sleep Magic...ZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz.............
Link to St. Thomas/St. John