Boo to the Halloween on the Highs Seas Crew

[Timon]

And the head cheese himself was making the rounds.

OMD! I totally snorted when I read that!

Yes we were meeting the Frozen Sisters!

Elsa sure has a long neck!

We got in line and Rob said he was just going to watch. As I was standing there a lady with a young girl came up to the CM and asked if there was any way to get her daughter in the line. He told her no, this was for those with tickets only, etc. He told her to go to guest services and ask if they have tickets.

I wish they did this on our Wonder cruise! They let two large groups, who didn't have tickets, go ahead of us!!!

Abby enjoyed the streamers that fell at the end too.

That was Kira's favourite part too when we saw it in 2013

People started putting their plates out for me to take pictures.

It's pretty amazing how easily trained people can be when it comes to this! Those who travel with me know my rules, don't touch until I take a pic!

One of my friends said I should lick the phone since he touched it. hahaha...I declined.

Who said that???

I was annoyed though because these people were able to serve themselves. Maybe I look germy?

LOL! Your new nickname, Germy!!!

She did end up resetting it for me but she acted annoyed. I am sure her job is full of annoyance though because if you don’t have things turned off on your phone it eats through the time super fast and people complain all the time about it.

That sucks! Predrag on the Magic was amazing and reset mine like 4 times

See the madness! This is how the atrium area was the whole time.

Oh. My. Dog.

Alexis, who was just across the table and down a bit, messaged Claire and told her to skip dessert so they could go get ice-cream cones. LOL

I have a feeling this might be happening in June as well

The Lonesome Ghosts!!! A childhood favourite!!

 

[jenseib]

I would love see this at some stage.

The shows are really cute. The girls all loved that he talked to someone at our table. Jan thought it was a total hoot too and kept taking pictures.

I love this, too. I heard rumours that they have taken them off the menu though.

It seems like I heard rumblings about that a while ago too but it ended up not happening...I sure hope not.

I love that border.

They had some cute ones.

OMD! I totally snorted when I read that!

LOL...You don't refer to him that way?

Elsa sure has a long neck!

There was one at WDW last week who had one too. LOL.

I wish they did this on our Wonder cruise! They let two large groups, who didn't have tickets, go ahead of us!!!

I remember reading that.

That was Kira's favourite part too when we saw it in 2013

The kids always love the crap that falls. One cruise though I saw adults crawling the floor of the atrium after the till we meet again show on the last night. Seriously crawling and collecting confetti.

It's pretty amazing how easily trained people can be when it comes to this! Those who travel with me know my rules, don't touch until I take a pic!

Yes, They are better at remembering than I am these days.

Who said that???

I think it was Pam!

LOL! Your new nickname, Germy

Well if I a licking phones, then I probably am.

That sucks! Predrag on the Magic was amazing and reset mine like 4 times

Yes. I kept thinking how on the Magic they never gave it a second thought. He knew how crappy the system is.

Oh. My. Dog

And I think the earlier party was more crowded.

I have a feeling this might be happening in June as well

yes. Those girls will probably be hanging at the icecream stand.

The Lonesome Ghosts!!! A childhood favourite!!

I sort of remember the show. I should youtube it to see if it jogs my memory

 

[jenseib]

Oct. 25, 2016, Tuesday, Day 7

Tortola


Today we were finally going to dock at our first port! I was excited. This whole Eastern Caribbean cruising was new for me. I have done many Western and Bahama cruises, but never made it to an Eastern port. The destination was one of the reasons I wanted to go on this particular sailing. I wanted something new!


As always, I was up fairly early and we were making our way into port. It was just stunning.


tor11 by Jenseib, on Flickr


tor12 by Jenseib, on Flickr


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I thought this was interesting…I guess a house being built on the mountain side…probably for me!


tor19 by Jenseib, on Flickr


Believe it or not, as we were docking we would get some off and on rain sprinkles. Nothing major, but enough to make things wet.


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I just love this next picture….it is how I picture these little islands….lots of little boats.


tort24 by Jenseib, on Flickr


You can barely see it in the next picture, but there were chickens running around.


tor23 by Jenseib, on Flickr


tor24 by Jenseib, on Flickr


Claire and I got ready for our day and headed off to get some breakfast.


tor1 by Jenseib, on Flickr


tor2 by Jenseib, on Flickr


After we were sure our bellies were full we looked out at the beautiful port.


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The water color is just amazing!


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A bad pano.


tor92 by Jenseib, on Flickr


We had to meet down in the Tube for our Excursion. Gail’s family was also going. Actually Gail picked the excursion.

When I had researched Tortola, the options really weren’t fantastic. The one that stood out to me the most was the Baths. Also snorkeling was catching my eye. Gail wanted to do a dolphin swim….mainly for Abby. Abby is an animal lover! I am betting she will eventually become a vegetarian because she loves animals so much. She is sort of flirting with it right now when she realized that chicken was actually from a chicken just recently….however, after a few days she did realize she really does love meat too. LOL.

Abby also wants to be a mermaid. She really truly believes that when she grows up she can become a mermaid. Gail bought her the whole mermaid tale and swimsuit set up for her birthday.


Since Gail’s family was going to do the dolphins, we decided we would too. Claire and I have done a dolphin experience in Nassau, but never a swim. I figured we would do the swim and then have that off our bucket list. When looking to do Dolphin swims and encounters, I would not list Tortola as the top place to do it, but it was the only place on our itinerary offering it.


I have been researching the Baths then and a little more now as it is a potential for a future cruise. I am still unsure about that destination for us. There is a lady on Cruise Critic who posts some fabulous trip reports and I try to follow her and all her postings. She recently did the Baths. She is pretty adventurous and after reading her report I am not sure I could handle the Baths. Mainly the caves. There are tiny openings you have to wriggle through and she said her family complained the whole time. It ended up being one of her least favorite places and she has gone to many. After reading that, I was glad we didn’t end up going there this trip.


Sooooo…We met in the Tube and we had to go and sign in. I got in line and waited and waited. There were a few different ones checking in here. It was now my turn and a lady came up to the side of the table and asked the CM a question. The CM then tells her she is not sure and gets on the phone to ask.


tor93 by Jenseib, on Flickr


This ticked me off. The CM should have told her to either get in line with the rest of us or wait till she was done checking people in. I hate people who feel entitled.


We did get checked in and then we were eventually led off the ship.

It was so beautiful and had just got done doing one of the little rain showers. I was clicking away with my camera and we were all talking….I didn’t even notice what I had taken a picture of.


tor3 by Jenseib, on Flickr


Did you see it…..a double rainbow in that shot…


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It was now that Alexis said….Hey! There’s a rainbow!


tort7 by Jenseib, on Flickr


tort4 by Jenseib, on Flickr


tort3 by Jenseib, on Flickr

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

Beautiful photos! Do you happen to know what that building is in photo. Tor21with the pink?

 

[dolphingirl47]

This whole Eastern Caribbean cruising was new for me.

We have yet to do an Eastern Caribbean cruise. I had one booked at one stage, but that got changed for something else. I want to say our Med cruise in 2010. I have however been to Tortola and St. Maarten as part of a transatlantic cruise.

The water color is just amazing!

There is nothing quite like the water in the Caribbean.

She is pretty adventurous and after reading her report I am not sure I could handle the Baths. Mainly the caves. There are tiny openings you have to wriggle through and she said her family complained the whole time.

That sounds like my worst nightmare.

Corinna

 

[egesicki]

I'm late to the party, but loving all your photos. Thanks for letting us live vicariously

 

[rndmr2]

Nice start to your day in Tortola, looks like a pretty island. Beautiful Rainbow pics, it is really low, too

I have seen pics of that excursion to the Baths and caves. They are in a TR here on the DIS if you are interested.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/m...ess-apr-16-east-car-day6-palo-brunch.3533128/

The Tortola Excursion starts on Page 6, #118

Looking forward to the Dolphin swim! (I haven't done a Dolphin swim but I have done one with Sea Lions.

 

[Majordis]

Loving this report! We are doing EC on the Fantasy in May and like you we have done Nassau and WC. Curious if you were port or starboard and what the views were like from your verandah (we will be port). Also wondering if Claire preferred the Murphy Bed or bunk? Can't wait to see your port pictures.

 

[lizzyb]

Beautiful pictures of Tortola. Sailed there for the first time last May and really liked it there.

 

[westcoastfldisneygirl]

Gorgeous Tortola photos! I have yet to go there. Can't wait for more!

 

[jenseib]

Beautiful photos! Do you happen to know what that building is in photo. Tor21with the pink?

Thanks
No I don't. I didn't really spend any time in port to explore. I just did the excursion so I never got familiar with what the other places were.

We have yet to do an Eastern Caribbean cruise. I had one booked at one stage, but that got changed for something else. I want to say our Med cruise in 2010. I have however been to Tortola and St. Maarten as part of a transatlantic cruise.

I must say I do love the Eastern. It was so beautiful. The islands with mountains were just stunning.

There is nothing quite like the water in the Caribbean.

Why can't all water look like that?

That sounds like my worst nightmare.

LOL. I have friends that are doing it this summer. I still am not sure I want to try it yet.

I'm late to the party, but loving all your photos. Thanks for letting us live vicariously

Thanks for joining. I have been so busy that I am going slow...story of my life.

Nice start to your day in Tortola, looks like a pretty island. Beautiful Rainbow pics, it is really low, too

The rainbow was so cool to see.

Looking forward to the Dolphin swim! (I haven't done a Dolphin swim but I have done one with Sea Lions.

Coming up soon!

 

[jenseib]

I have seen pics of that excursion to the Baths and caves. They are in a TR here on the DIS if you are interested.

Thanks for that link. I will go read that and see another version.

Loving this report! We are doing EC on the Fantasy in May and like you we have done Nassau and WC. Curious if you were port or starboard and what the views were like from your verandah (we will be port).

We were starboard. The rest of the family was port. If I can choose I usually choose starboard...and not for any real reason. LOL.

Also wondering if Claire preferred the Murphy Bed or bunk? Can't wait to see your port pictures.

She preferred the murphy bed.

Beautiful pictures of Tortola. Sailed there for the first time last May and really liked it there.

It is pretty but lacking still in things to do. I hope once they get the port area more built up they will eventually offer more excursions too.

Gorgeous Tortola photos! I have yet to go there. Can't wait for more!

it is a pretty island...still newer to the cruise industry so they are lacking in choices of things to do...but very beautiful.

 

[jenseib]

We kept walking down the pier, following our leader.


tor8 by Jenseib, on Flickr


And I kept clicking.


tor9 by Jenseib, on Flickr


This was our first siting of the whole ship while we stood on dock…you can’t get these views of it at Port Canaveral.


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From what I understand, the port area of Tortola is just being built up with shopping. I guess only until recently, this area was pretty bare. It is not completed yet, but there were some stores open in here.


tor27 by Jenseib, on Flickr


We were heading to these buses.


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We climbed aboard and made the short ride over to Dolphin Discovery.


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We were led to an area where we would be given a basic class on dolphins and what would be happening. We were told what we were allowed and not allowed to do, how to do each of the swim options and how to be careful with the dolphins.


We then were told where the cubbies were to store our things and given life jackets. And then they took pictures of each family.


DSC_4041 by Jenseib, on Flickr


This picture also came on the CD…it was an actual picture taken that day.


DSC_4048 by Jenseib, on Flickr


We all got in the water. They warned us that we might get itchy. I forget exactly why, but there was something in the water that could irritate the skin. I will admit that the water was not super nice looking. And as time went on I did get itchy in spots. Abby did too, to the point that she didn’t want to be in the water.


We all took turns doing different things and the photographer got shots of it all. Claire did the push board as her first activity.

I actually think Claire was the first one to go out and do it. No one would volunteer to do it first so we just kind of gave Claire a nudge.


DSC_4083 by Jenseib, on Flickr


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I am watching her.


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Then it was my turn to interact with our dolphin.


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Time for a kiss.


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And Claire’s turn.


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And then I had to go out for the foot push on the boogie board. I did not like this at all. I have floppy feet. There is some medical term for it, but the slang is floppy feet. I have feet with basically no support and they are very flexible. The dolphin comes to your foot and you are supposed to have it in a certain position and keep it basically stiff. The dolphin found my foot and pushed and stopped and readjusted…..he did this a couple of times. The trainer kept telling me to make sure my foot was stiff…I was, the dolphin just knew my foot sucked and he couldn’t get a good position to push me.


DSC_4397 by Jenseib, on Flickr


Here is another start up with the dolphin coming in behind me.


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And now Claire was going to ride the dolphin by holding on to his fins.


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[jenseib]

And my turn.


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Abby was not a fan of the whole experience. I could tell Gail was a little impatient about it all. We were doing this for her basically. Gail kept telling her this is her one and only time to ever do this until she was an adult and wanted to pay for it herself. LOL.


Here are a few pictures of Alexis and Abby’s experience.


DSC_4231 by Jenseib, on Flickr


Alexis was making the funniest faces.


DSC_4233 by Jenseib, on Flickr


Abby finally got brave enough to do some mild interacting.


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Rob finally got her talked into doing the boogie board but she would only go out there if he went with her.


DSC_4485 by Jenseib, on Flickr


And…..she was not a fan!


DSC_4487 by Jenseib, on Flickr


She refused to go back for the ride on portion.


Alexis went though.


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Again, the faces are so funny.


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DSC_4615 by Jenseib, on Flickr


After everyone had their turn…and some people did not do all of it either…like Abby…we then all got out and they had outdoor showers to rinse off. I was itchy, which surprised me as I don’t usually get too affected by stuff like that. Gail typically does and she wasn’t feeling too itchy. Abby however was super itchy and was sure she would die. They rinsed her off. Discovery Cove also said they had something they could put on you if you felt it was too itchy and I think Gail may have taken them up on that for Abby.


tort34 by Jenseib, on Flickr


We then grabbed our things from the cubbies and some of us went to the bathrooms. They have basically a semi-trailer with bathrooms in it. They weren’t great, but not horrible either….and better than an outhouse.


I snapped some pictures as well.

tort35 by Jenseib, on Flickr


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We then went into the gift shop and looked around. Claire and Alexis both found a shirt they liked. I found one for myself and I should have tried it on. The style I got ended up running pretty small and though I could wear it, it’s pretty tight. I need to lose a good 20 lbs to make it look decent….of course I need to lose a heck of a lot more to make anything look decent these days.


Then we headed over to a room with computers and were helped to look at our pictures. They took a lot, which was nice. I only shared just a few of what was taken. Of course we bought the CD’s. We are probably not ever going to do this again, so I better have a keepsake of the moment. And let’s face it….you all know I am a sucker for pictures.


We had to wait a bit for the CD and once we got them we headed back to the buses and headed back to the port.


We separated once there as Gail’s family was going to head back to the ship and Claire and I decided we wanted to look around a bit. We stopped in a few shops and then I found the Del Sol Shop. Yep, Claire loves to look in those. And who do we find in there? Gail’s family. Alexis loves it too. LOL.


The girls ended up getting nail polish that turned colors in the sun. I put some on one fingernail….and it goes on kind of clear and it really does not have a strong color. I also had a coupon for a free gift from the ships coupon pamphlet and it was a rubber ring that changed colors. The shop was also connected to the bamboo shop….which the name is escaping me right now…and there was a free gift for that too, which was a bamboo neckless.


Gail ended up getting more things too, though I am not sure what all she got, I know there were shirts in her hand when she was checking out.


After that we headed back to the ship.

Claire went to shower and I went off for a walk while I waited. I started talking to some people I had met..and we would often chat daily when we would see each other…and they had gone snorkeling. They showed me some of their pictures. They had a really cheap underwater camera and even on that camera the pictures were so neat. It made me kind of wish I had gone snorkeling. LOL. I put that on my possible to do list if I ever get back to Tortola.


We stopped off and got some lunch. I think just chicken strips and fries today and I did not take pictures….I know…bad me!


I headed back to the room to shower and get ready for the evening as well.


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We just enjoyed our balcony and watched people come back to the ship.


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It was pirate night tonight and Claire had a new pirate costume….which she absolutely loved. I actually bought it online without asking her if she liked it because it was super cheap….so cheap that even if she didn’t like it I felt that it wouldn’t be a waste and I was sure I could find some use for it later. I lucked out and she liked it….She is so picky these days and even when stuff is cute she will say its ugly…I think just to disagree with me. LOL.


tort26 by Jenseib, on Flickr


tort27 by Jenseib, on Flickr


The necklace thing she had on was a gift from my Mom in her fish extender…..and it broke by the end of the night. Mom was mad and took it back after we got home.


tort28 by Jenseib, on Flickr


The sun was setting and it was so amazing.


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They sounded the horn, which I think was letting us know it was time to leave.

tor96 by Jenseib, on Flickr

 

[dolphingirl47]

From what I understand, the port area of Tortola is just being built up with shopping. I guess only until recently, this area was pretty bare.

There was definitely nothing there when we were there in 2010.

We all got in the water. They warned us that we might get itchy. I forget exactly why, but there was something in the water that could irritate the skin. I will admit that the water was not super nice looking. And as time went on I did get itchy in spots. Abby did too, to the point that she didn’t want to be in the water.

Oh, that does not sound good at all. I think that would have been a deal-breaker for me. I have very sensitive skin at the best of times.

And then I had to go out for the foot push on the boogie board. I did not like this at all.

I am not too keen on this one either.

I love that costume.

Corinna

 

[westcoastfldisneygirl]

Oh I love the dolphin photos! We did a similar experience on a family trip to Riviera Maya (but we took a cab to a place in Cancun to do it).

 

[jenseib]

There was definitely nothing there when we were there in 2010.

Yes, I heard that it had pretty much nothing there for quite a while.

Oh, that does not sound good at all. I think that would have been a deal-breaker for me. I have very sensitive skin at the best of times.

Yeah, I wasn't a fan of that and actually kind of wish it was known ahead of time before we went and spent all that money. For many it would be a deal breaker.

I am not too keen on this one either.

I am glad I tried it but I have no need to ever go do it again. One lady was with her granddaughter and she said she's been there done it and was just along for her granddaughter to do everything.

Oh I love the dolphin photos! We did a similar experience on a family trip to Riviera Maya (but we took a cab to a place in Cancun to do it).

I am glad we did it, but now we can spend on money on other and hopefully cheaper options. LOL.

I love that costume.

Me too! I was so happy she liked it. I saw it and it was so cheap I thought it had to be a mistake and quickly ordered it. It looked so nice though when it arrived. I hope we get a few more uses out of it yet too.

 

[jenseib]

The sunset was just gorgeous and the camera could not even come close to capturing its beauty.


tor77 by Jenseib, on Flickr


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While getting ready we had ordered room service…for no other reason than that we could.


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Even though we weren’t really hungry, it was tasty. Claire doesn’t do much in the way of cheese unless it’s in some sort of cooked food, so the cheese plate was for me!


tor41 by Jenseib, on Flickr


The sky was producing new colors every few minutes.


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I tried to do facebook live as we were pulling out but it kept cutting out.


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The show tonight was Taylor Mason. Since I have seen him several times now this year, I decided to skip and Claire went with Amanda to watch it.


I did some exploring.


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A quick stop to peek at the clubs.


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It was pretty quiet in the atrium currently.


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I stopped in to take a look at the Pirates League.


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tor56 by Jenseib, on Flickr

 

[Timon]

I was, the dolphin just knew my foot sucked and he couldn’t get a good position to push me.

Oh my dog, I miss you! You make me laugh, can't wait until June

After everyone had their turn…and some people did not do all of it either…like Abby…we then all got out and they had outdoor showers to rinse off. I was itchy, which surprised me as I don’t usually get too affected by stuff like that. Gail typically does and she wasn’t feeling too itchy. Abby however was super itchy and was sure she would die. They rinsed her off. Discovery Cove also said they had something they could put on you if you felt it was too itchy and I think Gail may have taken them up on that for Abby.

Weird! Was the stuff just in the dolphin lagoon or in the water everywhere in Tortola??

Poor Abby doesn't look happy at all

Kira is bothering me to swim with dolphins but I don't want to do it on a cruise. It's so much better at Discovery Cove, plus you get the entire day at the whole park, not 30 minutes, much more value. I told her not this time but the next time we go to Orlando we will do it.

LOVED your sunset pics from Tortola! Just beautiful!

Claire's pirate costume is adorable! Will she still fit it for next cruise? Kira will probably still fit her french maid costume

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

Wonderful pictures once again.

Claire's pirate costume is adorable. So glad she liked it.