I Feel Like I've Been Hit by a Truck: A Transatlantic Trip Report

[Witherbark]

Day 10: At Sea (9/27)
Up early again after yet another time change. I was up and headed to the gym around 7:30 while Greg tidied up the cabin. I ran on the treadmill for a while, and I guess I’m enough of a regular up there by now that I got a “good morning Erica” from the spa staff. Greg was still in the room when I got back, so we headed up to Topsiders together for breakfast. My omelet this morning was well undercooked, but there was still more than enough to eat. We split up after breakfast, and I grabbed a chair on deck 10 and enjoyed my book and a swim. I sat facing the ocean, which is one of the reasons I don’t mind foregoing the padded chairs on Deck 9 – no view like this.

After a shower and a change I headed to Animator’s Palate for the drawing class – Minnie and Pluto. I definitely shouldn’t quit my day job, my Minnie looked more like a transgendered monkey. Here’s a hint, though, fellow participants. The drawing class is supposed to be fun. An entertaining way to pass an hour and maybe learn something. If the class leader starts a new character a few minutes early, or doesn’t tell you to make three circles in a timely fashion, you probably shouldn’t let it ruin your morning. Or your cruise.

Upstairs for an Asian buffet in Topsiders. I had an egg roll and rice, bread, and dessert. I tried to keep it rather light, since you and I both know I’m going to have second lunch. Eventually I headed down to Rockin Bar Dead where I met up with Greg for the finale of Desperate Shipmates. It was very funny and appropriately nonsensical. Best of all, the “winners” received…an autographed picture of the cast. Again, folks who take this too seriously…it’s a cruise. Have some fun. Relax.

I’m not sure where Greg disappeared to after the finale, but I headed up to Goofy’s Galley for second lunch. I found Greg eating some ice cream and he showed me where the picture of the day was – Cove Café. So we hung out for a while reading magazines. I eventually ended up on Deck 4 on a lounge chair with plans to meet at Diversions at 5. I happily met up with some of our dinner mates there and had a nice chat.

By the time I made it to Diversions Greg was chatting with a new guy (Army connection, of course). We couldn’t chat long, though, because it was off to the Rainforest Room. During first seating/the show is the absolute perfect time for this. Quite often we were the only people in there, and it was amazing and relaxing and restful. I showered in the locker room so Greg could use the cabin shower. I had intended to get Mickey or Minnie pictures tonight, but Greg took a nap.

Parrot Cay for dinner again. Tonight was Around the World menu, funny because our Scottish dinner mates had never heard of the “Scottish” dish. Heh. I wanted the cheese soup, but sadly they put the bacon in it, not on top, so no soup for me. Yolande, the amazing head waiter, wouldn’t hear of it and promised me the soup tomorrow with no bacon. I tried to assure her that I didn’t mind at all, but she was adamant. Such a wonderful lady. I had the ghoulash for my main course, and again this is where Ana showed how great she is. I wanted the pad thai, but she said it wasn’t good at all. The ghoulash was one of my favorite meals of the entire trip! The bread and butter pudding for dessert was good – not Raglan Road good, but good. Straight to bed – tomorrow is St. Maarten.

 

[Witherbark]

Day 11 – Land Ho (9/28)
At 6:30 I felt myself nearly thrown out of bed. Ah, good morning forward thrusters. Greg headed on deck to watch us come into port while I had the unnecessary “room service breakfast as wake up call”. Greg had eaten upstairs but had another cup of coffee with me, and then we both headed up to deck 10. Next to us was a floating toaster. Okay, it was the NCL Epic. It just bore a striking resemblance to a floating toaster.

It was yucky hot – humid and just uncomfortable after so many pleasant days at sea. We took the water taxi to downtown and, ship’s shopping map in hand, planned walked around. The guys on the water taxi were asking for tips. Now, I don’t mind in the least tipping for good service. But I bought a ticket, and you are driving the boat and docking it without sinking. So far, you’re doing the bare minimum, exactly what I paid for. Why exactly do you expect a tip?

We found the prices downtown high, but no one bothered us when we said “no, thank you.” The water was lovely and very nice, even though the rest of the town looked run down and dirty. I just have a hard time with the fairly glaring, grinding poverty on these islands.

We stopped at the large liquor store by the boat dock and ran into Mike and Jodie, then took the water taxi back to the ship for lunch. There wasn’t much I could eat at Topsiders, and Greg went over to Goofy’s Galley for a sandwich. I asked for the vegetarian sandwich option, but he brought back the veggie Panini which was gross. It was super hot, so it’s not as though I was really hungry.

I changed into a suit and we were back on the island. We found two chairs with an umbrella for $10 and settled in. This was the nicest part of the day, I wish we had just done this. We swam in the warm water, very clean, and met some folks from the Epic. After a couple of hours we headed back to the ship and straight up to the Rainforest Room, where we spent a wonderful hour just relaxing.

We were in Diversions playing Yahtzee when we sailed out of port. We had a horn battle with the Epic which was fun (and which I’m just assuming we won – hello, “when you wish upon a star.”). We skipped the show to dress for Pirate Night. I had a sparkly pirate top and Greg put on his bandana, sword, and tattoos from both our fish extender and DVC. Nothing says “pirate” like a DVC tattoo. It was only two of three couples at dinner tonight and we were out of there lickety split. My bacon-less cheddar cheese soup was seriously good – I think better than the one the night before. The salad was great, the seafood pasta just so-so, but dessert redeemed it (I had the trio tonight). We danced around the restaurant for Pirate Night, then headed up on deck.

Several people were completely into the show, which was fun to watch. I don’t get going to all of the trouble to dress like a pirate for a special event and then sitting there like a bump on a log, but some folks were. We made fools of ourselves dancing and being silly, then Mickey made his grand entrance and there were fireworks. We could have stayed for the buffet, but we were exhausted from the sun and walking around in the heat, plus we had both missed sunscreen in spots. Off to bed and ready for Tortola the next day.

 

[figment52]

It is as though I am right there with you. Thanks for sharing.