Apr 18, 2013 - Week 2 - NCL EPIC - at sea

Well Thursday found us at sea for the day - hence a much needed sleepin for everyone - especially the kids. Phil and I decided to have a relaxing day up at the H20 bar exploring the many different cocktails they had on offer. Had my specialty NCL glass and decided that the Strawberry Daquari was my favorite, Bahama Mama was a close second. Jess joined us and Eb & Scott came up after lunch. We decided that it was a good day to go watersliding so with Eb and her trusty Gopro we set of to have some fun - possibly a bit wobbly, gotta love...

Apr 17, 2013 - Week 2 - NCL EPIC - St Thomas

Well today we set off to the island of St Thomas - it was a family experience that I think we'll never forget. :) We watched from our balcony it was a beautiful view of St Thomas as we docked. We were all organised to get off the ship early as we had planned a trip to do SNUBA - it was on the other side of the island from the Epic so we hired a taxi and set off. The scenery was amazing and the view of the Epic surrounded by clear blue water was beautiful as we had to go up and over the top of the island. Our driver gave us all the info on...

Mar 1, 2013 - At Sea

Our last day at sea and another chance to learn a new dance, the quickstep this time. We also went to a talk given by our cruise director who had been on a Seabourne cruise ship when it was attacked by pirates. He had loads of photos and the talk was both amusing but also a bit scary. Once more a good sunset.

Feb 27, 2013 - Virgin Gorda

Our last port of call before Miami was Virgin Gorda, the third largest of the British Virgin Islands. Britain nabbed the island in the 1700’s for sugar plantations. It really is the most beautiful island and with all the other islands around it (including Richard Branson’s Necker Island) a truly idyllic part of the world. We did a tour around a good part of the island in a jeep before climbing up through a wooded area to the highest point on the island. Finally we went to the area known as The Baths. We had been there on a previous visit...

Dec 5, 2012 - swimming with the turtles

St. Thomas is a popular cruise ship stop, both in terms of the number of ships that dock there and in our own hearts. Over the years when we cruised over the Christmas holidays, we sometimes cruised a week and stayed here the second week. So we feel like we know this little island like the back of our hands, but it’s always interesting to see what has changed. Because it is the low season between Thanksgiving and Christmas, there were only three boats docked at Havensight including us and two docked at sub base. Later in the winder it will...

Mar 15, 2012 - Frederiksted, St. Croix

(March 13 we stayed on board as we were anchored out of Half Moon Cay once again. The 14th we enjoyed a day a sea.) Today's island lesson: There are about 700 islands in the Caribbean. The difference between an island and a cay (“key”)? -a cay is a sand bar; an island has high land on it. Observation: a lot of folks seem to come to the Caribbean just to go to beaches or ride boats that will take them snorkeling, etc. There are many shore excursions offered for those folks. ____________________________________ Today we got to St. Croix...

Mar 9, 2012 - St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

We spent a few hours in this American Territory and felt it was one of our 2 favorite ports (as was San Juan, PR). [The U.S. purchased this area from the Danes in 1917.] Our fun excursion started off with Tuffest driving a large open air shuttle with 17 of us stuffed in and holding on! Once off the pier and through the narrow busy city streets he headed up the very steep, very winding and very narrow 2-lane road to Mountain Top. No way we'd have ever attempted this road (and yes, they drive on the left) on our own! The views of the...

Feb 2, 2012 - Winter Relief in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands

There's nothing like breaking up a second winter in Boise than a trip to St. Thomas the last week of January. With Casey and James working there for the winter we had a nice excuse to go. That on top of Barb getting in on Southwest Airline's one day half price sale, we were on our way! We flew to Ft. Lauderdale via Las Vegas where we overnighted near the airport. The next day we were on the 1pm Spirit Airlines flight to St. Thomas and with the 1 hour time difference we arrived there at 4:30 - just in time for Casey & James to pick us up in...

Dec 27, 2011 - St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

 St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands: A short and inexpensive taxi ride transports us from the ship to the main downtown shopping district. The water is a beautiful turquoise colour, the town is very pretty and clean and the market and shop vendors are friendly and helpful without being overly aggressive. The waterfront street looks out on a bay which is filled with all types and sizes of boats, including a fair number of super yachts.

Jun 12, 2011 - heading to the B.V.I's

hello readers, Were on our way to the B.V.I's after a week of seeing everything St.Thomas and St.Johns offer their tourists. We have got all the government import permits for Timex,we will be spending about 3 days on the island of Tortola before heading off to Virgin Gorda,where we will make the passage from the Bitter End,Virgin Gorda to St.Martin. then we will be in the Leeward Islands and then the Windward Islands(Grenada)and making our trip to St.Lucia and Grenada.400 mile journey from St.Martin. We hope to find a good internet...

Jun 5, 2011 - cruising the turquoise waters of the U.S.V.I

hello Readers, We are presently in the beautiful waters of the U.S.V.I. Snorkelling the protected reefs has become a daily excursion,I have got to know the reef fish and many more by their names,referring to my fish book regularly. We could stay here forever feeling that time does not pass,this extended cruise has been well worth all the effort,now we can really feel what cruising should be like. timex has gotten well aquaited with his daily swim too,although he still hasn't got fully confident,he jumps off the swim platform(his lifejacket...

Apr 15, 2011 - Grand Turk, BWI

We kept to our usual routine – you know, gym, shower, breakie. Then we sat by the pool for most of the morning. Before disembarking on the Grand Turk at 1pm, we had a quick lunch. We decided to hang around the pier and not take in any sites. Sure, it was a beautiful island, but other than sitting around Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville, which I have to say was a fun time, there really was not much else to see or buy. Next visit here, we have decided that we would partake in a tour of the island, to see the historical towns and sites. Jimmy...