Cruising the Caribbean

We wanted to go somewhere on vacation after the temple closed so looked at several options.  We found a screaming deal on a Caribean cruise.  So just a couple of weeks before departure, we scheduled it and found flights.  Even Costco couldn't begin to touch the deal Princess offered us directly.

Thursday, Nov. 7  Depart from Ft. Lauderdale

Princess Cays, Friday, Nov. 8

The Princess Cays is a beautiful private island owned by Princess.  

It was HOT!!! Princess Cay nearly melted Kay.

At Sea,Saturday, Nov 9

Saturday was a day at sea, so I didn't take many pictures.

Formal night. on Saturday evening.

St. Thomas, Sunday, Nov. 10

On Sunday, we took a taxi to church on St. Thomas.  It was a nice experience.  They asked me to play the piano for sacrament meeting as no one in the branch played the piano. Ken gave one of the prayers.

After church, we called the number the taxi driver gave us to get a taxi back to the ship, but no one was there.  Ahh!  How do we get back to the ship?   So we walked down the hill in extreme heat to catch a local bus.  But a member of the bishopric saw our plight and offered us a ride.  He took us right to the port.  He probably saved my life (I'm being dramatic) as it was so hot.  We were so grateful!

Ships docked at the port.  It was beautiful.

Our ship in the background.

We especially admired the beauty of this wooden sailing vessel.  

Monday, Nov. 11  St. Kitts

Monday, we were on St. Kitts.  I had developed a blister on Sunday in St. Thomas from all of the walking, so didn't get off the ship.  These pictures were taken from the ship.

Love this man

Ken did get off and did some sightseeing and took some pictures:

Cathedral that is actively being used.

Older church, the exterior of which is in disrepair

But was beautiful inside.

Monument at a roundabout in town.

Pier area

Two Princess ships in port at the same time- kind of rare. 

In the afternoons, we liked to go up to the highest deck in the Skywalker lounge and read or study.  The views are marvelous up there, especially when out to sea.

Tuesday, Nov. 12  St. Lucia
Ken always gets up early and walks for 1 1/2 hours on the top deck of the ship when we cruise.  He takes some beautiful pictures as the ship pulls into port.

This day's were especially beautiful as there was a full rainbow.

There was a full rainbow across the entrance to the bay.

Award-worthy shot right here.  Isn't that gorgeous!

Fort Rodney

View from the fort

Fort Rodney is on Pigeon Island

Delicious dessert

Wednesday, November 13  Barbados

A cathedral in Barbados

Cathedral

At dinner that evening.

I ordered pretty much all the seafood they offered!

Well, and some chicken.  This was stuffed with cheese.

These pictures aren't great, but we found a duo on board that we loved.  They were a husband-wife team.  She could rock the boat when she sang.  She was really, really good.  It was the first time I've ever seen a singer get a standing ovation in a bar.

Thursday, November 14  Antigua

Our son-in-law served in Antigua when he was on his mission.  It is beautiful, but it is HOT!  I honor him for serving in such a hot place without air conditioning.  They just had a fan they slept with at night.

Sunrise

Inside of the famous Antigua cathedral

Famous cathedral

We were docked right next to a Disney ship.

We had fun shopping in the town.

A steel drum band was playing right on the dock.  That always creates a festive atmosphere.

Brian was happy to learn that they now have a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-saints chapel there.  They just rented a building when he was there.  You can see it in this picture.  It is to the right and down the mountain a bit from the highest building with a green roof and distinctive steeple.

This was one of the best dishes I had on the cruise: a tamarind- glazed salmon.  It was just delicious.

This key lime pie was delicious.  Ken ordered it and I had a bite and so wished I had ordered it.

Ken always, always, always orders crème brulee. Every. Single. Night.   He loves it.

This is what I ordered.  It looks good, but wasn't nearly as good as that pie.

Ken so happy with his crème brulee'

Friday, Nov 15 At Sea

Formal night #2.

This is beef wellington with a lobster tail on the side.  The beef wellington is always my favorite dish on the ships and may be my favorite dish period. That spinach puree was delicious too. 

We have been on so many cruises that we are always invited to the Captain's Circle cocktail party.  We have never gone until this cruise.  It was fun.  Everyone is served a free drink.  Here we are with our virgin pina coladas.

Special dessert.

Saturday, Nov. 16  At Sea

Yes, yes, it is crème brulee again.  I had to end with a picture of Ken's crème brulee.

On our way home from a wonderful, relaxing vacation