On our first stop here, a year before, when we sailed on the Crown Princess to Aruba, we didn't bother to get off the ship. As most passengers go ashore for the reasons listed above, we decided to stay on the quiet ship and relax in the Sanctuary.
This time we were just curious and decided after breakfast to go ashore. The ship has to anchor offshore in deep water as there is no pier on land for something this big.
This means we "tender ashore" in a small fleet of the ship's lifeboats which shuttles back and forth during the ship's visit here.
The ship has big doors at the waterline and this is where the lifeboats are loaded during a shuttle. They have the words "No Tug"written on them when closed.
It's a long ride ashore....
Once the tender reaches the landing dock we get off and find a signpost to help get our bearings...
The beach is on the way to Madrid by the looks of it. The sailboats are for rent.
There are several bars along the beach and a BBQ buffet set up in 2 locations if you are hungry. The food is brought over from the ship as are the bar drinks. You use your ship card to pay for things.
The bars and food stands close up long before the ship sails so be aware of the closing times posted.
You can't hear it in the photograph but there are a couple of musicians playing calypso music through some loudspeakers. SO you know you are in the Caribbean! Nice touch.
It's overcast but hot and some passengers book these little cabana huts which have a table and four chairs plus air conditioning inside. They also have a couple of loungers outside. These cost $199 to rent for the day. If you pay $249 you get food and drinks delivered.
We are not keen beach-goers. It's noisy and crowded, the shore is stony, and we have sand on our feet so each time we look up and see the quiet ship out there we are one step closer to going back to the luxury.
We are thinking about the luxury of the ship and the air conditioning that waits so after an hour or so on shore we are taking another tender back.
15 minutes later we are on the ship
Now it's time for a beer followed by a nap in the Sanctuary...Carol is already on one of the comfy loungers.
Not many people around which is why we like it. It costs $40 a day per person now (then it was $20) but if you book for the week on boarding day it drops to $30. So- $420 for two people to escape the crowds and get waited on by the "Serenity Stewards". It's a great place to doze off. Alas after half an hour I could hear the strains of some steel drums wafting in the wind and I couldn't resume my nap.
Although they serve Afternoon Tea here from 3.30 to 4.30 we prefer to take it on our balcony where we have a bigger table and can serve ourselves so we asked Room Service to deliver it to us at 4.30 when we would be sailing away from the island.
Warm scones with raspberry jam and clotted cream
Cookies and cake
Sandwiches- turkey, ham, cucumber, chicken, brie, shrimp etc
Afternoon Tea is complimentary and a great Princess tradition. An assortment of teas is provided and there is a thermal carafe of hot water. After this belly-busting feed it is time for a wake--inspired balcony nap in the shade.
While we are napping again here is a video of our trip ashore....
No comments:
Post a Comment