Back from our sub we had a choice of beaches to relax on. This is the most popular one, closest to the ships. The crowd was thinning out late in the afternoon.
There is a quieter one though, near to the jetty where the sub tender dropped us off, so we went there.
Between the two beaches we came across some unfamiliar trees
I don't know the name of these beautiful flowers, alas
Suddenly a whale breached through the sand in front of us-obviously way off course...
I love whimsical art like this-very Disney-esque.
We spent about an hour on the beach, relaxing in loungers, listening to the surf gently wash ashore, until it was time to head back to the ship, vis the Duty Free shop where I picked up some smokes and Carol a huge bag of Smarties-her favorite British Candy. On the way there we came across this small exhibit....space explorer John Glenn, not really dressed for the beach...
and the horse he rode in on. He returned to Earth by landing in the ocean, off the coast of GT. A very brave, heroic man.
It's a neat permanent tribute to America's amazing Space exploration.
On returning to the ship you see that sign that sends chills down your spine...."Next Port-Ft. Lauderdale". Ouch! Over so soon?
We had one sea day left on the ship as she made her way to her Home Port.
Here's a video clip that shows us at dinner after leaving GT and some early morning footage from the next day- our final day on the Ruby...
Our GT excursion was a semi-sub voyage to the depths of, oh about 10 feet under the surface.
We had to get out to the sub first on another faster boat. That meant getting off the ship...
We boarded our tender boat on a short pier near the beach after meeting our tour group by the Welcome Center
and were soon underway out to deeper waters
The sub was waiting
These are the kind of subs that don't sink- they have windows in the hull underwater. You just go down a ladder and there are seats with a window for everyone. Bring your camera! The ladder is short but steep and you go down facing it. As they don't sink they are subject to the currents and swell on the surface. They have sick-bags on board if this upsets your stomach. One lady held one to her mouth the whole time we were in the lower observation deck. Luckily she didn't use it.
Not much to see until one of the crew got into the water wearing SCUBA gear, carrying a bag of fish food with him. Then the shy fish came out of nowhere...
A pleasant way to spend 45 minutes. Soon we were transferred back to the fast boat and on our way back to the jetty after dropping off a tip for the sub crew. Excursions on the islands will usually have a tip jar...The cost of the excursion itself is charged to our onboard account which gets settled on the last night on board.
We left St Thomas on Thursday....wait a minute-we get off the ship on Sunday!! Eek!
Today we would be in our last port-Grand Turk and then tomorrow, Saturday, we would be sailing back to....I can't even think about it!
Soon the happy faces would be frowny faces as we knew we would have to fly back to Chicago and snow.
However we still had a couple of days to enjoy!
We would dock in Grand Turk at 1 pm and leave again at 7 pm. So the morning was spent sailing along in open water.
Just after 8 a.m and most people are either sleeping or having breakfast. On the movie screen is a daily morning show-The Wake Show- which features the cruise director talking to other members of staff and in doing so let's you know what will be happening on and off the ship today. The cruise director on this trip was Samantha Hawker-Thomas, from England.
The woman who designs the interiors of Princess Ships-Theresa Anderson is shown on the MUTS screen.
I move to the back of the ship. This is the highest deck on the ship, where you'll find a mini-golf course and walking track.
There's also a small basketball court
As the buffet is a few decks below I grab a cup of coffee from it and step out onto one of the tiered aft decks to enjoy the wake view as we motor along.
Some folks bring their buffet breakfasts out here to eat al fresco
I would be meeting Carol at 9 am so we could have a leisurely breakfast in Sabatini's. I knew there would be a great cappuccino in my future...
After a multi-course breakfast in quiet surroundings with a pleasant view over the stern and the fountain just outside the restaurant window...
....it was time to spend a couple of quiet hours relaxing in the Sanctuary before we would be close to Grand Turk. Of course we took short naps-that warm caribbean breeze and the peace and quiet of the Sanctuary guarantee that.
Carol enjoys the adult pool here-and the hot tubs
Right on time the island came into view. There was a Carnival ship already berthed.
Passengers on the Ruby gathered to watch us approach the jetty
Carnival Glory
They have a Tom Jones concert movie blasting on deck
The welcome center and duty free shop are at the end of the pier. Many of the Carnival passengers are already on the beach.
Grand Turk is a flat, unremarkable island (my opinion after two visits, both on the Ruby) but the beaches are wonderful. You can see how clear the water is.
With the Ruby tied up passengers start to go ashore. We have an underwater excursion today but not for a couple of hours so we don't have to rush.
Here's a video clip of our arrival in Grand Turk.....
After our visit to Paradise Point and slow taxi ride through the congested Jewelry Store streets we were back at Crown Bay to board our ship. She would be moving on to Grand Turk in under two hours.
I paused for a while to have a cigarette
And take some photos of the ship
Oh- you can buy Diamonds here too!
You will see many of these Iguanas slowly strolling around in the heat
Enjoying the cool breeze down by the water
Back then I didn't have an Ultra Wide Lens that could fit the whole ship into one shot so I had to take two photos to get her 952 feet covered. I have since bought a new lens.
Here's the part that matters most to us- the aft, which is where we live. Our cabin is the third one down (center) to the right of the red flag. As you can see we have no one living below us.
Club Fusion is on Promenade Deck just above the name of the ship. Three decks above us is the aft pool-where the flagpole begins.
Back on board it is time for a beer and for a hot lunch- there is a fast food grill and a pizzeria serving all day until 11 pm. Carol has the thin crust pizza while I have the knackwurst with sauerkraut and crispy French fries. Excellent meal !
When 4 pm rolls around it is time to bring in the mooring lines (you can see 6 of those above) and leave Crown Bay for the open sea.
Once the slow careful harbor maneuvers are completed we can pick up speed and leave St. Thomas behind
Photos taken from our balcony while enjoying Afternoon Tea
In the Caribbean in January it gets dark around 6 pm. Half the passengers are already at dinner.
Some are watching the Movie screen. Waiters bring them blankets and popcorn. We are relaxing before cocktails in Skywalkers followed by dinner around 8 pm. There is music and entertainment all over the ship-just a normal night on a cruise ship.
We dined in one of the MDRs- Michelangelo Dining Room and had our requested waitstaff of Michael and Natalia.
Veal ravioli in mushroom sauce
Beef Wellington-a favorite of mine
After a very rich meal we like to take a walk on the sparsely-populated Promenade Deck to enjoy the fresh sea air as the ship races along at over 20 mph
Here's a video clip taken as we left St Thomas....
