A Day at Sea – Puerto Rico to Grenada

As I told my fellow passengers at the end of the muster drill last night, I hope to not see you all at this muster position ever again! It’s a necessary safety precaution but does make you have a thought or two about the possibilities.

But those thoughts were quickly dissolved afterward with the discussion by the Excursion Staff on the route the ship would be taking on this first 7 day cruise. So many things to see and do.

Today is our only day entirely at sea, as far as we know. Sometimes stops at destination islands have to be scrapped due to poor wind or wave conditions. I’ve read on the Windstar Passengers Facebook group that most if not all of the stops in Montserrat this season have been cancelled due to high seas. And the excursion that I’ve booked was cancelled a couple of weeks ago due to heavy rainy and flooding of the roads. So we may be diverted to St Kitts, or another nearby island.

Last night, today and through the night we’re making the long run south from Puerto Rico to the island of Grenada, and then we will head back north, island hopping as we go and the Captain has assured us by the middle of tonight it will calm down.

The Captain warned us last evening that it was going to be windy and wavy with high swells overnight and through most of today. And it is both of those. There are a lot of green faces around, and I have to admit that while I usually don’t suffer from sea sickness, my stomach has been a little queasy today. I’ve staying outside in the fresh air and trying not to think about it.

Windstar does a great job of a “Sail Away” when the ship is leaving port. They raise the Windstar flag with great pomp and circumstance (and some clowning around) to the very appropriate music of Vangelis’ Conquest of Paradise. It’s a beautiful dramatic and moving piece of music. (You might recall his music from “Chariots of Fire”.fame.) With the ship slowly passing by the night skyline of San Juan and the lighted walls of Castillo San Felipe del Morro glowing in the background, it makes quite an impression. I have a video of the flag raising, but afraid it would take until the end of the cruise to load.

I went to the inside dining room for dinner last night because it was really windy on deck. The Maitre’d asks singles if they want to be joined with others at a table and I was joined last night by two lovely ladies. They were both from New Jersey but one has retired with her husband to South Carolina. After a great dinner, with some fun conversation at my table I headed for my cabin to read for awhile and then be rocked to sleep by the pitching of the ship.

Just as an aside, many of the passengers are loyal and long time Windstar cruisers and it’s not unusual to hear of them having taken 25 or more cruises. And I’ve noted with interest some passengers and staff greeting each other like old friends because they have travelled together previously. Feels a little like family.

This evening was the Captain’s Cocktail Welcome where the Captain introduces his senior staff. Each of the staff were introduced by a piece of music as they entered the lounge. When the ship’s Doctor was introduced, he grooved down the aisle to “Staying alive”. In fact earlier today there was a serious medical emergency in the breakfast restaurant and I have to commend the staff on how fast everyone reacted. Was disturbing but comforting at the same time. I have no idea the outcome but hope all is well.

Meals are all included on the Star Pride, and most dinners take place in the main dining room or at the deck grill. But there are a couple of more intimate restaurants for which you have to make reservations, although there is no additional cost. It’s required simply to manage the smaller venues. Tonight I used my one reservation at Candles Restaurant. Disappointingly, the weather prevented me from eating outside, although the meal was still simply delectable. I had an interesting chat with a couple from South Carolina, about zip lining, and hurricanes.

It’s the first time I’ve been in a restaurant that offered a small tray of 3 different salts including Pink Himalayan and Black Salt from Hawaii. (Sorry can’t recall the third). And it’s also the first time I have been offered my choice of two different steak knives from a wooden box. I thought maybe a duel was to take place at first! A butter knife could have cut the filet that I enjoyed.

I’m off to the lounge for a Beatles music trivia night and then to bed. My snorkelling adventure in Grenada comes early in the morning.