This morning I awoke in my hotel in Barbados to grey skies and puddles as it had rained overnight. The forecast was for rain today and I didn’t look forward to starting off on my cruise in the rain. However, before I had my second cup of tea at the bountiful breakfast buffet provided at the hotel the skies had brightened up and the humidity had come down about 20% and the clouds had disappeared. (And yes, I’ve given up even trying to control my hair already).
I spent a lovely couple of hours in the shade at the hotel pool, reading and people watching (and doing some research for my blog). Then it was time to transfer to the ship. Although the cruise ship terminal was a bit chaotic, all worked out and by 1:30 I was aboard and settling in to my cabin.
I didn’t end up going in to Bridgetown to explore because there was just too much on the agenda for the afternoon! Lunch had to be had, suitcases had to be unpacked into the most ample sized cabin imaginable, snorkel and fins had to be picked up, excursions had to be planned, and naps had to be had.
So the day was spent pretty much getting settled into the rhythm of life on the Star Pride. I haven’t mentioned yet that I know two other solo travellers on the cruise. Turns out a friend on Facebook saw my itinerary and reached out to let me know she was on the same cruise! And there she was on the same bus that shuttled us from the passenger check-in location at the cruise ship terminal to the ship. What are the chances of that? And one of the travellers I spent time with last year on my cruise, (who lives in Colorado in the winter and Wisconsin in the summer, but with roots in Canada) and I planned ahead to be on the cruise at the same time again this year. She also encouraged a neighbour to join her so we had to spend some time catching up and enjoying the tropical breeze on the top deck of the Star Pride, iced tea in hand.
Cruises are pretty much works in progress, as the seas don’t always cooperate with where we want to go, and already tomorrow we’re being slightly diverted from one side of Tobago to another, and our excursion has been changed from one reef to another for snorkelling. Too bad but I’ll roll with the punches and really who can complain about 28 degrees, sunshine, sea breezes and snorkelling in the warm Caribbean.
At 6 pm we were manoeuvred away from the dock in Bridgetown by a local pilot tug, and slowly left Barbados behind. The Sail-away is a tradition done every time we leave port and while it’s more effective on the sailing ships when the sails are unfurled, the flag raising ceremony still brings a lump to my throat. The ship’s flag is slowly raised to the sounds of Vangelis’ Conquest of Paradise with much pomp and circumstance and many of the passengers on deck cheering it on.
After a busy day, and a great tasting dinner with interesting and engaging conversation, I’m ready to let the Star Pride rock me to sleep so that I can get up refreshed for another day of fun and adventure.
Stay tuned for more on Trinidad and Tobago and our adventures tomorrow.
Lois' Adventures 