uktog

I know I was checking the cameras earlier and it looked fun

Yes the issue is it’s a raised pool so the first rock or roll and it all spills out the front

It’s good advice. Unbelievably Karen comes from my home town in Scotland and her parents live in the next village to my son

Today will be a very lazy sea day. Unfortunately the speakers repeat last week but we’ve plenty books with us The pool roof is open and there’s plenty cabanas available all around as well as beds, loungers,sofas and individual chairs . No one can pre reserve them which is fine. The Helios pool will not be open as it’s got a long term design issue (it empties its contents over the whole deck as soon as there’s a wobble - a case of a land designer not understanding the brief I fear). However for now there’s so few children the adult experience prevails all around. We have contractors working all over the ship dealing with items - none have impacted our experience at all and it’s clear the general manager has them working through her long to do list. So they know what they have to fix and that includes entertainment and the whole “shorex” experience as some of the issues they’ve had to face with content and contracts set up shoreside has made things very difficult 😥

Looks a great trip unfortunately DH doesn’t do adrenaline!

Our Easy Dominica tour through the ship cost us 85 euros each and lasted just over three hours. Could we have done better privately- possibly but with obc to use and our changed arrival time it worked well. There were 16 of us in a 24 seater minibus. I’m glad we were mid bus this was certainly not a trip to be upfront unless you had a strong constitution- steep hills up and down, blind corners, hairpin bends but such interesting scenery and a reasonable guide helped. Our first stop was Jacko Falls. We had 30 mins there and could have gone down the rather steep stairs to the base. That was a challenge not for me, so I relied on views from the top and loved picturing the wild and beautiful flowers. They served a rum punch there that blew your head off. I’m surprised I saw any more of the sights! Then it was on to the Botanic Gardens - this is more about trees than flowers so I’m glad I took the flower pics earlier and is something to bear in mind. The one site they show is the memorial to Hurricane David where this brand new school bus fortunately empty was crushed in the carpark and has been kept untouched since Finally a stop on top of Monse Bruce for a view over the city and the ship in the distance cut short as the rain blasted in with typical tropical liquid sunshine. We heard that at the falls they get 360 inches of rain a year but only (I quote) 100 in town. No wonder Dominica is such a green and colourful island. All in all a fair trip and it was less stress than diy.

After yesterday’s delayed departure due to missing fresh food containers we have arrived at Dominica (Roseau). We are in a rather ugly container port and it’s not yet evident if walk up tours exist however the ship is laying on shuttle to town. The proper berth at the cruise terminal has gone to Tui maybe because we were late. Last night we saw a container ship arrive in front of us and start to unload. We certainly saw one container brought over to our ship however we thought there was to be more We left at 1015 not midnight as rescheduled to. Did this mean we left containers behind / who knows! Time will tell We are going on a basic drive round trip as we’ve credit to use. Look forward to seeing what we discover

2 were spotted this morning at breakfast 😂. As we hadn’t got to Dominica then they can’t have been the usual +25 from the immigration team. Parent was not dressed as an officer so maybe they were late bookings

I can already see a difference- blurbs are more extensive this cruise, artistes have been moved around and for those who wanted entertainment mid evening there’s an offering now at 1930. I agree it doesn’t change the issues with the shows and acts but it’s a start

Entertainment they’re fixing sauce we disagree on. I’m not someone who posts to sell a line. I’m honest and highlight what working - the food, service and rooms and what’s not yet working - the entertainment. With the personnel change today the entertainment may be different this cruise

I can live with crew as hosts but the rest I 100% agree it’s marketing piffle no guest onboard understands. We have had the opportunity to chat with travel agents onboard since you left. Their honest mark, from the sensible ones we talked to was 6/10 - shows potential but work to do. The entertainment is woeful- last nights farewell show wasn’t about the guests it was again the entertainment team fawning over each other re two who were leaving. As DH said speeches that would be fine below stairs. We will have a new entertainment manager this cruise. Let’s see if he/she is better. But yes #noexploraspeak. Absolutely

For future reference on Barbados turn around the final chase up call for disembark came at 0940

All are and it’s easy to get bookings

According to a manager who should know, the expected number for our second leg is even less 327. This does impact on experience with excursions cancelled (in our case today no notice sent so we turn up at the designated time and got nothing 🥲) entertainment a little flat and some staff far too over eager (ok they’re bored!) In answer to a previous question it’s out of the cabin by 0800 and off the ship by 0900. Room service is available for breakfast

Honestly we’ve obc and it’s really only excursions or maybe the spa if Anthology restaurant is not your thing

No there is not

There is a Journey shop but its not snacks souvenir etc its still high end goods

Today in St Kitts has been a lazy day. We did walk off into the harbour shops but found the taxi drivers much more aggressive than before. Times must be hard and some were quite rude one leaving us in no doubt we were losers not going on his tour!! Having been many times before I was happy being a winner coming back early and enjoying the beautiful views from my lounger Last night we had an excellent dinner in Med Yacht - the food continues to be spot on every meal. We then tried to find entertainment to our tastes. Our first plan the 60s and 70s evening drew a blank as the group were still debating their play list and opting for reggae 20 minutes after the advertised start. It’s hard to work out what’s going on in the show lounge - all the information is cryptic. Anyway the setting was really nice Unfortunately the night at the musical’s really disappointed- the two singers can’t hold a show together and aim for volume over tuning. We were surprised how many people left but it’s a good feature of the lounge it’s easier to drop in and out. They need to sort the entertainment out but I think they know it. As long as they keep the good food coming I’m happy with the simplicity of the piano player in the upstairs lounge watching the ocean though DH wants more. That said even with the poor entertainment he’s been tempted to a Black Friday booking

Today in Guadeloupe could not have got more special with this double rainbow over “Sainte Honore” It just capped a perfect day for us. Tomorrow the multiple ship experience that is St Kitts. Will be very different!

Trouble is when they do that you end up eating with some right riff raff 😂😂

It’s a ship excursion and well worth it. I believe there are a few people offer it privately but when the ships in town most work for the ship. It was over 4 hours pretty relaxed. We were on the 0830 tour which was ideal as it was cooler. Also the extensive fried fish snacks at the last stop became our lunch. These two photos show what we were served for two plus a wicked rhum (aka local rhum) punch. Catherine’s you’ve to pay but it’s not badly marked up. By the way here and Gustavia are euro currency and those who didn’t have euros found some taxis wouldn’t take them. We’d brought ours so no issue at the lovely genuine craft market

An excellent “excursion” ok can’t remember the silly lingo in Guadeloupe - the Death in Paradise tour. We even saw Neville and he waved to us but I was too slow with the camera 😂😂 But plenty time at the Police Station a drink at Catherine’s bar in town by the beach at Neville’s house (but no Harry!) and a second filming beach stop with included drinks and snacks. There were12 in the group so really nice

We don’t have a stool in an OT4 we have a chair with a back and a very helpful leather pull handle which makes it easy to manoeuvre. It’s a really comfortable chair - I can’t do low seating but have no issues with this chair

You could use the dressing area and chair that’s been fine here though the lights not good. The balcony table works very well

Well Explora did a lovely Thanksgiving offering- full disclosure we’re not American but it was more impressive than we’ve seen elsewhere. The decorations were subtle but nice - more than the usual carved watermelon Tonight there was Thanksgiving specials throughout the ship with a full special menu in Fils Rouge Each course was beautifully presented and very tasty. Service was very good - this was the first time we’d seen the restaurant really busy but it was all handled very efficiently