Catamaran trips

[Miss Vickie]

We just booked Calabaza for January 2014!

[Carpe_Diem]

A little bit of a lengthy review, however, words cannot convey enough how much we enjoyed this excursion!

 

We had known for over a year that we would be visiting Barbados as one of the ports of call during our ten day Eastern Caribbean cruise aboard the Emerald Princess. We usually do an excursion at each port of call, and this port would be no exception as we had never been to Barbados before. The fact that we would be in port on January 1st, 2013 was even more of an incentive to start the New Year off right.

 

We wanted to find an excursion that would provide as many of these things as possible; away from the port area and preferably out on the water, provided snorkeling and swimming with local sea life, had to be a very relaxing atmosphere, provided some food and drinks throughout the trip, would limit the number of people to a small group for the excursion, had arranged transport to and from the ship, the excursion timing had to suit our ship’s time in port, and lastly, had to be reasonably priced.

 

Amongst all of the available excursions and tours that anyone could partake of in Barbados, we chose the “Calabaza Sailing Cruises” to fulfill our quest for a relaxing time during our port visit. The name of the excursion was the “Lunch Cruise” and the memories of that wonderful day are still vivid in our minds.

 

As cruisers, we started our search of Barbados excursions through the Cruise Critic website, and specifically the Barbados port of call forum board. Seeing that Calabaza Sailing Cruises had rave reviews, we quickly confirmed the comments through TripAdvisor as well. We then emailed Calabaza Sailing Cruises on May 18th, 2012 and asked a few general questions about the excursion. Within 24 hours, we had received a detailed email from Gina and we knew right away that we wanted to reserve two spots on the Lunch Cruise excursion.

 

Fast forward to January 1st, 2013 and our ship arrives in port. Following the directions provided by Gina, we quickly find our minivan driver outside the duty free shopping/welcome center at the pier. The courteous driver tells us that the catamaran launch is a short ten minute drive away and that we will be leaving shortly once all of the people on the excursion have arrived.

 

Arriving at the catamaran launch site, we remove our street shoes and board the boat to begin an incredibly wonderful excursion. We settle our excursion fees with Gina and the fun begins. Coffee, tea, juice and water were immediately available along with some very warm and delicious banana bread. Our group enjoyed these treats while the crew of Danny and Chad began preparing the catamaran for sailing.

 

As we get under sail, we meet our fellow passengers through casual chit chat about past cruising experiences and such. Gina points out and explains some of the well known hotels and landmarks on the western coastline as we head northward to our first exciting snorkeling stop … the sea turtles area.

 

As we approach our first snorkeling spot, Chad handed out provided snorkels and masks for those that needed them. We didn’t use flippers in the water so as to avoid unintentionally injuring the sea turtles. Chad gets ready as well and comes into the water where the group would be snorkeling. While Chad is feeding the sea turtles, the group had countless opportunities to snorkel around and interact with the sea turtles. Chad was also able to take random pictures of people in the group as they enjoyed the sea turtles experience. Our time at the sea turtles area lasted approximately 30 minutes and then everyone boarded the boat again.

 

All aboard and underway again, our group was treated to some delicious snacks and a variety of beverages, including a terrific Rum Punch that Gina had made. As we travelled northward to our next stop … a nice reef area to snorkel and see some colorful fish … the group was encouraged to find some space aboard to relax and enjoy themselves. As before, Gina would point out areas of interest and answer questions about life in Barbados.

 

We arrived at our next snorkeling area as Chad was handing out flippers to those that needed a pair. As before, Chad was in the water with the group to ensure the safety of all and he was also feeding the schools of fish some bread so that all of the snorkelers had an opportunity to be up close to the beautiful fish.

 

While the group continued snorkeling in the water, Gina finalized the preparation of lunch. Once aboard again, the group enjoyed a wonderfully prepared and bountiful lunch, with more beverages offered as well. There was more than enough food to satisfy everyone’s appetite. After lunch we had about 30 minutes to free swim around the catamaran or we could venture into the shore for some beach time.

 

All aboard again, we spent a leisurely 45 minute ride back to the catamaran launch site where we disembarked at about 2:45 PM. Those that wanted to partake of the ten minute shuttle bus ride back to the ship’s pier were able to do so, while others could easily stroll back through the town to the ship’s pier area.

 

All in all, we had a fantastic day aboard the catamaran and enjoyed Gina’s, Danny’s and Chad’s company. If we found ourselves porting in Barbados again, we would reserve this excursion again in a heartbeat. The atmosphere aboard the catamaran was more likened to a family setting out for a day of sailing. There was never a moment onboard where we felt as if we were just a customer filling an excursion. We felt as if we had been friends of Gina, Danny and Chad for years. It was simply a marvelous and enriching experience.

 

Upon arriving home after our cruise, we were delighted to see a group email from Gina thanking us for spending time with Calabaza Sailing Cruises. In Gina’s email, she even included recipes of the food we enjoyed aboard Calabaza that day, as well as a link to pictures that Chad had taken of our group that day. What a fantastic memory of our excursion with Calabaza Sailing Cruises.

 

To Gina, Danny and Chad, we thank you for making our port call to Barbados a very memorable one.

 

Cheers!

 

Tomas & Sherrie from Ontario, Canada

[Shandav]

I have a question we are considering booking the Calabasa catamaran and they say they return to the dock at 2:30 our ship sails at 4 is that enough time? Do you have to go through customs to enter the ship or is it just walking on?

Thanks Shannon:confused:

[Miss Vickie]

On Royal Caribbean you have to be back on board 1/2 an hour before sailing. Calabaza provides transportation in both directions and there would have been time if we had had to be on board by 3:30. You don't have to go through customs. They drop you off in front of the cruise terminal, you show your cruise card at the check point, and walk through the terminal to get back to your ship.

[Shandav]

Perfect thanks for the information. The person responding to the emails did not know.

Thanks Shannon :)

[Shandav]

We also just booked for Jan 2014, we are Sunday 1/26. What day are you booked?

[Cruisin KLS]

We at booked with Calabaza on 01/27/14 for the fourth visit with Gina and crew. Like the previous poster stated, it is like coming home to family. It is such a relaxing day. The food and company are wonderful not to mention how amazing the turtles are. Well worth the money. Upon returning home you not only get the recipes but also a link to pictures taken during your sailing. Gina and crew truly know how to spoil you!

[otiscruiser]

A quick question for ya'll... My mother is going with us and is 78 and a bit wobbly. How hard is it to get on the boats, get in and out of the water and are you sitting on catamaran flat seats or are there seats also..... Thanks

I am asking about all three of the trips...

[Cruisin KLS]

A quick question for ya'll... My mother is going with us and is 78 and a bit wobbly. How hard is it to get on the boats, get in and out of the water and are you sitting on catamaran flat seats or are there seats also..... Thanks

I am asking about all three of the trips...

 

I can oly speak about Calabaza. It is easy to get on and off the boat from the dock. There is seating on benches as well as flat seats on the front of the boat and on the nets. Getting in and out of the water will be tricky on any boat. Calabaza has a ladder on one side and a kind of deck on the other at water level. The crew is always helpful getting people on and off the boat as well asin and out of the water.

Hope that this helps. -Kristi

[otiscruiser]

I can oly speak about Calabaza. It is easy to get on and off the boat from the dock. There is seating on benches as well as flat seats on the front of the boat and on the nets. Getting in and out of the water will be tricky on any boat. Calabaza has a ladder on one side and a kind of deck on the other at water level. The crew is always helpful getting people on and off the boat as well asin and out of the water.

Hope that this helps. -Kristi

 

Thanks Kristy! that was what I needed to know!

mary

[wwcruisers]

We did the Silvermoon 24-passenger trip last week, and had a blast! Dale and his crew did a fabulous job of getting us to see the turtles, the submerged wreck, and a nice swimming beach. I don't even snorkel, but I probably had the best view of the giant turtles, while photographing my friends from the boat.

The food was great, and you could hardly finish a drink without the crew offering you another. After taking this excursion, I now understand the glowing reviews from folks who sail with Silvermoon every time they are in Barbados -- I'd book this one again in a heartbeat! :cool: