Breakaway 14 Day Southern Caribbean Review with lots of pictures (and the Haven)

[ncklhaus]

that's pretty cool. our attendant on Allure this summer saw my wife's reaction at the first animal we got and kept them coming every night. had a little zoo by the end of the week.

 

Make sure you tell your room steward that she likes them. They usually do a little more if they know you appreciate it.

[ncklhaus]

Thanks so much Jo Ann....

After this review and photos, my January cruise in the Haven cannot come soon enough! :)

 

Don

 

Hmmm.....now you are making me think about that January cruise too. :D

[ncklhaus]

Thanks for getting back to me. I dont mind paying extra for that. I'm glad that is an option. We are definitely getting the SDP. We are doing a 7 night cruise, so I'm deciding between 3-4 nights.

 

I want to try ocean blue, cagneys, and maybe moderno. Then we were thinking of maybe using the SDP for one of the dinner shows.

 

All good choices. Don't forget Le Bistro and Teppanyaki are really good too. But Teppanyaki is just SO MUCH FOOD!! I always feel bad wasting it.

[Kattus]

There is also a great disparity in wealth. Most people are living in poverty. At one point the driver asked the group if any of us were police or politicians. We were not. That's when he pointed out the haves and the have nots. He said most of the government is corrupt and that is why the police live in mansions and everyone else lives in run down homes or even shacks.

 

Once we were getting close to the port he let some people that wanted to go shopping off before we would be driving into the secure port area. After he let them off, he advised the rest of us that we were going to be boarded and checked by the police. We should stay quiet, have our cruise cards in one hand and have both hands up on the head rest in front of us so the police can see them. Umm, holy crap. That made me very nervous, but everyone did as they were told and the police officer was on and back off our bus in just a few minutes. Phew.

 

The driver then brought us back to the entrance to the pier and off we went.

 

Here's a picture of St Maarten decorated for Christmas still. Very pretty.

 

We decided to just get back on the ship after that.

 

 

:confused: When we were in St. Maarten last year and using a tour operator (Bernard's Tours, highly recommend if you go back to SM) we walked around the shopping area before going back to the pier and didn't encounter anything like that, only had to show our cruise cards. This driver sounds really dramatic, maybe he was hiding contraband? lol

[BrandoMan13]

All good choices. Don't forget Le Bistro and Teppanyaki are really good too. But Teppanyaki is just SO MUCH FOOD!! I always feel bad wasting it.

 

if we do the 4 day SDP we'll go to teppanyaki. Its good food and a fun little show when I've done hibachi places elsewhere.

 

Not a huge fan of french food so we probably pass on that and enjoy the complimentary meals the rest of the trip.

 

I love good food but I'm also a simple man who enjoys wings, burgers and a well stocked buffet lol.

[ncklhaus]

if we do the 4 day SDP we'll go to teppanyaki. Its good food and a fun little show when I've done hibachi places elsewhere.

 

Not a huge fan of french food so we probably pass on that and enjoy the complimentary meals the rest of the trip.

 

I love good food but I'm also a simple man who enjoys wings, burgers and a well stocked buffet lol.

 

Then you will love it! The wings and burgers at O'Sheehan's were fantastic.

[ncklhaus]

:confused: When we were in St. Maarten last year and using a tour operator (Bernard's Tours, highly recommend if you go back to SM) we walked around the shopping area before going back to the pier and didn't encounter anything like that, only had to show our cruise cards. This driver sounds really dramatic, maybe he was hiding contraband? lol

 

Could be! LOL

If we ever get back there, I'll look into that tour company. But our tour was also booked through the cruise line so it's not like we were just picked up by some random driver. Maybe they have heightened security since then?

[ncklhaus]

Day 9, Monday January 9, Bridgetown, Barbados

 

 

 

 

[ncklhaus]

 

 

 

[ncklhaus]

This morning we woke up early because we were going on an excursion and had to be off the ship to meet our group at 8:35am. So we were up at 6:30 and I was able to get some nice pictures of the sun coming up before we went to breakfast.

 

[ncklhaus]

The Serenade of the Seas was docked next to us.

 

 

 

 

 

[ncklhaus]

Breakfast in the Haven.

 

My usual filet and eggs with potatoes. No, I didn't get tired of eating it. It was always perfectly cooked and just the right portion size for breakfast. ;)

 

Mike's Traditional Eggs Benedict. Always delicious.

 

 

And Melissa's Scrambled Eggs and Bacon, no potatoes.

 

Mixed Berries from the small buffet

[ncklhaus]

We chose the "Barbados Beach Break" for our excursion. We got off the ship and walked down the pier and through the terminal building where we were met by a guide holding a sign for our excursion. She checked our tickets and gave us a paper bracelet that would act as our bus ticket, admission to the beach, and get us each a cup of fruit punch or rum punch.

 

Just a FYI, wearing camouflage clothing is illegal in Barbados.

 

The excursion ticket.

 

 

We boarded the bus that was waiting for us and Melissa was thrilled because one of her "new best friends" from Splash Academy was also on the bus with us. We would spend the morning with them and another family that had another of her "new best friends" as well.

 

Here are some pictures from the bus ride to the beach.

 

I guess gambling is big in Barbados. The sign says "Federal Bookmakers, Your Friendly Bookie". I wonder if the friendly bookie smiles at you when he's threatening to break your knee caps if you don't pay. LOL

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ncklhaus]

 

We arrived at the Beach Club called Harbor Lights. It was an OK place that looks like it is probably a lot of fun at night when it becomes a club. We got our free drinks and a guide escorted us down to the beach and to lounge chairs with umbrellas. They do try and get you to go on snorkeling trips and turtle tours from there and they can get a little pushy, but Mike just told the guy straight out we have no interest in going but if we change our minds we will let him know. But if he keeps asking us, he will get no other answer than NO.

 

He left us alone from then on. Off to the water we went. It was beautiful, clear, warm, and not rough at all. We were in the water for around 2 hours when I decided to go get my phone and put it in its waterproof case and get some pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

[ncklhaus]

Underwater picture.

 

That's when it started to go south. Some pictures are not as clear. That's because my waterproof case malfunctioned and my phone got wet! It started acting screwy and when I would try and take a picture it would take around 40 in a row. Then the gyroscope malfunctioned and it was switching between apps all on it's own. What a nightmare. No, I didn't have the insurance on the phone. But we got very lucky that one of our new friends in the Haven was a tech wiz and was able to fix it, once it dried out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That's the pink "waterproof" case once I found out it was defective. Although it worked up until that day. And this picture was one of 30 in a row that the phone took by itself.

[ncklhaus]

We had to meet the bus again in front of Harbor Lights at 12:15 and we were told to make sure to bring dry clothes to change into as you were not allowed on the busses in wet bathing suits. So we went to change and decided to look at some of the things the vendors had set up inside the beach club. They were not pushy at all and Mike bought Melissa and I each a Turtle necklace.

 

I don't remember what we did when we got back to the ship but I know we showered and tried to get sand out of places it shouldn't have been. LOL

 

I think Melissa went to the afternoon Splash Academy and Mike and I went to the Haven bar to drown my sorrows about my phone. That's when we found our tech wiz. Hallelujah! He was pretty sure he'd be able to fix it. I was still able to use it, but it had a mind of its own and I had to try and beat it before it would switch between apps. I would shut it off for a while and then turn it on for short bursts.

 

 

We picked her up from SA and went to Maltings for a drink before our dinner reservations at La Cucina.

 

Melissa wearing one of the Turtle necklaces.

 

 

One of the wonderful wait staff at Maltings

 

 

Me and Melissa, both of us in our Turtle necklaces

 

Mike and Melissa always have to make faces.

 

At least one of them does in every picture.

 

[ncklhaus]

La Cucina bread and dipping oil with a balsamic vinegar drizzle and shredded parmesan cheese

 

One of our favorite Haven waitresses Vanrochel doing a shift in La Cucina.

She just went home on vacation. We are now Facebook friends.

 

 

Uh oh. Melissa's SA bracelet started to come apart. And she was able to slip it off her wrist.

 

 

Melissa eating her salad with Ranch dressing. This is new because she never liked ranch and would only have dressing on the side and usually would just eat the salad with nothing on it. Of course she had to make a silly, messy face for the picture.

 

I had to give her "The Look" to get this one.

[ncklhaus]

Caprese salad. Sorry I forgot to take the picture until I was almost half done.

 

Melissa just wanted pasta with butter and parmesan, no sauce.

 

 

My Osso Bucco with Polenta. I had it last cruise and it was better this trip.

 

After dinner, Melissa went back to Splash Academy for tonight's event "Hurray for Hollywood". She really enjoyed it last cruise. It wouldn't disappoint this cruise either.

 

We dropped her there around 7:45 and we headed to the casino. Hopefully we would have a lucky evening. Maybe we did, maybe we didn't. You'll find out soon. Tonight was also the GLOW party, so we were picking her up by 9:45 and would go to Spice H2O for the party.

[ncklhaus]

We got to the casino around 8:15 and I figured I would try my luck at the Wheel of Fortune machine after not really feeling the Quick Hits machines. Remember, my husband had just hit for $1400 a day or 2 earlier. I put in a small voucher that I had cashed out on the QH machine after around 5 minutes. I hit max bet ($3) a few times when BLAMMO! 2X, 4X, B7R. That's $640! Yeah baby! Cash me out at 8:30 pm.

 

I decide to spend some of that money and go downstairs and purchase 2 Future Cruise Rewards. They do charge them to your onboard account, so I deposited some cash to our account to cover them. I bought 2 for $500, but received $250 of Onboard Credit, so it really only cost $250.

[OnTheGoMom921]

Oh my God! Joanne, I just binge read your entire thread! So sorry to hear of your illness, and so thrilled that you are on the mend! Wishing you a complete recovery and restoration of good health. It looks like you all had a terrific time on this cruise, and you daughter is so adorable! Nice going at the casino for both you and Mike. Maybe by the time your 14 day cruise is over, you have enough winnings to take your next cruise free ;) I guess I'll have to follow along until it's finished!! Be well <<hugs>>

[ncklhaus]

Oh my God! Joanne, I just binge read your entire thread! So sorry to hear of your illness, and so thrilled that you are on the mend! Wishing you a complete recovery and restoration of good health. It looks like you all had a terrific time on this cruise, and you daughter is so adorable! Nice going at the casino for both you and Mike. Maybe by the time your 14 day cruise is over, you have enough winnings to take your next cruise free ;) I guess I'll have to follow along until it's finished!! Be well <<hugs>>

 

Thanks Michelle! Yesterday was 6 months since my mastectomy, so 6 months cancer free.

Have you bought any new fabulous shoes lately? :D

[xcell]

Great review.. did they serve pizza at the La cucina???

 

Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk

[sjnyc323]

Great review.. did they serve pizza at the La cucina???

 

Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk

 

 

They now have new menus since Joann's cruise and pizza no longer on menu as well as dipping sauces for bread. Now only balsamic and olive oil for the breads

[ncklhaus]

Tonight was the GLOW party so we picked Melissa up at 9:45 from Splash Academy, deck 12 Forward and went up to deck 16. As we were walking Aft to Spice H2O, we saw the children's pool on deck 15 under renovation. Sponge Bob and friends were gone and these guys were up in their place.

 

 

 

 

We were talking to the guys that were swapping out the characters and they were said that the small blue slide is not theirs to replace but apparently it will be soon.

 

 

[ncklhaus]

My phone was acting up while we were at the GLOW party so I only have 2 pictures. But it was a blast! They finally got smart and started selling drinks in cups with flashing lights. They are not included in the UBP, and my husband bought a bunch of them for all of us. We were with the family we met in the terminal waiting room.

 

 

 

 

We stayed for close to an hour until Melissa said she was tired.

 

So back to the room where we found this guy. It's an Eskimo.