Trip report 12/28 Calabaza

[let's go cruising]

Day 5 Barbados 12/28/17

 

 

This was our favorite day by far. We took the Calabaza Sailing excursion. This must be our favorite, not only from this cruise, but ever. I really can’t say enough good things about it. The boat was gorgeous and perfect for what we were doing. Sean, Codie and Bobby were amazing hosts. They took time to just chat with each guest in the friendliest way. The food was absolutely delicious. Everything was just as they describe.

 

 

We were transported from the cruise terminal in a nice taxi. The driver met us at the Pre-Purchased Tours area. A couple on our boat had trouble finding it. We asked in the terminal and they said to follow the red line. It worked perfectly. We were greeted with warm banana bread when we stepped aboard. They also had delicious Fruit Punch. Not to be confused with Rum Punch. They had that too. A little while later there were hot fish fritters and dip. So good.

 

 

We sailed up along the coast, seeing amazing hotels and homes along the way. We stopped at a spot to see turtles. Codie was our escort. He kept us all together and had some fish to attract the turtles. We saw a couple of green turtles. It was very fun.

 

 

Back aboard, we traveled back the way we came to snorkel at a wreck/reef. I was feeling a little seasick (common for me), so I stayed aboard. My family had a great time with Bobby this time. They saw some nice fish.

 

 

After that it was a short trip to our lunch stop. We anchored at a spot where we could go for a short swim after we ate. I got in the water for this too. It was really fun! The lunch was superb.

There was a fish dish and a pork dish, plus several cold salads. I think I am forgetting some other snacks.

 

 

All day long, the crew made sure everyone was given any drink they wanted the instant they wanted it. The service was impeccable. It was absolute luxury to be on this excursion. We could see other catamarans that had dozens of people crammed on board. It looked miserable. Everyone was so happy that when we pulled into the dock at the end, we were all lounging and had to be reminded to leave. Usually, people would have gone below to gather belongings and be ready to leave. Not here.

[JohninDC]

Thanks for the feedback - hope the rest of your cruise was just as enjoyable! :cool:

[Keith1010]

Sounds like a wonderful day.

 

Thanks for writing and sharing your report.

 

Keith

[Vineyard View]

Thank you for sharing - we are booked with Calabaza later this year and have heard nothing but rave reviews!

Appreciate the location directions as well!

[Arzeena]

Day 5 Barbados 12/28/17

 

 

This was our favorite day by far. We took the Calabaza Sailing excursion. This must be our favorite' date=' not only from this cruise, but ever. I really can’t say enough good things about it. The boat was gorgeous and perfect for what we were doing. Sean, Codie and Bobby were amazing hosts. They took time to just chat with each guest in the friendliest way. The food was absolutely delicious. Everything was just as they describe. [/font']

 

 

We were transported from the cruise terminal in a nice taxi. The driver met us at the Pre-Purchased Tours area. A couple on our boat had trouble finding it. We asked in the terminal and they said to follow the red line. It worked perfectly. We were greeted with warm banana bread when we stepped aboard. They also had delicious Fruit Punch. Not to be confused with Rum Punch. They had that too. A little while later there were hot fish fritters and dip. So good.

 

 

We sailed up along the coast, seeing amazing hotels and homes along the way. We stopped at a spot to see turtles. Codie was our escort. He kept us all together and had some fish to attract the turtles. We saw a couple of green turtles. It was very fun.

 

 

Back aboard, we traveled back the way we came to snorkel at a wreck/reef. I was feeling a little seasick (common for me), so I stayed aboard. My family had a great time with Bobby this time. They saw some nice fish.

 

 

After that it was a short trip to our lunch stop. We anchored at a spot where we could go for a short swim after we ate. I got in the water for this too. It was really fun! The lunch was superb.

There was a fish dish and a pork dish, plus several cold salads. I think I am forgetting some other snacks.

 

 

All day long, the crew made sure everyone was given any drink they wanted the instant they wanted it. The service was impeccable. It was absolute luxury to be on this excursion. We could see other catamarans that had dozens of people crammed on board. It looked miserable. Everyone was so happy that when we pulled into the dock at the end, we were all lounging and had to be reminded to leave. Usually, people would have gone below to gather belongings and be ready to leave. Not here.

Did you have to swim ashore for your lunch or was it served on board the cat?

[let's go cruising]

Did you have to swim ashore for your lunch or was it served on board the cat?

 

No. Lunch was served onboard while we were at anchor. A passenger would never need to get in the water if they chose.

[cruisegus]

January 2018

one of the best excursions we have ever had, liked it so well it made the very small DO OVER list.

 

Book early they generally seem to fill up fast

[pacarolinagirl]

Did you have time to explore around the port or did this excursion pretty much take up the entire port day?

[let's go cruising]

I think we got back at 2. The website will tell you, they have the next group coming aboard, so they are prompt. You might be able to hire a taxi to take you around. We were happy to go back on ship.

 

Have fun!!!

 

Renee

[pacarolinagirl]

I think we got back at 2. The website will tell you' date=' they have the next group coming aboard, so they are prompt. You might be able to hire a taxi to take you around. We were happy to go back on ship.

 

Have fun!!!

 

Renee[/quote']

 

 

Thank you for the info. I think we may be booking them for our cruise in 2019.

[chocolatemaniac]

We sailed with Calabaza on March 2, 2018. Wonderful experience! Beautiful catamaran, the captain and crew was friendly and attentive. Only about 12 passengers on board, so not crowded at all. Lots of food and drink! The crew took lots of pictures of us both onboard and in the water, and then emailed us the link of 212 photos, which we could download for free. I booked this tour independently.

 

Highly recommend this trip! :)

[SquishTheWhale]

This sounds great- I'm going to have a look now. Was thinking of doing Pirates Cove but might just do this instead

[beauty1492]

Just a warning-if you are not a good swimmer they do not watch! DH had a very bad experience. When I told the head office they did say they gave the crew their walking papers because it was unacceptable. But DH will no longer go on a cat. I told the crew he needed to be watched, and we have swim all over the world but this time the crew was not what we had hoped for. just saying.

[SquishTheWhale]

Just a warning-if you are not a good swimmer they do not watch! DH had a very bad experience. When I told the head office they did say they gave the crew their walking papers because it was unacceptable. But DH will no longer go on a cat. I told the crew he needed to be watched, and we have swim all over the world but this time the crew was not what we had hoped for. just saying.

 

What happened? He got into difficulty and they didnt notice? I do think how they dealt with it afterwards reflects well on the company- sometimes if you complain after they will just try and brush it under the carpet.

[beauty1492]

Yep! if you want to read the whole account go to my review-- scroll down to Feb 14--I just posted what happen to DH. it was just bad-- from them waiting of others even thu the say we don't wait -- we were 30-45 min late leaving docks, to ignoring a food allergy to the some of the crew being high. I could really blast them but instead I just decided just comment when asked.

 

We did the same trip with Silver Moon and it was wonderful!

 

Royal Princess Review by beauty1492

[SquishTheWhale]

I just read your review. While I totally sympathise that you had a bad experience, I think Calabaza has done whatever they can to make it right. They dealt with the crew, refunded you AND gave you another free trip, based off your word. I accept it was a scary experience, but perhaps if your husband cannot swim well it was not a good choice for him to do a snorkelling excursion. Snorkelling from Cats is usually in deep water and sometimes with a current. Did he wear a vest? My husband is not the strongest swimmer in the world and he always takes the offered snorkel vest. I try and stay near him as I know he isn't very confident, although in the past I have been distracted by sea life and snorkelled off on my own so I know how that can happen!

 

In your review you don't mention the other things like leaving the docks late, the food allergy and the crew being high so it's hard to say on those things.

 

I have just booked Calabaza for our December cruise and I have to say I am hugely impressed with their communication. I always think you can judge the quality of an excursion by the booking process and communication, and each email I've sent they have responded to within minutes with a full and through explanation. The booking documents show clearly where to go and when to meet, and what to expect. I've been on excursions where it's kind of all guess-work and this isn't one!

[beauty1492]

Lets see yes -he did have a vest on,- yes we have done this same trip on the Silver Moon and other cats, we have snorkeled in Belize to the blue hole , Bora Bora, Cayman Islands and many other places.yes I think they did all the right things after the fact. my concern was if youal had children on the trip- parents should be warned. No I didn't mention all the other things that went wrong just too negative. I remember one trip in the Caymans with Capt Marvins we were out and another swimmer got in trouble and crew was unaware and I was able to tow him back to the boat. DH did fine that trip. but sadly he has decide not to go back in the water.