Jim_Iain - 9/5 and 9/17 Equinox B2B - Come along for a Live Blog

[hcat]

6 hours ago, Benthayer Gonbak said:

Five days in seems to match the testing times often suggested after known exposures.   It’s still possible this was brought rather than caught early but I’ve be interested if contact tracing include non shipmates. 

Wonder if the patient was off ship for an excursion?  Hope they do well.

[upwarduk]

Thank you Jim for the wonderful photos of Curaçao.

Sadly, the Eclipse wasn’t allowed to enter, the harbour, on Easter Monday 2013, due to high winds.

[graphicguy]

13 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 

I would not have been a participant in that.  I tried the Fre once not knowing what it was and did not like it.

 

Sounds like a perfect retirement job for me.  Where do I sign up? 
 

(just kidding … no way my wife would go for it.) 

I’m not kidding.  I’d do that job in a heartbeat.  I’d have to get permission from the significant other first, though.  Nah….she’d come along.

[Jim_Iain]

11 hours ago, TeaBag said:

Er, ah......no picture?  Or did you not have a wide angle lens?🤣🤣  Being bad, you don't have to answer this!

Actually I was afraid of getting banned from CC for posting obscene photos.   LOL 

[Jim_Iain]

11 hours ago, Benthayer Gonbak said:

Five days in seems to match the testing times often suggested after known exposures.   It’s still possible this was brought rather than caught early but I’ve be interested if contact tracing include non shipmates. 

I wouldn't think so.   I would guess they would advise any travel partners like tour operators they may have been in contact with.   To my knowledge they only contact trace those on the ship.

[Jim_Iain]

3 hours ago, upwarduk said:

Thank you Jim for the wonderful photos of Curaçao.

Sadly, the Eclipse wasn’t allowed to enter, the harbour, on Easter Monday 2013, due to high winds.

It was one of my favorite stops so far.    It was our first  visit to Curacao.    I was surprised at the standard of living and cleanliness.     The color are so vivid and loved driving through the Artist's section of town.  

[Jim_Iain]

I'm up early today.   We docked in our last port of Bonaire at about 7:00.    Many on our cruise thread recommended renting a Golf Cart from Bonaire Cruisers.      They open at 8:00AM and I was going to get it before breakfast and  tossing Iain out of bed. 

 

Looks like a beautiful day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 23, 2021 by Jim_Iain

[hcat]

Looks like the start of a great day...Enjoy!

[Jim_Iain]

We joined our friends Wanda and Glenn in Blu last night for dinner.    Wonderful dinner and better yet a wonderful visit with such good friends.

 

We were presented with menu's from both Blu and MD.   

 

I had the Corn Soup and Roasted Turkey.    The turkey was tender and VERY moist but more than I could possibly eat.   For desert I had the Passion Fruit

Iain had the Crab salad and Fish

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 23, 2021 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

Daily

 

 

 

 

 

 

[funatseascott]

7 hours ago, Z-Bird said:

Thank you for the great photos and descriptions.  Do you mind to share how you got back and forth to the beach?

Yuliia, one of the retreat hosts, arranged the “private journey”.  We met at the retreat lounge and then were escorted to our private van.  Sherwyn gave us background of the island and answered all the questions we threw at him as we drove to the beach.  He was then waiting at 4 when we left the beach.  He went a different way back to show us more of his home.  We usually don’t do private tours, but trying to social distance, so I was fine with expense.  Money well spent, in my opinion.  I think it was around $170 total for both of us.

[Jim_Iain]

Boniaire is the first port that has been diligent about vaccination.    After showing you card to get off the ship, they have two check points that check the card and scrutinized they type of vac and date. 

 

It was an easy walk to Bonaire Cruisers.   I would say about 1/4 of a mile from the ship.   They provided directions on confirmation but I just put it into Google Maps and followed their directions

 

We are having a nice breakfast back on the ship before taking off.   Ali the Assistant Waiter has been sending Almond Croissants up with our breakfast every morning.    They have them in Retreat and Al Bacio but not at Luminae.    Ali does the setup and breakdown of the Breakfast in Retreat so he grabs them before setting up.

[Jim_Iain]

Royce and Robin -   We are having a sail away party in our room1611 at 3:45.   I don't have your e-mail address. 

[canderson]

44 minutes ago, funatseascott said:

Yuliia, one of the retreat hosts, arranged the “private journey”.  We met at the retreat lounge and then were escorted to our private van.

You and Jim have certainly opened up a new avenue of shorex for us on your cruise.  Although we have a very few specific ports where we have private tour operators we've used for years, we didn't realize that the Private Journeys option was available.  While perhaps even more useful right now, we will absolutely consider this option on all future cruises.  We have already seen most of the 'standard' attractions in many places, and the 'take us to YOUR favorite spots' tour concept really appeals to us.  We may only have one spot on an island that we really want to revisit (e.g. Caribelle) and will look forward to some new experiences.  

 

Many thanks to both of you for this tip!

[Mike981]

@candersonI agree 100%, thank you both for sharing.

[Arzeena]

12 hours ago, funatseascott said:

 

 

 

 

 

Scott, Thanks for the pictures!

We LOVE Puerto Marie. We have been going there for many years. Getting there early in the morning, usually when the gates open, as it is becoming very popular in the afternoons for people staying on the island. We have usually shared a taxi there but have also gone on our own....far and vey expensive but worth every hefty penny. Piece of Paradise.

[TommyD3]

3 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

We joined our friends Wanda and Glenn in Blu last night for dinner.    Wonderful dinner and better yet a wonderful visit with such good friends.

 

We were presented with menu's from both Blu and MD.   

 

I had the Corn Soup and Roasted Turkey.    The turkey was tender and VERY moist but more than I could possibly eat.   For desert I had the Passion Fruit

Iain had the Crab salad and Fish

 

They let you order off the MDR menu in BLU now? Was not previously allowed on S class ships because the kitchens are on different decks !!!

[NBliving]

14 hours ago, funatseascott said:

We had a private drive to a great beach today, Playa PortoMarie.  Passed Williwood and the Flamingos that Jim posted to get to the beach.  Added a pic of the area along with the nice church.  It is really out of the way, but well worth it.  Snorkeling here was fantastic.  Lots of corals, similar to Aruba stop, but the quantity and quality were so much better.  Even had anemone’s and fans here.  I like watching flowing corals, so this was great to me.  Some of the brain corals were huge, probably bigger round then our table on our balcony.  There were plenty of fish and the variety was similar to Aruba.  I went out 3 times and Sophia 4, if that gives an indication of how good it was.  As for the beach, a few dollars to enter and a few more for chairs.  Come early or you might have to sit under trees for shade.  We got to the beach at 11 and got the last chairs under an umbrella.  We went to the far right as had heard the snorkeling was better there compared to the middle.  Spot on.  Be careful not to go  around the corner to the right, much more current and why risk it when plenty of good stuff in the main area to see snorkeling.  Pictures of snorkeling don’t do it justice as we didn’t bring the GoPro, just used our phones.  Had a great view of the town and ship on the way back.

Thanks for this info!  Looks like an idea for Curacao for our cruise in April.  We are there overnight so we would have plenty of time.  

Edited September 23, 2021 by NBliving
deleted question already asked and answered

[hcat]

6 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

It was one of my favorite stops so far.    It was our first  visit to Curacao.    I was surprised at the standard of living and cleanliness.     The color are so vivid and loved driving through the Artist's section of town.  

 

We were not pleased with our last visit to Curacao ( we chose a  bad tour) . We have already done a nice beach club  in the past but want to see more.

 

Where should we head next time  to find the nice hotels, shops, and artist area that you mentioned?    

[Jim_Iain]

7 hours ago, canderson said:

You and Jim have certainly opened up a new avenue of shorex for us on your cruise.  Although we have a very few specific ports where we have private tour operators we've used for years, we didn't realize that the Private Journeys option was available.  While perhaps even more useful right now, we will absolutely consider this option on all future cruises.  We have already seen most of the 'standard' attractions in many places, and the 'take us to YOUR favorite spots' tour concept really appeals to us.  We may only have one spot on an island that we really want to revisit (e.g. Caribelle) and will look forward to some new experiences.  

 

Many thanks to both of you for this tip!

We have been very please Private Journal.    We generally like tours that are about 4 hours long.    The  nice thing is they will set it up to do exactly what you want and you can modify it as you go along.   

 

Best part is not having to wait for that one couple that never returns to the bus on time.

[Jim_Iain]

5 hours ago, TommyD3 said:

They let you order off the MDR menu in BLU now? Was not previously allowed on S class ships because the kitchens are on different decks !!!

 

They are really trying to please for sure.   It was nice to mix and match.

[Jim_Iain]

3 hours ago, hcat said:

 

We were not pleased with our last visit to Curacao ( we chose a  bad tour) . We have already done a nice beach club  in the past but want to see more.

 

Where should we head next time  to find the nice hotels, shops, and artist area that you mentioned?    

 

Google is really helpful starting place.    Since their headquarters is walking distance to my house I use them often.

 

 Also check out  https://www.melonthego.com/curacao-street-art/ 

 

Good hotel but not sure if impacted by Covid restrictions.

 

Edited September 23, 2021 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

What a fun day.  I got up early and picked up our Golf cart and parked in front of the pier. 
 

 

[Jim_Iain]

We had a nice leisurely breakfast and then took off on our adventure.   On the way out saw a packed tour boat pass by. 
 

[Jim_Iain]

We started off taking the Southern route.   It is mostly flat with lots of coral beaches.   Definitely would need swimming slippers to walk on it. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ocean on right and salt evaporation ponds on left.