Rare Interestedcruisefan Posted February 17, 2023 #1 Share Posted February 17, 2023 (edited) This post was recognized by LauraS! "Thanks for generously sharing your time at sea with everyone at Cruise Critic!" Interestedcruisefan was awarded the badge '"Live from...."' Thought I would do a live report. Will try and post once a day at least. We fly from Birmingham tomorrow morning to Bridgetown. Our first sun holiday since Covid. We've worked hard the last few months and are both really looking forward to the break. It's our first overseas cruise without the kids (they are grown up now). We are mid 50s. We've cruised the Caribbean on various cruiselines at Xmas/New Year (school hols) a few times before but this will be the first time as a couple. We are mid 50s now. Will be a totally different experience without them. I've pre-booked Epicurean for our second night and a few of the shows.. Don't fancy the Limelight Club this time. But might change our minds once we are on board. Subject to availability. We are going to do some DIY excursions at most of the ports. We book these external to P and O. I enjoy the research and doing it myself. We've pre-booked the Wi-Fi. Inside room. We normally get up early and get out and about on the ship early. Don't hold me to that though!!! First stop is Tortola after a sea day. Planning a taxi to Cane Garden Bay Beach (think that's what it's called) and fitting in a hike from there to a summit nearby! (Think we also need a taxi transfer to the start of the hike from the beach) Need to burn some calories each day for all the food and cocktails we are planning to enjoy!! We are hoping to fit 4 weeks of activity and fun and cocktails into a 2 week holiday! You only live once!! Lol Edited February 17, 2023 by Interestedcruisefan 21 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Interestedcruisefan Posted February 17, 2023 Author #2 Share Posted February 17, 2023 (edited) Should have said. All being well a taxi is picking us up at 6am tomorrow morning to take us to Birmingham airport. 45 mins away. We fly at 10am ish Edited February 17, 2023 by Interestedcruisefan 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jh1809 Posted February 17, 2023 #3 Share Posted February 17, 2023 I hope you have a great time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grapau27 Posted February 17, 2023 #4 Share Posted February 17, 2023 16 minutes ago, Interestedcruisefan said: Thought I would do a live report. Will try and post once a day at least. We fly from Birmingham tomorrow morning to Bridgetown. Our first sun holiday since Covid. We've worked hard the last few months and are both really looking forward to the break. It's our first overseas cruise without the kids (they are grown up now). We are mid 50s. We've cruised the Caribbean on various cruiselines at Xmas/New Year (school hols) a few times before but this will be the first time as a couple. We are mid 50s now. Will be a totally different experience without them. I've pre-booked Epicurean for our second night and a few of the shows.. Don't fancy the Limelight Club this time. But might change our minds once we are on board. Subject to availability. We are going to do some DIY excursions at most of the ports. We book these external to P and O. I enjoy the research and doing it myself. We've pre-booked the Wi-Fi. Inside room. We normally get up early and get out and about on the ship early. Don't hold me to that though!!! First stop is Tortola after a sea day. Planning a taxi to Cane Garden Bay Beach (think that's what it's called) and fitting in a hike from there to a summit nearby! (Think we also need a taxi transfer to the start of the hike from the beach) Need to burn some calories each day for all the food and cocktails we are planning to enjoy!! We are hoping to fit 4 weeks of activity and fun and cocktails into a 2 week holiday! You only live once!! Lol I will be following along. Best wishes for a fantastic cruise. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Interestedcruisefan Posted February 17, 2023 Author #5 Share Posted February 17, 2023 (edited) 4 minutes ago, jh1809 said: I hope you have a great time. Thanks - we will be trying our best!! First challenge is to get there safely!! Then we've got a good chance! I'm going to book some more excursions tonight. (After I've filled out the Barbados immigration forms) Edited February 17, 2023 by Interestedcruisefan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Msuzelfk Posted February 17, 2023 #6 Share Posted February 17, 2023 We're flying out from Heathrow tomorrow morning 9am for the same cruise. Epicurean, Sindhu, limelight and a few excursions booked. First cruise for me so very excited, but feeling travel nerves at the mo 😵💫 Getting the 2:15 am coach so it will a be long day tomorrow. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Interestedcruisefan Posted February 17, 2023 Author #7 Share Posted February 17, 2023 Limelight Club has Kevin Simm (lead singer Liberty X, winner of the Voice 2016) current lead singer Wet Wet Wet And/or Mary Mac. (Tartan wrapped Scottish songstress) Anybody seen either of them? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Britboys Posted February 17, 2023 #8 Share Posted February 17, 2023 Bon Voyage both of you. Have a fantastic time. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doog442 Posted February 17, 2023 #9 Share Posted February 17, 2023 Looking forward to this. We should have been flying home from Arvia in Barbados tomorrow but sadly had to cancel three days before the cruise. Have a great time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplesea Posted February 17, 2023 #10 Share Posted February 17, 2023 Hope you all have a lovely time. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Interestedcruisefan Posted February 17, 2023 Author #11 Share Posted February 17, 2023 Just completed the Barbados Immigration forms online. Glad to get that out of the way. Everything sorted now. And printed ready to go. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare silkworms Posted February 17, 2023 #12 Share Posted February 17, 2023 2 hours ago, Interestedcruisefan said: Should have said. All being well a taxi is picking us up at 6am tomorrow morning to take us to Birmingham airport. 45 mins away. We fly at 10am ish Hi interestedcruisefan, we will be flying out to Arvia on the day you return, also from Birmingham, so look forward to your reports and thoughts on the journey and the cruise. We are also about 40 mins from the airport so will be interested in any tips at the airport, I think the plane is supposed to leave at 10.15. Hope you really enjoy your cruise. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Interestedcruisefan Posted February 17, 2023 Author #13 Share Posted February 17, 2023 41 minutes ago, silkworms said: Hi interestedcruisefan, we will be flying out to Arvia on the day you return, also from Birmingham, so look forward to your reports and thoughts on the journey and the cruise. We are also about 40 mins from the airport so will be interested in any tips at the airport, I think the plane is supposed to leave at 10.15. Hope you really enjoy your cruise. Will make sure we leave everything clean and tidy for when you embark!! Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Interestedcruisefan Posted February 17, 2023 Author #14 Share Posted February 17, 2023 (edited) 45 minutes ago, silkworms said: Hi interestedcruisefan, we will be flying out to Arvia on the day you return, also from Birmingham, so look forward to your reports and thoughts on the journey and the cruise. We are also about 40 mins from the airport so will be interested in any tips at the airport, I think the plane is supposed to leave at 10.15. Hope you really enjoy your cruise. We want to be one of the first ones to check in for our flight. I forgot to pre-book seats and it's too late now. Need to be next to each other as I'm taking my lap top on the plane and my wife has our bank statements. Going to do our vat return together!! That should pass 4 hrs of the flight! Don't worry guys. Hopefully the rest of the holiday won't be that boring!!! Edited February 17, 2023 by Interestedcruisefan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kittyonions Posted February 17, 2023 #15 Share Posted February 17, 2023 What a great idea, to pass the time on the flight! Hope you have a wonderful cruise, will be following you as you enjoy those beautiful islands. BVI was my favourite ( we chose to spend the day at Brewers Bay) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paula2023 Posted February 17, 2023 #16 Share Posted February 17, 2023 I'll be following along too! First time cruising for us. Am doing the same cruise as you but flying on 4 March, from Birmingham also, so our flight will be coming to take you home! I'll be particularly interested in your port days too as we plan on doing it ourselves. Thank you for taking the time to do this and have a brilliant time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare TigerB Posted February 18, 2023 #17 Share Posted February 18, 2023 Have a safe flight and a fantastic cruise 🙂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Interestedcruisefan Posted February 18, 2023 Author #18 Share Posted February 18, 2023 So far so good Our flight is from Birmingham at 10.15am We arrived at the airport 7am. The screen said check in for the flight opens at 7.15am but the check in was already open. There were about 100 people ahead of us. There was also a queue for those who had booked premium seats. It took 40 mins to check bags in. It was zone B today. I assume it's always zone B. Whilst in the queue they have staff attaching hand luggage labels. Also checking if your large bags have luggage labels on. We had printed ours and were attached. At least half the queue hadnt and were given labels to hand write and attach. I feel safer having the proper barcoded ones myself (touch wood) Straight to security. No queues at all until right before you have to go through the checks. Took us 20 mins in total to gets through security. Fast track might have saved us 5 mins maybe. So not worth it today. I checked with the lady. Had there been large queues at security you can pay for fast track online in the terminal providing its not sold out already. Worth knowing for them future. Bought a couple of books. My wife bought some Clarins. Think we've spent £60 so far. We are sat in Giraffe restaurant. For breakfast. My wife's got a glass of sparkling rose. 9.75 I've ordered pancakes 10.75 and she's gone for smashed avocado. We chose this restaurant because it's not as chaotic looking as they two we passed which are rammed - the Factory and Wetherspoons. Nice and calm in here. They promise meals served within 10 mins of order. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Interestedcruisefan Posted February 18, 2023 Author #19 Share Posted February 18, 2023 And they delivered within 10 mins. Good quality too. Top tip - if you get a booth table next to a wall they've got plug sockets to charge your phone. Free WiFi in the airport as well 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare TigerB Posted February 18, 2023 #20 Share Posted February 18, 2023 Nice!👍 Hope you enjoyed your pancakes because the ones on Arvia are rubbish, even in the 6th St Diner. Did you get sat together? If so, have you got your calculator at the ready? 😉 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare SarahHben Posted February 18, 2023 #21 Share Posted February 18, 2023 13 hours ago, Interestedcruisefan said: Limelight Club has Kevin Simm (lead singer Liberty X, winner of the Voice 2016) current lead singer Wet Wet Wet And/or Mary Mac. (Tartan wrapped Scottish songstress) Anybody seen either of them? I’ve not seen either of them but my sister says Kevin Simm has a fantastic voice. Enjoy your cruise, I’m looking forward to reading all about it 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Interestedcruisefan Posted February 18, 2023 Author #22 Share Posted February 18, 2023 11 minutes ago, TigerB said: Nice!👍 Hope you enjoyed your pancakes because the ones on Arvia are rubbish, even in the 6th St Diner. Did you get sat together? If so, have you got your calculator at the ready? 😉 Yes and yes!! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Interestedcruisefan Posted February 18, 2023 Author #23 Share Posted February 18, 2023 42 minutes ago, TigerB said: Nice!👍 Hope you enjoyed your pancakes because the ones on Arvia are rubbish, even in the 6th St Diner. Did you get sat together? If so, have you got your calculator at the ready? 😉 If doing the vat return works ok today - we might have to book a long haul cruise every quarter!! Lol We hate doing the vat return. Spoils a nice day at home. Doesn't seem so bad saving it for a long haul light Forgot to get some US Dollars. So just got 100 dollars to tide us over from a cashpoint in the airport with credit card (we don't have debit cards which are cheaper I think?) Anyway 100 US dollars cost £108!! So costly error not getting in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zap99 Posted February 18, 2023 #24 Share Posted February 18, 2023 54 minutes ago, Interestedcruisefan said: And they delivered within 10 mins. Good quality too. Top tip - if you get a booth table next to a wall they've got plug sockets to charge your phone. Free WiFi in the airport as well You seem to be enjoying every minute and you haven't even left the airport.. Good luck to you. I suspect you may have a pleasant time once on the ship and in the Caribbean. December for us on Britannia. Looking forward to your posts.🤣 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel57 Posted February 18, 2023 #25 Share Posted February 18, 2023 Have a wonderful holiday @Interestedcruisefan. Good luck with the accounts too during the flight but be careful of drinks etc as there’s always turbulence when cups/glasses are full and a laptop is nearby! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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