Shadowmeboy's 2022 Encore Christmas and New Year's Southern Caribbean Cruise Adventure

[shadowmeboy]

Day 6 - Port #3 

December 28th, 2022 

Location: Kralendijk, Bonaire

 

 

Daily

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good Morning Bonaire!

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

 

 

Fruit Salad 

 

The grapefruits on this cruise were so small and not juicy. I started going with the fruit salad instead.

 

 

 

Eggs Benedict with Sausage, bacon, and hashbrowns.

 

 

Omelet and hashbrowns

 

After breakfast, it was time to meet on the dock for our shore excursion. We were doing the glass bottom boat. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our meeting point was just off the ship.

 

 

 

 

Here comes the excursion boat!

 

 

The cover was on to keep the glass clean while in the port area. It can get dirty and dusty, so this keeps the glass clean.

 

 

Here we go! 

 

 

 

We were heading across to the island across the water from town. The Island is uninhabited and part of the National Park. The water drops off quickly from the shore near the main island of Bonaire. There is more reef over by the island, so we headed across the water.

 

 

As we were heading over, the Carnival Spirit was arriving into Bonaire. This ship left Miami on the same day as us, but I was getting Deja vu from last July, where the Carnival Spirit followed the Norwegian Spirit all over Alaska. Its stalking us!

 

 

 

 

 

It was a beautiful day! The temperature was perfect.

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

We started to see the bottom!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The views were incredible!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A cloud blocked the sun

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was nice to see the underwater view without having to get wet!

 

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We saw a lionfish. Our Captain said that Lionfish are an invasive species here in Bonaire. They have no natural predators. Divers can get permits to capture or kill them. They were either released from captivity or currents brought them into the area. My money is on illegal dumping from a private fish tank.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

There was a bit of a chop on the water, but this guy was out fishing in his small boat!

 

 

 

 

 

Palm trees are not native to Bonaire. Tourists want to see palm trees in the Caribbean, so this resort brought in Palm Trees. So these are the only Palm trees in Bonaire!

 

 

 

 

 

small boat marina

 

 

 

 

 

Iguana sunning on the rocks

 

 

 

This one is hiding in the shade

 

 

 

 

Edited April 10, 2023 by shadowmeboy

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So in Bonaire, the building code allows for no building to be built over 4 stories tall.

 

 

 

 

 

Encore was doing lifeboat drills

 

 

 

 

We covered the glass and headed into the port area.

 

 

 

 

We then got dropped off right by the ship!

 

 

Here is the video from this excursion!

[shadowmeboy]

Once we got off the excursion we headed into town.

 

 

 

 

 

Pano!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They had a street market going on in town, so we checked it out.

 

 

 

 

 

We were on the hunt for something for the travel wall!

 

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

Into "Downtown"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So about this time, it started to get really warm. We decided to head back to the ship.

 

 

 

 

 

Selfie Time!

 

 

Caterpillars and butterflies

 

 

 

 

 

Time to get back in the AC!

 

 

We were both thirsty and Susan was a little hungry. Up to the buffet we went.

 

Afterwards, I wanted a Mojito. Unfortunately, Sugarcane wasn't open yet. Susan decided to get one of the sail and sustain drinks from the waterfront bar.

 

 

 

I watched the boats till Sugarcane opened

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I got my Mojito, and headed back out to the waterfront.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

pano!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

We headed down to Taste for lunch!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chicken Noodle Soup

 

 

Wedge Salad with Cheddar and Ranch instead of Blue Cheese.

 

 

Chicken Quesadilla

 

 

Tuna Melt

 

 

Classic Cheeseburger add bacon

 

 

Cobb Salad

 

 

After lunch, we went to the Under $500 Art Auction

 

 

We had a good time. I think my mouth fell open several times over prices. It was a fun experience.

[shadowmeboy]

 

We headed back to the room and relaxed for a bit. Cargo ship in the distance.

 

 

 

 

 

Arranging the dirty clothes!

 

 

Another ship!

 

 

 

Soon it was time to get ready for pictures! 

 

 

 

Cagney's was on the docket for tonight!

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

 

 

We had a great view of the kitchen.

 

 

 

Lobster Bisque

 

 

 

Black Tiger Shrimp Trio

 

 

 

Wedge with my normal modifications!

 

 

 

20 oz Porterhouse

 

 

5 oz Petite Filet Mignon

 

 

All the sides!

 

 

Pretty plate!

 

 

I spy a Tomahawk!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Someone was not amused...

 

 

My naked "OMG" Cheesecake!

 

 

Seven Layer Chocolate Cake

 

We called it a night. Tomorrow is St. Lucia and an afternoon arrival, so we have time to relax!

 

--

[shadowmeboy]

Day 7 - Port #4 

December 29th, 2022 

Location: Castries, St. Lucia

 

 

Daily

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good Morning from the Caribbean Sea!

 

 

 

 

 

Coffee and Pastries!

 

 

Relaxing on the Waterfront!

 

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

 

 

Yogurt Parfait

 

 

Half Grapefruit & Orange Segments with Cottage Cheese 

 

 

Loaded Hashbrown Potatoes

 

 

Eggs to order with assorted sides and bagels (making my own breakfast sandwich)

 

 

After breakfast, we made our way to Q to play bamboozled.

 

 

We played on the Breakaway and did horribly. Well we were by ourselves and were really tired. We were excited to try again!

 

 

Let's do this!

 

 

I will not give anything away, but I encourage you to participate if on a ship that offers it! We did not win.

[shadowmeboy]

We hung out until lunch, and went to lunch a little earlier than we wanted to due to the time of the excursion meet up. 

 

 

Yippee! My favorite lunch menu!

 

 

 

 

 

We can see land!

 

 

 

 

 

Bay Scallop Gratin with extra bread! If you don't request extra, they only give you like 3 or 4. 

 

 

Chicken Flautas

 

 

Another look at them

 

 

 

 

The airport is right next to the water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spaghetti Carbonara

 

 

 

Queso Frito Tortilla Bowl with a chicken breast from the Chicken Milanese

 

 

Milk Chocolate Cheesecake

 

 

Warm Chocolate Lava Cake

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

We headed up to the room to grab our stuff. We were looking at the weather and decided to only bring our cell phones in the waterproof lanyards and the GoPro's. 

 

 

 

 

We were planning on going and taking a picture by the sign...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We met on the dock next to the ship and found out Jason, Becky, Gary, and Emily were on the same excursion as us.

[shadowmeboy]

 

We started toward our excursion

 

 

Time for our pirate adventure! That blue tarp is definitely authentic!

 

 

We sat up top to enjoy the breeze as we sailed!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Off we go!

 

 

 

Our boat was bigger than most in the harbor and felt so small compared to the ship.

 

 

 

They passed around bananas

 

 

Remember how I mentioned the airport was literally at the waters edge, well here comes a plane now!

 

 

 

It wasn't bad as we set out

 

 

 

 

Sandals Resort on the cliff

 

 

 

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

We enjoyed conversing with Jason, Becky, Gary, and Emily. We got to know each other better. 

 

 

 

 

Those clouds don't look happy.

 

 

So we arrived at the swimming spot for those who wanted to go into the water, and it started pouring.

 

 

Jason took on of the GoPro's and jumped in!

 

 

 

He took several photos trying to figure the camera out!

 

 

 

Emily getting ready to jump!

 

 

 

 

 

Gary getting ready to jump!

 

 

 

He made it!

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

Jason taking photos of us in the boat.

 

 

 

 

 

The view from above!

 

 

 

 

Everyone climbed back on and we started back to Castries.

 

 

 

 

 

As we are getting back, the skies look horrible.

 

It didn't get any better. The rain was pouring down as we ran back to the ship. 

 

Susan asked the security guards as we entered the ship if they wanted a hug. They were in their whites and she was soaked. The politely declined!

 

I used the hair dryer in the room for the first time. So I could dry my shoes enough to go to dinner.

[shadowmeboy]

Once dry, we quickly did photos! Here is one of the photographers posing to test the flash!

 

 

 

We decided to eat dinner with Jason, Becky, Gary, and Emily. We had a good time on the excursion but it nice hanging out with them over a meal.

 

 

 

 

 

Vegetable Spring Roll

 

 

Cajun Breaded Mushrooms

 

 

Bruschetta 

 

 

Roasted Pork Tenderloin

 

 

Carved Whole Roasted Pork Loin

 

 

 

Warm Chocolate Hazelnut Souffle (I had to get 2)

 

 

Coconut and Mango Cake

 

 

Emily wanted a dessert from Coco's, so we went there with Jason, Becky, Gary, and Emily. These kids were given a chocolate fountain and then the parents disappeared.

 

 

Emily's choice!

[shadowmeboy]

After Coco's we hit the Silent Disco in the Social.

 

 

 

 

If you have not done a Silent Disco, it was amazing. I like how there are 4 different groups to flow between.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can see the years on the ceiling.

 

 

 

 

 

We called it a night after the disco! We had a blast! We also knew we had a beach day the next day in Antigua, so we wanted to be well rested.

 

--

 

Note: I will be away from home the next two days, so it may be a few days for me to continue posting photos. Please feel free to ask questions and I will try to respond as time allows.

[TSUmom]

We have booked the Viva for 2025 ( a long way out) but it stops in Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao and St Lucia.  We have never been to these ports so I am so happy you are sharing so many photos!  

[shadowmeboy]

On 4/12/2023 at 5:42 AM, TSUmom said:

We have booked the Viva for 2025 ( a long way out) but it stops in Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao and St Lucia.  We have never been to these ports so I am so happy you are sharing so many photos!  

 

I want to go back, especially to St. Lucia. The rain kind of dampened (literally) the visit! I also want to go to a few other islands in the area.

[shadowmeboy]

Day 8 - Port #5 

December 30th, 2022 

Location: St. John's, Antigua

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good Morning! Another beautiful day in the Caribbean!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I see land!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

We are getting really close now!

 

 

 

 

Pilot pickup!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Going around for another attempt