French Quarter to the Fantasy...7 Nights in the Eastern Caribbean, April 2019! Completed June 7, 2020!

[buzzrelly]

APRIL 9, 2019
WAKING UP IN THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN


I was up earlier than I needed to be, of course.
But it gave me an opportunity to walk around taking pictures of the island
and have my coffee at Cabanas before disembarking.

Clearly, I was in love with the Eastern Caribbean already,
and I hadn't even gotten off the ship yet!

Around 7am, I finally went back to our stateroom
to make sure everyone was up and getting ready.

We had booked our excursion through DCL and chosen "Tour to Virgin Gorda."
Here's the description right from the DCL website,
"Explore The Baths, a magnificent beach area with sea caves
on the island of Virgin Gorda-one of the areas must-see sights."

This excursion was 4-4.5 hours long which was just the right amount of time for us.
Before booking, I had debated about whether or not we should do this
because after watching Youtube videos and reading reviews,
I was certain my mom wouldn't be able to.
She was fine with doing whatever we wanted
and the kids really wanted to see The Baths…and honestly, I did too.
So the plan was for us to all go together and then have my mom wait at the top
instead of walking down.
This was why the half-day was perfect for us…
I wouldn't have wanted to leave her sitting for longer than that.

Did it all work out according to plan? That's up next!

​

 

[buzzrelly]

APRIL 9, 2019
FERRY TO VIRGIN GORDA


I don't recall where our group met, but by 7:54am, we had disembarked and were on solid ground...


These guys couldn't contain their excitement


At least one of us was awake and happy


After maybe a six minute walk,
we had boarded the ferry that would be taking us to Virgin Gorda.





The walk woke up the rest of the crew and they at least looked somewhat happy on the ferry...



We went right past the Fantasy on the way out...

The ferry ride wasn't too bad, and we reached the island by 8:40.

Continued in next post.
​

 

[buzzrelly]

APRIL 9, 2019
THE BATHS


We were picked up on a bus from the ferry dock and driven straight to The Baths.
The drive there was kind of unremarkable, and looked more dry and desert-like than I was expecting.



When we got to The Baths, we told the guide that my mom wasn't walking down with us
and that she would just like to sit at the Top of the Baths,
which is a restaurant literally at the top of the baths
Another family said their mom, who was around the same age,
was going to do the same thing so we left them with the guide
and the kids and I started heading down.









Actually, the walk down was not hard at all.
It was really just compacted dirt and I think my mom would have actually been able to do it.
However, she would not have been able to walk through the caves
and the other side where we walked back up was much steeper.

I do have a video of both the walk down and the walk through the caves.

I should have said earlier that my videos are not vlogging quality,
but I just do it for fun and to remember things by.
I do post them in case someone is planning this cruise and is curious about it.

Here's is our video of our time at The Baths

(Edited to say…I just watched this and I hate my voice! I shouldn't talk in videos

So the ride there was unremarkable and the walk down was kind of blah,
but OMG…when we got there, it was seriously the most beautiful beach I've ever seen


The water is absolutely clear and gorgeous.


After spending a little time on the first beach,
we walked through the caves and spent some time at the second beach,
which was just as gorgeous.


We even spotted some Roosters (Chickens?) walking around...


At around 10:30am, we made our way back up...





But would my mom still be where we left her??

That's next!
​

 

[Lesley Wake]

Looks gorgeous!

 

[buzzrelly]

Looks gorgeous!

I want to go back!

 

[pkondz]

How else would you follow up the most amazing brunch at sea??

With Room Service BLTs and Mickey Bars, of course

Of course!

We also ordered some provisions to bring with us on our excursion the next day...

Planning ahead. Smooth move.

We watched the most gorgeous sunset from our balcony,

Beautiful!

and then went to The Tube for some family games...

Such as... ?

Very picturesque!

Clearly, I was in love with the Eastern Caribbean already,
and I hadn't even gotten off the ship yet!

But I don't blame you!

"Explore The Baths, a magnificent beach area with sea caves
on the island of Virgin Gorda-one of the areas must-see sights."

Sounds like something I'd do too.

At least one of us was awake and happy

You look great!

Like this shot.

(Edited to say…I just watched this and I hate my voice! I shouldn't talk in videos

That's okay... I'm at work so can't see it!

The water is absolutely clear and gorgeous.

Look at how blue and clear it is!

But would my mom still be where we left her??

Nope. She took off with that other lady.

 

[buzzrelly]

Such as... ?

I wish I could remember specifically! It might have been tv show themes or something…next time I'll take notes

That's okay... I'm at work so can't see it!

Consider yourself lucky!

Nope. She took off with that other lady.

Now, wouldn't that be a fun story??

 

[pkondz]

I wish I could remember specifically! It might have been tv show themes or something…next time I'll take notes

No notes???????
What kind of a TR writer are you? Shame on you!!

Consider yourself lucky!

Well, I'll be home eventually.... and I'll see it then.

Now, wouldn't that be a fun story??

 

[missjackiemcg]

Oh, my gosh, how beautiful!!! That looks like a really fun excursion for sure.

PS What a genius idea to order snacks that you can grab and go the next morning with from room service!! That's one thing I regretted from our December cruise. We only ordered room service once!

 

[Cloe Colton]

I completely missed that you started this report!! But I am here!!!

So happy that your became a travel planner - you will love it! I know for me it doesnt even feel like I'm working!

Do you know how late the adult pools are open until??

Also I did not know uncrustables were on the room service menu! Great tip! I will definitely be ordering some this time! DH and I never ordered room service once our last cruise! Thats changing this time!

 

[alpal22]

Hi there! Just started reading, and it's great. CT gang here as well!

We did a trip to the baths, and we went the opposite way most people do, going to the right first and went through the caves to the left. Still worked. The pictures are great!

 

[kastoney]

With Room Service BLTs and Mickey Bars, of course

Yes of course because you are Kelly. Surprised there wasn't a salad or some baby bel cheese thrown in there

This was a little trick I learned on these boards and it was perfect
since we had a morning, half day excursion planned for Tortola.

Great idea!

I'm guessing those are chocolates on your bed but they totally look like condoms

When we got to The Baths, we told the guide that my mom wasn't walking down with us
and that she would just like to sit at the Top of the Baths,
which is a restaurant literally at the top of the baths

Great name! Wonder how they thought of it?

but OMG…when we got there, it was seriously the most beautiful beach I've ever seen

Gorgeous. Though I had to laugh because when you said baths I thought you were going to a mud bath or some natural springs of some sort. I went to St. Lucia a long time ago and their "baths" were stinky sulfur springs. Pleasantly surprised to see what you found though

 

[buzzrelly]

No notes???????
What kind of a TR writer are you? Shame on you!!

I know, I know. I always say I'm going to and then I bring this little pad around with me for maybe the first day and after that completely forget about it

PS What a genius idea to order snacks that you can grab and go the next morning with from room service!! That's one thing I regretted from our December cruise. We only ordered room service once!

We ordered Room Service a bunch. Nicholas loves the wings and literally ordered them on the very first day

We keep an envelope of dollar bills handy for tips

I completely missed that you started this report!! But I am here!!!

Hi Cloe! No worries! There is far less traffic over here on the cruise trip report boards.

Do you know how late the adult pools are open until??

I don't. They looked pretty dead at night though, so if they are open you would pretty much have it to yourself.

Also I did not know uncrustables were on the room service menu! Great tip! I will definitely be ordering some this time! DH and I never ordered room service once our last cruise! Thats changing this time!

The uncrustables may not even be on the menu, but definitely ask!

Hi there! Just started reading, and it's great. CT gang here as well!

Welcome to a fellow Connecti-can! Thanks for reading!

We did a trip to the baths, and we went the opposite way most people do, going to the right first and went through the caves to the left. Still worked. The pictures are great!

What made you decide to do that? Honestly, I think my mom could have walked down and back up the path we came down. In hindsight, I could have had her sit on the beach and the kids and I could have gone through the caves and back.

I'm guessing those are chocolates on your bed but they totally look like condoms

That's on a different cruise line!

Gorgeous. Though I had to laugh because when you said baths I thought you were going to a mud bath or some natural springs of some sort. I went to St. Lucia a long time ago and their "baths" were stinky sulfur springs. Pleasantly surprised to see what you found though

Ew! No stinky sulfur here

 

[pkondz]

I know, I know. I always say I'm going to and then I bring this little pad around with me for maybe the first day and after that completely forget about it

Actually, I think that’s one of the toughest parts about TR writing.

 

[buzzrelly]

Actually, I think that’s one of the toughest parts about TR writing.

Well, Mike and I head down in 2.5 weeks so I get to try again!

 

[disneyAndi14]

I found your report yay!
The ship and your cabin looks wonderful!
Your first excursion looks so nice. The beach is beautiful. I hope you find your mom haha

 

[buzzrelly]

I found your report yay!

Yay! Hey there, Caroline!!

I hope you find your mom haha

You're about to find out!

 

[pkondz]

Well, Mike and I head down in 2.5 weeks so I get to try again!

 

[buzzrelly]

APRIL 9, 2019
BACK UP TOP



It took us less than 10 minutes to walk back up to the top...


Much to our relief, my mom was still there, and she had made a friend...


How cute is that!

That nice lady even bought my mom a coke because apparently,
they weren't accepting credit cards (maybe because she wasn't spending enough?)
and my mom didn't have any cash on her.

Anyway, it was nice to see that she wasn't just sitting alone
and she had a really nice time talking to her.
They pretty much knew each other's life stories by the time we got there

We got back on the bus shortly after and were back on the ship around noon...


After lunch at Cabanas, we headed back to our stateroom to shower and change.
The kids went off to VIBE and my mom and I went to the atrium
to meet some of the characters who were all dressed up for Pirate Night.
And just so you know, some people go all out and get dressed up super cute for Pirate Night…
I am not one of those people.
I threw on my Pirate shirt that I had brought for the occasion, and called it a day.


I do love Pirate Minnie




We decided to skip the MDR again,
and instead I sat on the Verandah with a Truly and relaxed while sailing away from Tortola


And because we weren't hungry just yet, we decided to go see the early show that night.
On the way, I finally remembered to take some pictures of these in the hall...




TO BE CONTINUED...​

 

[pkondz]

It took us less than 10 minutes to walk back up to the top...

Not bad!

Much to our relief, my mom was still there,

So she hadn't run off, huh?

How cute is that!

she had a really nice time talking to her.
They pretty much knew each other's life stories by the time we got there

But that means they had a nice time.

And just so you know, some people go all out and get dressed up super cute for Pirate Night…

I figured...

I am not one of those people.

…
Way to build it up!

I threw on my Pirate shirt that I had brought for the occasion, and called it a day.

Works.