Caribbean Cruise 7-21 December 2012

I don’t know if I am totally happy with regard to the weekly flights on Fridays, I prefer the two weekly flights on Fridays/Saturdays. The flight was OK, it is better to invest in the Premier Seating on Thomas Cook. The Aeroplanes used by Cooks are getting old, the one in which we travelled was one of the original Airbuses with some of the Toilets downstairs.

The Cruise was excellent, if one can afford it I would recommend a Balcony on Deck C on the Ventura. Freedom Dining was very good, well organised, good service. Made some good friends from Yorkshire & Winsford in Cheshire, had some great fun but why oh why do some people go on holiday to be miserable.

The Entertainment was reasonably good, particularly the Northern comedians, only saw the Dancers once, the Cruise Director is moving to the Azura at the end of May, having said that my favourite Cruise Director is Leon de Ste Croix, who is on holiday at present. Reminded the Deputy Cruise Director of the time some years ago when we were quaffing ale in a Bar ouside the Dock in Auckland, New Zealand. Played Cricket once & enjoyed it.

The Islands visited we have been to many times before. We always walk through Bridgetown, Barbados to Carlisle Bay, the Boatyard – $12 each for a Parasol, a Sun Bed, a Free Drink (Rum Punch) & transport back to the Dock. At St Vincent we always visit the Anglican Cathedral to see how the Dean is getting on in his battle against the Termites, we listened to a School Rehearsing for the Carol Concert – excellent. At Grenada, we meant to go to Grand Anse Beach but didn’t, instead we wandered under the tunnel, walked round the old Harbour & finished up in the Same Bar by the sea, in the same seats, drinking the same beer. At Tortola, British Virgin Islands, we sometimes go to Cane Garden Bay or to Pussers Bar, Pussers Rum is supposed to be the finest being the Royal Navy Rum which is distilled under license in Tortola. However, we did re-discover Pussers, the Rum Punch whilst expensive is superb. Before that we found Old Government House which is now a Museum & received a Personal guided tour, there are some wonderful photographs of HM The Queen & the Royal Family.

All in all a lovely Cruise, the flight back is rather tiring, Manchester Airport at 3am is wet & cold, although Tesco at 5am is interesting. Thank you Bolsover Cruise Club