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Grenada - Kevin Brook's Rating: 3.0
We only had a walk around the harbour here in St Georges port but we were amazed at how friendly everyone was. They all seemed to want to say "hello and welcome" with their ever smiling faces and they weren't trying to sell us anything either, which was a nice change! We did, however, buy a small basket of spices on our way back to the ship - something the seller was so pleased about she gave us a smaller basket of spices as a free gift! I gave this to our brother-in-law back on the ship.
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St. Lucia - Kevin Brook's Rating: 3.0
All six of us wandered off the ship this time but had not booked an excursion. So having looked around and not seen anything else here in Castries port, we paid a local $20 each to take us to and bring us back from a nice sandy bay, by speedboat. He took us to a charming place used as a shelter for yachts during hurricanes called Havens Cove. When we approached some twenty minutes later the sister-in-law re-named it "You've-been-had Bay", as the sandy beach consisted of a small concrete quay with some sand thrown over it! The locals were again friendly though, despite being drenched in poverty, and made us feel very special. As the time went on it became more difficult to leave the place, even if I had been hit in a tender spot by a falling palm frond! But leave we did and just in time to see an old plane landing on the short and partially hidden jungle runway. Then it was time to board and have afternoon tea before resting prior to our evening exertions and night cruise onto our next port of call.
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Antigua - Kevin Brook's Rating: 4.0
Our arrival in St Johns in Antigua saw us surrounded by other magnificent cruise ships, something we enjoyed viewing from the Lido Deck while we ate our hearty buffet breakfast. We had booked with the ship for about £19 each an excursion to the beach named "Rum Punch Beach Day", and the six of us were whisked off by coach to a wonderfully beautiful golden sanded beach lapped by the most turquoise sea I have ever laid my eyes on. The day was filled with fun and laughter and sun and leisure. And of course, rum punch. It was all included so we could have as little as we wanted! Gary(brother-in-law) and I went on a "sea-doughnut" with another guy. This was basically a giant rubber ring that you sat on, gripped the handles and held on to for dear life(!) while a speedboat dragged you up and down the bay. Great fun! We were extremely sad to leave the beach and head back to the ship, but all six of us hold and cherish the memories of that day. Even if a couple of us drank too much rum punch!
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St. Maarten - Kevin Brook's Rating: 4.0
Again these massive ships were aside us as we six strolled off our ship and into the port of Philipsburg. This is a shoppers paradise, but the jewellery prices are too high. Having said that, Cheri(Gary's wife and my wife's sister) bought a very bling type watch - so, if you have the money....! Nice place, nice shops but nothing much else. Book an excursion to see more.
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Tortola - Kevin Brook's Rating: 5.0
Michelle and I, Michelle & Cheri's mum & dad Sheila and Horace - somehow called Horse by one American tourist - met up on the quay and waited for Gary & Cheri to join us. Then we all walked down Road Town's pretty Main Street, with market stall traders vying for business with shop vendors. We were then taken off by coach to watch and swim with dolphins. Michelle was to swim, while the rest of us spectated. After donning swimming gear and attending a briefing on what was to happen, Michelle and about eight or nine others lined up at the side of the water, holding on to a wooden platform. Here they acquainted themselves with the dolphins, touching them, holding their flipper as though they were shaking hands, before holding both flippers as the dolphins came up and gave them a "kiss"! Then each person took it in turns to swim out away from the platform, turn around and then grab the dolphin by the fin for a tow back to the platform! A spectacular show put on by one and all! If you go on this trip and I do recommend it, but you go to watch rather than swim, make sure you are in some sort of shade as it gets incredibly hot.
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Barbados - Kevin Brook's Rating: 4.0
From the expansive port of Bridgetown we went by taxi past Kennington Oval cricket ground to Malibu Beach. We also had to pay $10 to get onto it! Beautiful beach, wonderful sea - the runner-up to Antigua as far as beaches and seas are concerned. Dominica's port I rate 2 - Small, but friendly. St Kitts port I rate 4 - Also do the quad bike tour here - it's great! Guadeloupe port I rate 1 - Factories pumped out odours and the port shops were up to three times more expensive! Dom Rep port I rate 2 - Again small, but friendly.
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