2018 - Caribbean Cruise - Royal Princess
Jan. 18, 2018 - Kansas City, KS to Fort Lauderdale, FL
Jan. 19, 2018 - Fort Lauderdale, FL Temp 68; Sunny.
We boarded the ship around 1:00 and headed up to the Horizon Court. Yes, time for some yummy pizza.
After eating we went down to our room to await our luggage. We had a king sized bed and the couch made into a bed for Heather. Also shown is the bathroom. Love sitting out on the balcony waiting for departure.
Sail-away time was 3:15. Somehow we felt quite safe leaving when escorted by the armed Coast Guard and having a pilot boat as well.
January 20, 2018 - At sea - temp 78 and partly cloudy.
Days at sea full of activities: Craft time, line dancing, trivia, enrichment lecture (Adventures on the Caribbean), tea time, zumba, and dinners in the Concerto Dining Room
Enjoy the view from the balcony. Distant ship seen in the sunset.
January 21, 2018 - At sea - temp 78 and partly cloudy.
Walking around - 7 laps = one mile.
Finding interesting characters when walking around.
January 22, 2018 - St. John's, Antigua - temp 78 and sunny skies. Arrival 8:00 - 4:30
Tour: Nelson's Dockyard, Shirley Heights & Dow's Hill.
Antigua in the center of the Leeward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean.
L - Dow's Hill. Film shown of the local history. Nice lookout.R - Old storage.
Eric Clapton's 45 acre estate - rent for $50,000 per week.
Blockhouse ruins - gun platform, cisterns, and officer's barracks atop a sheer cliff. Built as a signal station.
Shirley Heights - views of Nelson's Dockyard National Park and the English Harbour, the only Georgian naval dock in the world.
Nelson's Dockyard
L - Guard House
R - Officer's Quarters
L - Museum
R - Pub and Hotel - a stop for some refreshments
L - Chattel House being used as a diner. Houses built to be easily moved.
R - Dove
St. John's Cathedral - Anglican church built in 1683 and restored 1845.
January 23, 2018 - Castries, St. Lucia - temp 79 and sunny. Arrival: 8:00 - 6:00
Saint Lucia is an Eastern Caribbean island nation with a pair of dramatically tapered mountains, the Pitons, on its west coast.
Tour: Marigot Bay, Village & Scenic Drive.
L - Beginning our exploration of S. Lucia.R - Vigil Lighthouse - built in 1914 and powered by solar power.
L - Seen are the Pitons, twin peaks over 2,6000 feet above the Caribbean.
R - St. Lucia government house - also museum and residence of the Governor-General.
L - Beginning our tour seeing pastel-colored colonial houses, lush greenery, poor chattel houses, small gardens on the hillsides...
R - Through a small village with a small boy statue.
L - Roseau Banana Plantation - largest on the island.
R - Coconuts
L - Many goats seen along the narrow road.
R - Cows seen tethered in green fields. (grass always seem greener beyond reach!)
Children wearing uniforms as they are on their way home - alone and seem safe!
L - Red-eyed Dove.
R - Carib Grackle.
The spot is site of filming the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean".
The stop for refreshments overlooking Marigot Bay.
Marigot Bay - a quaint fishing village. Restaurants, condos, and a tranquil yachtsman's haven. Yachts seen from many countries. Also area used as background shots for movies i.e. "Dr. Doolittle" and "Fire Power".
Small shops along the boardwalk. This shows many carved bird feeders and man working to make them.
January 24, 2018 - Bridgetown, Barbados - temp 79 and cloudy - Arrival: 7:00 - 4:00
Barbados is an eastern Caribbean island and an independent British Commonwealth nation.
Tour: Coast to Coast Scenic Drive
R - Desalination Plant
L - St. Thomas Anglican Church initially built in 1675 and last rebuild 1831.
R - Poinsettia with beautiful white flowers.
Highland Adventure. This day it was raining and visibility very low - couldn't see the water. A stop for bathroom and drinks.
Local scenery along the way. Lots of goats too.
Bathsheba Beach
More of Bathsheba beach. White sands said to be like the milk baths Bathsheba used. Large "rocks" are actually pieces of coral that have broken off. Now the beaches have lots of a stinking but irresistible invasion of Sargassum seaweed.
L - St. John's Church built in 1660 with rebuilds after hurricanes.
Ferdinand Paleologus, a descendant of the Emperor Constantine and other famous people buried here.
L - One of the many ancient crypts - doors now sealed.
R - Lesser Antillean Bullfinches.
L - Gun Hill Signal Station
R - The lion carved out of a single piece of coral rock in 1868. Left paw resting on a globe of the world showing British dominance.
L - "Emancipation Statue" circa 1985 remembering the "Bussa Revolution" in 1816. Emancipation granted in 1834.
R - Houses sometimes left unfinished - till outside finished no taxes need to be paid.
L - Parliament Building circa 1874 houses the Assembly and Senate as well as a museum and National Heroes Gallery.
R - St. Marys Church circa 1825.
January 25, 2018 - Basseterre, St. Kitts - temperature 79 and sunny - Arrival: 10:00 - 7:00
St. Kitts is the larger of the 2 Caribbean islands that comprise the nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Brimstone Hill, Romney Manor, and Caravelle Batik.
L - Our tour wasn't until 11:00 so we caught a drink before taking off.
R - Wellcome to St. Kitts as we wait to board the bus.
L - Driving past this sign at the site of the 1626 genocide of thousands of Amerindians.
R - A Vervet Monkey peaking out of the underbrush at the side of the road as we drive along.
L - Hundreds of Cattle Egrets nesting and feeding their young.
R - Goats along the way - a bit thin.
Vibrant gardens of this old sugar plantation built in 1626. Once the home of the, great, great grandfather of Thomas Jefferson.
Since 1964 it is the home of the Caribelle Batik workshop.
L - Display of Caribelle Batik drying.
R - Batik is created using an ancient Indonesian method that uses wax to resist dye on parts of the fabric and then designs are applied with that method by using a canting tool or stamp.
L - Beautiful gardens. Here shown the Bell Tower almost hidden by the 350 yo Saman tree. Tower used to regulate the working day of the slaves.
R - Ixora - just one of the many beauties.
A will-preserved example of 17th and 18th century military architecture, designed by the British and built by African slaves.
The heart of the fortress - Fort George also called the Citadel.
L - 191 steps to climb. Museum at the beginning showed a film about the site and souvenirs.
One of the many rooms inside the fort.
Amazing view - quite windy.
Gray Kingbird as we looked down the hill from the fort.
L - Noni fruit or Duppy Soursop is used in local folklore to cure various illness.
R - St. Thomas Anglican Church. Circa 1625.
L - Ending the day with a bit of crocheting on a prayer shawl.
R - Sunset - does this sky portend a coming day of anxiety and drama????
January 26, 2018 - Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands - temp 78 & sunny skies
St. Thomas is the gateway isle of the U.S. Virgin Islands in the Caribbean.
No tour as we planned to visit this island again later during our cruise.
L - Started out as a calm and beautiful day.
R - Feral rooster.
Taking a stroll around the dockside area.
All seemed well till 11:00. Heather c/o abdominal pain and was pale and sweaty so back to the room we went and she took a 2 hour nap.
She ate poorly at lunch and napped again.
Planned to eat about 4:00 at the Horizon Court. She had a few nacho chips and then pain hit again.
By then it was pretty clear that it was appendicitis and down to the medical clinic we went at 5:00. Ship was scheduled to sail at 6:00. Classic appendicitis presentation - RLQ pain, rebound, low grade fever, WBC 17,000. IV started and morphine gave some relief from the pain.
Hoping the rainbow is a good sign as we head down to the medical clinic......
After the exam and blood results treatment began for acute appendicitis - IV, morphine helps pain somewhat, and antibiotics....
*Dr. Dylan Belton called the ship *Captain Nick Nash notifying him of the emergency. Since the ship had left port it was necessary to turn around. The sea was very rough so thankfully the captain went in as close as possible to launch the tender boat in the calmer waters near shore.
Getting ready to leave the medical clinic going down the hall and down the ramp to board the tender boat. Quite a bit of morphine on board. Someone has been very, very, very, very brave through this part!!!
Below L - Just leaving the tender boat. Accompanied with Dr. Belton and Nurse Gina.
Below R - Ambulance coming to meet us. We were also met by the local cruise ship agent to help us navigate the "system"
Notice the morphine smile - brave girl!
8:15 pmArrived at the hospital ER.
More lab work and a CAT scan then waiting for the surgeon on call to come and annesthesiologist.
Dr. Sidney Comissiong and Dr. Riveria.
January 27, 2018 1:00 am surgery began.
What normally is a 45 minute operation was 2:30 surgery.....dealing with a very difficult retro-cecal ruptured appendix with adhesions. Needless to say mom and dad were pacing the floors (mom being a nurse was hysterical thinking of various complications".
We EXTREMELY thankful to be in a U.S. Virgin Island. St. Thomas had sustained lots of damage with the hurricanes the past September and October. Part of the hospital was non-functional because of the damage. The surgeon was amazing - a miracle. He was an excellent surgeon and also Chief of the Medical Staff. Nurses were excellent, both local and those serving from a docked FEMA ship. We had nurses from the University of Wisconsin and Atlanta, GA!!
To a bed at 5:00 am. It was a very long, long night. More antibiotics being given q6hr plus morphine for pain.
Sleep time for the patient!!!!
Another miracle - the OR nurse arranged for us to have the VIP suite. All our luggage would have been quite the challenge in the usual semi-private rooms. We both slept with Heather in recliners that didn't position very well - but still very thankful!
Water from sink wasn't useable....
Sponge baths via warm packets (shown on sink). Thankfully the toilet worked.
We called it our cool robot. Each room had one of these units as the regular air-conditioning system on the roof had been blown off or torned down.Also must share about our time - EARLY every morning we heard (loudly) the feral roosters announce that daylight was arriving!!
L - Dr. Comissiong on rounds giving a thumbs up on progress.
R - He ordered a special "drink" to help move things along!!
Recovery time - watching movies, walking the halls, and looking out the window. Clear liquid diet was a big zero till finally real food...
I went exploring - a lot of roof damaged some wings of the hospital closed due to damage. I found the little chapel with the chaplain reading his Bible - very nice man. Next to the gift shop to get candy for the nurses and a treat for Heather. And of course we found the dining room with very good selections!
L - Gulf Fritillary also called Silver-spotted Flambeau.
R - Gray Kingbird.
This is Schneider Regional Medical Center. Really a beautiful hospital with excellent service.
Again so thankful for the many miracles.
The ship company called us several times as well as the ship port agent called and came by to check on us.
Discharge was Wednesday January 31, 2018 - parts of six days spent in the hospital.
January 31, 2018 - St. Thomas U.S. Virgin Island - discharged from the hospital
Another miracle - we had booked back to back cruises with Princess AND the following day the ship was to be back in St. Thomas. In calling we were able to reserve the same room that we had left the previous Friday night!!
L - One night before the ship arrived and we needed a place to stay. Harry was able to reserve a room at Bologna Bay Beach Resort $$$ - the only hotel on the island with air-conditioning, also this hotel wasn't open to tourists. Another miracle. What a dream to sleep in a real bed.
R - To the right was a lot of storm destruction.
L - Connected to the hotel was a bar and grille - very good supper.
R - The owner was committed to cats. Even after moving to the states she sent bags of cat food. Several little cat houses on the property.
Lots of beauty as we walked the grounds.
L - IguanaR - Antillean Crested Hummingbird - female
February 1, 2018 - St. Thomas U.S. Virgin Islands
This was the day that we joined the ship again!!!
The cruise port agent met us at the front of the hotel and took us back to the ship. Notice the big smiles on our face and Heather is even standing and smiling! The van shows some damage from the hurricanes that went through the islands - notice that the windows have plastic coverings.
Plenty of time to board the ship and unpack. Departure was 4:30. Rest and Recovery time...
L - Enjoying ship food - and we are hungry.
R - View as we left St. Thomas. Following another cruise ship and following the direction suggested by the clouds.....
Here is a link to the beautiful sound we heard this evening when departing Aruba. Hurray we are onboard and sailing away!! Copy and paste to hear:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/B6IShpZBqmVRbTVj1
February 2, 2018 - Fort de France, Martinique - Arrival 10:00 - 6:30
All future tours cancelled - rest and recovery time......
Martinique is a rugged Caribbean island that’s part of the Lesser Antilles. An overseas region of France, its culture reflects a distinctive blend of French and West Indian influences.
Today was rest day, some Tylenol #3, antibiotics, a little food, and a lot more rest. We used a ship wheelchair to get around the halls to dining areas.
Pictures at this site were from ship only.
L - Pointe des Nègres lighthouse 1924
R - View of the harbor with ? Mt. Pelee in the background.
L - Government building with the flag.
R - Beautiful sunset.
February 3, 2018 - St. George, Grenada - Arrival 7:00 - 1:30
Grenada is a Caribbean country comprising a main island, also called Grenada, and smaller surrounding islands. Dubbed the “Spice Isle,” the hilly main island is home to nutmeg plantations.
Another rest day....
View from the ship. Lovely island.
We enjoyed the smell of spices.
Stayed on ship for more rest and recovery...
February 4, 2018 Kralendijk, Bonaire - Arrival Noon - 6:30
Bonaire, an island municipality of the Netherlands, lies off Venezuela’s coast in the southern Caribbean.
L - Eight days post-op and an adventure from the ship.
R - The buses lined up for tours. The yellow buildings is the small shopping area that we ventured into.
After the adventure on shore we came back to have a cold ice drink. All is well.
Wore out so time for more rest and recovery...
L - Al-Houda Mosque, Islamic Center
R - St. Bernard Catholic Church
L - Fort Oranje Lighthouse
R - Seru Largu memory-cross hills - the monument at this site reads "Kristu Ayera Awe Semper" = "Christ, Yesterday, Today, and Forever".
L - One of the many carnivals - February 4 is the Children's Carnival.
R - Looks like a prison with the watch tower.
February 5, 2018 - Oranjestad, Aruba - Arrival 7:00 - 4:30
Aruba, a tiny Dutch Caribbean island off the coast of Venezuela, has dry, sunny weather, blond beaches and gentle surf. Constant trade winds bring cool breezes and cause the divi-divi trees to slope southwesterly. European influence in architecture features Dutch gables painted in tropical pastels.
L - Out for a quick photo op and then back to ship.
R - Colorful houses seen from ship.
L - Haystack Mountain and a glimpse of the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino with canal in lobby for boat access.
R - St. Francis Church. On the hill is a storage tank with water from desalination plant.
L - Frigate Bird.
R - Brown Pelican.
Beautiful sunset after leaving Aruba.
February 6, 2018 - At Sea
Just a day to relax and recover and take in some of the ship's activities.
Line Dancing, Ballroom Dancing - the waltz, Enrichment Lecture: Piracy from Julius Ceasar to Maersk, Alabama with Dennis Cheredar, and of course Royal Afternoon Tea.
February 7, 2018 - At Sea
Another marvelous day to relax and recover.
More Line Dancing, Ballroom Blitz Dance - the Cha Cha, Enrichment Lecture: Pirates Most Wanted - Scoundrels or Celebrities with Dennis Cheredar, and Royal Afternoon Tea. Plus always good dining in the Symphony Dining Room.
The beautiful model as I try my hand at double exposure photography straight from the Canon 70D camera...
A beautiful sunset and more fun with my Canon 70D camera (watercolor mode).
Our last night at sea.
It became necessary to disembark 3 passengers for medical reasons and so we arrived at Port Everglades 7 hours early.
Ship moving at full speed 21 Knots.
February 8, 2018 - Port Everglades - Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Fort Lauderdale is a city on Florida's southeastern coast, known for its beaches and boating canals. The Strip is a promenade running along oceanside highway A1A.
We began disembarking at 7:00 a.m. We were "special" as we rejoined the ship in St. Thomas so went off with the entertainers that had also joined later in the cruise...
Must say Princess Cruises really came through in "Wishing you a voyage full of memories!"
*So thankful for Captain Nick Nash turning the ship around and bringing us back to calm waters in St. Thomas. (lives in Penzance in the South West of England)
*So thankful for Dr. Dylan Belton, Senior Doctor for the excellent care he and the staff provided. With specialist training in both Anesthetics and Intensive Care Medicine - born in Bermuda and raised in England.
Up and away with Southwest on a direct flight to Kansas City, MO
A view of the Ft. Lauderdale skyline and the intercostal waterway. Had planned to take a tour of the waterway, but that will have to wait for another time.
Ft. Lauderdale fading in the distance as we head Northwest and home.
We believe in miracles - THE END!!
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