Caribbean Cruises
Use your browser's 'Back' button to return when you are finished with this page
We have been on 8 cruises.
Carnival Lines on board the
For the cruise web site, click on the picture
Royal Caribbean Lines on board the
For the cruise web site, click on the picture
Carnival Lines on board the
For the cruise web site, click on the picture
Carnival Lines on board the
(Again!)
For the cruise web site, click on the picture
Windjammer Barefoot Cruises on board the
For the cruise web site, click on the picture
The route to the Flying Cloud is through Puerto Rico to The B. V. I. of Tortolla (turtle) Island. We flew from Puerto Rico to Beef Island, then by taxi across the Queens Bridge to Tortolla. It was a pleasant flight of about 30 minutes from Puerto Rico on an ATR-42S and then a 30 minute ride in a cab. We later found out we could have made the trip by ferry in two hours and been delivered directly to the port for 2 dollars each. If you are planning on going, you might consider this cost saving method. Almost every one on our ship for the second time said that was the best way to go. Another thing to consider, if you go a day early, you can not board until 5:00 PM. If you arrive early on Sunday, Tortolla is basically closed. There is one cafe open. period.
The Flying Cloud is and old but proud sailing ship, credited with the sinking of a submarine during WWII. Although the ship is steel hulled, the decks, cabins, masts, booms, etc are wooden. It has a 500hp diesel engine, used only for maneuvering in port, and two smaller engines used for generators and air conditioning. The ship has all of the amenities of home, including 110 volt electricity, except hot water. The shower uses stored potable water that is air temperature (about 85 degrees).
We were generally at anchor at night and would sail to a new location with the break of dawn. The raising of the sails on this three mast ship was always and event. Many of the passengers rose early each morning to witness the event. Each mornings sail raising was accompanied by a different rendition of Amazing Grace, which seemed to add to the magic of the moment as the sails climbed those majestic masts and filled with air. You could feel the power of nature as this large ship would surge forward with each gentle nudge from the ever present easterly breeze.
Most of the cruise is geared around water activities. You get to snorkel off the ship at some locations and off relaxfull beaches at other locations. You also can experience the Baths of Virgin Gorda, the treasure caves of Treasure Island, feeding the gulls in flight while under sail, and photographing the barracuda as they prowl the warm caribbean waters.
The crew offers night time entertainment, as well as all the grogg you can drink. The meals are very good and wine is usually served with it, and many of the passengers were well satisfied with them. We are from the midwest however, where food has always been plentiful and the work hard, and we were always just a little bit hungry. Some of that may have been because of the energy we spent in swimming and snorkeling.
|
One of the more stressfull activities aboard the Flying Cloud. They let you out on the widow's net any time you want, no matter how much of their rum grogg you have had to drink. While the ship is under sail it is like being in a gently swaying hammack with a constant light breeze to keep you just comfortable. |
|
Statistics;
Oisseau des Isles (Bird of the Islands) was built in 1935 for the French Navy and served as a cadet training ship. During World War II, she spied for the Allied Forces, posing as a decoy. After the war, she transported cargo along the Baja coast. In 1968 she was completely refurbished with modern amenities, stained glass windows and a spiral staircase and renamed Flying Cloud.
Norwegian Lines on board the
For the cruise web site, click on the picture
The itinerary for this special Seaward cruise is a different than their standard itinerary found on their web site. Shelly and Wayne on dress night |
 Shelly and Wayne on deck |
 Shelly and Wayne at dinner |
 friends from home we ran into in Atlanta |
 pool deck by day |
 pool deck by night |
 bed ocotopus (by Clovis) |
 Clovis our cabin steward |
 Seaward butterfly collection |
Windjammer Barefoot Cruises on board the
For the cruise web site, click on the picture
 the Fantome |
 Shelly at the helm |
 Wayne at the helm |
 Wayne jumping ship - again |
 Captain at story time |
Built in 1927 for the Duke of Westminster, the 282 foot FANTOME is among the world's largest four masted stay-sail schooners. Former owners include the Guiness Brewing family and Aristotle Onassis who purchased her as a wedding gift for Princess Grace and Prince Rainier. Onassis was not invited to the wedding and the gift was never delivered. She joined the Windjammer fleet as flagship in 1969. The recent completion of a 6 million dollar refurbishment makes FANTOME the pride of the Windjammer fleet.
Carnival Lines on board the
For the cruise web site, click on the picture
 Harbor Pilot leaving the ship in Barbados |
 Harbor Pilot leaving the ship |
 Shelly, Roberta and Wayne, formal night |
 Carmen |
 Al |
