Photos

 Here are some of the better photos taken on this trip

Sint Maarten

St. Lucia

Grenada

Barbados

Antigua

April 9, 2025 - Thanks

 We would like to thank our cruise partners who make each trip memorable.

Jay, Trudy, Gail, Mike and Bob

Gail, Val, Debbie, Olive, Marg and Brian

Becky, Dave, Coleen, Ron, Janet and Keith

Becky and Dave

Disco ladies - Olive, Trudy and Marg

Disco ladies - Olive, Marg and Debbie

Coleen between two Gails

Marg in our stateroom

Mike, Gail and Coleen

Olive and Ron

Olive on her birthday

Trudy and Marg

Val & Bob being much to serious

Jay

Debbie

Marg with Carolyne (Kenya)  and Teacher (Jamaica)

April 8, 205 - Going Home : Air Canada strikes again

Sadly our cruise is over. Yesterday, our disembarkation from the Celebrity Beyond was the smoothest that we have ever encountered. Cleating US immigration was as simple as having our picture taken.

Today Air Canada struck again. I understand that Air Canada has a reputation as the worst airline in North America to uphold, but today they set the bar so low that they are in running for worst airline in the world.

We arrived at 11:30 for our 13:15 flight to Toronto. When we got to the departure lounge, we noticed that flight was delay until 14:00.  OK not a big problem. About hour later we got a text message saying the flight was now delayed until 16:30. This was followed by a delay until 17:15, that again was followed by a text message saying departure was now 18:30. The final text message said departure was now 19:00. Each time it was a different excuse. Mechanical problems and weather were the main reasons given.

We boarded the plane, and the doors were closed at 19:00. We then sat on the tarmac for half an hour. We finally landed in Toronto, only 6 hours late, to be greeted with the biggest insult of all.

It turned out that the plane didn’t load any luggage. Not a single suitcase! We did get an email, not a text message, which said “some” bags were still in Fort Lauderdale. Someone should tell Air Canada there is a huge difference between “some” and “all”. At the airport, not a single Air Canada representative was present to tell us what the hell was going on. Most of us were waiting at the carousel for 30 minutes or more until rumours started circulating that we needed to go Air Canada and file a missing luggage claim.

This may be our last flight on Air Canada, until they clean up their act.

  

April 5, 2025 - Sea Day

It is our second last day of the cruise. We are on our way back to Fort Lauderdale after a relaxing trip to the Southern Caribbean. We are currently 648 nautical miles from Fort Lauderdale, east of Haiti. We have cruised 2430 nautical miles. 

Tonight is the captain’s dinner and Marg is especially excited because they will be serving lobster.

We were on the Celebrity Beyond which is a luxurious cruise ship operated by Celebrity Cruises. It's part of their Edge Series and is designed to offer an excellent travel experience with innovative architecture, expanded open-air spaces, and world-class amenities. Or at least that’s what their ads say and for the most part I can’t disagree. The ship is very spacious, and you rarely feel crowed despite the large number of passengers. 

The Beyond offers a wide range of staterooms and suites, including The Retreat, which is an exclusive area for suite guests. We have a veranda cabin with an infinity balcony. 

There are over 32 distinct restaurants, bars, and lounges, featuring culinary experiences curated by renowned chefs, including a restaurant by the Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud.  We ate at a restaurant call Cyprus, but the menu choice included special dishes from other restaurants. There is a bar that over hangs the side of the boat, called the Magic Carpet.

The central area of the ship has many bars and restaurants and tends to be full most of the evening.

There is a variety of onboard activities, including a spa, fitness center, and immersive entertainment options, such as trivia contests on a wide range of topics. There are at least four trivia sessions each day.

The current captain is a Greek sailor by the name of Nikolaos Christodoulakis. The ship was captained by Kate McCue, the first American female cruise ship captain up until November of 2024. The legendary American gymnast Simone Biles was named the ship’s godmother in 2022.

Celebrity Beyond was constructed at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in France. It entered service in 2022.

Here are the physical specifications of Celebrity Beyond:

Length: 326.5 meters

Beam (Width): 39.5 meters

Height: 57.9 meters

Gross Tonnage: 141,420 metric tons

Passenger Capacity: 3,260 (double occupancy), 3,937 (maximum)

Crew Members: 1,416

Decks: 21 

Onboard shopping on Celebrity Beyond is a luxurious experience, featuring a carefully curated selection of high-end brands, sustainable collections, and first-at-sea boutiques. You’ll find designer fashion, jewelry, watches, fragrances, beauty products, and even gourmet chocolates. Some standout brands include Bulgari, Cartier, Gucci, Montblanc, Stella McCartney, Marni, and La Maison du Chocolat. They claim that with over 21,000 square feet of retail space across two decks, shopping on Celebrity Beyond is designed to rival high-end destinations on land. I can’t comment on this because I didn’t come here to shop. We did continue our tradition of buying Christmas tree ornaments from countries that we have visited for the first time.

Karaoke is very popular and Olive’s son-in-law Dave has been a star.

There is a casino on Celebrity Beyond which is located on Deck 4 and offers, as you would expect, a variety of slot machines and table games. I’ve heard the payout is very low, although Dave, who is the youngest member of the cruise crew, did win several hundred dollars playing poker. Marg put a couple of dollars into the machine but came out empty.

There is an outdoor garden retreat with a huge video screen.

The swimming pool is large, but I think it could use with a couple of more hot tubs.

The artwork is very strange to the point of being laughable.

One of the hallways, reminded me of the House of Mirrors. If art is supposed to be controversial, then I guess it succeeded because everyone who saw it wondered what the heck it was.

The evening shows were OK, but I seen better on previous cruises. Other people who we are cruising with might disagree with me as they seemed to enjoy each show.

I would recommend this ship, but I would be careful on what excursions you select. We like to see historical and cultural sights of significance. Unfortunately, a couple of the excursions, it seems to me, were more about shopping. I think a Caribbean vacation is for people who like the water and don’t mind staying on a resort. Snorkeling and swimming are the top attractions.

 

 

 

April 4, 2025 - Antigua

Antigua is a Caribbean island that forms part of the nation of Antigua and Barbuda. This coral island is located in the Leeward Islands of the Caribbean, lying between Guadeloupe and Montserrat.

Antigua is a relatively small island, covering 280 square kilometers, with a coastline containing 365 stunning white-sand beaches meaning you could visit a different one every day of the year. It is a paradise for sailing and yachting, hosting events like Antigua Sailing Week and the Antigua Charter Yacht Show

The weather is tropical, with warm temperatures and dry conditions compared to many Caribbean islands.

Its history has mirrored the history of many of the other islands we have visited. In 1632 English settlers colonized the island, establishing sugar plantations that became the backbone of the economy. Two hundred years later slaves were emancipated, leading to a disastrous labour shortage on sugar estates.

In 1967 Antigua became an associated state of the UK, gaining full control over its internal affairs and reached full independence in 1981.

The economy of Antigua is service-based, with tourism and government services representing the key sources of employment and income. Tourism accounts directly for more than half of GDP and is also the principal earner of foreign exchange for Antigua. A series of violent hurricanes during 1995 resulted in serious damage to tourist infrastructure which resulted in a lengthy period of sharp reductions in the number of visitors. In 1999 the budding offshore financial sector was seriously hurt by financial sanctions imposed by the United States and United Kingdom as a result of the loosening of its money-laundering controls.

Antiguan cuisine is a flavorful mix of African, Caribbean, and European influences! A staple dish is fungi and pepperpot—a hearty combination of cornmeal dumplings and a rich vegetable stew with meat. Seafood is popular too, with dishes like saltfish and ducana—salted cod served with sweet potato dumplings wrapped in banana leaves. Of course you’ll also find lots of fresh tropical fruits.

Next to us is another behemoth cruise ship, the Enchanted Princess.  It has a capacity of 3,660 passengers and a crew of 1,346. By comparison our ship, the Celebrity Beyond, holds 3,250 passengers and a crew of 1,450.

When you leave the ship and exit the pier, you are met with the worlds longest strip of duty free shops.   For a least 3 long blocks, there is nothing other than duty free shops and cheap casinos. A block on either side of the street are the bars and restaurants. So much for the amazing history that the ads claim.

In the afternoon, we took a walking excursion of downtown St. John’s.  It was put on by the local museum society. For three hours we were bombarded with totally irrelevant facts. We were told the history of every home that was over 100 years old. It didn’t matter if the house was occupied or was a crumbled down shack. We went to a farmer’s market, where guide told us what each piece of produce was and what it was used for. Each government building was pointed out with a detailed explanation of the departments function in the Antigua government. Things got really stupid, when we got a 3 minute history of a parking lot!

No idea what this is, but the guide yammered on for several minutes about it

Now, we know that when you’re a historian working in a museum all the details are interesting. But someone needs to curate the itinerary, to show only the items of interest/importance to a visitor.

During the walk, I had a once in a billion experience.  While on the pier, I noticed this very short lady, probably shorter than 5’. As the walk began, I heard someone say “is that you Brian”. I turned around and it was this lady. Just as she was introducing herself and her husband, I realized who she was.  Her name is Peggy, Poole and we worked together in the late 1970s and 1980s. Apparently, I also worked with her husband. For the life of me, I can’t remember her last name, and I didn’t catch her husband’s name. With all the people who take a Caribbean cruise each year, what are the odds we would be on the same ship and taking the same excursion.

 

 

 

 

 

April 3, 2025 - Barbados

Barbados is the easternmost island in the Caribbean, located in the North Atlantic Ocean. It has a shape like an inverted Africa and covers 439 square kilometers. The island is relatively flat, with gently sloping terraced plains and rolling hills. The western half of the island features coastal lowlands, while the eastern side has low hills that shadow the coastline. Barbados is surrounded by coral reefs, and its interior is primarily composed of coralline limestone, which supports underground water channels like the Coles Cave.

Barbados has a population of approximately 282,000 people. Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados, has an estimated population of 85,000. The city is known for its colonial architecture, markets, and its waterfront.

Barbados has a tropical climate that is hot and humid year-round, with cooling trade winds making it bearable. The island experiences two main seasons:

• Dry season (December to April): This is the best time to visit, with lower humidity, less rainfall, and plenty of sunshine.
• Rainy season (June to November): More frequent showers, but they are usually short-lived. September to November tends to be the wettest period.

Temperatures remain fairly consistent throughout the year, ranging from 75°F to 87°F, with the warmest months being July to October. The sea is warm enough for swimming all year, averaging 79°F to 84°F.

Barbados is occasionally affected by tropical storms and hurricanes, especially between August and October, though direct hits are rare.

Barbados has history similar to other islands in the area, which that spans centuries. Before European colonization, the island was inhabited by the Carib peoples. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to discover Barbados, naming it "Os Barbados" (meaning "the bearded ones") in reference to the island’s fig trees or possibly its indigenous inhabitants.

The British arrived in 1625 and established a colony in 1627. Barbados became a major hub for sugar production, which led to the importation of enslaved Africans to work on plantations. The island remained under British rule until 1966, when it gained independence and became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.

In 2021, Barbados transitioned from a constitutional monarchy to a republic, officially removing the British monarch as its head of state.

Barbados has a high-income economy that has evolved from being sugar-dependent to a service-driven economy focused on tourism, international business, and foreign direct investment

Key Economic Sectors:

• Tourism – The backbone of the economy, contributing significantly to GDP growth. The sector has rebounded strongly post-pandemic, with increased airlift capacity and promotional efforts
• International Business & Finance – Barbados is a hub for offshore banking and financial services, attracting foreign investment.
• Agriculture & Manufacturing – While smaller, these sectors still contribute through exports like sugar, rum, and electrical components.

Barbados is famous for its delicious local cuisine, with flying fish and cou-cou being the national dish. Flying fish is often seasoned and fried or steamed, served alongside cou-cou, a cornmeal and okra-based dish similar to polenta. Other popular Bajan foods include pepperpot, a rich, spicy meat stew, and pudding and souse, a dish made of pickled pork and sweet potato pudding.

Today we took an excursion to some of the more scenic sights on the islands. Along the way we passed Rihanna’s home. This global superstar, entrepreneur, and philanthropist was born in Saint Michael and raised in Bridgetown. Her home is a twenty-one million dollar residence in a huge complex that houses five other homes. It is situated on the west coast of Bridgetown.

Next, we crossed the island and saw the agricultural side of Barbados. They have already harvested most this year’s sugar cane. As you would expect, the rural areas are very poor, but the government is involved in multiple projects to build affordable housing.

We stopped in Bethshepa, where got to see the Atlantic Ocean in all its fury. 

After this we travelled to St. John’s parish church. This one of the first churches built by the British settlers. After this we stopped at a rum factory for a drink and souvenir shopping.

We got back to pier, early in the afternoon and were hoping to find fried flying fish for lunch. Unfortunately, the restaurant closest to the pier was sold out.

We are on are way to St. Johns, Antigua. So far we have cruised 1,700 nautical miles. The seas are very rough. I was slammed against the wall while taking a shower and Marg is not feeling her best. It might make for a very rough night.

 

 

April 2, 2025 - Grenada

Grenada is an island country in the Caribbean, known for its volcanic origins and numerous mountainous. It is located between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago. The island is oval-shaped, measuring approximately 34 km long and 19 km wide. Grenada’s coastline stretches 121 km, offering charming beaches and deepwater harbors.

The island features a ridge of mountains running north to south, with steeper slopes on the western side and a more gradual incline to the east and southeast.

Grenada is part of the Grenadine Islands chain, which consists of numerous islets. The southern Grenadines, including Carriacou and Petit Martinique, are dependencies of Grenada. The capital, St. George’s, is located on the southwestern coast and serves as the island’s main port, featuring a natural harbor. The population of Grenada is 120,000 with St. George’s having 34,000 residents.

Grenada’s history is similar to other islands we have visited. The island was originally inhabited by the Caribs, before European contact. Christopher Columbus sighted Grenada in 1498 but did not land. The French were the first Europeans to settle there in 1650, but Britain and France fought over control of the island throughout the 18th century, with Britain ultimately prevailing. Slavery was abolished in 1833, and in 1885, Grenada became the capital of the British Windward Islands.

Grenada gained independence from Britain in 1974, becoming a sovereign nation. However, in 1979, the Marxist New Jewel Movement staged a coup, leading to political instability. In 1983, the United States invaded Grenada, overthrowing the government and restoring democratic rule. In 1986 Clint Eastwood made a movie about the invasion called Heartbreak Ridge.

Grenada’s culture is a vibrant mix of African, French, and Carib influences. The island is known for its music, dance, and storytelling traditions, which have been passed down through generations. Grenadians celebrate Carnival, a lively festival featuring calypso music, steel bands, and colorful costumes. The cuisine is diverse, with dishes like Oil Down, a hearty one-pot meal made with breadfruit, coconut milk, and salted meat.

Grenada’s economy is largely tourism-based, with visitors drawn to its beaches and spice plantations. The service sector dominates the economy, contributing around 69% of GDP, while agriculture accounts for 11%. The island is often called the "Spice Isle" due to its production of nutmeg and mace, and its lush tropical landscape is rich in natural resources like timber and tropical fruits. Other key exports include fish, bananas, cocoa, and citrus fruits. In 2004, Grenada’s nutmeg industry suffered significant damage due to Hurricane Ivan in 2004, impacting the island’s economy.

Docked next to us in St. George’s harbour was a boat named the Odessey.  It is a condominium on water, which travels around the world. The cost of a room is reasonable, but the fees could reach over $100,000 / year. This is not for us.

We took an excursion that stopped at a chocolate factory and then went to a waterfall deep in the mountains for a short swim.

Our guide was very informative, but he is a die in the wool Naturopath. In his opinion there is no aliment that can’t be cured with herbs and spices. I guess living on the spice islands does that some people.

Our stay at Jouvay Chocolate factory was educational. We got an up-close look at the various plants and trees that can be mixed with the coco beans. This included nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger.

At the waterfall, Marg was able to buy a nice collection of spices and herbs. We should be able to make some interesting meals in the future. Part of the show were 2 lads that would climb to the top of the waterfall and jump into the pool, doing cannonballs. It was good fun betting on who would die first.

The roads to these locations are equal to any thrill ride at any amusement park. The road can handle two vehicles but with very little wiggle room. The roads were topsy turvey and were never straight for more than a maximum of a quarter mile. It seems the driver was performing 90 degree turns every minute. During the ride we passed Lewis Hamilton childhood home. He is one of the top F1 drivers in the world and you can see where he got his training.

It seems that like the other islands, the houses are a combination of pastel colours. Our guide told us the housing prices and in comparison to Canada, they are dirt cheap. Unfortunately, there are a large number of dilapidated houses.