EXPLORING THE WORLD

Saturday, January 24, 2026

TOURING THE BRIDGE ON THE ENCHANTED PRINCESS

Saturday, January 24, 2026
***Enchanted Princess*, At Sea
77F, sunny**

Sweet TK took this photo

Thanks to Brian K, some of our group had a great tour of the Bridge this morning. This was only my second such tour and the Captain and First Officer really took their time with us. I wrote some details down but could not capture everything they said.

When Captain Di Martino speaks, everybody listens!

Capt. Raffaele Di Martino, a native of Naples, Italy, started out as a green hand on ships and worked himself up to Captain of such a large vessel! He has been with Princess for 21 years. His favorite port this cruise is Antigua, but his all time favorite port is Naples and his family lives a half hour away. The captain is ALWAYS in charge of the ship. The one exception in cruising is when a pilot is onboard for the Panama Canal—then that pilot is in control of the ship.

Our gang on the tour

About 1/3 of the Bridge---some of the monitors

in back

Of course, there are four six-hour watches just as on the U.S. Brig Niagara, the ship where I was humbly part of the crew. Ninety per cent of the time, computers operate the ship. While we were there, there were at least 4 officers on the bridge. Many monitors show indicators, camera feed, and the electronic navigational system with radar. We could tell there were many cameras that were focused on the ship’s exterior, fore, aft, starboard, and port.

At sea, the ship is steered using the track-pilot system with a small joystick giving instant control of the heading and the radius turn. Across the entire ship are thousands of smoke detectors, Hi-Fog sprinklers, fire doors, watertight doors, and flooding sensors, all linked to the safety management system and control system in the safety center. The Captain and other officers can manage any emergency situation the ship would encounter. No Titanic here.

Monitors galore

Another monitor

Captain Di Martino said that we were currently in the North Atlantic, with a water depth of 15,000 feet and that we were sailing at 19 knots per hour (10 a.m.). He said that the seas have been rough but stabilizers make a big difference.

The First Officer, aka Bridge Manager, then spoke to us. There is a brig on board, as well as a morgue. One exciting time was when they rescued 7 fishermen whose boat had capsized in the Caribbean. He told us he has never seen anything odd in the Bermuda Triangle, which we are passing through twice on this cruise.

First Officer and more monitoring equipment

Captain Denise G!

First Officer with us
More monitoring equipment.
I tried to take a photo of the "tiny" joystick
that steers the ship

Cruise ships always avoid hurricanes and he said awhile back they had to turn around and stay two extra days at sea so they did not encounter a hurricane. I do hate to report this, but he said the ship uses 700 gallons of fuel per hour. The 16 page brochure we were given, Engineering Onboard Enchanted Princess, was far more detailed than I could understand.

Examples:

This was the easy stuff---

Date of Delivery: October 2020 (so this ship is relatively new)
Guests: 4450
Crew: 1380
Length: 1004 ft.
Height: 216.5 ft.
Breadth: 125 ft.
Max speed: 22 knots

The following information is above my pay grade---

4 main engines using heavy fuel or diesel oil
Gray water system
Thrusters
Hydraulic Power Pack
Oil/Water Separator
Electric Drive Motor
Propulsion System
Shaft Line Functional Arrangement
Stern Tube Seal
Bilge System
Centrifugal Bilge Water Separator
Static Bilge Water Separator
Daily Oily Bilge Pumps
White Box
Advance Waste Water Treatment System

That was an easy way to make the blog look longer and more intelligent. Maybe my engineer sons will understand the brochure!

It really was a great tour and I was fortunate to be on it! Both the Captain and First Officer were very cordial and friendly.

After the tour, TK and I went to the Pub Lunch in the Amalfi Dining Room for yellow split pea soup and fish n chips. When the Captain made his usual report at noon, we learned we were ove the Puerto Rican Trench, the deepest part of the Atlantic Ocean--28,000 feet! We are 391 (450) nautical miles from Antigua with 773 nautical miles (890 miles) left to get to Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale.

A new thing in the photography studio is taking photos of one’s irises. I wanted to do that and can’t wait to see the photos tomorrow.

Tonight was another Formal Evening, so we put on our best duds and joined our gang for dinner—beef tenderloin and lobster. That was very good, but too much!

TK’s Takes: He spent his non-refundable onboard credit on a Tommy Bahama long sleeve shirt. He was not outside the ship much today. Pub lunch was so-s0. The lobster at dinner was small, but good.

Friday, January 23, 2026

COLORFUL ANTIGUA AND MORE SHOPPING!

Friday, January 23, 2026
***Enchanted Princess*/St. John, Antigua
83F, sunny**

Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Anglican Cathedral of the

Diocese of North Eastern Caribbean and Aruba

Photo taken from our balcony

This is our 4^th visit to Antigua since 1995. Antigua's history spans from early Amerindian settlements, including the Siboney, Arawak, and Carib tribes to European colonization. Christopher Columbus arrived in 1493 and the English established control in 1632. After slavery was abolished in 1834, the islands remained dependent until a labor movement led to improvements and full independence from the UK in 1981, and the economy shifted towards tourism

One of two forts at the harbor entrance

Two forts sit on opposite sides of the harbor to protect the entrance to St. John’s. In the early 18th century, the British built Fort James as a deterrent against a French invasion of Antigua in the West Indies. Today the fort stands watch in ruins.

Fort Barrington is a historic military fort built in the 17^th century at the western entrance to St. John's Harbor. This fort is also in ruins.

Antigua is located in the eastern Caribbean Sea within the Leeward Islands, southeast of Puerto Rico and north of Guadeloupe, and is famous for its numerous beaches and turquoise waters.

Because rain was in the forecast again Donna opted out of going to the beach, so she and Lawrence joined us as we shopped at the port of St. John’s. I had a mission to visit the shop, Sunseakers, which carries gorgeous resort clothing in my favorite colors. I love the top that I bought two years ago. Donna says I am a bad influence on her because we both made purchases. We also stopped in some souvenir shops for a few purchases for friends. We were not off the ship very long (that is what it seemed to us, but TK and Lawrence may disagree).

Enchanted Princess in the background

Sunseakers

As you may have guessed by now, we cruise the Caribbean in January, sometimes February, to get warm. Back in Erie, the temperature is around 2F, Erie Public Schools are cancelled, a severe snowstorm is on the way---that is not where we want to be. Since we have been cruising the Caribbean for 30+ years, we have repeated a lot of destinations and do not really do too much in the ports. Some cruisers do not even get off the ship.

Donna captured Janie shopping

So, dear Readers, that is our story and I try to make the blog interesting, but we are older now!

A rainbow as we were leaving Antigua behind!

Dinner was the usual banter, we have an interesting group, and we are chatty!!

From flags.com

The flag of Antigua

A red background with a black, blue, and white isosceles triangle pointing upwards from the bottom, containing a rising yellow sun symbolizing hope and a new era, with black representing African heritage, blue for the Caribbean Sea and hope, and white for the islands' sandy beaches. Adopted in 1967, this design by captures the nation's vibrant energy and natural beauty.

The flag of St. Lucia

A bright blue background with a central emblem of a golden triangle overlaid by a black triangle with a white border, symbolizing the sun, prosperity, racial harmony, the sea, and the iconic Pitons (volcanic peaks). Adopted in 1967, the design represents the island's natural beauty, rich resources, and diverse people, with blue for the sky and sea, gold for sunshine, and black and white for racial unity.

The flag of St. Thomas Virgin Islands

Adopted on May 17, 1921, the flag consists of a simplified version of the coat of arms of the United States between the letters V and I. The yellow-colored eagle holds a sprig of laurel in one talon, which symbolizes victory, and three blue arrows in the other (unlike the thirteen arrows in the US coat of arms), which represent the three major islands that make up the U.S. Virgin Islands: Saint Croix, Saint Thomas, and Saint John

The flag of Martinique

The flag of Martinique consists of a red triangle at the hoist, with two horizontal bands, the upper green and the lower black. It was adopted on 2 February 2023.

The flag of Dominica

The flag of Dominica features a green background with a cross of yellow, black, and white stripes, symbolizing the Trinity and the island's diverse people and resources, with a central red disc holding a purple Sisserou parrot and ten lime-green stars, representing the nation's commitment to justice, its ten parishes, and its unique wildlife. The Sisserou parrot signifies national pride, aspiration, and the country's rich biodiversity

TK's Takes: St. Thomas is his favorite port of this cruise. He likes Curacao and Aruba and the Southern Caribbean the best. [Note: we are in the Eastern Caribbean now]

TK is fascinated by this German cruise ship

We have seen it in the past

Thursday, January 22, 2026

FORT-DE-FRANCE, MARTINIQUE WELCOMED US WITH WARMTH!

Thursday, January 22, 2026
***Enchanted Princess*/Fort de France, Martinique
85F, sunny-with some sprinkles**

Fan Palm near park

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. Its largest town is Fort de France. The island is 346 square miles and has a population of about 350,000 people, the majority of whom are Roman Catholic. What a pleasure to hear French being spoken! This is our third time in Fort-de-France, the last time was 2023.

TK and I strolled around the town on this hot and humid day. I hate to say that knowing that Erie’s temperature today is in the low 20sF and will continue to drop. Heavy snowfall is predicted, along with blizzard conditions, but we know that the weather people do not always know what will really happen. We just want everyone to be safe.

Not far from the ship there was a World War I Memorial dedicated to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Great War, and I wanted to see that. About 240 souls from Martinque perished in that war. This memorial was erected in 1926 and features an allegorical figure of the French Republic, holding a flame aloft. This symbol, often found on war memorials, represents eternal remembrance and lasting respect for those who gave their lives for their country.

War Memorial honors those from

Martinique who made the ultimate sacrifice

Martinique recognizes its sons

who died for France

Fort St. Louis

An active naval base and

a historic site

Fort St. Louis, dating from 1638

Seemingly stray dogs -- not bothering anyone

Just chillin'

TK took this photo for Lawrence

Janie is welcomed to Martinique

From the park we sauntered to mid-town, which was bustling with people, not just cruisers. The Patisserie was busy and the smell of baked goods was enticing. Later we said. Ha! When we returned my croissant was sold.

Mall that we found in 2023

Colorful street

Rue de la Republique

Market with all kinds of items, from

fruits, vegetables, spices, and towels

Anyway, we did a lot of walking, went to the mall and the wonderful market that abounds with colorful fresh vegetables and fruits, spices, and lots of people! The heat and humidity got to us so we returned to the ship for lunch.

Fort St. Louis--while misting

I could see what looked like barracks

Only Brian and Nancy joined us for dinner, chicken parmesan, caprese salad—me, potato gnocchi for TK.

Back at the room after dinner—almost on the way to get help from Brian K with my DSLR and its Wi-Fi capabilities, I found the SD card scanner!

TK’s Takes: His favorite cookies on the cruise are 1. Peanut Butter 2. Chocolate Chip 3. Oatmeal--but they are not as good as previous cruises. It has rained 3 days in a row, very unusual for us.

ST. LUCIA REPRISE WITH PHOTOS!

Aboard the Enchanted Princess
and photos from St. Lucia taken on Tuesday, January 21, 2026

So here is the deal. Janie actually packed the SD card scanner and it was in the foam computer case that I had packed away. So, today I am posting the photos of glorious St. Lucia! Brian K had generously offered to help me download my photos using Wi-Fi, and that is when I found the card scanner. If you are reading this backwards, the next blog has more text. I am so happy to share these photos with you!

See the beauty of St. Lucia!