CELEBRATING LIFE IN THE CARIBBEAN

 Princess Cay, Nassau, Bahamas

Thursday, March 31, 2022 / 77F

Right now I am sitting on our balcony overlooking Princess Cay as I write. A warm Caribbean breeze is enchanting me!  

It was wonderful seeing Lawrence and Donna again--they were the greatest cruise mates in January 2020, just before Covid--we took that Panama Canal cruise with them from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale.  They were a great support during 2021 when we faced challenges and Lawrence dubbed this cruise our "Celebration of Life!"  That is exactly what it is! 

We took an Uber to the Port about 11 a.m. on Wednesday and boarded very easily with passports, Covid inoculation cards, proof of the negative test that we took on Sunday, and our luggage.  At the security conveyor belt, TK and Donna had already gone through. The security agent told Lawrence to put his wallet and phone away. I opened my purse  and he threw them in, then he told the agent, "She isn't my wife." The agent got such a kick out of that---it is quite humorous to think that someone would put his wallet and phone in a random person's purse.  

After boarding we headed for the "Sanctuary," an adults only oasis with plush lounge chairs  overlooking the sea--we wanted to reserve a spot for the three sea days. Alas, by 1 p.m. the Sanctuary was already booked up for the 10 days. We are on standby.

Our luggage arrived in our stateroom in a timely fashion -- we  had plenty of room for everything.  It is very comfortable.

This is our stateroom-10314. We were upgraded to a mini suite! 

Closet area

The bath with a tub

We had dinner with Donna and Lawrence, the pistachio creme brulee was a winner on Wednesday.  She gave me a bag with her beautiful logo for her travel business.  Donna is very personable and has been doing well.  https://www.facebook.com/djtraveladventures/  

After dinner

Today the ship arrived early at Princess Cay-a Princess private island and we took the water shuttle to the beach.  All I need is a book, a beach, and a tree for shade and I am happy. A picnic lunch buffet was served for lunch. The day was just warm enough without humidity. White sand, blue seas, and  palm trees -- what' not to like!?

The Enchanted Princess, which had its maiden voyage on November 10, 2021, is 1083 feet in length with a 155 ft. beam.There are 1880 staterooms/81% have balconies.  The  capacity is 3,660 passengers, but we understand it is only 75% full for this cruise.  By comparison the current largest cruise ship is Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas. It is 1188 feet long with a 155 ft. beam and can carry 6,988 passengers.

 

Enchanted Princess from Princess Cay

After we taxied back to the ship around 2 p.m., we were scheduled for a couples "hot stone" massage.  I planned this as a treat for TK. It certainly was relaxing for an hour and a half--we should take the time to do that again back home

It was another quiet evening after dinner (highlight: creme brule with lemon macaroons).  

 

SUN AND WARMTH IN FORT LAUDEDERDALE!

 Baha Mar

Fort Lauderdale Beach, Florida / Room 1208

79F

March 30, 2022

Son Brian graciously picked us up yesterday at 5:45 a.m. to take us to Erie International Airport. We arrived safely, first in Chicago, then Fort Lauderdale about 3 p.m. and quickly took an Uber to the Baha Mar.  It was not long before we met up with Donna and Lawrence and took an Uber to Sawgrass Mills Mall. We all made purchases at Tommy Bahamas, taking advantage of a great sale! One of us, not mentioning who, but probably not or me, purchased at least 7 new TB shirts. That same person said he/she brought 14 TB shirts. He or she blames TK for this phenomenon!!

By 7 p.m. we were really hungry and headed to Cheesecake Factory. TK and I shared a pizza. We arrived back at Baha Mar by about 9 p.m., quite tired.

The weather is lovely, warm with no sweater needed, but not hot or humid.

 

After a good night’s sleep, we are ready to take a walk along the beach and head for the Enchanted Princess!

The Enchanted Princess is in the background! from our room at the Baha Mar

Janie's selfie-the other view!

COVID NEGATIVE! WE CAN CRUISE!!

 Monday, March 28, 2022

Erie, Pennsylvania / 23F

Yesterday we knew our Covid Rapid Antigen tests were negative within two hours !  We have passed all the hurdles now and we are almost on our way!

The only thing I have left to do is remember to pack my phone charger and my Ipad and charger.  TK asked me if I could take his Crocs in my luggage and I know I must have made a face--What??? Big huge humongous Crocs??? His pool shoes...  We resolved that mini crisis with the removal of his dress shoes in  his luggage.  As far as I am concerned, his loafers are good enough for dress up. We don't wear gowns and tuxes any more, that went out years and years ago. I like loafers better anyway. I still have room for 12 pounds of jewelry. BUT, I totally forgot that we are going to Grenada for spices--spices could take up room too.  I might not come back with that much jewelry after all.  

Today was very cold in Erie--this time tomorrow we will be Fort Lauderdale and sun and warmth!!

TK certainly deserves this trip and it will be great to get away--Brian called and told us  he will pick us up tomorrow morning between 5:30 a.m. and 5:45.  We will be ready!

Janie's carryon with laptop, Canon DSLR, book, jewelry, and clothes--in case my luggage gets lost. 

I need to add chargers and Ipad tomorrow morning. I love Combos.

Janie's main luggage, all 38 pounds!

CRUISING AGAIN, FINALLY! ENCHANTED PRINCESS, HERE WE COME!

 Erie, Pennsylvania

Sunday, March 27, 2022

How  can we contain the excitement?  Just two days from now,  March 29, 2022, we are flying out of Erie to Fort Lauderdale! [Note: Janie hopes there will be time to uber to Sawgrass Mills Mall in Sunrise, Florida on Tuesday].

On Wednesday we will board the Enchanted Princess, a ship still in its inuagural year. Wisconsin friends, Lawrence and Donna are  joining us on this cruise--we sure are looking forward to seeing them!! We cruised the Panama Canal with them on the Regal Princess from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale from January 2-January 17, 2020, just before the big Covid shutdown and we  have not been able to see them since then.

Today we  had to take our pre cruise rapid Covid tests at Walgreen's drive-thru [by appointment].   I sure hope I did it correctly--I coudn't get the package open, TK tried, then back to me to try. Finally I tore the top off. Did I swirl the swab in my nose long enough? I'm worried now until we get the results back in about two hours.

Despite Spring, Mother Nature poured snow on us, starting last night. Despite the snow and ice, we traveled 20 miles to Girard, PA this morning for breakfast with our friends-retired firefighters and their wives. We have been enjoying Sunday breakfast with them for 12 years! 

Janie, outside our home in Erie

TK, outside our home in Erie

I told TK he could have smiled-he's going on a cruise, but he said he will wait for the results of the Covid test.

Here is our itinerary:

Tuesday, March 29: Leave ERI for FLL on United Airlines [son Brian will take us to the airport]

Wednesday, March 30:  Board the Enchanted Princess!!

Thursday, March 31, 2022: Princess Cay--picnic at the beach!

Friday, April 1, 2022: At sea

Saturday, April 2, 2022: St. Thomas--shop and shop, then shop some more!

Sunday, April 3, 2022: Dominica--tour

Monday, April 4, 2022: Grenada---spices!! 

Tueday, April 5, 2022: Curacao

Wednesday, April 6, 2022: Aruba

Thursday, April 7, 2022: At sea

Friday, April 8, 2022: At sea

Saturday, April 9, 2022: Fort Lauderdale to Erie, Pennsylvania. 

Luggage Packed!

Basically, our luggage is packed and ready to go. Mine weighs 38 pounds, TK's weighs 40#. I have room for 12 pounds of jewelry!!

Stay tuned for Covid test results!!