My Solo Splendor repo cruise (with pics) 10/24/14

[Jamman]

I was back on board by 3:30pm, and we wouldn't be sailing until 6pm. I showered, and then used the time before we sailed to put together some laundry to send out, then made my way to The Web to check emails and connect with Patti.

Afterwards, I went to see my buddy Gusti at the Liner Bar, for a "few" Coronas. When we sailed at 6pm, it was already dark outside.....

After we sailed, I stopped at Pixel's to pick up a few pictures, then made my way back to the cabin to take a nap before dinner.
For dinner tonight, I started with the chicken tenders and mozzarella & tomatoes.....

I followed that with the grilled salmon.....

For dessert I had the apple pie ala mode. Tonight, the wait staff danced to "Low, low, low". Tonight's show in the Spectacular Theatre was "The Fastest Juggler in the World" starring Victor Zuniga. I decided to skip this show and head to the Sports Bar to watch the World Series.

Afterwards, I went next door to the casino to play some more blackjack. I played for a few hours and wound up losing a little. I was getting tired, so I made my way back to my cabin, where I found tonight's turndown service.....

Tonight's towel animal.....

Coming up next: Antigua, another first for me, and a Royal meeting!!

 

[Jamman]

Welcome to Antigua!!!

I am up at 6:15am, hoping to catch another great sunrise, and to watch us sail into Antigua. I am super excited again this morning for a couple of reasons. First, this will be my first time here, and secondly, I will be meeting some friends once we dock. No, my friends don’t live there, they will be arriving on the Royal Princess, which will be in port with us today.

So I step out on the balcony, and behold, I have a combination shot that shows yet another beautiful sunrise, and also is a forward facing shot that shows that we have another day of smooth seas…..

Soon the Antigua Pilot Boat arrives…..

I decided to head up onto the open decks to watch our arrival into Antigua. Here are some of the wonderful views I had…..

To be continued…..

 

[Jamman]

Here are a couple more Antigua views.....

The Royal Princess arrived a little before us.....

This was the first time I had seen the Royal Princess in person. She had also been based in New York for the summer, and was on her repositioning cruise. She sure is a fine looking ship.....

To be continued.....

 

[Jamman]

The forward half of the Royal Princess.....

The aft half of the Royal Princess.....

This is the view from our stern, looking out to sea.....

We are pulling into our pier at St. Johns, Antigua.....

Though we are docked side by side with the Royal Princess, we are actually using different piers. This is our pier.....

This is the smoking area of the Splendor, located on Deck 10 aft, starboard side.....

To be continued.....

 

[Jamman]

Now that we are docked, I'm getting hungry. Hmmm, should I go to the Continental Breakfast station again? That fruit sure does look good.....

Of course not. I Didn't feel like waiting for an omelet, though the line wasn't that long, so I just went into the fairly empty Breakfast Grill line and had the scrambled eggs again.....

As always, I sit up on Deck 10 to eat, and here is my view as I eat my breakfast.....

Here is another view of the Royal Princess from Deck 10.....

It's time to head back to my cabin to get ready to head ashore. Here are a few random shots that I took along the way. The ping pong tables are located on Deck 10, mid ship.....

One of the Splendido Pool area hot tubs, located on Deck 10, port and starboard sides....

To be continued.....

 

[Jamman]

The Splendido Pool area. It is HOT outside, why is the roof closed????

I'm back out on my balcony now, and the ship has been cleared. A few of the early tours are lining up on the pier.....

Once again, the gangways are directly below me.....

There is a steel drum band playing on the pier.....

With the bow of the Splendor facing the shore, it is a short walk into St. Johns.....

Here is my view facing the aft of the ship. Not much to look at....

To be continued.....

 

[Christoffer]

More great photos, thank you!

 

[TexasSue]

Great photos - suggestion next time the gangways are just below you talk with the photo people and have them take one of you on your balcony. My son and daughter in law did that on our last cruise. they knew the some of the photo crew by name and when they saw Lacy taking disembark photos they yelled at her and she took their photo on their balcony. Then when we tendered to Belize I was at the very front of the tender and when we arrived I did the same thing and she took a photo of me with my head out the front window of the tender. Once in a life time unusual photos. Loved it. Do so enjoy your reviews. Thanks for taking the time.

Susan

 

[Jamman]

Great photos - suggestion next time the gangways are just below you talk with the photo people and have them take one of you on your balcony. My son and daughter in law did that on our last cruise. they knew the some of the photo crew by name and when they saw Lacy taking disembark photos they yelled at her and she took their photo on their balcony. Then when we tendered to Belize I was at the very front of the tender and when we arrived I did the same thing and she took a photo of me with my head out the front window of the tender. Once in a life time unusual photos. Loved it. Do so enjoy your reviews. Thanks for taking the time.

Susan

That's a great idea. I never thought of that. Thanks Sue!!

 

[Jamman]

My Cruise Addict friends and I had arranged to meet at the end of the Princess pier at 10am, so around quarter to 10, I made my way down to Deck 0 forward and exited the Splendor.....

The forward gangway.....

The Steel drum band continues to play on the pier.....

Another look at the gangways.....

Looking up at the bridge of the Carnival Splendor.....

There is a boardwalk that runs from our pier over to the Princess pier, making it easy to get there, and allow for some amazing views of the harbor. This is looking back at our pier from the boardwalk.....

To be continued.....

 

[Jamman]

Here is a view of the Royal Princess docked at St. Johns.....

The Carnival Splendor docked in St. Johns....

The Royal Princess and Carnival Splendor docked side by side.....

I made it over to the Princess pier, and within a few minutes I was hugging my Cruise Addict friends. Though Judi & Mike only live a half hour from me in New Jersey, and we do get together from time to time, we hadn't seen each other for a while. Our plan was to find the nearest bar / restaurant, and hang out for a couple of hours. We didn't have to look far. The Harbour View Bar & Cafe was right on the boardwalk.....

Head up the stairs to the second floor for even a better view.....

To be continued.....

 

[Jamman]

We are settled into our own little comfy corner.....

We have decided that the official drink of our little get together will be the Mudslide.....

Barbara & Tobyn.....

Judi is enjoying her mudslide.....

Tobyn & Mike (Mal D. Olive).....

A couple of hours, and many mudslides later, it was time to say goodbye. Here's the gang with the Royal Princess in the background.....

To be continued.....

 

[Jamman]

That's me and the ladies.....

And here is one with the guys.....

It was time to explore a little bit. Here's a view of the boardwalk that runs between the piers.....

One of the many catamarans that I saw in the harbor.....

Here is a head on shot of the Royal Princess.....

Another view of the Carnival Splendor docked in St. Johns, Antigua.....

To be continued.....

 

[gram]

:sunny::sunny::sunny:


Jeff, that was great that you got to spend some time with Mel & Judy and Tobyn and Barb. The four of them are fun people to cruise with. thanks again for the wonderful photos.

 

[Jamman]

Here's another view of the boardwalk between the piers.....

The Island Safari Tours are loaded and ready to go.....

There are plenty of places to shop in St. Johns.....

Of course there is a Diamonds International here.....

Here is where everyone knows your name.....

Even more places to shop.....

To be continued.....

 

[Jamman]

This is a busy bar.....

That umbrella was a good idea on this very hot day.....

Looking back the other way, towards the Carnival Splendor.....

Another look at Cheers.....

I'm heading back now to the pier area.....

To be continued.....

 

[Jamman]

This way back to the ship.....

Once back on board, I stopped back at my cabin briefly, before heading up to the Lido for lunch. My invitation to the VIFP party was in my mailbox......

This is the bow view camera from my cabin television.....

I decided that I would have my lunch up in the Rotisserie.....

The Liner Pool and hot tubs look like they are starting to get busy.....

Feeling a little tired, I decided to head back to the cabin for a little nap, until it was time for the Royal Princess to sail. I went up to Deck 10 for a good view. One of the Cat Tours was coming back in.....

To be continued.....

 

[Jamman]

One of the lifeboats from the Royal Princess was out on a training run.....

Here are some views of St. Johns, Antigua.....

The Splendido Pool looks inviting, and they have opened the roof.....

To be continued.....

 

[Jamman]

The Royal Princess begins to back out of her berth.....

The gang and I had arranged to wave to each other at sail away.....

There they go!!!

Royal Princess passengers wave goodbye to us.....

To be continued.....

 

[Jamman]

The mast of the Royal Princess.....

Royal Princess crew members say goodbye.....

The bow of the Royal Princess.....

The crew area and pool.....

The Royal Princess begins to spin around to head out to sea.....

To be continued.....