Windjammer Barefoot Cruises
Polynesia Cruise Review|
Singles Cruise - Southern Caribbean

******** SINGLES  *********NO KIDS ********

126 people, mostly all traveling solo ----   on a tall ship in the Caribbean,,

Embarkation  St. Lucia,  on to Bequia, Mayreau, St. Vincent and back to St. Lucia. (the Grenadines)

The Polynesia alternates between a southern cruise (as ours) and a northern cruise  (Martinique, Guadeloupe, Dominica) and this was the southern week. I was told, or under the impression that we were going north. However the captain,, CAPTAIN MAX, said   that if the route had been north, he would have changed it to south, because of Hurricane Debbie..  We did get some residual wave action from it I believe, as  the water was rougher than normal I'm told..  (did they know what they were talking about ?? well it gives me a good story to tell anyway)

It was a kind of a  longggggggg day getting there. I'd played in a golf tourney up in Wasaga Beach the day before and got home late,  quite fun, I won Ladies longest drive !!! (a very impressive shot which just happened to be watched by about 7 other people !)    I was up at 5:30 - flew into Chicago, wait wait  wait, flew off to Puerto Rico wait wait wait,  then finally on a little PROP plane and zooooom - off we went. 

Alas -  I was finally there..  met a few people on the last flight and in the airport that were going to the Polynesia as well. It was becoming more of a reality at this point. One fella, Mike had been on Windjammer cruises already,,,,,,,   cool. this sounds like its gonna be fun..  Met Holly from Houston, Susan from Colorado, another Susan and after we signed that we were there --- onto a van.. and off to the Poly...  We got closer and could see the ship   ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh it IS real!!  What a beautiful sight it was after such a long day, like something out of a pirate tale !   Then  we got out of the van..  And there was a band playing music on the ship ---  you could hear the tunes !!!!      I wanted to dance....and hey,, a dance floor, and a bar just as you get on the ship.. how cool...    I checked in and got my room assignemnt, cabin 9.    I took my stuff to the cabin, (no locks) dropped it and went to the bar !!!!  My

cabin mate had already boarded, as her things were there - and altho I had thought I would "shower first"  - I then thought NAHHHHH<<<<<< bar/music/circulate ..  You had to buy doubloons (which was a round orange paper with spots on it,,, it was 5 spots for a beer,  3 for a water etc).. I had no pockets - so stuck the doubloons in my bra, no key for the room, so didn't have to carry anything ! Well it was great ! I grabbed a nice cold Brewsky,,,,  then start  meeting everyone,  

hi I'm Linda, from Canada, hi, I'm Wendy from Oregon, hi I'm Grant from San Francisco, Marsha from NY, Chuck from Kentucky... I met so many people and so many names, Jim, Cynthia, Michelle, Tom, Pete, Hal, Barry, etc etc.. probably met about a hundred people that nite and remembered approx 5 names the next day.  (altho 1 was Corona from  Mexico and one was Red Stripe from Jamaica !)  I danced.. talked, danced, and was picked to come up and do a "demo"  with one of the bartenders,,,,  learned a few new moves !!! OH LALA.. fast way to get peoples to remember you hahahaha.

I gotta learn more of them island moves, my hips just don't seem to move the same way, so gonna practice for the NEXT time !!!

Oh yes, was little hungry when got there, there was some assorted stuff set out as buffet, I just went for the nice big SHRIMP, with sauce, and fresh fruits....   Tried the wine, both red and white....   the wine was soso, but the shrimps MMMM yes. and the fresh fruit -loved it.

Well  met my cabin mate, Jennifer from DC . She was really great and we got on super. Neither one of us was the type to take several hours to get going in the AM, and neither of us came with 3 months worth of clothes.  So it worked out great, I was generally up and out first. I had read that Bloody Mary's were COMPLIMENTARY so theforst morning I was at'em along with STICKYBUNS..  

Being Canadian, I'm more of a Bloody Caesar fan ....  hence..  I wasn't too keen on the Mary's.. but the fresh juices were generally  good and the coffee was available 24/6..   I'm not a really big breakfast person, altho on holiday, I do tend to EAT  more than usual.. buns were good ---  breakfast was okay. Always fresh fruit on the table, toast  and cereal.  I didn't realize till about last day that there was yogurt available. We had a great omelette one morning, and one morn was pancakes...   (not the greatest, but passable)..  otherwise breaky wasn't the high point of the day for me.. but it was a high point to take a "mug o joe" up onto the top deck and ponder to myself how lucky I was to be able to do this.. looking out at the clear blue sky and feeling the rock of the ship...  truly it was sweet....   it was kind of early still at this point so not tooooooooooo many people up on deck.... but it was hello + good morning - to all who came by -  Very friendly.

This cruise was great as most everyone travelled solo, so making friends was a cinch.  Personally I have no problem meeting people but this was pretty cool, cause we were all on  holiday, so it’s a different type of atmosphere.   Everyone was casual - and relaxed so they tended to circulate and socialize with everyone, and every time you went on an excursion, or just swimming, there was a different crowd, it was great! I think I said hello or talked to most everyone on the ship by the end of the week..

We had some rain and the deck got wet, and I learned something via experience, (as the captain said the next day "you should hold onto something")  I slipped and fell on my butt, it was painful and hurt my elbow as well,  so the captains advice was good, just a little later than required. There were handles in the ceilings on the bottom deck just for that purpose.. Well I took my sore butt and elbow,  to the bar and soothed away with some CORONA>>>>

Well each morning we all congregated for  "Story Hour"  Captain Max ---- in his safari hat and sunglasses greets all with a big GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.   Now that I'm an experienced Jammer, I know that the  proper response is   GOOD MORNING CAPTAIN SIR.  The louder you make it,, the more rum in the punch, So we hollered our brains out !!!!!!!!

Captn max told us where we were  (on a ship  LOL)...   there was a dissertation on the island, what to do ,, little anecdotes. suggestions of restaurants.  and stories, it was very informational, and well done... I expect after 13 years with WJ, it would seem quite routine to him, (story hour yet again )     but he seemed genuinely original ---- and happy to be there.   It was very informative and entertaining. Then the activities director would go over the excursions, the scuba times, etc..and the Purser would make any announcements that she need to. On that first day we met some of the crew as well. Voila, the first day had begun and we were windjammin !!!!

I took the 4wd tour on St Lucia - very cool,, stood up in these old jeeps --- we travelled a good way on the old rocky roads giving us a chance to see some of the island, it rained on us too, much rain. But heck,, only water, and very warm.

Stopped at a beach and had a swim, and some rum punch..   Few fish cakes, great time, to socialize,,, Doing the excursions was great, as there was generally a different crowd in your boat or jeep or wherever you happened to go. 

Catamaran, this was a hoot. Altho it was not organized very well, there was a sign up   but only 66 places.. About 95 people put their name down.. they drew names and if your name was drawn you were KICKED off the trip.   That was unfair - however I'm not complaining too loudly hear, I got to go.

However I must say the whole day was taken up with the excursion, and it sounded like it would have been a lot of fun on the island too.  So I'm sure if I'd been kicked off the trip, that I would have enjoyed myself just as well. 

The Cat Captain sailed us right into some major swells, Hurricane Debbie had passed to the north and we were getting a little residual wave action..  water washed over us on soaking us and cause a lot of hoots and laffs.  Most of us were lolling about on the net, it was a thrill ! I got a little  " I think I'm going to toss my cookies". for the last 40 min or so.  I have never been seasick, altho I did suffer carsickness as a child, but    once land was sighted I was fine. We saw a circular rainbow... Never saw that before.. quiet amazing.

Then we  got to the island of Mustique. Very picturesque, and wonder of all wonders, there were conch shells piled up on the beaches !!!  I don't think I'd ever seen a conch without a pricetag on it before !!! Several people took them back and put in their bags (stink !) Lunch was at Basil's Bar   I had a hamburger, gazpacho & water,, 25.00 US dollars  !!!! Well they do import everything.. not much shopping. 

We wandered over to the beach then. little swim, then got back on the cat and went snorkelling.   Then off home. (Poly) I was dreading getting back on the cat.   Thought I may be tossing my burger along with my cookies, but I was fine. Thank goodness, as I had thought OH NO>>>>>>  the rest of the week -- will I be sick ? --------------   well we got back to the ship....  WE GOT MOONED,, one of our shipmates dropped his drawers at us, I'm telling you NOT A PRETTY SITE.

SHOWER TIME OH YEAHH BABEE .... Oops NO WATER>>>>>>

This was a problem at times, no water, or you have your hair full of suds and THEN no water...So you learn to shower at odd times.. or just hope for the best. The mattress I had was lumpy, however I was usually so tired that I just flaked out.

The top bunk was closer than I thought and I cracked my noggin once on it, still have a lump 5 days later.

That night a group of us went to Mac's Pizzeria.. imagine ME at a pizzeria in the Grenadines....  Well I thought what the hey. Yes pizza, can you believe it.. but it was great, Mahi-Mahi and mushroom pizza !!!!

Then we went to the Plantation House it was fun, but very hot. Locals are all too eager to ask the female tourists to dance, and as captain max said.. a dance lasts about 45 min. I declined, and danced with shipmates. The smell of "local herbs" was in the air !

It was then back to the ship and enjoy !!

The day we got to Mayreau  ( pronounced mayroo )  we took the launch to the beach and they set up the bar and did a beach picnic over there. Beautiful island, peaceful, quiet, no shops.   Just relax.

Not much shopping at all the whole trip which was fine with me. Only had to pick up a few things for a few special people.   Got them on Windjammer - good quality stuff and good  selection.  Picked up a couple things in the San Juan airport as well.

We got into St. Vincent and I had booked the power boat trip to Bailene falls.  What a hoot, our driver stopped every here and there and explained things about the island, the people the industry, the leper colony that was once there etc.

Then they dumped us into the water and we swam to shore and hiked to the falls, ( not far ).. It was beautifulllllllllll and lots of people were climbing the falls and jumping into the water..   I thought to myself, with my luck, I'd fall and break something so I watched.. I floated around on my pool noodle which I had brought with me.. how peaceufl, and rfrdsh water. On the way back, we stopped at Ballihaue bay for lunch and then back to the ship..  great day !!!

My "speedboat mates" were a hoot - and the punch was GREAT.. tooo much punch I'm afraid, left me a little dizzy, so I had a little nap !!!!

One thing that was SO great about this singles cruise was the camaraderie. Everyone socialized with everyone. I'm sure some were hoping for a little "romance.. Or just a "little"... and I'm sure some of them got it. For me , it was the idea of "adults only" that appealed to me.  (not that I have anything against kids, I love kids, even have one of my own !!!!!!! - but sometimes, NO KIDS is good )  ( I was on a carnival cruise that had 850 kids - this was much different)

Being a singles cruise was great as I find travelling solo, that if you are in a place with mostly  married couples you cant' mix the same way, ---   so this suited me just fine.

The last evening was great. We had out last meal with our friends,,,,,,   had some entertainment from Ingrid,  Captain Max and Rocky.   Up on deck later was Bananas Flambe,, and then a lot of laffing, talking, drinking ---- and just plain good ole fun.

Hints

Take a bungie cord - for shower.. you have to hold the tap on in order for the water to come out, with a cord, you can jury-rig it on. This is probably why we had no water up on the top deck, as they were all having bungie showers below..... Ahhh well.

They had mats up on the top deck on which to lay down, chairs would have been much nicer.. don't know why no chairs, but ahhhh well... you may consider one of those fold up chairs.

Book your own flight if possible, my connections SUCKED, it took 12 hrs to get there ( not including the 2 hrs early to the airport) and took me 18 hrs to get home   ( not including the 2 hrs early to the airport).

And I live near Toronto,, a major international airport. Most everyone's flights sucked that I talked about, so it may be something to consider getting your own.  Come in a day or 2 ahead of time, then you wont' be rushed, or too tired 

Make sure you have a lot of small bills, when you use a 20.00 US, they give you change in EC money.  Also they don't like to do separate bills so you end up sharing a bill with someone else, if you both only have a 20.00 it gets more difficult.

Don't tell all your friends you'll call them. Phone systems are expensive and few and far between.

Great things

Drinks are reasonable price - 

Easy to find your cabin, and never far from where you are.

No locks on doors - at first I thought    WHAT ????  but not a problem and meant you didn't have to carry ANYTHING around with you.   well you had your doubloon, but then it fit well into my bra !!!

Embarkation and Debarkation was a breeze compared to a Carnival cruise ere there are 3200 people wanting to get off the ship.. 

Singles - definitely mingle well. I would say average ages were in the 30 - 40's.. some younger, some older.

All in All --  comparing the Windjammer Cruise to the Carnival cruise I took -- cant do it.. they are 2 very different holidays. It's not apples to apples. Carnival is gourmet food and formal evenings. Windjammer is good food and barefeet and t-shirts. Carnival is casinos & shows. Windjammer is make your own fun - or join in the fun up on deck Carnival is 3500 people and 1200 crew Windjammer is 100 - 175 people Maximum on board. Carnival is couples and families who stick together Windjammer singles was a load of people all joining in the fun. Carnival is comfortable beds - hot showers - room service, tv and vcr and satellite phone in the room Polynesia was lumpy bed,  variable showers, no room service, no tv, no vcr, no phone. Carnival was swimming pools, hot tubs, saunas, and workout facilities. Windjammer was small quiet islands - deserted beaches - sails rippling in the wind.

So you see, not apples to apples.

I enjoyed both --   but for different reasons, I do like to be pampered and enjoy gourmet food, but I also like to kick back, wear a t-shirt and shorts, with no shoes and make a ton of friends.

I would do both again.

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