Day 2 - Barbados

Saturday 25th February - Barbados

We had a very comfortable and much needed nights sleep and woke ready to start the holiday with a visit to the Boatyard in Barbados.  We've only been to Barbados once before on another cruise 5 years ago and found ourselves at the Boatyard along with many of the crew off the ship so knew it must be good.  We weren't disappointed today. We walked the half hour walk from the port to the Boatyard and paid our $25 pp entrance fee which entitled you to a sun lounger, parasol, a free drink and boat trip to swim with turtles.  If you want to do the boat trip you need to get your name down as early as possible as the trips run throughout the day but only take about 10 people on each trip.

We had fun swimming in the sea and swam up to what can be described as a floating trampoline for a sunbathe and chatted to two young Eastern European girls about their Go Pro cam as this was something we had thought about buying and looked like it could be fun for future holidays. 

The Boatyard had wifi near the bar and we had hotdogs and chips.  It was at this time when a siren goes off and the fun at the bar started with the bartenders standing on the bar giving free shots to customers with out the need for glasses.  We didn't participate as still hadn't been on the turtle trip so didn't want to get tipsy since we are not the strongest of swimmers.

After a few more dips in the sea it was our turn to swim with the turtles.  We were given life jackets and snorkelling equipment and instructions not to touch the turtles or chase them or they may take a chunk out of your leg!

After a ten minute boat ride we got it into the water and put on the snorkels.  It didn't take long before we spotted turtles - some small and some pretty big.  It was pretty exciting and we were really pleased that we did the trip.  As part of the entrance fee we felt we had a really great value trip.  

Drinks in the Boatyard were reasonable at $3.50 for a bottle of Caribbean beer.  You could buy six in a bucket of ice for only $15 but as we knew we would be doing the turtle trip we didn't get this package.  The hotdogs and chips were approx $9 each.

Staff were extremely friendly and helpful.  A free shuttle bus back to the ship is also included but we decided to walk as had plenty of time and wanted to pick up some tonic water to go with our gin in the cabin.

Dinner ran more smoothly tonight and we sat at our table which turned out to be a window table in a smaller area off the main dining room which thankfully meant we couldn't hear any bass noise from the Live Lounge.

Our waiter is called Nelson and his assistant waiter is Noel - both very nice and want to do everything to make our dining experience a great one.  Dennis the Sommelier is lovely and I have to say a much friendlier one than several we've had recently on Cunard.

Our dinner table mates seem very nice - we have a couple from near Southend on Sea, a group of 4 from the Birmingham area and of course the two of us from the North West.  The group is quite diverse, but all similar ages and should make for interesting evenings of entertainment.  I think we will have some stories to tell as the holiday continues ;)