Day 57 - February 29, 2008 - Roseau, Dominica

Dominica photos
We arrived in the dark! This area during this time of year is supposed to be a mating ground for sperm whales and have lots of dolphins. So, we were hoping to watch arriving and leaving. Dominica is pronounced dom-in-ee-ka. We had to be up early for 6:30am breakfast opening of LaVeranda and then in the Constellation Theater to meet for our tour at 7:05am. All of the information from the ship, including today's Passages stated that we would be docked here today. When we arrived Explorer of the Seas was docked right downtown. When we left, HAL's Veendam was docked outside of town. Not sure whether there is no where else for cruise ships to dock or not, but we dropped anchor and we tendered here. That made us late. All aboard was scheduled at 11:30am, sailing at noon. That turned into the last tender was to be at 11:30am which lasted at least one full hour longer. And we sailed at least a full hour later as well. Past noon, we were in the Compass Rose and Capt. Philippe came over the speakers to announce that we would be another 20 minutes before we could depart. He said there was a medical emergency that had to be disembarked and tendered ashore here and we would depart after that had been handled. No idea what happened or when or where. Hopefully, someone will be alright.
So, Debbie had raspberries again for breakfast. Clay got Barbados flying fish for lunch. But, we forgot about Pizza Friday and did not eat in LaVeranda! We missed the last Pizza Friday of our cruise! We realized it because we did not like the desserts in Compass Rose and went up to LaVeranda for dessert. We got busted by Ludovich!
Everyone was relieved to see us back together again today. We really caused quite a fuss by splitting up for dinner last night!
There is a Big Screen Movie this afternoon, Michael Clayton, that we may go see. Debbie has abandoned all thoughts of returning to the gym at this late date. At 6:15pm, Theater at Sea presents "A Salute to Movies". Patricia Neal will revisit some of her most famous movie roles accompanied by Nat Chandler, George Dvorsky, Norman Duttweiller and Susan Powell. We will probably try to go to that as well. Tonight is Country Club Casual again. At 9:45pm is Sally Jones, an evening of music, theatre and laughter. Margie is planning to go since we won't get to San Juan tomorrow until 10am. We have no fixed plans for Puerto Rico. We'll be there from 10am to 5pm. We have all been here before. We have all been to the forts. Margie has been to the Cathedral but not Clay and Debbie. Clay and Debbie have been on the Bacardi tour, but not Margie. So, we may do those two things, plus Clay's favorite thing anywhere, eating local food. We have some favorite spots right in Old San Juan from our last visit here and Margie has never been to them. So, that is what is on our loose agenda for tomorrow.
The next day is an afternoon in Grand Turk. Again, absolutely no plans. At this point, Debbie plans to do laundry, either at sea or docked, and then packing on the final day at sea. Then, we're booted off and homeward bound. Boo hoo.
Long cruises are very different animals from normal cruises. Margie has been marveling that as the latest arrivals are still figuring out where things are on the ship, she is packing up and worrying about getting packed. It is all a matter of perspective! Margie's friend, last night could not figure out how everyone knew Margie and was stopping by to find out where Debbie and Clay were and if they were all right. Margie could not convince her that she had not made that big an impression onboard, but just that she had been here for a long time and it is like a tiny village onboard. Everyone knows everyone and their business. That kind of thing just doesn't normally happen on a short cruise. So, it is winding down and we are all sad about it. Especiallypeople who did this cruise instead of a World Cruise that they had done the previous year! While we are sad, not one of us wishes we had 2 more months to go (well, except maybe Clay!!). Mariner will do a few weeks of 7-day Caribbean cruises after March 4th and we are sure that the crew will be really missing us soon.
So, the tour. It did not come with one of those adventure warnings. No warnings that it is not suitable for people with neck, hip and back problems. It should have come with warnings! Traveling up hill this morning took more than 30 minutes and downhill took about 30 minutes. So although, it is a small island and the private park area with the aerial tram is not that far on the map, it is a long, difficult drive. This classes up there with any top 3 thrilling, breathtaking drives. Like the Amalfi Coast, with potholes. Like the road up to Machu Picchu, but narrower. Who needed the tram ride after the thrill ride and relief of survival upon arriving at the Aerial Tram Park?! It was another cool and breezy day today. We had a little rain on arrival off the tender and we had a little rain at the end of the tram ride. But, it was still a beautiful day.
After lunch as we sailed away from Dominica, we watched for whales, but did not see any. Clay and Margie went to the movie. Debbie wound up opting for an afternoon nap instead. We all went to see a Tribute to Movies with Patricia Neal before dinner. It was hosted by Theater at Sea Musical Director Michael Horsley. He talked about musical theater shows that were movies and vice versa and played some songs. Some songs were sung with him by the 3 singers we heard previously. Then a short video montage was shown of Patricia Neal, who never did any musicals. Then a short dramatic reading by Patricia Neal and Norman Duttweiller of a scene from The Subject was Roses. This was the film for which Patricia Neal won an Oscar. Somehow, none of us has never seen this movie. Yet. Dinner was at Compass Rose after which Margie and Debbie worked on the puzzle. Got run off by a very touchy maniac, who we hope was just recently overserved alcohol. Then they went to the 9:45 show. Sally Jones was a singer and comic. She was an excellent singer. The show was OK.
Dominica photos