SUNDAY 25th JANUARY 2026

Each column from left to right represents a port visited in order of when called at. There may only be one fridge magnet in the column.  I did something similar on the first three voyages of Queen Anne back in 2024.  On this voyage, we call at 10 Caribbean ports.  Visited already are Bridgetown Barbados, Castries St. Lucia, St. George’s Grenada,  Kingstown St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Willemstad Curacao, Oranjestad Aruba, and Roseau Dominica. All apart from St. Lucia were places I had visited previously, never really expecting to come back.  (07.17 hrs)

We are already, this third Sunday of the voyage docked at St. John’s, Antigua.

I have taken to seeing what private tours are available at each port whether by taxi mini bus or whatever, rather than be committed to the arrangements of a ship’s shore excursion, ‘though not always. Today. I join Jackie and Chris who plan to, among other things, visit Shirley Heights from where extensive views of the Island (surely not all of it!) and the historic Nelson’s Dockyard can be enjoyed.  We meet on Deck 1 midships at 10.45. Commitment!  Hopefully I can get to do my own exploring in the afternoon.

We were docked and allowed ashore at 07.00 hrs today. I have been awake since around 3 am. I do experience dodgy sleeps occasionally but usually manage a reasonable day afterwards, even if feeling a bit groggy. I shan’t be going close to any edges today!  The temperatures again begin at 25°C on waking up, climbing to around 20°C  by midday. Rainshowers provide gentle coolness. I don’t think I have been here before.  I therefore can add this to the approximately 56 countries I have set foot in.  St John’s will be packed today. I understand that three other massive cruise ships are here today. Maybe all the fridge magnets will sell out!

Today is the first day of the last fortnight of this voyage. So far it has been an incredible journey.

I shall write later today.

Many thanks for reading, David 07.49 hrs in his stateroom.