This morning, I spent an hour or so reading through and amending yesterday blog 189.  If you read it earlier on, it’s worth re -reading as it gives much more detail.  However, I still forgot to mention for some, the most important day of the voyage, January 25th the anniversary of the birth of Robbie Burns.  Cunard had not forgotten and appropriate celebrations took place in the Queens Room, with “nods” elsewhere including on the menu for dinner.

To reach any previous blog, click on “uncategorized” and scroll to either yesterday’s blog or any other recent entries.

To reach earlier blogs still, click on “uncategorized” and scroll as far as possible.  Click on “Next Page”  This releases further previous blogs, and so on.  For each blog selected, click on the date at the bottom right hand side to access that entire blog entry.   Clear as mud?

In the old days there were none of these complications. 

Now for today.

As you will surmise, I have spent a relaxing healthy breakfast on a sun-soaked Deck 9 attempting to explain the vagaries of

davidscruise.blog

We are docked at the attractive port of Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis.  It is hot with 30°C  promised.  I am seriously considering re-booking a similar voyage in 2028.  The island is gorgeous and I shall disembark, have a local lunch and hopefully negotiate a tour of this lovely island.

Today in port, passenger ships Sea Dreams 1 (formerly Cunard’s Sea Goddess 1) and Viking Sea join Queen Victoria for the day.  Lunch on board was everything I wanted.  Delicious (main course, vegetarian cottage pie) and fresh fruit with coffee. All in under an hour!  Now to disembark!

Apparently the port of Zante (for the capital city of Basseterre, St.Kitts is being refurbished for the further comfort of cruise passengers.  As a temporary(?) result, the walk to the port gates is rather long especially for those with mobility issues. 

I did what I usually do,  and conduct business with a minibus driver. Again, I had the vehicle to myself $50/ hour. To begin with, he gave me a comprehensive tour of the town, pointing out schools, government buildings, the occasional church, the public cemetery, imparting far too much information for my little brain to take in. 

I’ve been here twice before but had always relied on ship’s shore excursions for the best sightseeing opportunities. I suddenly remembered the nest of white birds, egrets,  that we would catch a split second glimpse of as we whizzed by on a tour bus.  It was worth every extra dime to be given as much time as I wanted to photograph and video these birds in such great numbers. Apparently it’s the only such nest on the island.

“Are we near the St. Kitts Railway”, I enquired. We were. He took me right to where a complete formation was either ready for, or just finished an excursion. I had “done” the train in 2022 and found it far too gimmicky to really want to ride it again. But to “loiter” probably where I shouldn’t have been. that was another matter!  Nobody shouted at me to go!  I saw all that I hoped for and more.

Finally, the highlight of what should have been a one hour tour was the climb up to the summit of Timothy Hill, offering spectacular scenes not too dissimilar to those of Shirley Heights yesterday.

Well over an hour had passed by this time, but the driver/guide, Bill,   did not insist on a fixed overtime payment. I hope that my c60% tip was appropriate. He seemed pleased.  We did stop one more time for this photo. 

I ended up in very comfortable upstairs lounge where I partook of a sleep destroying coffee.  After descending a challenging flight of stairs, I ambled around inspired to buy a few souvenir shirts. fridge magnets and a couple of what I was assured were two excellent quality t-shirts.

I am now on Deck 9 in the Lido with a brew and a couple of scones.  I rather think that I have missed the departure of Viking Sea. I shall just check before I take my shopping to my stateroom.

Viking Sea was long gone, just visible towards the horizon.  I put my shopping in my room and returned to the open decks aft to bid farewell to this lovely island which I now feel confident will see again.

It’s now dark and I’m still chilling out in the warm refreshing breeze aft on Deck 10.  Soon, I shall be listening to everyone’s account of their day over dinner. 

Another glorious day draws to a close.

Probably the most enjoyable act of the cruise, Ben Mills’ show was nothing short of phenomenal.  Backed by the unsurpassable Queen Victoria seven piece orchestra, Ben Mills delivered a rock star performance, gaining an all round standing ovation at the end of his set.  I felt similar elation I recall at Dire Straits concerts of the 1980s!   “Brilliant” is an inadequate adjective! It’s not unusual for Cunard to attract some pretty impressive artistes. 

Jackie joined me for a post-show drink in the Chart Room on Deck 2.  I then returned to stateroom rather believing that I had not seen the last of St. Kitts and Nevis!

Many thanks for reading,

David

00 47 hrs in his stateroom.

27/1/26.