2015 (April 17- May 1) Southern Caribbean Cruise: St. Thomas; St. Barths; St. Lucia; Barbados; Grenada; Bonaire; and Curacoa

 We enjoyed our 2014 Maasdam cruise so much, that when  we received an email with an OBC offer if we booked a future cruise --- we checked the Maasdam itineraries and decided to go back to the Southern Caribbean in 2015---but for 14 nights this time (our longest cruise yet) and with some new (to us) ports of call (Grenada,Bonaire, and Curacao).  We booked a Spa Oceanview since we like being higher on the ship and it was almost affordable.  A couple months after booking our 2015 cruise, they offered a free Beverage Package and a cheaper fare for new bookings.  Since it was well before final payment, I called and got the reduced fare and the Beverage package, but had to give up our "welcome back OBC" which was only $50@.  After that, we waited about 7 months for the cruise to finally get here.  I was surprised the rates never lowered again.  Since we're not big drinkers, I didn't figure we'd get much use out of the Beverage package and would have given it up for a lower fare.  No further reduction came, but it turned out really nice having the Beverage Package.  On board they were charging $44.99/person/day for the package which included up to 15 drinks a day as long as they were under $7@ ---per person!   We did end up using the drink package a lot---a couple beers a day, bottled water, soda, hot chocolate... .

2015 April--The Maasdam (suite A 182) and around the ship:

 

2015-4-20   St. Thomas---8am-6pm:

 

2015-4-21  St. Barths (8-3)  Shell Beach:

 

2015-4-22  St. Lucia---8am-3pm: Pigeon Island

 

2015-4-23  Barbados (8-5): Folkestone

 

2015-4-24  Grenada (8-5): Aquarium beach 

 

2015-4-26   Bonaire (8-5): Eden Beach (Spice Island)

 

2015-4-27  Curacao (8-6) Blue Bay

 

  
We were suppose to have a stop at Half Moon Cay, but the surf was too rough, so we ended up having another sea day.  Although I was disappointed, I was really happy with the way the rest of the cruise went and the beautiful weather we had at all the other ports.  Can't wait until we board another ship for ports unknown!

2015-4-21  St. Barths (8-3)  Shell Beach:

  This was a new port for us. 

From my research ahead of time, I read there was a beach within walking distance.  So we took off to find it---Shell Beach.  It really was a pretty walk.  The town was beautifully landscaped and the marina full of boats made for a great setting.  I had read to walk to the right about 10 minutes. 

 Most of it was along the dock.

 When the dock ended, it got a little trickier, but a local lady directed us from there.  It was more then 10 minutes for us, but still a nice walk.  The beach made it all worth while.

 Most of it really was covered with shells.

 Snorkeling was fun, too.  Maybe not the best, but good enough to keep us entertained for quite awhile.
Scrawled filefish

 a fish I haven't seen in Hawaii.

and another

 Octopus

octopus changing colors

 a type of Jack

 Even had interesting critters on land.

 Another view of Shell Beach.

 Looking out from Shell beach.

 to the other point.

 female Blue head wrasse.

 Caribbean Grouper

I believe this is another grouper and a blue tang

reflections in the water.

 looking back to the beach

 cactus growing near the beach.

 After about 3 hours we figured we had it.

 After drying in the sun a bit, we walked back to the boat.  Along the way we saw 8' tall cotton.

 WAlking to the pier.

 church behind a huge anchor.

 Not sure what kind of fish this guy is---snook? 

 Back on the ship we admired the views of the nearby islands.

 So long St. Barth's.