CRUISING the Caribbean - 2023 -

Let's start with a short video involving the cruise ship:- 

INSTRUCTIONS: You need to click the arrow and then click again to begin watching. 

Some facts about our ship: 

The 'ARVIA' (had only been in service for one year - so brand new ! )

5,200 guests + 1,800 crew

Rising from deck 3 (medical) up to deck 19 (sky deck)

16 lifts; 4 pools; 30 bars / restaurants; 8 entertainment venues 

We were on deck 4 - inside cabin. starboard side, midships (get the lingo 😄)

Having seen these huge floating hotels sail out of Venice we said we'd never take one of them. But here we were aboard this huge vessel sailing the high seas in the Caribbean. 

Calling at Barbados (Bridgetown); British Virgin Islands; Dominican Republic; St Maarten; Antigua; St Kitts; Martinique; St Lucia; & back to Barbados. 8 countries in 2 weeks. 

"Hello Margie, hello Bill"

THE DAILY MANTRA OF OUR CABIN STEWARD, GANESH

The weather was perfect and while we think the ship wasn't full, it was very busy. Quiet places did exist on board and we found our inside cabin was peaceful and the TV webcam did allow us to see where we were - our porthole to the outside world. 

Here is a [graphic] sheet I created to show our day to day itinerary:-

Many ports and countries were similar and each visit was so brief that more time would have been nice. As a snapshot of the Caribbean it was very good and we did book excursions on four occasions along with a ferry across the bay in Fort de France, Martinique. 

With so many countries only briefly visited it would be crazy to pass judgement. However we did very much enjoy Bridgetown, St Maarten, Antigua, St. Lucia and definitely [though not expected] Martinique.   

VERDICT: Very efficiently run cruise and ship, great food and entertainment. Aside from the flights there and back, which we won't go on about, you couldn't fault the value for money!

😀How about some music to listen to in the background while you view our photos >>> 

Video LINK HERE [will open a new page] so just click back to your previous tab and view galley below

Music is Dédé Saint-Prix - 'Mi bel kous kanno'  > 

Colourful Caribbean wall paintings (and animals) were everywhere.

St. Maarten beach bum: surf backdrop as changing weather approaches.

Nelson's Dockyard and a complimentary rum punch.


Antigua: View from Shirley Heights to Nelson's dockyard.

St. Kitts: around the island, train trip.

Martinique: Beach bar across the bay from Fort de France. 

My best Brown Pelican shot. Martinique.


Martinique: More colourful buildings and wall paintings. 

St. Lucia: The Pitons famous landmark.

Leaving Tortola, British Virgin Island.

Drinks on the promenade deck as we pull out to sea. 

Always time for a beer...

Silent Disco Nights.
On the Red channel or the Blue, either way a world of your own !

And a suntanned farewell cocktail - cheers, here's to next time...