Cruise Diva's CRUISE
DIARY
~ SEADREAM II ~
Caribbean Yachting
Adventure
Wednesday—Nevis
|
|
|
SeaDream
II Shore Tender |
I'm not usually a morning person and
often skip breakfast, preferring coffee and juice. But I can't pass up
the fluffy cheese omelettes in the Topsider Restaurant.
No lines and no waiting... when we
decided to go ashore, Mel and I were the only passengers on
SeaDream II's very special shore tender. As luxurious as our yacht, the
padded seat cushions are covered in the navy blue striped fabric
featured on Dream Beds and Top of the Yacht chairs and banquettes.
Grab rails and trim are varnished teak. Running continuously, we were
reminded once again of the superior service afforded to SeaDream
guests.
Luck was with us (timing really IS
everything!) and we arranged for a taxi tour with Edith, a charming
and informative guide.
He said: Female
drivers nearly always are the best guides. The roads here are pretty
good as well.
She said:
Edith is a gem! But this road is Nevis' version of a highway—wait
until we go off on a secondary road.
|
|
|
Botanical
Garden
Rainforest Conservatory—Nevis |
For several hours Edith proudly
showed us her island, stopping to point out the volcanic hot springs,
the Deputy Governor's home, the Golden Rock Hotel (built on the site
of a defunct sugar plantation), Nisbet Plantation Resort, and the
impressive Four Seasons property.
However, the highlight of the day was
The Botanical Garden in Montpelier Estates. Privately owned, it is an
astonishingly beautiful and tranquil bit of tropical heaven featuring
a wide variety of plants. Cacti and succulents grow alongside bamboo
and native plantings. The rainforest conservatory is a jungle
environment with riotous plants and majestic statuary. Just outside,
vines drip from arbors leading to a lush orchid terrace and rose
garden. Tucked amidst the tropical harvest garden rows are whimsical
statues of monkeys and fountains dot the manicured lawns.
Back aboard SeaDream II we didn't
speak to anyone who visited The Botanical Garden and that was really a
shame. Our private guide provided a truly unique experience.
Chef's Dinner
Chef de Cuisine Robert van
Rijsbergen pulled out all stops to create "Menu Degustation"—a
gourmet seven-course meal of dishes he personally selected for their variety
and flavors. Portioned in sizes that did not overwhelm, we enjoyed
every course and even managed a few chocolate truffles with
coffee.
The "Menu Degustation"...
- L'Oeuf Poule au Caviar
"Surprise"
- Terrine of Foie Gras
- Cream of Pumpkin Soup with Lobster
& Tarragon
- Lime Sorbet with Lemon Vodka
- Roasted Saddle of Veal with Caramelized
Belgian Endive
- Delice au Cassis with Blackcurrant
Sauce
To work off our meal, "Disco
Night" was offered in the Main Salon. Not being disco fans, we
brought a favorite CD to The Top of the Yacht Bar and danced in the
moonlight.
Thursday—St.
Barts
|
|
|
Côte
d’Azur-inspired
villas hug the mountainsides in St. Barts |
Although Gustavia, St. Barts is one
of my favorite Caribbean cities, Mel had not been there. Hoping for
the same success we experienced in Nevis, we again searched for a taxi
driver/guide. As it happened, a couple from Mediterranean Shipping
Cruises' Lirica had the same idea and we agreed to share a taxi.
While he didn't have Edith's personality, our driver gave us a
satisfying tour and made frequent stops for photo opportunities,
pointing out celebrities villas and other sites of interest.
Back in Gustavia, Mel decided we
should have lunch since all the shops were closing for the long
mid-day meal break...
She said: I
hope you don't die of sticker shock over the menu prices.
As we discussed the merits of various
restaurants, several fellow SeaDream II passengers passed by and
advised us they were going back to the ship for lunch. They stopped
earlier for libations—the tab for five rum drinks and a soft drink
was $80.
He said: Hold
the tender, we'll come back ashore after lunch when the stores reopen.
 |
|
Sweet
Dreams aboard SeaDream II |
Nightfall
With a soft breeze blowing
and the lights of Gustavia as a backdrop, we enjoyed another
"Starlight Dinner" at the Topside Restaurant. Instead of
joining other guests, we requested one of the booths for two tucked
into alcoves a few steps below the main dining area on either side of
the ship. Candlelight gleaming off polished silver, Jumbo Prawns,
French Style Onion Soup, Fillet of Mahi Mahi, Crème Brûlée...
What more surprises can the SeaDream
II staff come up with? Back in our stateroom we encountered another
delight. With a personal note wishing us sweet dreams, delicate rose
petals surrounded a soft sculpture of kissing swans created by our
stewardess.
For once, we said
nothing. We were
speechless.
Cruise Line Profile - SeaDream
Yacht Club
Find out more about
Caribbean Ports of Call
Cruise
Diary Archive
Cruise
Reviews
Photographs:
© M. D. Coffman
Cruise
Diva Home | Site
Map & Search Tool
