St. Lucia There & Back Part 7: Sunset Cruisin’ the Carib

by Adrienne Wilson on


Heading out on a sunset cruise filled with couples and hopeless romantics as a single lady has its pluses and minuses… First, I had the honor of being thrown an occasional glance or two by a cuddling couple probably wondering why I’m not cuddling with someone of my own. Second, I had the opportunity to make conversation with the crew members and locals about all the aggravating things tourists tend to ask practically everyday. Third, I got to laugh with the crew members once all the rum punch kicked in and people got wild and wacky on the dance floor, but the fourth part of going single or hitched is watching an incredible sunset while cruising along the bumpy Caribbean waters. In my case there wasn’t a totally awesome sunset to see – the clouds managed to hide quite a bit of the late afternoon rays and sun as a whole, but I knew I was far lucky than someone else out there who wasn’t sipping on Planter’s Punch just taking time for themselves.

I booked my sunset cruise through Solar Tours & Travel with a woman named Thecla Cockrell. It was scheduled in the late afternoon after my morning helicopter tour and she promised it would make for a pleasant ending to an adventuresome day. She couldn’t have been more right. The catamaran we took off on was named the “Spirit of Carnival” and I set up camp on the front left hand side so that whatever bit of sun was left would be in perfect view. I let everything on my mind drift somewhere far out to a distance I could no longer see or imagine what was actually beyond. I watched the waves bump up against the vessel and then I also had to watch for staggering individuals with beverages making their way back to their own post. And when the music changed from reggae to American favorites like Summer Lovin’ from Grease I was invited to dance with someone’s 60 year old husband and boy could he move!

By this point night had charged its way in and the clouds had transformed into the kind that let out showers of liquid sunshine in the daytime and rain in the night. As we pulled back into dock it started drizzling. It couldn’t have been better timing. I don’t think I fancy the idea of being out on a boat in the rain, but that’s just me.

To find out more on booking a Sunset Cruise or other island activities with Solar Tours & Travel they can be reached by phone at 758.452.5898 or by visiting their website, here. Ask for Thecla Cockrell. The two hour sunset cruise on Spirit of Carnival is $45 which includes drinks, small appetizers to feast on and good music with a dance floor to show off your best and worst moves.

GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of March 11

by Adrienne Wilson on

Are you ready for another fantastic Gadling recap of a week that was, um quite fantastic? I reckon so, but before I dig in I must say there were several other highlights to this week not listed here like how to speed through security check points or some new outdoor places in China to use the potty (only for those who aren’t shy) which were recently blogged about, but let’s go back further in the week.

5. Japanese Penis Festival:
Penis, fertility and renewal are all the hype at the Hounen Matsuri festival, known also as the Japanese Penis Festival for those who aren’t as swift with Japanese pronunciation. Sadly, the festival has come and past this year, but go on, read further and beef up your knowledge for next year’s events.

4. New Matt: “Dancing Man” Harding Video:
Honestly, there are parts of me that really can’t take watching the well perfected horrible dance jig-like moves performed by Matt Harding across the world. While I fancy seeing various locations, his dancing is just awful. Yes, I said awful. No matter my thoughts, Matt is the lucky one here and Justin has done us the favor of posting his latest dance outtakes clip and providing fans of Matt with some very tasty news. Check it out!

3. Underground Railroad Bicycle Route:
Hungry for history and cycling around the country? If you have five weeks to do it you can join in on exploring the route of the Underground Railroad with the Adventure Cycling Association or purchase the maps and head out on your own. Either way this is very, very cool.

2. Vieques: A Trip Report:
Having recently toured Vieques, an island off of Puerto Rico, Erik brings us the 411 on what’s going on and why you should get there fast.

1. Round the World in 100 Days: Nassau, Bahamas:
Slowly, but surely Dia Draper is heading around the world in a big floating city of about 900 people. In this dispatch she touches on a place not too, too far from home for most of us (depending on where home is) in Nassau, Bahamas. Which is my saying even if you can’t take off 100 days to cruise the world you might want to look into her notes for planning a smaller trip to the Bahamas, though being ambitious and following in her footsteps might not be so bad either.

High Seas: Prefer Murder or Suicide?

by Iva Skoch on

We’re not ones to fear-monger, but this story was surprising. Thursday’s The Guardian ran a story about the numerous passenger disappearances from cruise ships over the past few years. It turns out that at least 30 people have simply vanished from cruise ships in the past four years.

Considering the large numbers of passengers on cruises annually, and, while very regrettable,30 is not a large number. What’s shocking is how little is done to solve this disappearances or prevent them. Take the disappearance of a woman from a Celebrity Cruise in 2004. On the second day of the cruise, a steward told his boss that the woman’s cabin hadn’t been slept in. Apparently, nothing was done, and the steward continued to place chocolates on the bed each day, through the duration of the cruise. After the cruise was over, the woman’s things were boxed up and removed from the room. And no one notified any authorities. It wasn’t until her family made a missing persons report that any action was taken. The case is still not closed. Not surprising, considering how cold the trail would become..

Disney Cruises to Set Sail in Europe

by Karen Walrond on

From CNN.com:  Starting in May 2007
through August 2007, Disney Cruise Lines will begin sailing to Italy, France and Spain, in an attempt to "chart
new waters."  The cruise line will offer 10- and 11-night cruises starting in Barcelona, and traveling to
eight European cities.  The news comes in at a time when the industry is soaring, and is predicted to reach
pre-September 11th highs.

"The cruise takes care of [guesswork associated with traveling Europe with
small children] and people trust Disney. At the end of the day you know you’re coming back to the ship and having
five-star dining, great entertainment and you know your kids are going to have a good time,"  said company
President Tom McAlpin.

Update: Before you book, you may want to check out this report on cruising with young
children from Blogging Baby.

World Cruisers Getting Younger

by Karen Walrond on

From the Chicago
Tribune:  It used to be that most people who booked round-the-world cruises were older retirees.  Not
anymore, according to Bill Smith, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Los Angeles-based Crystal Cruises, a
leader in the luxury field.  "Now it’s a mix of younger and more mature people," he says. "They’re
taking the cruise to visit exotic destinations and participate in a full complement of activities."

Take Cheryl McCormick, for example.  In her thirties, unmarried and child-free at the time, she saved up to take
the opportunity to see the world — an opportunity she felt wouldn’t come as easily once she was married with a
family.  Budgeting US$65,000 for the trip, she took her computer, printers, books and videos for her
journey.   "It was like having a little apartment that moved around the world," she says.

It’s a really interesting article.  If you’ve got the money and the time to spare for one of these global
adventures, the piece also gives you contact
information to book your cruise.