Last day of the Cruise and Nassau Bahamas is the final destination. Much more commercialized and a larger population but also a more diverse history. Everywhere you look you will see Jewellery stores to cater to the tourists. But interestingly you will also see many signs for the national dish of the Bahamas which is "Conch". This is a seafood that comes from a shell (pretty much a huge snail). They make burgers from it, they deep fry it - you name it, they prepare it that way. We couldn't leave the island without trying the local cuisine so we had some and I am here to tell you, it was the best rubbery, bread battered cartilage that I have ever eaten.

Check out our pics of Nassau Bahamas below as we say boohoo on our last day in the beautiful Caribbean.....

https://plus.google.com/photos/109595047810296379302/albums/5872244630968242001?authkey=CKmTl8zjjJmzLg

Day 6 is a full day at sea as we turn around and sail Northward to Nassau Bahamas.

There are so many things to do on the ship that we always feel like we are missing out on the events we haven’t planned for. Today is a formal day so we are going to have dinner tonight at Da Vinci’s restaurant with the entire wedding party again.

We booked a wine testing today with the Neville-Banks’ in one of the restaurants. One of the presenting hosts is the ships only professional soniar and wouldn’t you know that he’s from Portugal. (Professional wine taster and Portuguese - not a surprise)

Then we took in a short cooking presentation by the Executive Chef followed by a tour of one of the 9 ships galleys. This one is 18000 sq feet.

We ended the day by taking in a comedy act in the Princess Theatre and some time in the Casino.......

See you tomorrow in the Bahamas...Click below to see today’s pics

https://plus.google.com/photos/109595047810296379302/albums/5871575258710867313?authkey=COSPqf65pdXI_QE

Already bloody day 5 - how time flies when your having fun. If you thought yesterday in St. Maarten looked like a full day, you ain’t seen nothing yet. St. Thomas US Virgin Islands is a beautiful little island with lots to do. 

I explored downtown, met the locals, took in the local history and tasted the cuisine.

Terry and Kyle went to Coral World Ocean Park to swim with Sea Lions (Franco and friends to be exact)

Andrew, Shari and Sydney took another boat and visited the British Virgin Islands (the Island of Tortulo to be exact) and swam with Dolphins.

The theme for today is the sea - they swam with things from the sea and I ate things from the sea. It’s all good......

Click below to see today’s pics.......

https://plus.google.com/photos/109595047810296379302/albums/5871571112122213281?authkey=CIDIitG6tImudw

Day 4 and the lovely island of St. Maarten. I will never complain about the main street being busy in Bracebridge again. The people here just park their cars where they stop and all traffic just diverts around them. Not very many traffic jams though because everyone drives 100 KPH in the school zones. No wonder the Caribbean has all the sprinting stars.
Went horseback riding today on these beautiful "Paso Fino's". The train ride was about 1.5 hours and we were hot as heck but capped it all off with a little horse swim in the ocean. Terry's horse was the furthest out and wasn't even touching bottom so I thought she was going to go for a dip. (Great balance for those Bracebridge girls).
The Neville-Banks clan when on a glass bottom boat ride but forgot their camera so I don't have any pictures of them.
We are in St. Thomas - US Virgin Islands on Day 5  (Thursday) and Terry and Kyle will swim with Sea Lions and the Neville-Banks' are taking a boat to Tortula (British Virgin Islands) to swim with Dolphins. I will be rolling around downtown speaking to Virgins (or whatever they call people from the Virgin Islands) (Kidding - I mean St. Thomians)

Click below to see pictures of St. Maarten.......Click on pictures to see larger

https://plus.google.com/photos/109595047810296379302/albums/5870794854425277905?authkey=CKTL0LPiqZSMPg

Today is a full day at sea and the big day for my niece Patricia and Mark. Had some fun last night with the boys at the Cigar Lounge and the kids had fun at the outdoor movie that is held at one of the pools. They watched the Hobbit last night under blankets with their freshly made popcorn.
The wedding was marvellous and the bride and groom looked great. It was hot as hell for a guy in a black suit but went off like clockwork. I must be getting old cause its getting harder to keep it together - imagine that, crying at a wedding. 
Tomorrow we are off to St. Maartin and horseback riding. The Neville-Banks are off on a glass bottom boat ride. Lots of picture to come...

Please click below to see some new pic.........

https://plus.google.com/photos/109595047810296379302/albums/5870445354853415889?authkey=CObzuLv-mdmRfQ

Day 2 of the cruise and I am already wishing I had panel pants to wear. Lots of food everywhere and the ship is just marvellous. The darned thing is so large that its probably going to take me a couple of days to explore the entire thing. 

Today we are on Princess Cays Island for a beach day. I have already warned everyone that protective eye ware will be necessary as I am a skin color of "IT white" and I don't want anyone to be injured. Notice the incredible blue waters......

PS..we have a Santa Claus convention onboard the ship so you will see lots of jolly bearded fellows in my pictures. All good for a guy who lives near Santa's Village (will I ever escape?)

Please click below to view the pics for today.....

https://plus.google.com/photos/109595047810296379302/albums/5870440056564336193?authkey=CNf7zcyl9YO-Zg

Fun and excitement on the first day - ya right..

Air Canada flight AC900 left on time and going through customs with the Neville-Banks' was a breeze. The flight was uneventful until we reached Florida - lightning storms in Ft. Lauderdale forced the plane to divert to Fort Myers. Little concerned but after a 3 hour wait on the plane and refuelling, we did a hop over to our intended destination and finally got to our hotel for a one night stay until we embark tomorrow. Below you will find some great photos of our first day onto the Ruby Princes and the wonderful bride and groom who our the centre of our attention - Patricia and Mark.


https://plus.google.com/photos/109595047810296379302/albums/5870436096439103201?authkey=CJ7r7Nvzo7rYqwE