Discovery Sun 2010

Discovery Cruise Line has been sailing to Grand Bahama since 1987 and has carried over 4 million passengers from Fort Lauderdale to Grand Bahama to date. Far from being just a cruise ferry, Discovery books vacation packages for its passengers at most resorts on the island as well as excursions to the island’s many interesting attractions. In January 2010 Discovery Sun will be going into dry dock for two weeks and has many exciting changes planned for when we resume sailing.

Marine Travel

Discovery Sun will be going into dry dock in January, which means vacation for many of the crew. The staff in the entertainment department is getting very excited as I am now ordering their air tickets home. Crewmembers get great prices for Marine Travel and all of the air tickets will be booked with Europe USA. I personally will not be going home because my family will be coming to visit me, which is great as I won't have to endure the freezing temperatures and they can enjoy the sunshine.

Marine Travel

One of our affiliated companies has just relaunched their website - Europe USA have been serving the cruise industry for over 20 years as Marine Travel Professionals providing low cost airfares and great service to our crew as well as crew from many other cruise lines - If you've ever wondered about working on ships, check out this site which has a lot of usefull information: http://www.cast-a-way.com/

Christmas Shopping

I can't believe how quickly the time is flying by -it is November already and the stores have put away the summer stock and getting ready for the holidays. Christmas is right around the corner and soon we'll all be bargain shopping for Christmas. I intend to get all my presents online on what is known as "cyber Monday" which is the monday after Thanks Giving - you may want to sign up to receive the Discovery Cruise Line email offers - rumour has it that they will be having a great sale on that day too! But only for those guests who have registered online.
In the meantime I am going to continue ejoying my daily trip to the Bahamas! We will be starting a new beach party tour next week which should be fun - I'll keep you posted.

Perfume Factory

A must see for every visitor to Grand Bahama Island is the Perfume Factory, located in an elegant plum and white replica of an old Bahamian mansion at Freeport's International Bazaar. A tour not only takes you behind the scenes of a working fragrance production operation, but you will also have the opportunity to mix your own special fragrance, bottle it and name it. Fragrance of the Bahamas Limited, housed in the Perfume Factory, produces some of the most popular perfumes colognes and lotions in the Bahamas. Discovery Sun now offers a combination tour, which takes you to the Garden of the Groves and then to the Perfume Factory. Stop by the shore excursion desk onboard and let our staff help you make the most of your trip to Grand Bahama.

Rand Nature Center

Discovery Cruise Line offers a full array of activities and excursions to enjoy during your stay on Grand Bahama Island. The Rand Nature Center was named for James H. Rand, a renowned philanthropist of Freeport, who died in 1968. The 100-acre sanctuary was the first education nature center to be established in The Islands of The Bahamas and its goal is to preserve the natural Grand Bahamian habitat as a heritage for future generations. The Rand Nature Center is located only minutes from downtown Freeport, and is by far Grand Bahama's most accessible national park. Along the nature trail that winds through the park, at least 130 Bahamian plants have been identified, which are just as fascinating as the birds. The Whiskbroom Fern, for instance, is believed to have been the first plant in the world to stand upright. Many other species became very useful in the daily lives of early Grand Bahamians: Uniola, a springy grass, was used to stuff mattresses; the sharp-pointed Agave leaves served as needles and threads; and the Love Vine is said to be a powerful aphrodisiac. The Rand Nature Center is open Monday thru Friday and guided tours available on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Columbus Day

Today is Columbus Day, known as Discovery Day in the Bahamas. I have been invited to a beach party on Grand Bahama this afternoon and I am really looking forward to it. I will get to catch up with some of my Bahamian friends that I haven’t seen for quite some time and enjoy some great Bahamian food. Discovery Sun sailed early this morning, so I will get to enjoy an extra 45 minutes at the party. The party is being held at Pirates of the Bahamas on Taino beach. Pirates of the Bahamas have a miniature golf course and a restaurant with a nautical theme. The restaurant looks like a ship from the outside and is given it’s beachfront location, is a popular place for beach parties including the ever popular Bonfire Beach Party.

Holiday Weekend

Today was another fun day with lost of passengers taking advantage of the special price for the One Day Cruise to Grand Bahama. It has been a great holiday weekend and the weather has been fantastic. With record-breaking temperatures and the water temperature around 85 degrees, snorkeling has been very popular. The waters of the Bahamas are some of the clearest in the World. Visibility is up to 200 ft. Shallow waters like those found at Rainbow Reef off Grand Bahama are 2’ - 14’ feet deep. This allows visitors to get close look at the coral reef and an abundance of small colorful fish. Whether you’re enjoying a one day cruise or a cruise and stay package to Grand Bahama, snorkeling is a must during your stay.

Wonderful Day

I have had a wonderful day today and it looks like it is going to be a good holiday weekend. We have some great passengers onboard Discovery Sun today, participating in all of the activities and really enjoying themselves. I am really looking forward to show time, they are going to be a great audience for our entertainers. Most of today’s guests are One Day Cruise passengers, taking advantage of the special price being offered by Discovery Cruise Line right now. It looks like Grand Bahama is a popular destination this weekend.

Great Deals

Discovery Sun is now back in service after being in wet dock for three weeks. It was a nice break for most of the crew and it is good to be back. Discovery Cruise Line has some great deals for one day cruises to Grand Bahama as well as cruise and stay packages. One day cruises start as low as $19.99 for Florida residents, which includes a buffet breakfast and dinner. There is so much to see and do on Grand Bahama I recommend you look into one of the cruise and stay packages. The packages start as low as $39.99 & don’t forget kids 12 & under sail and stay FREE!!!

Vacation TIme!

The MV Discovery Sun is currently in wet dock undergoing scheduled annual maintenance and will return to service Oct 1 - now is the perfect time to book your October getaway with low low rates - check them out at http://www.discoverycruiseline.com/

Bahamas Online Shopping

If you live on Grand Bahama or just have family there, you will be happy to know there is now an easier way for you to shop. No more worrying about getting time off work, finding the time to travel to Florida, packing everything up ready to ship. It sounds too good to be true right? Well it’s not; you can now do all of your shopping online and Discovery Cruise Line takes care of all the shipping to the Bahamas for you. Island Bargains (Bahamas online shopping) have taken all of the hassle out of shopping and shipping and will do it all for you. You will find everything you need all on one web page, including food & drink, household goods, building supplies, kids & baby zone and dollar deals.

Shipping to the Bahamas

The straw markets on Grand Bahama Island are a very popular area for tourists to go shopping for all of their souvenir items. Mrs. George Phenney, wife of the then Governor of the islands, started the straw work industry in The Islands of The Bahamas in the 1720s. Straw markets began to spring up around Freeport with the development of Tourism in the mid 1960s, and the vendors have become a major contributor to the industry. While tourists from all over the world shop the bustling straw markets, Bahamians head to Florida on Discovery Sun to shop. Discovery Cruise Line also does a lot of shipping to the Bahamas for residents that have made larger purchases. For those that opted for Bahamas online shopping, Discovery Cruise Line also takes care of the shipping.

National Parks

When you take a cruise to Grand Bahama with Discovery Cruise Line there are two national parks that I recommend you visit during your stay. Excursions to both national parks are available at the shore excursion desk onboard Discovery Sun.


Peterson Cay, which is 7 miles due east of Freeport, is a small islet with an unspoiled reef and a small sand beach.


The Lucayan National Park is 20 miles east of Freeport and features a wide variety of mini eco-systems complemented by with hammocks, caves, blue holes, a footbridge over a natural creek, a small cay and one of the best beaches on the island. The Bahamas National Trust maintains the parks.

Coral Reefs - Grand Bahama

The Bahama Islands are the result of coral reefs, which became dry land when the sea level dropped hundreds of centuries ago. The islands are mostly flat with miles of white and pink sandy beaches. The highest point in the country is Mount Alvernia on Cat Island, which is 206 feet about sea level. There are no rivers in the Bahamas in part because the Islands of the Bahamas are made entirely of calcium carbonate, which is mainly produced or precipitated by the organisms of coral reefs -- this also contributes to the Bahamas having the clearest waters in the world with visibility of over 200 feet (61 meters). In fact, 5% of the world's coral can be found in the waters of The Bahamas and the Bahamas has the world's third longest barrier reef. Discovery Sun has daily cruises from Fort Lauderdale to Grand Bahama. There are many vacation options to chose from when sailing with Discovery Cruise Line including one day cruises, all inclusive vacations, Club Grand Bahama and 2 & 3 night cruises. Whether you are just visiting for the day or a few days, you will have time to go snorkeling during your stay on Grand Bahama. Weather permitting you can purchase your snorkel tickets onboard Discovery Sun at a discounted price.

Cruise from Fort Lauderdale

Discovery Sun has daily cruises from Fort Lauderdale to Grand Bahama. There are many vacation options to chose from when sailing with Discovery Cruise Line including one day cruises, all inclusive vacations, Club Grand Bahama and 2 & 3 night cruises. Freeport/Lucaya is a modernistic planned city, and is situated on Bahamas' second most popular tourist destination: the Island of Grand Bahama. On Grand Bahama you will find long stretches of deserted clean-white beaches, inviting hotels, one major casino, nighttime entertainment, world-class scuba diving facilities as well as land and sea activities. On the eastern and western ends of the Island are serene and quaint settings and finding hide-away spots is not uncommon. Shopping is also a feature and in Port Lucaya you will find great duty-free bargains. Grand Bahama boasts miles of pearly white beaches, and luxurious hotels. The less populated outskirts of Grand Bahama supply more serene and tranquil surroundings popular amongst those who desire private hideaway spots reminiscent of the Family Islands. For those into nature, Grand Bahama is also home to one of the oldest underwater cave systems in the world, situated at the Lucayan National Park. Whether you’re looking for modern luxury or want to get away from civilization, Grand Bahama offers the best of both worlds.

1 Day Cruise

I have been sick with the flu for the past four days, so I haven’t really ventured out of the ship. We have been very busy with 1 day cruise passengers and the Beach & Shopping Tour for 1 day cruise passengers sells out very quickly every morning. Kids are back in school soon so we are seeing the very last of passengers taking family vacations. Discovery Sun will be going into Wet Dock in September, so I will be having a few weeks off work. The break will be nice, I just hope there aren’t any storms since that is the peak of hurricane season…ew…

Air Boat Tour

Discovery Cruise Line offers a wide variety of excursion to passengers visiting Grand Bahama Island. You only need to do a 2-night cruise to experience some of the wonderful activities available. The Air Boat tour is a fairly new tour to Grand Bahama and may seem a little expensive, but it is well worth the price. Tansey (owner and guide) is a true professional; she uses her humor, experience and educational background to give you a glimpse of some of Grand Bahamas unique flora, fauna and geological oddities. You will be picked up from your hotel and on the ride to the "launch site" your guide will provide a short narrative on the history of the island, which in itself is quite fascinating. You will be given life jackets and earmuffs before boarding the boat and heading out to several blue holes, "holes" in the water, which drop down 60 or more feet in which fresh water mixes with salt water. The mixing of the water and occasional turbulence means these spots are often ideal places to spot various fish. The tour then quickly skips over to the mangroves on the North Shore where you are able to see more fish, birds and learn about the importance of mangroves. After landing on a small cay your guide will take you on a short nature walk with a special emphasis on bush medicine. The four-hour tour ends with an authentic Bahamian lunch of chicken and rice on a deserted, sandy cay.This tour is excellent if you're looking to do something besides sit on the beach or go shopping, it offers a glimpse into an area of the island that is not often seen by tourists.

Port Lucaya

Thinking of taking a 2 or 3 day cruise to Grand Bahama with Discovery Cruise Line, and wondering where to stay? As far as where a good place to stay on Grand Bahama goes, many people feel that Port Lucaya is the best bet, because you will have instant access to the beach, restaurants, activities and shopping. The marketplace in Lucaya is the best shopping area on the island, with specialty stores, restaurants, and a large Straw Market where you can haggle for local goods and cheap souvenirs. Port Lucaya is very busy during the daytime, all the way up to the sunset hours. During the morning hours, dozens of activity brokers and ship captains try to draw in customers for activities ranging from sport fishing to snorkeling to parasailing. Buses full of tourists arrive in Port Lucaya and line up for the Robinson Crusoe Beach Party, the Glass-Bottom Boat, and other favorite daytime adventures that they purchased onboard Discovery Cruise Line. At sunset, the ever-popular Bahama Mama Booze Cruise departs from the dock, full of rowdy vacationers ready to drink and have a good time. In the evening in Port Lucaya there's live music in Count Basie Square, a half-dozen little bars, frequented by locals and tourists alike, and a few hotel lounges. For people who want a relaxing night, several open-air restaurants and casual sweet shops are open till around 10pm.

Bahamian Cuisine

Passengers traveling to Grand Bahama on Discovery Sun quite often ask me, where they can eat true Bahamian food. Nearly every restaurant on Grand Bahama devotes at least a section of the menu to Bahamian food. Two dishes that you will find very popular and that you should try at least once while you are visiting the island are Cracked Conch & Grouper Fingers. Conch can be prepared in many different ways and my personal favorite is conch salad, which is raw conch with peppers, tomatoes and onions. Conch is a sea snail and it tastes a little like a clam. If you are taking a 1-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale you will have time to visit Daddy Brown’s conch stand, located in Port Lucaya. He makes by far the best conch salad I have ever had on the island. If you catch Daddy Brown at the right time, you can watch him remove the fresh conch right from the shell and prepare the salad right in front of you.

Relaxation

I have been working for Discovery Cruise Line for almost 16 years now and I never tire of the beautiful beaches on Grand Bahama. A one-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale takes you to a whole new world of beauty and relaxation. No matter how busy or stressful my morning is heading to Grand Bahama I know that a couple of hours on the beach in Port Lucaya or Taino Beach Resort will wash away all of my cares, leaving me refreshed for our trip back to Florida. If you don’t have time for a 2 or 3 night cruise, try one of the 1 day cruises and spend the afternoon relaxing in this island paradise.

Conch Cracking Contest

I am constantly searching for different things to do on Grand Bahama and since Discovery Cruise Line cruises from Fort Lauderdale daily to Grand Bahama, I have plenty of time to research. Although I love experiencing different things myself, I love to be able to inform our passengers of the many wonderful things that they can do during their stay. If you are going to be visiting Grand Bahama in October, you may want to check out the Conch Cracking Contest. Each year, McLean's Town hosts their Conch Cracking Contest, where people flock this usually sleepy settlement to find out who will be crowned "Best Conch Cracker". The procedure involves hitting the third ring of the crown (base) of the conch shell with a sharp object, such as a small hatchet or axe to make a hole. Then, the mollusk (conch meat) is dislodged with a knife or by hand from its shells. The winner is the person who "cracks" the largest number of conchs within a specified time. Trophies and prizes are awarded for the "Conch Eating" and "Conch Cracking" The event usually takes place on Heroes Day (a.k.a. Columbus or Discovery Day) and this year is Monday, October 13th. A whole day of events take place with lots of food and music, usually plaiting the maypole, grease pole climbing, ribbon drill, Junkanoo rushout, three-legged races, swim contest, and of course the highlight is the big cracking competition! This daylong event is great for the whole family and something you will only experience in the Bahamas.

Explore Grand Bahama

If you are taking one of Discovery Cruise Lines 2 or 3 day cruises from Fort Lauderdale to Grand Bahama there are many different activities that you can do during your stay. I personally like to get away from the main tourist areas and highly recommend the Native Hunting Tour. This tour is approximately 6 ½ hours in length and you will discover a totally different side to Grand Bahama. You will be picked up at your hotel and taken on a 45-minute scenic ride to the eastern end of the island, to McLean’s Town. Once you reach McLean’s Town a speedboat will be standing by to take you over shallow waters to a deserted cay, called Lightbourne’s Cay. Surrounded by three miles of powder white sand, you can relax, beachcombe for sea biscuits, sand dollars, conch shells and rainbow shells. Snorkel over the colorful reefs, or try your hand fishing like a native (hand-line fishing), then enjoy your catch for lunch, along with fresh fruits, salad hot dogs, and grilled coconut marshmallows. This tour is a little more expensive than most but it definitely worth every penny.

Smooth Sailing

Boy it was hot on Grand Bahama today. The cruise from Fort Lauderdale was very smooth and we arrived almost 45 minutes early on the island. Passengers taking the one day cruise were very happy with the extra time that they had on Grand Bahama especially those that went on the beach and shopping tour as they had extra time at the beautiful Taino Beach Resort. I will probably go on the Beach & Shopping Tour myself tomorrow. It has been a while since I visited the resort and well, it is just a good excuse to work on my tan.

One Day Cruise Snorkel Trip

If you are taking a one-day cruise with Discovery Cruise Line you now have the opportunity to go snorkeling on Grand Bahama. Weather permitting a short boat ride will take you to Rainbow Reef, home to hundreds of beautiful tropical fish. The warm waters of the Bahamas make snorkeling appealing year around. The unique reefs of the Bahamas break ocean waves and provide calm waters and a habitat where fish thrive. The waters of the Bahamas are some of the clearest in the World. Visibility on a clear day is up to 200 ft. Shallow waters- like those found at Rainbow Reef (off Grand Bahama) are 2’ - 14’ feet deep- allowing visitors to get a close look at the coral reef and an abundance of small colorful fish. It is an adventure for beginners, immediate & advance snorkelers alike.

Family Vacation

When you visit Grand Bahama you will find that there are a wide selection of island activities to choose from. If you are staying in an all-inclusive resort many activities will be included, but that is usually limited to the use of non-motorized water sports. If you are taking a family vacation I am sure you will be looking for a tour that will suit everyone. If you are taking at least a 2 night cruise the Jeep Safari tour is one of my recommendations. Now normally when you take a tour, you leave the driving to the guide. Well, get ready to be in the driver’s seat, literally. During the five-hour jeep tour, you do the driving. This is a great way to explore Grand Bahama’s flora and fauna and absorb the island’s history and culture at leisure. An experienced island guide who gives instructions and information over each vehicle’s radio leads a convoy of four-by-four open top Jeeps. The tour follows light trafficked local roads and winds through a skinny pine tree forest and along a scenic coastal trail. The tour’s highlight, however, is the stop at the Lucayan National Park, where visitors climb into the bat-inhabited Lucayan caves, enjoy a light picnic lunch, and relax at the breathtaking Gold Rock Beach.

Grand Bahamians

In all my years of traveling to Grand Bahama with Discovery Cruise Line, I have discovered that Grand Bahamians are probably the easiest going people I have ever met. Grand Bahama has a population of approximately 50,000 people that hail from all over the islands of the Bahamas. Two of the islands older settlements are Pinders Point and Williams town, which are named after their founders. When you travel to Grand Bahama on an all-inclusive vacation or one of the many Discovery Cruise Line vacation deals, you may want to check out the people to people program, which brings together visitors and residents of similar professions, hobbies, etc. to create special memories of your vacation that will last a lifetime.

Explore Grand Bahama

As I have mentioned before I have been traveling to Grand Bahama for over 15 years now. In that time I have been fortunate to spend quite a lot of time on the island and discover many parts of the island that few tourist get to see. It really is a shame as Grand Bahama has way more to offer than Port Lucaya and the International Bazaar. If you are planning a family vacation on Grand Bahama, I urge you to venture out you’re your resorts and explore the island. Mather Town and Fortune Beach are about a ten-minute drive from Port Lucaya. A few restaurants are on the seven-mile strip of beach. Banana Bay and Margaritaville are popular with locals. Margaritaville, located next to Club Caribe, is a little bar that changes identities constantly. Recognize it by its beachfront location, low prices and cheerfully dilapidated appearance. Club Fortuna Beach is an all-inclusive resort and occupies a large chunk of beachfront property between Margaritaville and Banana Bay. The West End and the East End of Grand Bahamas are both very secluded areas. What little tourism trade exists caters to nature lovers. Paradise Cove on the western tip offers some of the best snorkeling on the island, while if you take an East End Tour you will explore the underbrush and the open sea. Old Bahama Bay, on the West End, is a luxury hotel and golf course. The easternmost beach on the island, Gold Rock Beach, is also the island's most famous. With transparent aqua water that is shallow for about a mile and dusty-fine white sand, it's a breathtaking spot. The largest underground surveyed cave system in the world is located a bit north of Gold Rock Beach; the caves are popular with scuba divers the world over. So if you are planning one of Discovery Sun’s 2 or 3 night cruises do some research before you arrive on the island and make the most of your stay. Of course since you will be sailing with us you can always come and talk to me and I can help you make the most of your stay on this beautiful island.

Bahamas all-inclusive packages

This is a very busy time of year for Discovery Cruise Line. Since the kids are still out of school we have a lot of families taking the ever-popular Bahamas Day Cruise as well as the 2 and 3 night cruises. The Bahamas all-inclusive packages are very popular and Discovery is offering some great deals. I would like to take a trip myself later in the year as some of my family are coming to visit and they have never been to Grand Bahama before. It will be great to be able to show them around. After 15 years of traveling to Grand Bahama it is like my second home and I love spending time there.

Al Roth is a frequent guest on Discovery - he recently chose to have his birthday celebration with his freinds here at Discovery Cruise Line

DISCOVERY CRUISE LINE SELECTED FOR CELEBRATION OF 99TH BIRTHDAY
Frequent cruiser feels at “home” on Discovery

Miami, FL—To Al Roth, Discovery Cruise Line is like his second home. So it was no surprise when he shared his 99th birthday celebration July 7 on board with his friends at Discovery.
According to Hanns J. Hahn, General Manager of Discovery, “Mr. Roth is a frequent passenger of ours, sailing usually on our Fun Day cruises to Grand Bahama Island. I believe he has already sailed with us ten times this year alone. On board the Discovery Sun he is with friends.”
Mr. Roth says “Some of the things I like best on Discovery are the hospitality and the personal touch. I just love their onion soup. I cruise maybe 30 times a year and enjoy both the trip going and returning. I am still active in our 45 year old family business, New River Groves, in Davie, Florida. I still mingle with all our customers and still love “making the sale.” Happy Birthday to Mr. Roth and we wish him many more, hopefully on Discovery.
Discovery sails every day except Wednesdays from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale to Grand Bahama Island, departing at 7:45 am and returning at 10 pm. In addition to Club Grand Bahama, Discovery offers same day roundtrip cruises as well as cruise and stay vacation packages at a wide selection of hotels from budget to deluxe, including Pelican Bay at Lucaya, Our Lucaya Reef Village (formerly Sheraton Grand Bahama Island Our Lucaya Resort), Taino Beach Resort & Clubs, Viva Wyndham Fortuna (all-inclusive), and Radisson Our Lucaya Resort, Grand Bahama Island (formerly The Westin Grand Bahama Island Our Lucaya Resort).
On Grand Bahama visitors experience an entirely different culture, extraordinary beaches, interesting excursions, and brand new adventures. Activities include snorkeling, caves, kayaking, fishing, diving, golf, eco-adventures, duty-free shopping, Swim with the Dolphins, a straw market, and many other tourist attractions.
For more information or reservations, call 1-888-377-2784 or visit www.discoverycruiseline.com

Club Grand Bahama

Well, I am back from a much longer than expected trip to England and I am glad to be back. There were a few changes while I was gone, so I have had a lot to catch up on. Discovery Cruise Line is now offering a package called Club Grand Bahama, which is an all-inclusive program and it is great value for money. There are three different packages to choose from (Silver, Gold & Platinum) each offering a selection of restaurants for dining and a wide selection of island activities. Club Grand Bahama really takes the hassle out of pricing each meal and activity. Unlike all inclusive hotel packages, with Club Grand Bahama you are not confined to the grounds of you hotel for your meals and activities, so you really get to discovery all that Grand Bahama has to offer. Club Grand Bahama can be booked as part of your family vacation package, or onboard at the shore excursion desk.

Cruise Deals

Discovery Cruise Line offers one day cruises as well as cruise and stay family cruises at great prices. With an emerald ocean that can perhaps be called the most vividly colorful in all of the islands, and a landscape on which can be found everything from ultramodern resorts to deserted sands, Grand Bahama holds the potential for every sort of Caribbean vacation. While on Grand Bahama you can shop at a waterfront shopping area, explore one of the largest underwater caves, stroll an exotic nature land in search of flamingos, swim with dolphins, and come face to face with sharks. You'll certainly want to take advantage of the East End's deserted beaches for an extended period of tropical relaxation, where you can enjoy the ultimate in relaxation: the hammock.

Club Grand Bahama

Hey there folks,

Julio here! I have been out of the blog for a while keeping busy with other duties – right now Samantha is on vacation in England (lucky girl) and so I figured I would jump in and share this with you. In the coming few days Grand Bahama is launching a new program called Club Grand Bahama. It will be the first and only island inclusive vacation of its kind – you are no longer tied to one resort and on site restaurants if you want the benefits of an inclusive vacation with your own choices and selections – it will be available with Discovery Cruise & Stay packages and Club Grand Bahama will be available in silver, gold, and platinum packages – I can’t wait to go over and check it out for myself. Until then – Happy Cruising!

More Entertainment

We have been very busy today and sent two busses on the Beach & Shopping Excursion. The rates for taking a day cruise to Grand Bahama are fantastic right now, so we have a lot of same day return passengers. We have another band joining the ship this evening, again adding to our entertainment program. Our new steel pan player is doing a fantastic job playing on the outside deck and is very popular with the passengers. We have a lot of changes coming up in the entertainment department over the next couple of weeks, with people going on vacation and others returning. I will be taking a two-week break in June, which I am really looking forward to, as I will be visiting my family in England.

Family Vacations

We are now heading into my favorite time of year onboard, Family Vacations. The kids are always so excited to be out of school and going to Grand Bahama for their vacation. I was a little worried that with the economy right now, we might not get as many families traveling, however, Discovery Cruise Line has come up with a great promotion for the summer. Children 17 and under sail and stay for FREE and children 12 and under sail, stay and eat for FREE. The only restriction is that one full fare-paying adult must accompany each child and there are select participating resorts, you really can’t beat it

Mother's Day

Mother’s Day was great onboard. We were very busy to and from Grand Bahama. It appears that a Cruise onboard Discovery Sun was a popular mother’s day gift. We had a special group playing in one of our lounges most of the day. They played a wide selection of music and were very popular. Since it was such a long day yesterday, I stayed onboard this afternoon to rest. Hopefully I will venture out tomorrow afternoon when we get to Grand Bahama.

New Musicians

I had another great afternoon on Grand Bahama visiting the beautiful Taino Beach Resort. I spent a lot of time in the pool today, as it was very, very hot. After the beach I headed to Port Lucaya for lunch at Zorbas, one of my favorite restaurants. We have two new musicians onboard that signed on last night. One is a Latin musician and the other a steel pan player that will play out on the open deck. I am really looking forward to seeing both of them perform later today, especially the steel pan player, as it has been a long time since we have had one onboard. Tomorrow is mother’s day and it is going to be very busy to and from Grand Bahama, so I am going to try to get to bed early tonight so that I am well rested.

Sunny Days

I love my job… I will never get tired of going to Grand Bahama. I went to the beach again today on the Beach & Shopping Excursion. The pool water is finally warm enough for me to swim which means I will be spending more and more afternoons there. We had over 80 passengers on the tour today and they all wanted to spend the whole afternoon at the beach because it is so beautiful. There is still a lot of excitement on the Island because Discovery Sun is back again; they really missed the tourists that we bring to Grand Bahama every day. I am glad we are back too…

Success

The Bud Light film shoot onboard Discovery Sun was a huge success yesterday. It was really interesting to watch and amazing to see exactly how much work goes into shooting a commercial. I dread to think what it must be like on a movie set. I can’t wait to see the commercial once it had been edited. I spent most of my day onboard yesterday; I had to leave for a little while for a dentist appointment (not fun) and then came back to the ship. We have a lot of passengers onboard today and the Shore Excursion Desk is really busy, so I had better get going and help with the line.

Island Living

It was another beautiful afternoon on Grand Bahama today. I met a wonderful lady this morning from Italy, who is looking to buy property on Grand Bahama. Grand Bahama Island has always enjoyed a stable political and economic climate. The local currency is tied to the American dollar and Grand Bahama is home to many international banks and insurance companies. The current wave of investment, which is set to continue, means that business and commerce are thriving. The Bahamas is a country exempt from all taxes on revenue, capital gains and inheritance. Freeport / Lucaya residents are also exempt from paying property taxes. The Commonwealth of The Bahamas is committed to building an economic environment in which free enterprise can flourish.

Beach & Shopping

It really is great to be sailing to Grand Bahama again. The weather today was fantastic, not a cloud in the sky. Since Discovery Sun has been away for so long, I decided to go on the Beach & Shopping Tour today and catch up with some of my friends. The Captain extended the time on the Island for Round Trip passengers, so we had 4 & ½ hours on the Island, which gave us two glorious hours at the beach. After the beach we went to Port Lucaya where we were greeted like we are movie stars. The bus drivers, cab drivers, store keepers, restaurant staff and straw market venders were all thrilled to see us and welcomed Discovery Sun back to Grand Bahama. It was a great afternoon.

We are back....

I am happy to say that after almost one month Discovery Sun is sailing again. During the time that we were not sailing crew had the opportunity to enjoy a few hours ashore each day exploring Fort Lauderdale, but for the most part they were onboard working hard. There have been a lot of renovations in the public areas onboard, including the bathrooms. It is hard to find an area that hasn’t been painted and the ship looks really nice. I am looking forward to our arrival on Grand Bahama this afternoon; I have really missed the Island and my friends there.

Time in Fort Lauderdale

I am sad to say that due to engine trouble Discovery Sun isn’t sailing to Grand Bahama at the moment. As a result I have got a few days off in Fort Lauderdale. It has been really nice being able to run errands and just catch up on the day-to-day things that I don’t usually get to do when we are sailing. I have got a dentist appointment tomorrow, not my idea fun, but again that is something that is hard to take care of when you are at sea all the time. I am still not sure how much longer the ship will be out of service, and I feel really sorry for people that have planned their vacations to Grand Bahama with Discovery Cruise Line. The technical team is working hard around the clock to get us back into operation as soon as possible.

Feels like summer

We were very busy at the Shore Excursion desk today and needed two large busses for the Beach & Shopping Tour. The weather has been like summer the past few days, not a cloud in the sky and hot, hot, hot, just the way I like it. I always look forward to summer; I love the heat and can’t wait for the ocean to feel like bath water again. I did go swimming in the ocean a few days ago while we were on Grand Bahama, but the water really is still too cool for me. There were a lot of families onboard today so the Discovery Sun kids club was full of little ones, which was great to see. They are always so excited to be on a big ship going to the Bahamas and I always look forward to their stories on the way back when they tell you all about their trip. This is a great time of year to be onboard.

Bahamas Celebration

It’s payday, cause for celebration. Since the crew all love to eat a few of us are going to have our own little Bahamas Celebration at Pier One restaurant just across from where Discovery Sun docks on Grand Bahama. We are fast becoming regulars at this restaurant. The food and service are great and it is convenient because it is so close to the ship. After lunch we are going to head to the beach for a while, it is a beautiful day and I can think of no better way to spend my afternoon than basking in the sun in the Bahamas.

Break Time

The weather wasn’t so good this morning but as we got closer to Grand Bahama it really brightened up. Once we arrived in the Bahamas a few of us headed over to the beach just across from Discovery Sun. It’s not the nicest beach on Grand Bahama and it is more rock than sand, but it is close and we got to enjoy a little break from the ship. Since it was so windy the ocean close to shore was really rough and there were some huge waves crashing around the rocks. We didn’t risk swimming in those conditions but we did play around close to shore getting knocked down quite a few times by the huge waves. We really had a blast. A friend of mine will be traveling on Discovery soon to celebrate his birthday. We will probably go into Port Lucaya for the afternoon and have a few celebration cocktails and try our luck in the casino, I am looking forward to it, as it has been a while since we have had the time to hang out together.

Celebration Weekend

Discovery Cruise Line has been a very popular celebration cruise this weekend. We have had birthday parties, business promotions, retirements, bachelor parties and church groups. Since Discovery has so many activities onboard and it is a great place to celebrate any occasion and be entertained through the whole day. Of course the fact that you get to spend the afternoon on Grand Bahama is a plus too. One of the groups that we had yesterday had an open bar party at the Sheraton in Port Lucaya, with a DJ playing on the beach, they really had a great day and said they can’t wait to come back again.

Junkanoo Rush Out

A Junkanoo 'Rush out' is where folks dressed in masks and armed with cowbells, drums and whistles come rushing out to the streets and start partying. Traditionally, Junkanoo celebrations (named for the slave John Canoe) were held at Christmas when slaves were temporarily freed for the holidays. This dynamic parade sees all the major Junkanoo groups on Grand Bahama performing to win the Best Music title. The costumes, floats and dancing are an excellent preview of Freeport's sensational New Year's Day Junkanoo Festival. Celebration cruises are also popular at this time.

Emancipation Day

Emancipation day is a public holiday on Grand Bahama that celebrates the 1834 emancipation of all slaves on the island and is sometimes referred to as August Monday. Taking place on the first Monday in August, the day starts off with an early morning "Junkanoo Rushout"a dance taking two steps forward, one step back accompanied by drums, whistles and bells. The rush-outs head down one of the many beaches such as Xanadu Beach. There follows an afternoon of music and "cook-outs" (sale of Bahamian food) and other cultural events, including "climbing the greasy pole".

Special Luncheon

When we arrived in Grand Bahama this afternoon there was a special department heads luncheon. We all thought that there was some kind of special celebration, but it wasn’t. The Food & Beverage manager made the arrangement just because it had been a while since we had gotten together. The food and company were great. It is our day off tomorrow and I am looking forward to sleeping late. I will be trying to arrange a special group cruise in the Bahamas for some of the crew next week. Many crew don’t have the chance to leave the ship very often in the afternoons, so it will be nice to arrange something for them.

Birthday Celebration

I don’t have much free time in Grand Bahama today, but I have to make time to join some of the staff for a birthday celebration. One of my staff is celebrating their 30th birthday and will be going for lunch at Pier One restaurant which is just across from where Discovery Sun docks. Pier One overlooks the ocean and it is always beautiful no matter what time of day. The restaurant has only been open for a few weeks now, but it is already very popular with crew as a place to celebrate birthdays. I made arrangements for a birthday cake yesterday; I just hope I can make it in time to at least get a slice of the cake.

Discovery Celebrations

Today we sailed with our last big group of spring breakers who will be returning on Thursday. Grand Bahama has been a popular destination this year and I am sure next year will be even busier. Grand Bahama goes all out to set up extra entertainment and activities for the college students during the month of March. Discovery Cruise Line also makes the extra effort to add more activities and entertainment that the younger guests enjoy. The weather has been great the past few weeks so all of the Discovery outdoor activities have been really popular and the crew have had a blast. A lot of the students have also chosen Discovery to celebrate their 21st birthdays and I am sure they will be celebrations that won’t be forgotten. Grand Bahama is a great place to go for any celebration especially this time of year. Next will be the younger kids and families which I love as I really enjoy the younger children, they are always so excited and have great stories to tell you on their return trip.

Pier One Restaurant

After a two-month delay, the Bahamas has cause for celebration. The legendary Pier One restaurant has reopened on Grand Bahama, offering much of the same features that made it so popular before. Situated about 300 feet from to the old restaurant, which was destroyed in 2004 by hurricanes, the new Pier One is approximately 14,000 square feet, three times bigger than the old one. With a two-storey deck and verandah with additional seating there is an incredible view of the ocean. An upstairs restaurant can be transformed into a hall for weddings and parties. I don’t think there is anywhere else in Grand Bahama where you can dine and have fun with a view like the one you will find at Pier One. It is always beautiful out there no matter the time of day. Since the restaurant is also adjacent to the terminal where Discovery Cruise Line docks, you could go and enjoy lunch before checking in on your return cruise. The new Pier One offers a wide selection of seafood entrees and is open daily for lunch and dinner.

Magic

Although it was our day off yesterday, all crew had to be onboard early in the morning for an emergency fire and boat drill. Fortunately the drill started early so we were able to leave the ship by 10:00am. A new entertainer Charles Arlington joined the ship yesterday; he is a magician from San Diego. Charles Arlington's magic has transported him to London, Singapore, South Africa, China, Blackpool, throughout the islands of Hawaii on extended tours and now the Bahamas. He has headlined in casinos and nightclubs and in several large-scale revue shows. He is also a regular performer on cruise lines such as Discovery Sun. Charles' creative mind is also sought after by his peers. He has taught magic and lectured to hundreds of magicians. He has also served as a technical advisor to other magicians such as: Shimada, James Dimmare, Mark Wilson, and Doug Malloy to name a few. He is going to be a great addition to our entertainment program and I am thoroughly looking forward to seeing him perform.

Port Lucaya

I am heading off the ship into Port Lucaya today to take in some of the spring break action. The beach and the square are packed with spring breakers at the moment and there are a lot of added events in both areas to keep them entertained. Some of the activities are a blast to watch, but are not the kind of activities we can do onboard. One of the activities that are a lot of fun is the bathing suit race. Four couples start off at the bandstand in the square in their bathing suits. They then have to race over to the lucaya beach where they exchange bathing suits and then race back. It is very comical to see the guys in the itsy bitsy teeny weenie bathing suites of the girls and the girls have to be very careful not to reveal too much as they now only have shorts on. I have to say the guys are really good sports taking part in that one. I had such a good laugh watching that a few days ago and wonder what they have planned for this afternoon.

Getting away

We have been carrying a lot of spring breakers to Grand Bahama over the past few weeks and the island is very busy at the moment. The Port Lucaya area is packed with students, especially the beach. We also have a lot of same day return passengers traveling and some of them are really looking to get away from the students but that is hard this time of year. However, there is an escape. If you are a same day return passenger you should make reservations for the Beach & Shopping tour, which is the only organized excursion available for same day return passengers. First of all this gets you off the ship before any other passengers, so there are no long lines to wait in. This gives you more time to enjoy the island. You will also be with a staff member from the ship who will take care of you during your stay. The tour takes you to a private beach resort where you have beach and pool access WITHOUT all of the spring breakers. So you can enjoy the beach, swim in the pool, have fun on the waterslide or just relax in a hammock by the pool. Now that is my idea of a great afternoon in the Bahamas.

Churches

Bahamians are very religious people and there are churches all over Grand Bahama. It is quite impressive to see exactly how many churches there are considering the size of the island. Christianity is the dominant religion in the Bahamas. The religious denominations in the Bahamas include Anglican, Assembly of God, Ba'hai Faith, Baptist, Bretheren, Christian & Missionary Alliance, Christian Science, Church of God of Prophecy, Greek Orthodox, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jewish, Latter Day Saints (Mormon) Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, Seventh Day Adventist and other smaller denominations. Quite a few Bahamians are even atheists (non-religious). I am asked on a regular basis about churches and church services on Grand Bahama.

Here is a link for you to follow that will give you a full list of churches and service times and locations, I hope that you find it helpful.

http://www.geographia.com/grandbahama/churches.htm

Fun Day

Yesterday was my day off which I spent with my husband on our boat and we had a really Fun Day. We left home late morning and headed to Bay Side in Miami. The weather was perfect and the seas were calm. We had lunch while we were at Bay Side and did a little shopping before heading back to Fort Lauderdale. On our way back we stopped at a little Island that was completely deserted, it was just the two of us on a beautiful stretch of beach that really reminded me of the Bahamas. The water was a little too cool for swimming, so we just relaxed on the beach. When we headed back home there was a Dolphin following our boat, which was truly a magnificent sight.

Fun Days

The ship has been full for the past couple of days with spring breakers and we are expecting the same again tomorrow. Most of them spend five days on Grand Bahama, which means they will be returning with us this weekend, so we are in for some long nights. The kids have been great though, they have taken part in all of the onboard activities and made them great fun, they have actually entertained us. The party packages for Grand Bahama have also been popular so the onboard Shore Excursion Desk has been busy too. One of the most popular excursions this time of year is the Robinson Crusoe Beach Party. It includes round trip transportation, snorkeling at a spectacular reef and then unlimited Bahama Mamas or fruit punch with a Bahamian buffet lunch on a private beach, which is great value for money.

Pelican Point

Today I went out to a place called Pelican Point on the East End of Grand Bahama. I have to say that this is the most beautiful place that I have seen on Grand Bahama. If you are looking for a place to relax and just get away from it all, this is the perfect place to go. Pelican Point is a small quaint settlement of just about 52 residents that are the most warm and welcoming people you could ever wish to meet. Many people ask me about going to the out islands while they are on Grand Bahama and quite honestly there is no need to look any further than Pelican Point as that is the feeling that you get when you are there. The beach is absolutely breathtaking and I can guarantee you wont want to leave. I really wish it were closer to the ship so that I could visit there more often.

New Excursion

There aren’t so many passengers onboard today, but we have sent a lot of people on the Beach & Shopping Tour. The day started off kind of cool, so I didn’t really expect a lot of people would want to go to the beach, but the sun came out late morning and it has turned out to be a beautiful day. I will be going to try out a new excursion this weekend, which will be fun. I will be going out to a place called Pelican Point, which is in the East End of Grand Bahama. I haven’t been there before, so I am really looking forward to going. I have looked at some pictures online and it looks really beautiful out there, I let you know how it goes.

No Drill

We have had a nice quiet day today, but it is cold and a little bit rough. We relocated our outside activities to the Starlight Showroom as it was too cold to host the activities outside, plus there wasn’t anyone out there. There was only a small crowd in the lounge but they joined in all of the activities and had a great time. We got good news this afternoon; the US Coast Guard inspection has been postponed until June. Since we have been doing so well with our quarterly inspections we will now only be inspected annually and semi annually. That also means we won’t be having drills every afternoon so we will have time to get off the ship when we get to Grand Bahama. I didn’t go out today, as it was too cold for me. I am spoiled and used to nice warm weather, if it is below 70 degrees I want to stay inside. It is supposed to be a little warmer tomorrow so I might head over to the international bazaar for lunch.

Success

Well the new activity program went well today. We were all a little big nervous hosting the new activities but they went really well. We found some of the events might work better in other locations, so we still have a little fine-tuning to do, but other than that we have a good program. Since we have so many passengers debarkation took a while this afternoon, but I did manage a 30-minute run in the Lucaya Harbor area. Tomorrow is going to be a lot quieter than it has been for a couple of months now and we are all looking forward to a bit of a break. We have our quarterly US Coast Guard inspection coming up next week, so in preparation we will be having daily safety drills. This means no more afternoon runs or excursions until next week.

Spring Break Is Here

Today we had our first group of spring breakers and they sure were a wild bunch. The shore excursion party packages for the island sold well and the Robinson Crusoe Beach Party is going to be a blast on Sunday. Our new activity program is now set and ready for us to start tomorrow. We have a lot of new things and it is going to be fun for us all when we host them for the first time. I haven’t had time to go out on the island for a few days now, which is very unusual for me; I like to get out and about. Fingers crossed I will be able to at least manage a 30 minute run tomorrow.

Count Down

I am now counting down the days until Spring Break starts. We have our first group on Sunday and we are more than ready for them. We have been working really hard on an activity program that will keep everyone entertained morning noon and night. Student City will be sending us large groups of spring breakers and they have some great party packages for them do take part in while they are on Grand Bahama. A lot of the party packages have been pre sold but for the students that didn’t get around to purchasing their party packages they will be able to make last minute reservations onboard at the Shore Excursion Desk. Looking forward to a fun, busy and safe season.

Cruising

Once the ISO audit was over and I had worked on the new activity program yesterday, it was time to relax. My husband and I went for lunch at a local restaurant and had some delicious baby back ribs of which I ate way too much. The weather this morning was a little overcast and cool but at around 1:30pm the sun came out and it was beautiful. Since it was such a nice day and my husband and I were both done working for the day, we decided to go out on our boat for the afternoon. Fort Lauderdale has over 165 miles of navigable waterways and canals. It’s home to more than 40,000 boats. Cruising through these waterways allows you to see all sorts of interesting things in a relatively short distance. As you sail along you can see extravagant mansions, the largest of the large mega-yachts, huge cargo ships, cruise ships, charming canals and downtown skyscrapers. Port Everglades hosts an interesting mix of large cruise ships and cargo carriers. Downtown Fort Lauderdale can be toured from the New River, as can many of the city’s neighborhoods. It’s a sightseeing trip that is well worth it!

ISO

It is my day off today, but I am at the ship for an ISO internal audit as we have an external audit coming up in March. ISO is the world largest standards developing organization. Between 1947 and the present day, ISO has published more than 17500 International Standards, ranging from standards for activities such as agriculture and construction, through mechanical engineering, to medical devices, to the newest information technology developments. ISO addresses quality management, which means we have to fulfill the customer's quality requirements, and applicable regulatory requirements, while aiming to enhance customer satisfaction, and achieve continual improvement in pursuit of these objectives. Once the audit is over I will be working on a new activity schedule to add to our activity program. Spring break is coming fast and we have some really busy days ahead of us. The days will be long but the kids are always good for a laugh, so I am sure we will have some fun days too.

Tuesday Again....

Well it is Tuesday again, our favorite day of the week as we are off tomorrow. It has been quite busy today and we have had a fun group of passengers that have been really easy to entertain. I went into Port Lucaya again for a little while today, just to pick up some perfume because it is quite a bit cheaper in the Bahamas. Some of the staff went over to the beach to go parasailing, however it was too windy so the boats were not going out. Since parasailing was out we tried our luck in the casino. I only play the slot machines and lost, but I only put $10 in. Some of the other staff played blackjack and one of them came out $200 ahead, so we celebrated with a cocktail on Lucaya Beach.

Shenanigans

Today I went for lunch at Shenanigans Irish Pun & European Eatery, located in Port Lucaya. The staff is very warm and welcoming and the food is great. I am from England and one of my favorite things to eat is Bangers & Mash, which is sausages and mash potatoes, but they are special sausages served with onion gravy that is delicious. Another great thing on the menu is the Guinness and Steak Pie and if you don’t mind fried food you must try the Irish mixed grill. The mixed grill is Bangers (sausages), Fried Egg, Tomato, Rashers, Bacon, Beans, Mushrooms, Black Pudding (blood sausage) & Chips. If I was staying a few days on the island I could eat there every day. Although quiet in the daytime, in the evenings Shenanigans is very lively and great place to hang out.

Why Grand Bahama?

Where Nassau is a blend of the old and new, Freeport/Lucaya (Grand Bahama) is a modernistic planned city. Grand Bahama Island is the second most popular tourist destination. On Grand Bahama you will find long stretches of deserted clean-white beaches, inviting hotels, one major casino, nighttime entertainment and world-class scuba diving facilities as well as land and sea sports. Freeport is the resort center of the Island where much action can be found. On the eastern and western ends of the Island are serene and quaint settings and finding hide-away spots is not uncommon. Shopping is also a feature and in Port Lucaya you will discover duty-free treasures from around the world. Unlike Nassau, the less populated outskirts of Grand Bahama supply more serene and tranquil surroundings (like deserted beaches) popular amongst those who desire private hideaway spots reminiscent of the Family Islands. Whether you’re looking for modern luxury or want to get away from civilization, Grand Bahama offers the best of both worlds.

Gold Rock Beach

Today I headed out to the Lucaya National Park & Gold Rock Beach. Gold Rock Beach is part of Grand Bahamas National Park and is protected by the National Trust. This beach is located east of the Island (about 25 miles from Freeport) and is secluded and spectacular at low tide. Gold Rock Beach is a very popular stop on tours of the national park and Island tours. BBQ pits, picnic tables and benches are available, but there are no other amenities, so most people only stay an hour or two. North of the beach, across the road are the Lucayan Caverns, the world's longest underground surveyed cave system. I was with a couple of cruise staff members that wanted to have a look around the national park and visit one of the caves. Since I have been many times before, I just waited for them on the beach. We were lucky enough to be there at low tide, which as I mentioned is when the beach is most spectacular. Many of the pictures you will see of a beach on Grand Bahama will be of Gold Rock Beach also know as the ‘Welcome Mat’ of the island.

McLean's Town

It was a really late night last night and I have been dragging all day today. The ship has been busy both ways and it is going to be another late night tonight. A few of the staff headed out on the island this afternoon, but I stayed behind because it was so busy. They all headed out west to McLean’s Town. While they were out there they got chatting to one of the locals that was very proud share a little bit of history. Apparently McLean’s Town gets its name from a first grade school teacher. When he asked the children where they were from each replied with a different answer - McLean's Town, Carrion Crow Harbour, Self Town, Carey Cut, Pinder Town, Rocky Creek, Thomas Town, Crabbing Bay. They'd call it whatever they had a mind to call it. So the teacher, William Bethel, just put down McLean's Town for all of them and the whole area got to be known as McLean's Town. There are lots of great areas to visit on Grand Bahama away from the main tourist areas that usually only the curious ever get to savor and appreciate. I am so happy that the staff takes the time to go out and see the different areas of the island and don’t just stick to the main tourist areas.

Busy days ahead

The first thing I did this morning was claim the laptop computer that I won in the valentines raffle. I have crew begging to buy it from me, but I am keeping it and will be giving it to my husband, since he has wanted a laptop for quite a while now. We have had a really busy day today, which was a surprise as most Thursdays are fairly quiet. I was happy to see my friend the doctor return from vacation today, he was gone for a couple of months and I missed him. I had a good day off yesterday, I was supposed to be going on a nice date with my husband, but he was called into work for an important meeting and didn’t get home until late. Fingers crossed we will make it next week. I wasn’t really in the mood for going out in the Bahamas today, so I just stayed onboard, caught up with some paperwork and then relaxed for a little while. We have a busy weekend ahead and spring break is just around the corner, so the days of relaxing in the afternoons are coming to an end. I don’t really like spring break and wish that I could fast-forward the month of March. Phew, I am tired just thinking about it.

And the winner is......

Woo Hoo! I won, I won, I won, I won the laptop computer in the valentines raffle last night. I have to admit I thought it was a joke. One of my staff called me at around 1:00am this morning to let me know that I had won. Since I never win, I didn’t believe him, but then one of my other staff called me to say the same thing, and then I knew it was true. I am so happy; I have NEVER won anything in my life. I was jumping for joy last night and was so excited I couldn’t sleep. I felt like a kid at Christmas. I’m actually looking forward to going to work on Thursday now just to get my prize.

The Big Night

It’s Tuesday again, we are ready for our weekend (day off tomorrow). I went for a four mile run in Grand Bahama today, I was feeling a bit tired so it was a tough one, but I made it. My reward was an hour relaxing at Paradise Cove beach. I did want some of the staff to come with me, but they had other plans so I just headed out there alone. Tonight is a big night for the crew onboard as the Valentines raffle drawing will take place at the crew party tonight. As I mentioned in an earlier post, the first prize is a laptop computer and that is the prize everyone wants. Even though I never win anything I did buy a couple of tickets for myself. My hopes are not that high, but you never know. I am really just looking forward to going home tonight and sleeping late tomorrow.

Presidents Day

With this past weekend being valentines weekend and Presidents day today, we have been super busy. Yesterday we had a large group that had their own DJ playing in the Tropical Lounge all day. They played some really good music and the lounge had a great atmosphere all day. Since we have a long night ahead of us, I didn’t go off the ship this afternoon. Last night I finished work just past midnight and it will most likely be the same again this evening. It will be a little quieter tomorrow so I will most likely go running when we get to Grand Bahama and then maybe head out to the beach at Paradise Cove. I may try to arrange for a group of us to go out there and maybe use the jet skis. Well, it is almost show time, so I had better go and check everything is ready….

Sumo Suits

I had a fantastic day today, the ship has been really busy both ways, but I still managed to get off the ship for a few hours this afternoon. We arrived in Grand Bahama early so I had more time than I had anticipated. I joined the Beach and Shopping Tour and spent my afternoon at Taino Beach. I didn’t join the tour for the shopping portion, as I just wanted to relax at the resort. I got my cocktail from the cave bar and headed to one of the hammocks by the pool. There are always a variety of pool and beach games taking place in the afternoons at the resort and today they had sumo wrestling. What a blast! Adults and kids dress up in these huge padded sumo suits, get onto a padded mat and start wrestling. I have never laughed so hard; it was the funniest thing to watch. All they can do is bump into one another and try to knock the other contestant down, and once they go over it is damn near impossible to stand back up again without any help. There they lay on the mat rocking back and forth trying to get back up…. Maybe you have to see it to really appreciate exactly how funny it is. The best was seeing the kids knock down their parents and jump up and down with excitement when they couldn’t get back up again and they won the game. After watching the games for a while I went for a walk along Taino beach before heading for the water taxi to Port Lucaya so that I could meet up with the tour bus in Port Lucaya in time to get back to the ship.

Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day. We have lots of loving couples onboard today and one couple that got married right before we sailed this morning. Since I have to work my husband and I will have our own celebration on Wednesday when I have the day off. My trip to the casino in Port Lucaya yesterday was successful; I came out about $150 ahead, which made me love Friday the 13th. I treated myself to lunch at Zorbas, my favorite Greek restaurant in Port Lucaya and a cocktail on the beach. I had planned to go out this afternoon too, but it was just too late once we were done with debarkation, so I had a little nap. It is going to be really busy again tomorrow and Monday, with lots of special groups onboard. We have a guest DJ playing in the Tropical Lounge all day tomorrow, which will be a nice addition to our entertainment program. Well, the day is almost over so now I am just looking forward to getting home to my valentine.

Friday the 13th

Since it is Friday the 13th here is a little trivial information for you. The fear of Friday the 13th is called paraskavedekatriaphobi. According to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, North Carolina, an estimated 17 to 21 million people in the United States are affected by a fear of this day. Some people are so paralyzed by fear that they avoid their normal routines in doing business, taking flights or even getting out of bed. "It's been estimated that $800 or $900 million is lost in business on this day” Well it doesn’t look like it has stopped people from cruising as we have over 1,000 passengers onboard today. The weather is beautiful and the seas are calm. We have had a couple of crew incidents that have been blamed on the date. One crew member fell down the stairs and another sat in gum and ruined his work pants, both are very superstitios. Although I have to admit that in general I am superstitios too, I don’t really worry about Friday the 13th. I am going to spend my afternoon in Port Lucaya and will even try my luck in the Isle of Capri Casino.

Old Bahama Bay

I had a great day off yesterday and feel really refreshed today. A friend of mine sailed this morning and will be staying at Old Bahama Bay for five days. I have to admit I am very jealous. Old Bahama Bay is located in the West End of Grand Bahama Island and is just 55 nautical miles due east of Palm Beach, Florida. If you want to be away from the hustle and bustle of the tourists and just relax and do nothing, this is the perfect place to stay. Old Bahama Bay is a luxurious resort with one of the most beautiful secluded beaches I have ever seen and is perfect for a romantic getaway.

Lazy Day

I have had a nice lazy day off. I slept late and just lazed around the house until around 1:00pm. My husband and I went for lunch at a really nice Mexican restaurant in Fort Lauderdale before he had to head to work. I did a little housework and some grocery shopping, but other than that I was really lazy, I didn’t even cook dinner. Now I am going to watch a little television before hitting my bed nice and early, ready for another six days of work. We have got a really busy weekend coming, so I better rest while I can.

Xanadu Beach

It was a beautiful day today, nice and warm and perfect for the beach. We sent a bus full of passengers on the beach and shopping tour and I almost joined them. Just as I was about to get on the bus I saw one of my Bahamian friends that used to work on the ship. She was heading to Xanadu Beach for lunch and asked if I would like to join her. Xanadu beach is located on the southwest coast of Grand Bahama Island; it has a full service Marina and a wide range of water sports. I used to spend a lot of time at Xanadu Beach, as it is the closest beach to the ship. I have lost count how many times I went parasailing there. Today was just a day for catching up on gossip, and pigging out on cracked conch, a local delicacy. The crew is happy tonight as it is what we call our weekend; we have the day off tomorrow. There will be a crew party once all the passengers have disembarked, but I will be racing home to be with my husband.

Valentines Raffle

This has been a pretty uneventful day really. Although the passengers have been great sports taking part in all of the activities, there have been no real characters today. The weather is almost at a temperature that I like, it was about 73 degrees in Grand Bahama today and it is supposed to reach the 80’s tomorrow and that is the temperature I love. The 70’s are great for my running as it isn’t too hot, but the 80’s are perfect for the beach, which I have missed going to the past couple of weeks. Valentines weekend is approaching fast and we are fully booked the whole weekend. We have a special crew valentines raffle the Tuesday after Valentines Day and there are some great prizes. The first prize that everyone wants is a laptop computer and the tickets are only $1 each, so the crew is going crazy buying them. We have almost run out of tickets and may have to buy some more. The money generated from the sales covers the cost of the prizes and the remainder goes into the crew welfare fund for future events. I am never very lucky when it comes to these things, but I have purchased a ticket for each one of my staff, hoping that they will have more luck than I do, I would just love to see one of them win.

Sunday

We have had a really busy day today, with 800 plus passengers to and from Grand Bahama. All of our outdoor activities went really well today, as it is a lot warmer than it has been the past few days. There were some real characters that took part in the real man contest that gave us all a really good laugh. The Hotel Manager’s Birthday dinner was a lot of fun last night and she really enjoyed herself. I didn’t get to visit the new gym close to the port today because it was closed, as most things are on Sunday’s, so I will try again tomorrow. Two more day’s until our day off and though I shouldn’t speak too soon, so far I don’t have to come to the ship for anything. It will be nice to have the whole day to run my errands and spend some time with my husband.

Birthday Dinner

It is the Hotel Managers birthday today, so all of the department heads are meeting for a special Birthday dinner this evening. It has been a long time since we all got together socially, so it is going to be really nice. The weather is a little better today and by Tuesday it is supposed to be back into the 80’s and I can’t wait. I am tired of rough seas and sweaters. There is a new gym opening close to where the ship docks in Grand Bahama and I hope to go and have a look at it on Sunday. If it is nice, I will start going there rather than waking up early in the mornings to go in Fort Lauderdale. It is very hard to wake up at 4:30am in the morning, especially when I don’t get to bed before midnight most nights. So, fingers crossed it will work out for me going in the afternoons. We have two buses for the Beach and Shopping tour again today, that is a sign that the weather has brightened up and people want to go to the beach again. Taino beach is really beautiful on a nice sunny day and very relaxing since it is so nice and quiet there. If the temperatures reach the 80’s by Tuesday, I will join the tour and spend some time at the beach and top up my fading tan.

Game Fishing

The tropical waters surrounding Grand Bahama are home to some of the best game fish on Earth. Some of the fish you will find lurking offshore are white and blue marlin, yellow-fin and blue-fin tuna, barracuda, king fish, Wahoo, bonito, and dolphin (also known as Mahi Mahi… not Flipper). I learned today that one of the world’s best game fish – the bonefish– not only likes the waters of Grand Bahama Island, but is more at home there than anywhere else in the world. The flats off Deep Water Cay, in the East and The Old Bahama Flats off West End are known for great catches. Fly-fishing, particularly for bonefish, is quickly gaining popularity on Grand Bahama Island and throughout The Islands of The Bahamas. Next to golf, it is the fastest growing sport. The best time to go fishing is between April and September.

Brrrr

Brrrr….It’s cold today, the temperature dropped to below freezing this morning which is really unusual for South Florida. I expected really rough seas, but it actually wasn’t as bad and I thought it would be. We didn’t have many passengers onboard today, but we did sell quite a lot of tickets for the Bahamian Getaway Island Tour. This is a great tour to do in any kind of weather and takes you to the main points of interest on the Island, including the Garden of the Groves. The gardens are very beautiful and the guides give a very informative tour though the trails of tropical plants and waterfalls. A lot of people also signed up for the Bonfire Beach Party this evening. I bet it will be nice huddling around a big bonfire tonight since it will still be quite cool. The cool weather is supposed to be with us for a few days. I can’t wait for the summer; like most people, I really don’t care for the cold. I spent my afternoon onboard today, but will go running tomorrow afternoon. If it warms up a little I may even venture into town.

Boat Drill :-(

We have yet another cold front heading our way and the temperatures are supposed to reach freezing in the morning. I will have to wrap up like an Eskimo on my moped on my way to work. Even though it is my day off today, I had to wake up early as we had a boat drill. It was really cold when I came to the ship, so instead of riding my moped I borrowed my husbands Jeep, since he didn’t need it until 9:30am. The drill was over by 8:15am so I went home and went back to bed for a couple of hours. My husband managed to leave work early, so we got to spend half of the day together. Since I was feeling lazy we went out for dinner and spent the rest of the evening relaxing cuddled up on the couch watching TV….What a perfect end to the day.

Casino

What a fun group of people we had onboard this morning. They took part in all of the games at the deck party and the winner of Miss Discovery was a real character, she was in her 70’s and won the hearts of everyone, when she sang and danced in the talent portion of the contest. She then went on to win the hoola hoop contest, but opted not to join in with the Beer Drinking, she said she didn’t want to win everything….HA! HA!…. It is a little bit cloudy today, perfect for running. So I am going to attempt my five miles this afternoon when we get to Grand Bahama. I think I will get one of my friends to drop me off five miles from the ship, so that I have to do the full distance to get back, fingers crossed I will make it. A few of the staff are heading to Port Lucaya to try their luck in the Isle of Capri Casino. The Isle of Capri is the only casino on the island. It is approximately 19,000 square-feet, offers 400 slot machines and 21 table games. I love the slot machines and always enjoy a visit to the casino, of course it’s always nice to win, but I still have fun even if I don’t. I am still recovering from a two-month vacation, so a trip to the casino is off limits for me for a while, but I wish them all luck for this afternoon and I am sure there will be a few winners amongst them.

Super Bowl Sunday

Today is Super Bowl Sunday, so a lot of passengers want to watch the game, which we will be showing in Club Illusions. This evenings drink special is ‘Touch Down’ a delicious mix of Bahamian rums and pineapple juice; the non-alcoholic special is ‘Time Out’ which is a tropical fruit punch. I am not really into football myself, but I do love the excitement of the Super Bowl and would love to see it live. I met with a really nice guy today that is traveling to Grand Bahama to organize scuba diving vacations for dive groups. He will be meeting with UNEXSO, which is one of the most reputable dive companies on the island. One of the highlights of arranging dive vacations in Grand Bahama is that the non diving spouses will find an array of activities to suit them while their significant others are off diving. I am yet to find the time to take the Discover Diving course offered by UNEXSO. The ocean is a little cool right now anyway, so I may just wait until the summer when the water temperature is in the eighties.

Cold Front

My cold is much worse today, although I did get some medication from the ships doctor and hope that it won’t last long. The weather isn’t so good today. We have another cold front heading to South Florida and it is supposed to be in the 30’s this evening. Rough seas are forecast for later in the day, so it won’t be much fun sailing back from Grand Bahama this evening. We only have a few people going on the beach and shopping tour today, since the weather isn’t so good, many people have opted not to go to the beach. I will be resting again today once we get to Grand Bahama, the running will just have to wait until this I feel better. Fingers crossed the seas will be kind to us tonight and that the new entertainer doesn’t get sea sick…..Ewe…

Customer Service Seminar

Mamma Mia was fantastic and I had a great night, although I was a little tired after the Customer Service Seminar earlier in the day. The seminar was also very good. I was a little skeptical at first and wondered if I would really benefit from something like that. I was pleasantly surprised and came away with some new useful skills that I look forward to putting into practice. I feel a little tired today and I think a have a bit of a cold coming. I guess I will need to pay a visit to the ships doctor. I should be going for a run this afternoon once we get to Grand Bahama, but I think I am going to give it a miss today. I am however up to 4 miles now and am looking forward to mile number 5. Hopefully I will feel better on Friday and can try for the fifth mile then.

Another Day Off

It’s Wednesday again, our day off. However this week some of the crew, myself included, has to attend a Customer Service Seminar. The seminar is from 8:30am till 3:30pm, with one hour for lunch. It is going to be a busy day for me as I also have a new entertainer [MSOffice1] [MSOffice2] onboard, that needs me to help him with his sound test and another staff member will be joining later in the day. Since crewmembers have to go through lengthy immigration inspections when entering the country, there is no way of knowing exactly when he will arrive. So, there will be a lot of waiting around. I have got tickets to see Mamma Mia this evening at a local theatre, fingers crossed I will be able to leave the ship in time for the show. I am already looking forward to next Wednesday, when hopefully I wont have anything to do onboard.

[MSOffice1]

[MSOffice2]

Golfing

Golfing is very popular on Grand Bahama. I am not a golfer, but my husband is a golf fanatic. Here is a little information about the Reef Course located in Port Lycaya. Many consider the Reef Course one of the toughest plays in all of the Bahamas. While playing to nearly 7,000 yards from the back tees, the Reef Course is not a course you can overpower, and ranks more as a shot-makers course where accuracy is rewarded. With water present on 13 of the 18 holes on this links-styled course, it's easy to get into trouble, but with epic views and masterful conditioning, the Reef Course, which opened in 2000, has quickly moved to the top of the wish list for golfers looking for the best of the Bahamas. The course is open year round and has a driving range and a putting green. It is recommended that you make your tee time about two weeks in advance. Rental clubs are available for about $45 and the rates vary from $75 - $130 depending on the time of year.

Horseback Riding

Something that a lot of people ask about doing while on Grand Bahama is Horseback Riding along the beach. There are a couple of places that you can go to do this, but the company I have used is Pine Tree Stables. They are located midway between the International Bazaar and Port Lucaya, which is about a 10 minute cab ride from most hotels. They offer two departures daily and you must make a reservation. You will be taken on a 2 hour guided ride from the Stables along a trail that winds its way through the endangered Pine Forest, past a Castle and through the Hardwood Coppice, along the Swash, over the Dunes, west on the Beach and into the ocean. Of course the ride along the beach and into the ocean is the highlight of this tour. The horses only walk and jog, so no experience is necessary. I recommend that you wear long comfortable pants and shoes that you don’t mind getting wet when you ride into the ocean. This really is a great experience and worth the $85 fee.