Gerry Barker's Blog Archives – All Things Cruise

Cruising will be back. And when it is, what changes are likely to happen?

April 19, 2020 by Gerry Barker

Usually by this time of year, Pam and I would have already taken one or two cruises. As an example, in March, we were scheduled to be among the first to sail on Scarlet Lady, the ship from Sir Richard Branson’s new Virgin Voyages cruise line. We were disappointed, as was everyone, that the cruise had to be postponed as the reality of the coronavirus pandemic took hold. Of course, that was just the beginning of mass …

First Cruise

March 18, 2020 by Gerry Barker

Pam and I took our first cruise almost 20 years ago, and one was all it took. We were hooked. Like many people, we never thought cruising was for us. While we both had a lifelong love of travel, it always involved exploring the world by train, plane and automobile. A cruise seemed too confining, too regimented. It was travel for people who like their vacations programmed. But on a lark, we decided to give it a …

Carnival Family Feud

February 25, 2020 by Gerry Barker

It’s been almost a year since Carnival Cruise Lines announced their exclusive partnership with the highly popular game show “Family Feud.” Now set to debut on Mardi Gras, Carnival’s newest ship scheduled to launch in November, it was “time to play the Feud” last week at Carnival Studios, their giant production facility in Davie, Florida. The live run-through consisted of two shows — the regular version Face Off and a round of Fast Money. Two teams were …

Wrap-up: Crystal Serenity Haute Caribbean Holidays Cruise

January 9, 2020January 8, 2020 by Gerry Barker

If I had to choose one word to describe a cruise on Crystal Serenity, it would be “family.” Pam and I just completed our first cruise with Crystal, the “Haute Caribbean Holidays” voyage — 16 days, round-trip Miami — and from the guests to the crew, family is fundamental to the overall experience. First, consider how many of the nearly 1,000 guests onboard were repeat customers: Almost 70 percent. Among the senior officers and staff, many told …

Serenity Haute Caribbean Holidays Cruise – Day 15

January 5, 2020 by Gerry Barker

ABOARD CRYSTAL SERENITY_Today is the last full day of our holiday cruise, and that means one more port of call: Key West, the southernmost point of the United States, the home of Hemingway and his famous six-toed cats, a city that exudes both party and charm, where the fishing is spectacular, and so are the sunsets. There’s only one problem: We won’t be there. When we awoke, there was the ocean in all directions, and no sign …

Serenity Haute Caribbean Holidays Cruise – Days 13 and 14

January 5, 2020January 4, 2020 by Gerry Barker

ABOARD CRYSTAL SERENITY_With Tortola in our rear-view mirror, we have two days at sea as we make a heading for our next — and last — port of call, Key West. Besides still decompressing from all the New Year’s festivities, this time will allow us to be, among other things, culturally-enriched and join Mozart for afternoon tea. For the former, there are a number of “Enrichment Program” onboard lectures scheduled, ranging from science and shipwrecks to the …

Serenity Haute Caribbean Holidays Cruise – Day 12

January 3, 2020January 2, 2020 by Gerry Barker

ABOARD CRYSTAL SERENITY_No sleeping in today. We have arrived at the British Virgin Islands and are preparing to dock in Tortola, where we have an early tour booked. Heavy clouds hang low over the island’s lush green hills, bringing rain with them. Given it’s the tropics, it probably won’t last long, but if you’re out and about, it’s a good idea to take the umbrella this time of the year. Beside us is Norwegian Encore, several sizes …

Serenity Haute Caribbean Holidays Cruise – Day 11 (New Year’s Day)

January 1, 2020 by Gerry Barker

ABOARD CRYSTAL SERENITY_Happy New Year from the Caribbean! Today is a sea day as we make our way slowly to Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. A good thing, too, since most of the ship is in a “Do Not Disturb” hangover from the late night partying that ushered in a new decade. Party central was the Crystal Cove atrium, where, at the stroke of midnight, 5,000 balloons, assembled and inflated by a crew of eight, were …

Serenity Haute Caribbean Holidays Cruise – Day 10 (New Year’s Eve!)

December 31, 2019December 31, 2019 by Gerry Barker

ABOARD CRYSTAL SERENITY_It’s here — the last day of 2019 — and Serenity is getting ready to PAR-TAY! Balloons are massed all over the Crystal Cove atrium, along with a giant 2020 Countdown Clock. Celebrations are planned ship-wide, starting with a comedy show in the Galaxy Lounge featuring John Joseph, who opened for Julio Iglesias for 10 years. The Crystal Quartet and Showband are performing in the Crystal Plaza, alongside the clock, starting at 8:45 and then …

Serenity Haute Caribbean Holidays Cruise – Day 9

December 30, 2019 by Gerry Barker

ABOARD CRYSTAL SERENITY_When we return from last night’s show and dinner, the red message light is blinking on our stateroom phone. It’s the shore excursion team, reminding us to make sure and eat a hearty breakfast since there won’t be a lunch opportunity on our Barbados tour today. Like the previous tour in St. Lucia, we have signed up for the “late risers” option, with a late morning start time. It’s nice not to set an alarm …