I chose this cruise because it included Bonaire and I had not yet been there and also because the cruise was more than 7 days. Everything went well, the ports were excellent and I enjoyed every one even though I had been to 5 of the 6 before. I did 3 short shore excursions and they were all good. The sailing was smooth, the staff were great, the food was excellent. It was a very good sampling of the southern Caribbean. My only complaint, and it is very minor one, is the location for trivia. Like a lot of regular cruisers, I enjoy the trivia games as they are a great place to meet like minded travellers and it keeps your brain from going to complete mush. Holding night time trivia in a crowded bar is poor planning. The cruise director staff member has to constantly repeat questions and/or ask other bar patrons to please be quiet. It doesn't work. Other than that I really enjoyed the cruise.
The cabin was fine however this was my first time in 21 cruises to have a balcony and I don't honestly think it is worth the money. I will go back to inside cabins.
I arrived a day early but too late to do anything. Embarkation was quick and easy. I stayed 3 days after the cruise and it was quite nice. I took a water taxi tour which was good. I also stayed in a 3 star hotel (Ocean Sky) that was great. Clean, comfortable, beachfront, good restaurant, grocery store a block away. Much better value for money than the name brand hotel I stayed in before the cruise.
I had done an island tour on a previous cruise so this time I just wandered around the port. Typical tourist shops as you disembark but along the boardwalk to the right are some better quality jewellery and local art shops.
I have been to Barbados several times so I just went into the port shopping mall to buy a few things that I wanted and then back to the ship. Friendly people.
I had been here several times previously as well so again just went into the port shopping mall and bought a few things I wanted.