IMPORTANT: Update regarding later boarding for our cruise

I just received this notice from Celebrity Cruises:
"We are writing to provide you and your clients with important information regarding later boarding for the Celebrity Mercury 11 nights sailing that departs Charleston on March 8th, 2010. Celebrity Mercury will be having a Semi-Annual U.S. Coast Guard CVE Exam which will take place on March 8th, 2010 at the Port of Charleston. USCG inspectors should board the Mercury at 8:00 a.m. We recommend that guests do not arrive at the pier earlier than 2:00 p.m. Due to this later boarding time, and the limited seating capacity at the Port of Charleston cruise terminal, we are providing you with this information so that your clients will not be inconvenienced on the day of travel. Please pass this vital information along to them."

So that's it! Ken is disappointed because he was looking forward to lunch onboard Mercury, while I will be very happy to have lunch at one of Charleston's wonderful restaurants!

Updated Directions for Port of Charleston

Click here for updated directions to the Port of Charleston. You can also access vehicle parking information here. This new plan was implemented February 15 with the first cruise of 2010 from Charleston.

Wine & Cheese party for Cattail Caribbean Cruisers!

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Weather in our Ports of Call

St. Maarten




Tortola, BVI

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Tortola, our final port of call!

We will dock in Road Harbour, along with the Norwegian Dawn. From here you can cover most of Road Town on foot. Tortola was immortalized in Jimmy Buffet's song, "Manana"..."I hear it gets better, that's what they say, As soon as we sail on to Cane Garden Bay". Cane Garden Bay is one of Tortola's most beautiful beaches, along with Brewer's Bay (better for snorkeling) and several more picturesque spots. The Baths, a "stellar natural attraction", of Virgin Gorda, are an island hop away. As Tortola and the BVI are drier than many of the Caribbean Islands, there are more cactus than ferns and no rain forests. Taxis and open air safari cabs will be available at the port. For shopping, be sure to visit Sunny Caribbee for island spices and hot sauces. If lunch is on your agenda, in Road Town try Pusser's for a casual dining experience & be sure to sample the national drink of the BVI, the Painkiller! Other options not too far from the pier include Spaghetti Junction and Capriccio di Mare. If you're enjoying the beach at Cane Garden Bay, try Quito's Gazebo for excellent salads, grilled local seafood, and roti, a local specialty.

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Just a note to say that I have included links to various web sites in my blog... they appear as "light grey". Be sure to click on these links for more information!

St. Kitts

We are in St. Kitts on a Sunday and Mercury will dock at Port Zante. It's about a 15 minute stroll to downtown Basseterre from here. Two ships will be in port with us so hopefully most shops and restaurants will be open for our business on this Sunday! St. Kitts is relatively unspoiled with beautiful rain forests, green velvet monkeys, lava formations and wonderful beaches. Not too far from the pier are a few attractions: the National Museum, the Circus (modeled and named after London's Piccadilly Circus), and Independence Square. For shopping, hit the Amina Craft Market in Port Zante for local crafts and the Island Hopper for Batik clothing and prints (located near The Circus). Two of the St. Kitts beaches include Cockleshell Beach and Frigate Bay. On Frigate Bay, the Marriott St. Kitts Resort usually offers day passes for a fee(869-466-1200). Once again, there are many activities here from island tours, to the Scenic Railway, to ATV tours, snorkeling, and more. I just want to see some of those green velvet monkeys! Perhaps I can find a mate for our mascot, Elliott! A couple of spots to sample the local rum or have lunch include Ballyhoo, Circus Grill, and Stonewalls... hopefully at least one of them will be open for lunch on Sunday!

St. Maarten/St. Martin

We will arrive in Philipsburg, St. Maarten on Saturday, March 13th at 8 am. Once again, it appears that Mercury will be the only ship in port! Thank you Celebrity Cruises!!! This is unbelievably good news. I have to say that St. Maarten is my favorite island destination. I just love to experience both the Dutch & French sides of the island. Beaches are beautiful and abundant, but my favorite is Orient Beach. Coco Beach is at one end of Orient Beach, with Club Orient (the nudist resort) being at the other end. Head to Coco Beach (generally cruise ship tours do not use this restaurant), rent 2 chairs and an umbrella & camp out for half a day. Take a nice long stroll along this beautiful beach and ensconce yourself into island life. Another popular beach restaurant on Orient is Baywatch. It is owned by former New Jersey residents Andy & Cheryl. Other good options include Bikini Beach, Kontiki, and Waikiki.

If shopping is your thing, Philipsburg won't disappoint! Jewelry? Stop in and see Harry Diamond (yes, that's his name!) at Joe's Jewelry. (note that there are 3 Joe's in Philipsburg... you want to head to the one near the Court House). Browse to your heart's content while sipping beer, vino, or sodas and Harry will attend to your every need. We have shopped with Harry for over five years and are looking forward to seeing him again in March... well at least I am! A nice place for lunch in Philipsburg is Chesterfield's... waterfront and great food. If you want more of a bar scene, Taloula Mango's is fun too.

Tours we recommend on the island include ziplining at Pic Paradis, Rhino Safari in Maho (great snorkel tours on a personal watercraft for two), and the America's Cup Challenge.

I almost forgot... if you have the chance, get some Gouda Cheese... LARGE rounds of Dutch Gouda can be found for reasonable prices and it's oh so yummy... with a French baguette of course!