March 2 - St. Maarten

We've been here before so this time we signed up for a semi-submersible boat ride and visit to Marigot.  The boat ride was nice. The last time I was in a "glass bottom" boat I nearly got sick, so I wasn't sure what to expect this time.  This boat was a little different in that we sailed to the viewing site up top and then went below to sit in the glass enclosed area for a while to see the fish.  It is very narrow and you walk in and fold down the bench behind you.  We were the last to enter just in case I wanted to leave; last in, first out was our operating theory.  I just turned the AC vent right on my face and was fine.  Next was a shopping stop in Marigot on the French side of the island.  When we were her last November we stopped at the same place and were amazed to see the glass on top of the atrium of the indoor shopping mall had huge cracks in it from hurricane Irma in 2017.  Happy to report they have finally repaired the glass. This weekend is Carnival time again and traffic was really slow heading back to the ship in Phillipsburg on the Dutch side.  There were 6 cruise ships in town, so that didn't help.  We had an early all aboard of 2:30 which we made easily, but at about that time they were calling for 3 people to call Reception.  Finally at 3:00 the last woman made it on board  She apparently wasn't aware of the early departure time.  We were told that on the last cruise, a couple were left behind when they didn't show up and had to make their way to Miami to meet the ship.

Another lazy afternoon and a good dinner at Sette Mari (the Italian restaurant) a deux. And again an early evening.  We have only made the 9:30 show a couple of times.  Ah well.

We are now heading back to Miami and will have 2 sea days.

tight quarters