DAY 4-BARBADOS!!!!!! Woo hoo!

So this is (was) my first time here and I was super excited. Even though I had never been here before, I knew that one thing that Barbados is known for is turtles. We seen turtles for the first time in Bermuda last year and we were so excited. However, as soon as they seen you, they were "outta here". They would never let us get close. I've tried going several places before where they say you're sure to see some, but with no luck. So I knew for sure I wanted to see me some turtles!

I searched the boards and a lot of people suggested The Boatyard. I did find other places that looked appealing as well...and I only looked elsewhere because I know that the Boatyard is close to the port and figured it would be crowded because that's where most would head.

However, what sealed the deal for me was when The Boatyard emailed me back saying that it was $20 to get in and INCLUDED a free drink for everyone, 2 chairs and 1 umbrella AND MOST OF ALL....IT INCLUDED A BOAT TRIP TO SWIM WITH THE TURTLES!!! At no added cost! Yep, that did it for me! We were going to The boatyard! Others had said that you can find vendors along the beaches that would take you out to the turtles for $20pp. I'm paying $20 pp and I get everything else too.

So...from the beginning... 

I set my alarm for 6:45am and we headed up to the buffet grill outside by the pool again. 

Like always, there wasn't many out and about and there was no line. I just can't believe this! I feel like I'm the only one on the ship most of the time. But I thought it was so nice for Carnival to throw me this exclusive cruise.

First day eggs, second day eggs and croissant then you combine the eggs on the croissant to make a breakfast sandwich. Just mix it up a little each morning.

This is obviously the hubby's or Sakari's plate because I don't eat ham nor is my name Sam.

The windows they open up on the pool deck. They kinda scared me because it gave B access to sticking his head out at any given moment or body parts depending on his mood.

It was 8am and I knew we could get off around then. Beepppshhhhbooommmm went the intercom sound on the pool deck and everyone jumped. What the heck is that??? I took it as a sign and we all headed to our rooms to get our beach bags, have my cooler bag filled with ice for drinks, and off the ship we went at 8:10am.

Once we were off, we really wasn't sure which way to go.

The paparazzi was waiting for us to exit and they managed to get a picture out of us.

We had to ask which way to go and they pointed "that way" and off we went. 

They had a neat sign and we had to stop for pictures.

There was a really nice lady (couple) that was standing behind us waiting to get their pictures done. She ask if I'd like her to take a picture of all of us. "Why yes, thank you".

We all did a funny pose and she snapped the picture. She said "Let me get a few more" and took 2 more pictures and handed me the camera back. Then she ask if I would take a picture of her and her husband. So I did and we were on our way.

We entered a building and it had a lot of stores. However, there wasn't anyone open, which I found that strange. I mean I'm sure they know what time the ship is in port. Although it didn't matter to me because we always do our shopping after we return.

Thank goodness for this is all I can say.

 We made it out...now what?? I wasn't really sure.

I found the sign...

This is the taxi stand and they were all lined up and waiting

Of course several people approached us and ask where we planned on going and tried to get us to go some place else. We told them "no, we are going to The Boatyard". Several tried to talk us out of it and I walked away and on to the next.

Another guy said "I'll take you there" and we followed him.

He said follow me and we walked down past the taxis. Um....ok.

We passed up all of the taxis. Now I'm feeling a little uneasy. 

I look back:

Then all of a sudden he takes off running! :eek: We were just left standing there and confused. We started to walk back and another driver approached us and ask us where we were going and he would take us. He told us to walk outside the gates with him.

The family did not look too thrilled so I ask him why we had to walk outside. He told us in order to take a private taxi and not have to wait on a taxi to fill up, we would have to go outside. If we caught the taxis inside, they would not leave until they were full. Ok, good enough for me.

Once we got in the van, the driver told us "You know they charge you to get in to The Boatyard"? "Yep, I'm well aware of that, but thanks for letting me know."

Sorry, it wasn't a very interesting ride there. It was a short ride. I think it took 10 minutes to get there.

The driver stops in the middle of the road and then does this huge U turn and pulls in.

To see our adventure at the Boatyard and swimming with the turtles, click the link below:

We made it back to the dock and took a few pictures

Then we did a little bit of shopping and I managed to get my tee shirt and of course a magnet.

We headed back to the ship at 4:15pm and off to the room for showers and dry clothes.

After showering, we headed up to the top deck to watch the sail away and I would, of course, take pictures of the dock and area.

It kind of reminds me of Freeport

As we were backing out and turning, we came SO CLOSE to the dock that the hubby and I seriously thought were would hit it. Others must have thought that too because they gathered on the side close to the dock and were taking pictures. Of course by the time I got to that side, I was too late to show just how close we were.

As I was taking pictures, Sakari was busy playing putt putt with a group of friends.

The day before, B begged and begged for Kendra to get him a whale tale cup/drink. Sakari had been begging for one, so we finally broke down and got her one.

I figured it would be just one of those novelty items that you buy and would never use again, with it ending up in the cabinet collecting dust, then eventually end up at the thrift store. But, she has actually been using it since we got home. So, as long as it gets some use, I'm good with the purchase.

As we were sitting, I noticed the staff still constantly cleaning the glass. I have to say that this is the first time that I noticed SO MUCH cleaning on Carnival. I see it constantly on NCL, and not saying that Carnival doesn't clean, but I haven't noticed it this much before.

After sail away, we headed to the buffet area to wait on the kids club to come so that Sakari could go eat with her friends. This is one thing that she loves to do and NCL does not offer it. We dropped her off with them and went to eat at a table within her site.

After dinner we headed to the room to drop of her whale tail cup that I knew I was going to get stuck carrying around and to grab some headache medicine. My head was throbbing at this point and I needed something to ease the pain. Wait, I'll ease the pain by heading to the casino and win some money! I did ok and the headache went away, but I didn't come out too much of a winner that night.

We headed to Pixels to buy our photos and ended up with 7 of them. I like that they offer "free" stuff with you purchases. The more pictures you buy, the more free stuff you get. I ended up with a free coupon for a picture book from Shutterfly (which I love), a free Carnival cup, and a Carnival luggage tag.

I also manage to find our Dr Seuss pictures from our breakfast the day before.

Remember how I mentioned that right outside the casino and in the hall where the live band was playing so loudly? That was where the cruise consultant was located. We stopped by to see the deals they had for booking during this cruise.

Now I can tell you I would have been interested in the Bermuda cruise on the Sunshine and ESPECIALLY the 8 day Southern cruise on the Vista with 3 ports that I haven't been to yet. I can almost guarantee that I would have booked that one. However, YOU COULDN'T HEAR HER TALK!! It was so frustrating. Shouting back and forth. Not being able to understand what was being said. Why would they put someone in that location? I walked away and didn't book. They lost a sale, I lost a chance to save money.

It was getting dark and we headed to go pick up Sakari from the kids club at 9pm. I had really hoped she wanted to leave this time instead of waiting until the 10pm close time. If you have any hopes of getting dinner at the buffet, you have to be there early because they close.

I believe it was Mexican night and she had made a mustache (it was fuzzy and funny) and a sombrero. She wanted to go eat and she decided she would wear the mustache every where she went.

I think she likes to get a reaction out of others around the ship. She would stare at them until they looked at her and then she'd smile.

It was a desert night for me. I didn't feel like eating another dinner.

We headed back to the room and found this towel animal. He was hanging off the bed, I guess intentionally? I'm not sure.