Hamilton has its own unique style, and is full of pastel-hued historic buildings, lush parks, gardens, and golf courses—all set alongside a natural harbor and pink sand beaches. Front St. is the pulse of Hamilton, and many Victorian buildings have been converted into shops, boutiques, and restaurants where you can dine on fresh seafood or sip a dark and stormy, Bermuda’s official drink.
Well, it so happened that Bermuda was really obnoxious with their covid requirements and fees. So Azamara cancelled the port visit there and substituted Saint Thomas in the USVI. We thoroughly approve, even though it means we have only one port day (vice two) between Lisbon and Miami.
We visited St Thomas in 2015 on an earlier cruise.
We visited St Thomas in 2015 on an earlier cruise.
Up early, watched tying up at Havensight pier east of downtown Charlotte Amalie (not Crown Bay), then breakfast. We were supposed to be cleared by immigration between 0800 & 0900. After a set of flaps including sending non-US/Canadian people to the big room and US/Canadian people to the little room with a long line out on deck, we finally were granted access at 0930. Then we checked our temperature at the medical office (normal) per directions.
Since our town tour starts from the Den at 1115, there's no sense going ashore and returning. Especially since Sky Princess just tied up ahead of us with its potential thousands of people. To make it worse, Norwegian Escape pulled in between the two of us, an even bigger ship.
Our tour group hopped into a 20-passenger custom pickup under Joe. Joe took us up to the top of the island where one looks east into the Atlantic or west into the Caribbean. Then downtown where he let us go for over a hour to shop.
Joe took us back to the ship where we put stuff back in the cabin safe and resumed shipboard life.
Watched from the Sunset Bar as the ship got underway. The Captain did a nice job of swinging out the stern and then going ahead out the channel. Now headed for Miami.
Charlotte Amalie Photo Link
This evening the ship staged "Bright Night" in two locations on the ship. It's a get out and dance and eat and drink fest where all are encouraged to dress in white and celebrate. We did out part in white shirts and light slacks to do a bit of dance.
Bright Night Photo Link
Up, breakfast, etc.
Got message about a fraudulent charge to a credit card, we replied that it was indeed fraudulent, so that card is no longer and we'll receive a replacement. Changed a lot of passwords.
Got our temps checked - ok. Sent note to Steve the covid victim that we miss him. He's still aboard, being treated well, Azamara picking up all their expenses.
We walked through the Expo, where all departments show what they do. Very interesting. Got all my questions answered.
Photo Link
Played Progressive Trivia and did poorly. Would have done better with Steve.
As we lunched in the Patio a rainstorm came along and scattered the sun-bathers. It didn't last long but the sky remained cloudy for the rest of the day.
Internet news shows Jax Beach had near-freezing temps this morning while Miami was in the 70s.
Then we played win-a-cruise bingo. Didn't win. Didn't even come close. Got Azamara tee-shirts, though. We sent one to Steve for his participation pre-covid.
Covid is strange. Steve was diagnosed with it six days after leaving Lisbon. Carol, his wife, never did get it. Steve sat next to O during the picture-taking and during some of the trivia events, but O didn't get it.
After breakfast we spent much of the morning packing our two carry-on-sized suitcases, then our roll-along little cases, then three Azamara tote-bags. The bags are super - a four-inch-wide bottom and a top zipper closure. Enough for two bottles, several bears and a bunch of other stuff.
The Q&A with the Captain was nice - he answered all sorts of questions. Some of the passengers seemed over-anxious about pirates. The Captain just assured them "we're big and we're fast and we're prepared, no problem".
Then we played trivia a couple of times with Paul, Lorna and Erik. Didn't do very well but we had fun.
We found the Patio open for dinner last night so we did it again tonight. It's very pleasant being outside but covered. Warm air, good food and service. We found out it only opened for the evening meal a few days ago; they start more things as they find they can handle them.
Then we did the show "Just Dance". The singers and dancers put on a very active show.
Photo Link
After that it was time to put out the luggage for transfer ashore in the morning and go to bed.
Neither of us slept well - knowing it was the last night on board or something.
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We were up at 0615. Looked outside to a nice day in the low 70's. Finished our packing and waited for 0800. Then we left the ship and entered the terminal. Nobody challenged us for anything, not even passports.
We joined the taxi queue and were picked up by a spanish driver. But he knew his stuff - delivered us directly to our car for $35.
From there we headed north on Florida's Turnpike until it became clear that I-95 was doing better. So we shifted over to I-95, doing a lunch stop curing the change near Fort Pierce. Then it was I-95 to FL-40 at Daytona to A1A and home.
Thanks for coming along. Till next time…..
