Traveling with the Jones

Virgin Gorda — the “Fat Virgin” — is the third largest in size and second most-populated of the British Virgin Islands.

While on a 10-Day Caribbean Cruise on the Seabourn Pride, we took a shore excursion to explore “The Baths” — an unusual geological formation of huge granite boulders and grottos near the beaches the southern end of Virgin Gorda.

Exploring “The Baths” of Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands via a Seabourn Shore Excursion

First we took a tender from the Seabourn Pride — anchored in the North Sound –to the dock at Gun Creek.

Next we boarded open-air vehicles to transport us from the North Sound to the southern end of Virgin Gorda were The Baths are located.

While Virgin Gorda is only about 8 square miles in size, the drive takes more than 20 minutes, traversing Gorda Peak, the highest point on Virgin Gorda at 1,370 ft.  (See map of Virgin Gorda below).

Map by Peter Fitzgerald 

The drive up and down North Shore Road was steep and scenic. Savannah Bay is on the right side of the narrow part of the island (where you can see the strip of sand on the right side of the photo below.)

Once at The Baths, our guide led the group on a hike to Devil’s Bay.

 

Due to a recent rain, the trail was wet and slippery.  Good walking shoes or sandals that work in water are essential for this 15-minute hike through vegetation and boulders to Devil’s Bay.

The path to Devil’s Bay is a National Park from the parking lot at the top of the Baths is the longer route to the Baths, making it the better choice to descend rather than climb up, according to our guide.

Devil’s Bay is a tranquil location for swimming and snorkeling, or just relaxing on the beach.  (A rest might be a good idea, before the next hike that leads visitors through the Baths.)

 

The Baths is a collection of massive granite boulders as large as 40 feet in diameter, with white sand beaches and secret rock pools. The Baths resulted from  molten rock that seeped into existing volcanic rock layers, cooling before it reached the surface. Further shrinkage and cracking formed blocks, which were exposed when the softer volcanic rock above eroded away. Weathering polished the boulders into the rounded masses that they are today.

The hike through The Baths requires crawling through tight spaces, climb and descending ladders and wading through about a foot of water.

A series of steps and rope handrails guide you along a trail through the boulders.  The hike requires caution to avoid slipping or failing.

 

If you can’t get low to the ground, you will not make it through The Baths.

 

The tour is popular with island tourists and cruise ship guests, and sometimes gets crowded as the passage is slow.

 

This is the area of The Baths known as the “cathedral room.”

 

Finally, there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

 

At the beach at The Baths, you can swim, snorkel or rest with a refreshing drink, before the hike up another trail back to the parking lot.

 

Once at the top of The Baths, we stopped at the The Top of the Baths to enjoy the view and recover from the hike with a rum punch.

 

The Top of the Baths includes a restaurant, bar, pool, and collection of shops to pick up souvenirs from The Baths.

 

Next, we loaded back up on the open-air vehicles for the drive back to the North Sound.

 

On the return drive, we made a few quick stops for photos of the island.

 

This is a view of the North Sound, with the Seabourn Pride at anchor and Prickly Pear Island in the distance.

 

Finally, we were back to the dock to board the tenders, either to the ship or to Prickly Pear Island for the Seabourn Beach Party.

Our bottom line on this shore excursion:

• It’s a unique adventure.
• You need to be in relatively good shape: able to hike on rough surfaces, climb steep ladders, and crawl through tight spaces.
• Good water-safe shoes or sandals are a must.
• Carry a bottle of water and a towel; ideally in a lightweight backpack to free your hands for climbing.
• For Seabourn guests: we and are fellow tour guests were disappointed that taking the tour meant that we missed the “Caviar in the Surf” activity at Prickly Pear Island even though we headed there immediately after the shore excursion ended.

Have your explored The Baths in Virgin Gorda?  What did you think? Please share your thoughts in comments below. 

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We just returned from a 10-Day Caribbean Highlights cruise on the Seabourn Pride, sailing round trip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  Launched in 1988, the Pride was the first ship launched in the Seabourn fleet.

 

The 440-foot Pride features 104 suites designed for 208 guests. Its layout is nearly identical to its other “little sisters” in the Seabourn fleet — the Seabourn Spirit and the Seabourn Legend.

 

Here we are on Deck 8 during the sail away from Fort Lauderdale. Although we are veteran cruisers, this was our first cruise on Seabourn.

 

The well-stocked Sky Bar is a popular location on Deck 8 for enjoying a cocktail. This area also features grilled food such as burgers some afternoons and steak and prawns during a special evening Sky Grill dinner under the stars.

 

Also on Deck 8, the Constellation Lounge is home to trivia contests, afternoon tea, and evening entertainment. It’s also an ideal indoor spot to observe the ocean and sailing into and out of various ports.

 

This is Third Officer Gillian on the Bridge.  Seabourn is one of the few cruise lines that offers an in-depth tour of the bridge.

 

In addition to the Bridge, Deck 7 houses the spa, gym, and swimming pool.

 

Deck 7 also features two whirlpools and deck space for sun-seekers.

 

The Verandah Cafe is located at the aft end of Deck 7.  The Cafe offers a buffet and table service for breakfast and lunch, with both indoor and outside seating.  In the evenings, the space becomes reservations-only Restaurant 2.

 

The guest suites are located on Decks 4, 5 and 6.  All suites are a spacious 277 square feet with ocean-views. The Balcony Suites feature a French balcony with doors opening to fresh sea breezes, but no space to sit outside.

 

Here’s a look inside Ocean-view Suite 325 on Deck 6.  We loved the location of this suite.

 

All suites feature a spacious sitting area, which converts to a dining area for 24-hour room service or pre-dinner appetizers and caviar with friends. There is a complementary bar in each suite stocked with your preferred beverages.

 

Deck 6 is home to The Boutique – a tiny but well-stock shop and the Library that features a large selection of New York Times best-sellers and hundreds of DVDs for use with the in-suite DVD player.

 

The aft end of Deck 6 houses the casino and the Club, featuring live entertainment and an active dance floor.

 

The Club is an ideal spot to meet for cocktails before and/or after dinner.

 

Or to dance the night away….

 

The Show Lounge is located on Deck 5 aft.  It features nightly entertainment.  David E. is not only the cruise director, he’s a talented entertainer who delivers a moving “Tribute to Nat King Cole“.

 

At the opposite end of Deck 5 — nearly hidden — is a whirlpool and sun deck.

 

Deck 3 houses The Restaurant — which offers terrific food with impeccable service three times a day.  Menus for the next evening’s dinner are delivered to staterooms nightly.

The Seabourn Pride features many unique touches, but two things that we think make the Seabourn experience so special are the staff  who seem to anticipate your every need, and the other guests that you meet on board – well-traveled, interesting and fun-loving people.

 

The staff constantly adds specials touches, like the Farewell Amenity kit the last night of the cruise.

 

We are glad that we had the opportunity to experience the Seabourn Pride before she leaves the fleet in April, 2014.

Have you sailed on Seabourn? What’s your favorite thing about the cruise line? Please share in comments below.

Read more posts about our 10-Day Caribbean Highlights cruise on the Seabourn Pride: 

• Jost Van Dyke, B.V.I. – Yachts, White Sand and Painkillers
• A Look Inside Suite 325 on the Seabourn Pride
• Exploring “The Baths” of Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands via a Seabourn Shore Excursion
• The Cayo Levantado Beach Escape in Samana, Dominican Republic
• A Port Day in Basseterre, St. Kitts via the Seabourn Pride
• Views from the Seabourn Pride

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We’re recently took a  cruise on the Seabourn Pride sailing out of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Because we don’t want to risk missing the ship, we always try to arrive the day before a cruise departure.

For this pre-cruise overnight, we stayed at the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port Hotel.

Here’s a quick peek inside room 1001 of the Renaissance Cruise Port Hotel:

A night time view of the 12-story Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port hotel.

We stayed in Room 1001,  a nice corner room. Mr. Jones is a platinum level Marriott Rewards member, which often means a nice room upgrade, if one is available.

 

Room 1001 features two corner windows.

 

When cruise ships are in port, you can see them from the room.

The bathroom is standard but functional.

We love little things, like a full tube of our favorite toothpaste.

The lobby area is spacious and open, with greenery and pillows.  This is not just another tourist hotel — it caters to business travelers and flight crews.

A bar area that serves food is just off to the side of the lobby. There is also a full-service restaurant on-site, which many good alternative dining options nearby.

Our bottom line on the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port Hotel:

• It’s a great location in Fort Lauderdale – about a 12 minute, less than $15 cab ride from the airport, perfect for an overnight stay prior to a cruise departure or after a return.  It’s also conveniently located to the cruise port, and to numerous dining and shopping options within walking distance.  Shuttle vans deliver you to the cruise port in about 5 minutes for a fare of $6 per person.
• While the hotel can be several hundred dollars a night, the rate this week was $139, which we found to be a good value.
• The hotel has an executive lounge on the 12th floor for evening appetizers and breakfast.  Access is based on purchasing a certain room rate or as a platinum level Marriott Rewards member benefit.
•  Our room had terrific lighting and plug ins on both sides of the bed.
• The staff is friendly and efficient.

Have you stayed in the  Renaissance Ft. Lauderdale Cruise Port Hotel? What was your impression?

For a look inside more hotel rooms, check out these posts”;.

• A Peek Inside the Four Seasons Hotel-Denver
• A Peek Inside the Prague Marriott Hotel
• A Peek Inside the Conrad Chicago
• A Peek Inside New York City’s Hilton Times Square Hotel
• A Peek Inside the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino

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