SharkBoy and I left the ship at every port. For all but two of the ports we did ship sanctioned excursions where we were assured that we’d have our asses back on deckchairs, drinks in hand before the ship left the dock. One woman experienced the horror of not getting back to the ship in time and experienced having the entire 12th deck chant her name as she ran down the pier (the PA system had been calling for her for 15 minutes). From that day, SharkBoy said he would never be “The Susan”.<\/p>\n

The excursions were fun and well worth the extra couple bucks for “The Susan” insurance. We visited Water Island where the hotel in the book Don’t Stop the Carnival<\/a> was based and where I was attacked by a hibiscus eating iguana. We did ATV carts along a St Maartin highway which just sealed my desire to purchase a Vespa in the future. We did a waterfall tour in Dominica, which I’ve mentioned that the road led straight up into mountains with a dizzying drive. <\/p>\n

One unsupervised trip we did in Barbados where we were met by my Mom, who is wintering in an ocean front villa. She picked us up at the port with her two neighbours and were toured all over the island. We then went back to her villa and were fed like good Italian sons should be when they visit mama. We also met more of the villa-gers, one of which SharkBoy and I instantly liked due to her Guyanese accent (British and East Indian coming from an East Asian woman, tanned like all get out) and her no nonsense attitude and warmth. Loved. Her.<\/p>\n

However, the best excursion, for me, was the trip to Prickly Pear Island off the coast of Antigua. Here’s a map:
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