Geo: 18.0303, -63.0488I am slow to wake. Whether this is due to the slight listing of Allure as she is rocked by gentle swells or the after effects is last nights Margaritas is hard to tell. The morning coffee entices me into reality and I venture out onto the balcony as the island of St Maarten comes into view. We dock quickly and the gangways are lowered and people start to leave the ship. Well 2 at least. It seems no-one is in a hurry to get moving today.We shower and join Jerry, Gayle and her husband Dennis for breakfast in the main dining room. Joyce is not feeling too good with Bronchitis and does not join us. We have excursions today but we do not have to meet up till around 10.30.We go ashore slightly ... read more

Geo: 22.3758, -70.7516I awake to the smell of coffee. Always a good sign.Today is a sea day as we continue our journey southwards towards the Caribbean Virgin Islands. It's a little cloudy first thing but the weather on the Cruise Compass says it will get better later in the day. The ocean is very calm and the swells of yesterday have died down. Each time I venture out onto the balcony I keep a lookout for dolphins. They usually pop up at some point during a cruise which I always take as a good sign. But no sightings yet.Again we take breakfast in the main dining room and Joyce and Jerry, who are already seated with their friends call us over to join them. Eggs Benedict again for me, I love it. There are several places ... read more

Geo: 26.1228, -80.1505Awoke to the sound of some exotic birdsong. One of those pleasant moments when you realise your not at home and somewhere nice. No sirens, no car horns or heavy traffic.I wandered through our expansive accommodation and out onto the balcony that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. The sun was just brushing the edge of the horizon, throwing pinks and oranges up into the sky. There were a few joggers out making the most of the cooler temperatures at this hour to run along the waters edge. Hotel staff in their little sand-buggies were setting up the loungers for today's sun worshipers. We made our way down to the Palm Gardens room in the hotel for our breakfast. The chef made me an exquisite Eggs Benedict, Peters prefers his eggs 'over-easy'. We followed this with ... read more

Geo: 53.4807, -2.23451Stage 1 - Manchester to OrlandoWide awake at 3am. Why? We don't need to leave until 7.30 for our 10.50 flight. No worries, just roll over and go back to sleep. Little voice in head."Did you remember to pack that thing"? "Yes, shush now"."What about that other thing"."What other thing"?"The thingamajiggy you need to use the other whatchamacallit"?"Oh that thing, yes I did...at least I think I did".And so on for the next hour or so.We left a little after 7.30. As it was Friday there was rush hour traffic to contend with but we were soon at Terminal 2, Meet and Greet Valet Parking. Arrived at Terminal 2 to a sea of people all stood outside. An emergency evacuation was in process but no one could say why. 10 minutes later and we ... read more