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Across the Atlantic aboard the 'MS Delphin'
We had chosen this cruise because of the unique route and because the MS Delphin is a cruise ship in the "old style". The itinerary was as follows:
| 18.03.2006 | Travel and flight from Dusseldorf to Bridgetown, Barbados | arrival |
| 19.03.2006 | Bridgetown, Barbados (Cast off at 23:00) | island tour |
| 20.03.2006 | Kingstown, St. Vincent (arrival 08:00, departure 19:00) | day trip |
| 21.03.2006 | St. Georges, Grenada (arrival 08:00, departure 19:00) | half day trip |
| 22.03.2006 | Fort-de-France, Martinique (arrival 08:00, departure 19:00) | island tour |
| 23.-27.03.2006 | Atlantic Crossing | |
| 28.03.2006 | Porto Novo, Santo Antao, Cape Verdes (arrival 08:00, departure 16:00) | trips cancelled |
| 28.03.2006 | Mindelo, Sao Vicente, Cape Verdes (arrival 17:00, departure 23:00) | No trips offered |
| 29.03.2006 | Palmeira Bay, Sal, Cape Verdes (arrival 08:00, departure 13:00) | small island tour |
| 31.03.2006 | Santa Cruz, Tenerife (arrival 14:00, departure 24:00) | half day trip |
| 01.04.2006 | Las Palmas, Gran Canaria (arrival 07:00, flight back) | return home |
Our first cruise was a dream. We chose this ship because it is an elegant cruise ship in the "original style". A plane chartered by the cruise operator took us to Barbados. Once there, we had no longer to take care of the luggage. We immediately entered buses and were driven to the ship. Since the sky of Barbados was crying huge tears of joy the embarkation was delayed for an hour which we had to spend in the bus. But finally we aboarded and soon had a quick glance into our outside cabin:
which turned out to our complete satisfaction. Then we went to the dining room for dinner. We were allocated to a round table with another four nice people sitting there. For lunch and dinner we could compile our own menu according to the proposals of the cook. This is a sample of a diner menu:
Cold starters
Roast beef rolls stuffed with asparagus in sauce tartar
Soups
Boullion with salsify and olives
Cheesecreamsoupe with roasted bacon
Hot starters
Pasta alla Campagnola with eggplant, peppers, zucchini, ham and cheese
Main Dishes
Roasted fish filet with tarragon mustard sauce, cauliflower "Mimosa" and peppered potato wedges
Livornese Saltimbocca - medallions of grilled pork loin with prosciutto and sage with Barolo red wine sauce and risotto Milanese
"Szechuan chicken": in egg fried chicken strips with nuts, green peppers and ginger, served with steamed rice
Salad
Salad from the buffet with a choice of dressings
Cheese
Selection of cheeses from the board
Dessert
Blueberry sundae with waffles
Mascarpone cream with cherries
Fresh seasonal fruits
Coffee or tea
In addition we could choose the recommendation of the chef or a vegetarian menu or - on request - a mixed cold plate. A matching wine could also be ordered. We just ordered the dinner wine which was quite okay.
The food which was always presented perfectly was very delicious and varied throughout our journey. Furthermore we had the opportunity to have lunch outside at the pool (with less choice). In the morning an 'early bird breakfast' at the pool was offered. Later in the morning we could choose whether to take the calories from the small buffet at the pool or the Grand Buffet in the dining room. Wherever we decided to go, we always had a delicious meal, and the service was perfect.
Bridgetown/Barbados
The outing next day was an island tour through Barbados. We visited an orchid farm in Bridgetown. We have never seen such a beautiful and rich variety of orchids before. Then we visited the Sunbury House, the residence of an old sugar plantation family.
The bus took us along beautiful island scenery to the Gun Hill Signal Station. This is an old British military camp from where we had a wonderful view over the island.
Back on the boat we listened around 23.00 to the tune "Sailing" by Rod Stewart which was played on every sailing, and we set out to sea. It's just nice to stand at the rail, feel a slight swing of the ship, and enjoy the view on the horizon.
Kingstown/St. Vincent
At 8.00 we landed in Kingstown. On each landing the song "Conquest of paradise" from Vangelis was played. St. Vincent is a volcanic island with lush vegetation and black beaches.
After breakfast we set off to explore the island. We visited the Wallilabu- and the Darvue- waterfalls.
After a little refreshment we went on to Richmond where we boarded a small boat, and a journey along the spectacular coastline commenced. During a stop on a bay with black sand we had the possibility to swim and snorkel. On our return way to Kingstown we passed the bat cave and had some beautiful views on Kingstown.
At 18.00 Uhr we casted off for Grenada. At night we were invited to the Welcome diner after a cocktail invitation with a personal welcome by our captain Vladimir Vorobyov.
St. George’s/Grenada
At 8.00 a.m. we landed in St. George’s. Grenada is known as the "Spice island". Accordingly we booked the "spice tour" through the island's inside. We saw Fort Frederick on Richmond Hill with a breathtaking view on St. George’s. After a nice drive along the island's coast and through some fishing villages we reached the Annandale Falls with the famous "death jumpers" who jump down the waterfalls. Then proceed to Grand Etang Lake (altitude 530 m above sea level) which has formed in the crater of an extincted volcano, and which is located in a nature-protected area. Our trip commenced to Gouyave where we visited a nutmeg factory. Hurricane Ivan (2004) destroyed a good portion of the nutmeg trees. But we could convince ourselves that many nutmegs are still stocked in this nutmeg processing plant.
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 Grenada (amid the island)
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St. Georges (Grenada) |
This very interesting tour ended in St. George's. In the afternoon we strolled through the streets of St. George's. Again the damages caused by Ivan were seen. It will take years until everything is rebuilt as it once was. At 19.00 the cast off melody was played again. We headed for Martinique.
Fort-de-France/Martinique
After an early bird breakfast we were able to observe the berthing in Martinique at 8.00 a.m. Followed by a second, hearty breakfast. This day's island tour took us along the west coast of Martinique through places like Schoelcher, Case Pilot and Le Carbet to St. Pierre. 30,000 inhabitants of St. Pierre were killed in 1902 within 8 minutes when the volcano Mont Pelee had a colossal outbreak. Only one man survived - he was in the prison.
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| Martinique, along the coast |
Martinique, volcano Mont Pelée |
After visiting the archaeological museum we went on to the plantation Leyritz, a former slave accommodation. After having a nice lunch at the plantation we were driven to Saine Marie where we had a rum-tasting - cheers ;-)
Back to the ship we set sails at 19.00 p.m. Now crossing the Atlantic was our next goal. But first we had a big party on the pool deck under the motto "Goodbye Caribbean".
Many of you certainly think that consecutive days at sea may be boring. But far from it. We were glad that we could really relax sitting with a book in a lounger at the pool and watch the horizon. In between the great meals. At nights we enjoyed cocktails and watched people ...
On the days at sea you have many ways of keeping your hands busy. This is the programme for any day at sea:
7.30 morning exercises
then "walk-a-mile" around the ship
8.15 water aerobics
8.30 contemplative and plondering thoughts
9.00 Skat or brain-jogging tournament
10.00 lecturer's presentation on a destination of this cruise
10.45 fruit and vegetables carving at the pool
11.00 dance lessons
11.15 maritime morning pint
12.00 lunch
14.30 shuffle board or darts tournament
15.00 volleyball
15.30 table tennis tournament
16.15 tea time
17.00 bingo
17.30 singles' meeting & happy hour
18.00 playing Skat
18.15 musical "blue hour"
19.00 diner
from 20.30 dancing
21.00 showtime and happy hour
from 22.00 dancing party
23.00 midnight snack
Porto Novo & Mindelo/Cape Verde
The next port was Porto Novo/Santa Antao on the Cape Verde islands. The ship anchored in the roadstead. Tender embarking was not possible due to weather conditions thus the Delphin shipped to Mindelo, Sao Vicente, one island further. We visited Mindelo and also its market. The poverty of the Cape Verdes was visible - the variety of the goods offered was very limited.
After return to the ship a Cape Verdean folk group entertained the passengers. At least this population of the Cape Verde islands had some benefit of our visit.
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| Cape Verdes: populated coast, rugged island inside |
Cape Verdes: Mindelo |
Another day at sea followed so we had enough time to prepare for the farewell cocktail prior to a big farewell gala dinner:
"Our" table on the gala diner
Santa Cruz/Tenerife
Meanwhile our vacation ran short. As we could not land on Sal (Cape Verdes) due to weather conditions we reached Tenerife earlier than expected. We used the extra time for a sightseeing and shopping tour on our own in Santa Cruz.
In the afternoon we went for a trip to the palm beach Las Teresitas and later to the Añaga Mountains with its lookout Mirador Pico del Ingles. We had a splendid view on Teide and the university town Laguna. Even later we hiked through the so-called Mercedes forest with its thousands of bay trees. All the hike was downhill, lucky us.
Mercedes forest
A bus brought us back safely to the ship. Exactly at midnight we casted off for the last time - final destination:
Las Palmas/Gran Canaria
After our arrival in the port at 7.00 a.m. we used our last day for a city stroll through Las Palmas.
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| Arcitectural highlights |
Walk in Las Palmas |
Las Palmas harbour |
Passing several streets, beach promenades and alleys, we returned to the ship to have a last lunch. We said "Farewell" at 15.00. An airplane took us back to Dusseldorf.
We covered a total distance of 3.423 nautic miles resp. 6.162 km on this cruise.
Bye-bye, Delphin! We love to return to you some time!
Here you will find an album with further fotos of this journey.
