Amazon Adventure on the Seven Seas Mariner

The Seven Seas Mariner arrived in Barbados in the early morning and docked in Bridgetown alongside the small cruise ship the SeaDream I. The island is very popular with all cruisers because of the wide variety of things to do when ashore in Barbados. We hired a car and driver for a half-day tour. Mr. St. Clair was a native of Barbados, a great driver, and very knowledgeable about his island. It was Sunday, so Bridgetown was relatively quiet as Mr. St. Clair drove us north along the Caribbean coast of Barbados. We stopped at St. James, the oldest church on the island, and marveled at the exclusive Caribbean resorts and homes as we motored north. Our air-conditioned taxi crossed the island, driving through huge fields of sugar cane, and we stopped for about an hour in Harrison's Cave. Electric train tours of Harrison's Cave run at least every hour, and the entry fee is $10. After our tour of Harrison's Cave, Mr. St. Clair drove us to spectacular Bathsheba Beach on the Atlantic Ocean before we returned to the ship.

In the afternoon, the Seven Seas Mariner staff invited all past cruisers for a complimentary excursion of afternoon tea at Sunbury Plantation House, a Barbados colonial home. We toured the old home and admired the antiques inside before having tea in a large tent on the grounds. The tea, hot buttery scones, and small sandwiches were marvelous, and we were entertained by the local police band.

We sailed at dusk, continuing southeast for Devil's Island and the Amazon.