Horley to Crawley to Barbados 2016

On a murky Sunday morning in 2016, Mandy and I found ourselves back at Gatwick Airport, ready to escape the dreary British weather for the warmth of the Caribbean. The grey clouds above mirrored the early hour, but that didn’t dampen our excitement. We were heading to Barbados, and the nine-hour flight on the Dreamliner only added to the anticipation of what lay ahead.

Once we touched down in Bridgetown, the warm, tropical air enveloped us as we stepped out of the plane—a far cry from the chilly weather we’d left behind. We made our way to the port where the "Thompson Celebration" awaited us. The sight of the ship, gleaming against the blue Caribbean sky, set the tone for the adventure that was about to unfold.

As dusk began to fall on that balmy evening, we watched from the deck as the ship slowly slipped out of the port, leaving the twinkling lights of Bridgetown behind. The air was soft and warm, the sea calm, and with a slight breeze that felt like the Caribbean was welcoming us in. There was an undeniable sense of excitement—our Caribbean journey had begun.

The following evening was the Captain’s Gala dinner, a formal affair that always adds a sense of occasion to any cruise. Mandy and I dressed up for the event, with her in a lovely evening dress and me in a jacket and tie. The dining room was elegant, with the soft hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses as we were welcomed by the captain himself. The dinner was exquisite, a true celebration of fine dining, and it felt like the perfect way to mark the beginning of our tropical adventure. Surrounded by fellow travelers, delicious food, and an atmosphere full of excitement, we toasted to the week ahead, eager for the days of island hopping and warm, sun-soaked memories to come.