Day 1 - Star Pride Embarkation

Our Uber driver picked us up from Trump National Doral right on time for the 20-minute ride to MIA, about seven miles from the hotel. The Uber ride was a new Lincoln MKX and was spotlessly clean. The driver even had bottled water for us. The ride was $18, compared to more than $45 for a taxi. I think we are now Uber fans.

We arrived at MIA in plenty of time to check in and boarded our flight on time. I was next on the list for an upgrade to First Class, but alas, it was not to be. We did, however, enjoy the extra legroom of the exit row in the ancient Boeing 757. It is a good idea for parents to take their children on these planes for a history lesson so they can see the old tube-style TVs still in use hanging from the aircraft ceiling. We landed in Barbados about three hours later, around 2:10pm. After exiting Immigration and Customs, we were greeted by the Windstar Cruises ground transfer representative.

We wait outside the airport for the transfer bus

There were six of us in the minivan for the 40-minute ride to the pier. After checking in at the Cruise Terminal, we boarded a port shuttle that took us to the ship. We caught our first glimpse of Star Pride sitting dockside in Barbados.

Star Pride docked in Barbados

We boarded the ship by walking up the gangway. Note: be prepared to carry your own hand luggage up the gangway. Once on board, were were invited to the lounge to complete the check-in process. I am pretty sure we were the last group to board the ship, so check-in went very quickly. After check-in, Gonzalo, our Voyage Leader, gave a presentation on all of the upcoming ports-of-call and the excursions available in each port.

Gonzalo, our Voyage Leader

After the port talk, we had just enough time to unpack before sailaway. I was able to snap a photo of the aft section of Star Pride as we sailed away from Barbados. In between the two stacks, you can see Adventure of the Seas being left behind.

We leave Barbados and Adventure of the Seas behind as we sail away

During sail away, D'Harmony entertained in the Star Bar as Barbados disappeared in the distance.

D’Harmony

After sailaway, we changed clothes in preparation for our 7pm dinner reservation at Candles, Star Pride's indoor/outdoor dining venue. During the day, Candles is Veranda, the ship's buffet breakfast and lunch venue, but in the evenings, it is converted into a romantic bistro. As we enter Candles, we see a display of the meat items available on tonight's menu.

Selection of steaks and chops offered at Candles

We were seated outside at a table for two overlooking the stern. Our waiter soon arrived with a beautiful basket of delicious, warm bread and our menus. There are basically three courses served here: a starter, the main course and dessert. Rickee and I both ordered the Shrimp Cocktail Shooter Skewer, which were two skewered shrimp wrapped in Proscuitto ham and sitting in a shot glass filled with a spicy BBQ cocktail sauce. They were very good.

Shrimp Skewer Shooters

Soon after the skewer plates were cleared away, our main courses arrived. I ordered the 10-ounce Veal Chop and Rickee had the Grilled Sea Bass. My veal chop was cooked perfectly (medium), was juicy and tender. A variety of sauces were offered and I chose the Chimichurri. Rickee's sea bass was cooked perfectly and she really enjoyed it. We also tried a variety of side dishes, all of which were very good. Our favorite was the Creamy Mushrooms and Leeks.

Veal Chop

We decided to skip dessert, but the Red Velvet Cake for Two was very tempting. After dinner, we headed back to our suite to complete our unpacking.

Tomorrow, we will be anchored off the coast of St. Lucia and will take the ship's tender into Pigeon Bay.