The day has come, the reason for this trip: my mom’s birthday! We were in Martinique this day and had our first excursion of the cruise.

We woke up early because we had breakfast at The Wake at 8am and had to get to our excursion right after.

The Wake

The Wake is Virgin Voyages’ upscale steakhouse restaurant. The entrance is really nice with a sleek chandelier and staircase to get to the seating (don’t worry there is an elevator to access it without the stairs). We had a great view at the aft of the ship from here. We could see how we were being pulled into port.

They offered us pastries before the meal, so I got a pain au chocolat (chocolate croissant) which was great. I ordered “The Wake” which was an eggs Benedict with crispy pork belly and spinach. It came with two. The eggs Benedicts were really good, but I nearly got full off of the first one.

Mom got steak and eggs.  She had to send the steak back because it wasn’t fully done but, otherwise she liked it.

For dessert – which I tried not to have dessert for breakfast, but the server convinced me – I got the crêpe cake which was so good and light! I think it might’ve been my favorite dessert.  I’m glad he convinced me.

After breakfast, we had to go straight to the Shore Things desk for our excursion.

Excursion Time

On my past cruises, if you have an excursion they give you tickets in your stateroom and you either meet at the gangway or meet in one spot before moving to the gangway. Virgin doesn’t have tickets to give per say. They will have you go to the Shore Things desk the day of your excursion,  give you a laminated  number, and once your number is called, you’ll go to the gangway to meet your guide.

Our excursion was Martinique Arts, Nature, and Spirits. It goes to the Habitat Clement and The Balta Garden (Jardin Balta).

Habitat Clement

Habitat Clement was a sugar cane and banana plantation turned into a distillery after slavery was abolished in Martinique.

We walked around the area, seeing different historic buildings, the distillery, and sugar cane. There were a lot of local children there for field trips. I’d seen so many kids in one place in a very long time.

We got to taste some of the rum (of course the children did not do this part) and they had different cocktail recipe cards (all in French but Google translate exists). I didn’t realize the cards were different until it was time to go. I only got half of them and there was a total of 14, I believe.

Habitat Clement was on the South side of the island. Our next stop was on the north side, the Jardin Balta.

The Balta Garden

At the Balta Garden, there were plants from all over the world and even humming birds.

I walked around to see as much of it as I could. They had a tree house trail, but I wasn’t brave enough to go across (I don’t trust myself and gravity) plus, I didn’t have time when I considered going on the trail. Time flew by so fast. The area was really beautiful and I’m glad I got to see it.

After this we went back to the ship after buying a souvenir in the port. We actually saw one of the women from Music Trivia the other day.

Back on the Ship 

Once we were back on Valiant Lady, Mom went to her Zumba class she’d been wanting to do (perfect that it was on her birthday), while I got lunch from the Sun Club Cafe. It was 3:30pm at this point but I was hungry. This was the last eatery I hadn’t tried on the ship (besides some places in the Galley).

The Sun Club Cafe served poke/rice bowls and baos. I got the tuna poke bowl and BBQ beef bao and both were extremely good, If I didn’t have dinner a few hours later, I would’ve gotten another bowl or boa.

Right after I finished eating lunch, I got dressed for dinner.  Mom came back from Zumba, showered, and got dressed too.

The Wake (Again)

Mom’s birthday dinner was at The Wake. With her being a pick eater, I figured a steakhouse might be the best restaurant to celebrate her birthday where she’d have something she’d enjoy eating.

We were seated near the window but it was dark out when we arrived so we could barely see the ship pulling away from Martinique.

We had some bread for starters that I couldn’t help but compare to the break at Chef’s Table on Royal Caribbean. The Wake’s bread was good, but I haven’t found one that topped Chef’s Table bread.

For dinner, Mom got a wedge salad (which she was extremely excited about), lamb chops, and a twice-baked potato. I got clam chowder, filet mignon, and asparagus. The food was good but dare I say I think liked breakfast more. I did forget to ask for one of their sauces they had for the meat so that might’ve improved things. Mine filet mignon needed some sort of sauce.

My mom didn’t like any of the dessert options, so she didn’t get a dessert, but they did write “Happy Birthday Kimbery” on a plate with chocolate for her. That was not a typo on my end; they spelled her name wrong. It’s the thought that counts, though.

For my dessert, I got “The Wake” again but this was not eggs Benedict. This time, it was a chocolate mousse tart with chocolate ganache and hazel nuts. Good but I liked the crêpe cake better.

End of the Night

After dinner, we had no show we wanted to see. They were starting to repeat shows, so we’d seen everything so far. We were going to do the stargazing event later in the evening, but we were both tired. It’d been a long, hot day, so we turned in early.

We’ll be wrapping up the Virgin Voyages series soon! 

Our last full day on the cruise is in Saint Kitts & Nevis. Be on the lookout next week!