- Visas and Luggage (Post #2)
- 2024 Grand World Voyage (Post #1 )
- Grand World Voyage Activities (Post #3)
- Grand World Voyage Packages (Post #4)
- A LAZY DAY IN FORT LAUDERDALE (Post #5)
- The Grand Adventure Begins (Post #6)
- BLOCK PARTY AT SEA (Post #7)
- MEET AND GREET AT SEA (Post #8)
- MEET ME AT THE JUNCTION (Post #9)
- GOAT RACING IN TOBAGO (Post #10)
- A TASTE OF TAMARIND (Post #11)
- SWIMMING ON DEVILS ISLAND (Post #12)
- CROSSING THE AMAZON BAR (Post #13)
- HOT BRAZILIAN NIGHT ON THE AMAZON (Post #14)
- Alter do Chao – Rubber Trees and Brazil Nuts (Post #15)
- BOCA DA VALERIA – BACK TO BASICS (POST #16)
- OPERA HOUSE ON THE AMAZON – MANAUS (Post #17)
- 2026 WORLD CRUISE SURVEY RELEASED
- BOI BUMBA FESTIVAL & TRICICLOS IN PARINTINS, BRAZIL (POST #18)
- MEETING OF THE RIVERS IN SANTARÉM – (POST #19)
- LEAVING THE AMAZON & CROSSING THE CARRIBEAN (Post #20) 17-19 JAN 2024
- CHOCOLATE IN GRENADA (Post #21)
- CARIBBEAN ISLAND DREAMS AT THE LIDO POOL (Post #22) 21 Jan 2024
- WALKING THRU WILLEMSTAD, CURAÇAO (Post #23)
- Panama Canal Transit and Burgers! (Post #25)
- 2024 WORLD CRUISE – RED SEA REVISION (Post #24)
- Quepos, Costa Rica – Iguanas, Sailfish and Sodas (Post #26)
- Ice Cream Social at Sea (Post #27)
- Manzanillo Street Tacos (Post #28)
- PUERTO VALLARTA – TRAVELING SPOON (Post #29) 30 JAN 2024
- Six days at Sea from Mexico to Hawaii (Post 30)
- Kona “Pirate” Food Tour – (Post #31)
- Super Sunday at Sea (Post #32)
- MARDI GRAS IN THE PACIFIC (Post #33)
- Mid Pacific Valentine’s Day (Post #34)
- HILO’S RAINBOW FALLS AND LAVA FLOWS (Post #35)
- Ishigaki, Japan – Glass Bottom Boats and Fu Chanpurū (Post # 37)
- Naha, Okinawa – Street Food and Pub Crawl (Post #38)
- 2026 Grand World Voyage – Itinerary announced
- Two days in Tokyo – Yarn, Food and Knives (Post #39)
- Kobe & Himeji Castle (Post #40)
- Singapore Pulau Ubin Island and the Night Safari (Post #41)
- Malé, Maldives (Post #43)
- Aprils Fools day at Sea (Post #42)
- Victoria, Seychelles (Post #44)
- Walvis Bay and Sandwich Harbor, Namibia
On our second trip to Devil’s Island we walk around the eastern coast to get to the Hôtel Iles du Salut
THE SALVATION ISLANDS
The cruise itinerary lists Devil’s Island, French Guinea, as our destination, but to be accurate, we never set foot on Devil’s Island, only the nearby Royal Island with a view of Devil’s Island.
Devil’s Island is one of the three Salvation Islands (Iles du Salut) about 10 miles off the coast of French Guinea. The three islands are Ile Royale, the largest and where we will land, Ile Saint Joseph, and Devil’s Island, which is off-limits to visitors. The Salvation Islands were part of the French penal system and were in use from 1852 until 1953. This is the location featured in the book and movie Papillon.
TENDERING
Our second port of the World Cruise was our first tender port. Tender tickets are required for all guests except those in Neptune/Pinnacle Suites or the Presidents Club, who can show their key card instead of a tender ticket. On our 2020 and 2023 World Cruises, tender tickets were distributed in two locations: the Rolling Stone Lounge (4 and 5 stars) and Billboard Onboard (3 stars and below). More tickets were called from the Rolling Stone lounge, so the 4/5 stars still got priority. On this cruise, there is only one spot for tender tickets, and 4/5 stars don’t get any priority. Most of the tender ports on this cruise are not high-priority ports (like Easter Island), and with over 80% of the ship four stars or above, running a priority system created additional complexity for not much benefit. We’ll see if there is any pushback that may force a return to the process of past cruises.
Open tendering was called at about 10:30 am.
We relaxed in our cabin until 2 pm, headed down to Deck A, and waited about 5 minutes for the following tender with 5 passengers. Most passengers were already back on the ship when we went ashore.
The tender ride was about 10 minutes.
EXPLORING THE ISLAND
Once ashore, we headed down the path on the east side of the island.
We came across the old workshop and then the slaughterhouse before we turned inland.
The swimming area was about 50 yards down a path that opened onto flat rocks next to the water. About 1/2 dozen tourists were swimming. They jumped off the rocks into the deep water and then climbed out using the steps.
Continuing on, we headed up a switchback path with some steps that led to the top of the island and the hotel.
The hotel gift shop and restaurant were closed, but we got 2 Coke ZEROS for 9 Euros. As I pulled out my bag of euros, the front desk clerk spotted all my Euro coins, and he wanted to buy them all as he had a hard time getting change.
BACK TO THE SHIP
The path back to the ship took about twenty-five minutes, but we slowed for some of the steeper stairs. The last tender was 4 PM, and we arrived with about 5 minutes to spare.
SAIL AWAY
The Zuiderdam Grand World Voyage Band played during the sail away while the waiters passed out snacks and served drinks.
WORLD STAGE
Thanks for the interesting account of Devil’s Island. I didn’t make that port last time there due to not being able to tender with wheelchair. But through your photos, I got a good idea of what it looks like. It appears also in your photos that the drapes on the Lido outside deck have been removed and there are blinds that come down. Am I seeing correctly? What’s the consensus of opinion on that one? I like it but it looks rather bare. Guess it would take some getting used to. Continue having a great time and glad to hear that the comedian was good.
Thanks. I will have to check out the blinds. I didn’t notice them
It’s nice to know sail-aways are back. I can’t remember any on the February/March. Devil’s Island (and for most of the cruise) it was blistering hot. So, It’s good you are there early in the year.
Yes. It wasn’t crazy hot like last time