Seabourn Sojourn: A Day in St. John

Perhaps my expectations were a bit too high due to St John’s reputation as the idyllic unspoiled US Virgin Island, but I admit to being somewhat under whelmed by our time there. After tendering ashore to Cruz Bay from Seabourn Sojourn we shared an open-air taxi ($6 per person each way) with some fellow passengers to Trunk Bay beach where the admission charge is $4 per person. The facilities are very adequate, including a snack shop, showers and bathrooms, as well as a shop where rental snorkel gear, beach chairs, and lockers are available. We found the beach itself a lovely place to enjoy the tranquil views; however, it’s quite narrow in spots and was beginning to fill with people as noon approached.

For the ride back to Cruz Bay we found ourselves the sole occupants of another open-air taxi and the driver graciously made several stops at scenic outlooks for us to take pictures. It was really difficult to take a bad shot. The shopping in Cruz Bay was more plentiful than expected, but our day ashore was somewhat short as Seabourn Sojourn’s scheduled departure was 3pm. As we waited for a tender pierside we relaxed beneath the shade of a Seabourn canopy set up for our comfort and cooled off with icy towels and bottled water provided.

Back at sea there’s more going on than in the past few days. After a sail-away ice cream social where the Ballroom Couple Dima and Anastasia performed, I took advantage of a lull before dinner to do some laundry. Two complementary launderettes are located on Deck 5, each with two washing machines and clothes dryers and two ironing stations. I found the machines empty, but was soon joined by another passenger who’d also packed light and planned ahead to do laundry. While the machines churned away, we relaxed in a shady spot aft on Deck 5 beside the swimming pool and twin whirlpools. Although there is no bar adjacent to the aft pool area, stewards keep a cart stocked with soft drinks and water and occasionally make a pass through to offer chilled fruit punch and ask if they can bring anything else.

With the laundry caught up and put away, it’s time to fully relax once again and enjoy the second half of our cruise aboard Seabourn Sojourn. Tomorrow should be a highlight as we head ashore for Seabourn’s signature “Caviar in the Surf” Beach Barbeque.