The Boatyard Experience - Barbados

  

It must be in every profession that you find legendary people or places. You hear of someone who does something that gets remembered long after they’re gone or places that are so incredible that everyone talks about it for decades after. So incredible that stories that get told of them become legendary. Working on a cruise ship is no exception. One place that I have been hearing about since I’ve started working here two and a half years ago (where does the time go?), is the Boatyard in Barbados. Its a club on the beach that if you mention it to anyone who has spent any time there, you can watch there face turn to pure joy as they reminisce of their times spent there. So naturally, when I saw my itinerary for this contract included Barbados, I made sure that I visit.

Typically, I could give or take clubs. Excessively loud music, expensive drinks, snobby people, I could usually care less. When I came to the Boatyard, I expected all of these things. So I prepared for the worst.

After a “hang on to your seat for dear life” taxi ride, I waited in line to get into the Boatyard. A sign was posted at the entrance which stated for a $15 USD cover charge, It would include one free drink, a ride back to the ship, rope swings, free wifi and a few other perks. It seemed like a pretty good deal if you kept in mind that the drinks probably were $10 and the ride back to the ship was another $5. When we got up there, they decided that the admission price was now $20. Confused, I pointed to the sign which stated $15 and he snapped at us and told us we can basically take it or leave it. Figuring it still wasn't a bad deal, I swallowed my pride and paid the $20 to get in. They handed me a blank bill that had $80 written at the top (I also paid for a friend’s admission). I guess what what they failed to mention is that for the admission price, you get double the credit in Barbados dollars and you can use that credit for food and drinks. After my first free “Pirate Punch”, I discovered that the drinks were only 10 credits, so we each ended up with 4 drinks! What a deal for $20! I saw lots of friends from the ship and like the social butterfly that I am (after a few drinks), I went to all the different tables and socialized.

I eventually made my way to the water and dove right in. There was a pier on the beach and at the end of it was a rope swing. I eye’d the swing from a distance but was convinced that I wouldn't dare partake… That being said, It didn’t take much convincing from my friend Jake from the casino staff to get me to swing. I went to the end of the pier and anxiously waited my turn. After watching a few people doing belly flops off the rope, It was my turn. There was a large, local man monitoring the whole thing and told me to put the rope between my legs and let go when he tells me to. He also made it a point to make sure that I understood that there was absolutely no flips to be tried. I jumped off the pier and when I heard him say “let go”, I let go and found my self rotating backwards in mid-air and eventually landing in the water upside down and hitting the back of my head on the water. I got to the surface to hear everyone laughing and applauding. I guess it must of looked worse than it was… I was pretty convinced that that I was banned from the swing so I didn’t bother trying a second time.

After basking in the clear blue water and chilling on the white, powder sand, I caught wind of free shots at the bar in a few minutes. Being one to never turn down a free drink, I hurried to the bar. I chatted with some friends for a few minutes before the alarms went off. One of the bartenders jumped on the bar and grabbed to bottles of some sort of rum like drink. He then preceded to pour the drinks into peoples mouths to who ever would come up to him and open their mouths. Naturally there was a stampede of people rushing to the guy. I managed to find my way over there and got my free shot. It was delicious what ever it was and I couldn't complain since it was free. This happened for about 15 minutes straight and they were just giving it away! I mean, I had been there for 3 hours, I had 5 drinks, I was shit faced and had only spent $20! AND THERE WAS A ROPE SWING! I mean, I’ve never been to a bar that was that generous. I expected to walk out of there $100 dollars lighter; but man was I wrong. Take into account that it was right on a very nice, clean beach, the water was warm and so clear I could see fish at the bottom clearly swimming by my feet, and did I mention the rope swing??, the free drink credits, plus the shot o’clock free “fit as much liquor as you can fit in your mouth” gimmick and also the ride back to the ship was covered by the bar. What place have you EVER been to that supplied all of that for $20? NOWHERE!

I had a lot of fun hanging out at the Boatyard. More than I though I would. Would I recommend going there? Yes. When I come back to Barbados, am I going to go back? Absolutely. You won’t find a better deal on fun, sun and drinks in the Caribbean.     -DB