We drove down to Ft. Lauderdale about noon on Friday. I shopped for a new wetsuit on the way and found a comfy one. We checked into the Sleep Inn in Dania where they provide free parking while on the cruise and shuttle service to and from the port. A great bargain and hotel was clean and comfortable for one night. We went to a local Tapas Restaurant which was quite good. (not Barcelona good, but yummy just the same!
Since Royal Caribbean’s new ship (Oasis of the Seas) and
largest cruise ship in the world had just arrived that morning we went in
search of her to see if we could get a glimpse. Finally found a good viewing
spot with her all lit up in the evening.
After a minor shuttle issue was resolved we were on our way to the port. They already had our luggage and us in the van when they made us get out and took out our luggage to board 2 other people not in the van or luggage loaded. Apparently, the front desk person forgot to include our name on the list and we needed to wait for another one. About an hour later we were on our way. We had aimed for the earlier shuttle so we had plenty of time. After a short wait in the port we were onboard in no time. We went right to our balcony cabin and dropped our carryon's and headed for the welcome aboard buffet. (all before noon)
We enjoyed the food and then went out to tour the ship and all her amenities. She’s really a pretty ship with a grand Piazza area with entertainment, food and wine, coffee shop etc. Many pools to choose from. An adults only area called the Sanctuary for a fee which looked like heaven, but we never found the time to use. There are two pools in the center where one features the Movies under the Stars. (MUTS) They have something going most all the time, from movies, to concerts, sports or nature videos. Very nice to lay out there in the evening and they bring you fresh baked cookies & milk and popcorn if you want it. There were a couple of other smaller pools as well. Always plenty of deck chairs somewhere.
We ordered drinks and headed off to our balcony for the
sail away. As luck would have it we had an up close and personal look at the
Oasis of the Seas as we sailed out. They offered a seafood buffet for the sail
away. There was a Cruise Critic Meet & Greet in Crooners right before
Muster and we attended to meet our tour mates for Dominica and Grenada and see
a few of the people we had chatted with on the boards awaiting the cruise. We
later had dinner in the dining room and saw the welcome aboard show.
Our first port was their private island called Princess Cays located on Eleuthera, Bahamas. We decided to join about a dozen Cruise Critic friends for “Johnny’s secret snorkel adventure”. We met in the theater to wait for our tender to leave. Unfortunately, it was very windy and the waters were choppy and the Captain announced that unless you were of strong constitution you might be better to stay and “play on daddy’s yacht”. Humorous guy our captain!
We all went anyway. After a ridem’ cowboy tender to the island, we gathered for our adventure. We headed off walking down the beach in the opposite direction of where the crowds were to find Johnny’s spot that he hoped he could find back again. After walking awhile and finding some cool shells we came upon some gravesites. Then we kept walking until Johnny thought “we were there”. Since it was so choppy, it was quite a feat to get into the water. It was so shallow that we had to work hard not to be slammed into coral on the bottom. We snorkeled quite a ways out and saw very little. A trunkfish and a few little guys, but it seemed to be getting worse and it was quite a fight to get back to the shore. I got foot and calf cramps and after waiting until they passed I squatted and duck walked backwards to shore.
Phew! Greg did get a couple of great shots of a nice Caribbean lobster! We separated from the group and walked back via a road that paralleled the beach seeing lots of skinks. Met up with a few from the group and ate the BBQ on the beach. After lunch we headed down the other way on the island and found a couple of loungers to hang out on for the rest of the day. I read while Greg checked out the snorkeling there. Same choppy conditions and not much to see. We headed back to the ship and got ready for sail away.
We had a very relaxing Sea Day. I don't know how we manage to waste a day so
quickly, but we do. I sleep in and Greg hits the exercise room. A little
breakfast and some reading on the balcony or by the pool and then off to Bingo.
We skipped the Cruise Critic Meet & Greet at 11:00 at Skywalkers to do
Bingo and make lunch. I hear the Captain and other Princess folks came by to
welcome everyone. After lunch we headed back out to the pool and Jacuzzi until
time for dinner. It was formal night so we got dressed up and headed for dinner
and the evening entertainment.
Our second stop was St. Thomas. Since we have been there 6 times we grabbed a taxi to the Red Hook ferry to St. John Island which is one of our favorite places. We rented a car for the day and headed off to Waterlemon Cay to snorkel. It was quite a walk and quite a long snorkel to get there, but worth it. We could have walked a bit farther and saved the long snorkel out to the cay. After snorkeling a long time we were starving for lunch and headed off to Miss Lucy’s which we found the last time we were on the island. It’s great food and seating is under this huge tree right on the beach. Dined with the baby goats and chickens. Priceless! All too soon it was time to head back to the ferry dock. We got our tickets and grabbed some yummy frozen drinks while we waited. Saw a deer on our drive to the cay and donkeys and sheep in the roads. The views here are gorgeous! Had a nice dinner on the ship and took in the evening entertainment.
Took the short hike to Emerald Pool with waterfall.
Lovely! The water here is COLD. I did step in just past my ankles. LOL After
some local shopping we boarded the van to head to Trafalgar Falls. We grabbed a
quick local lunch which was quite good and then off to the twin falls. It did
rain while we were in the rain forest. (imagine that) The hot sulfur springs
were quite nice despite how uncoordinated we were getting in and out. Our final
stop was snorkeling at Champagne Reef. Because of the volcanic activity here
the water bubbles like champagne. Snorkeling was very good here. We missed the
octopus that others saw, but we have a distant picture of a shark. After a great day we were back on
board for dinner and the evening entertainment.
Our fifth
port was Bonaire. Our first visit here as well. We had been to Aruba and
Curacao before (ABC islands of the Netherlands Antilles) The island is known for fantastic
snorkeling and we rented a car for the day and first drove the southern route past
the salt flats, slave huts and all the way to the lighthouse. Saw lots of pink
flamingos. (needed better zoom on our cameras) The colors of the water were out of this world. Near the salt mines
it was a beautiful pink and next to that shades of green and across the street
the ocean was many shades of turquoise and deep blue. We headed to Windsock
Beach to snorkel. Fantastic! We saw so many types of fish we have never
seen before and the clarity was wonderful. We headed off to find another beach,
but never found it. (later found out we were just a block away…) so we headed
back to Windsock to snorkel some more. Shopped a bit at the markets at the
port. I’d like to spend a week or so here snorkeling at all the different
spots.
The last port was Aruba. It was our third time here and since water conditions were never good enough to see the Shipwreck of the Antilles and I couldn’t find an independent company to work with our timeframe, we booked the ship’s sail and snorkel trip with 2 stops. Finally, we got to see it! The water was very choppy and it was quite a struggle to get in and out of the boat. We did snorkel all the way to the bough of the wreck and the waves were rough and visibility not too great, but I imagine it’s about the best it ever gets there. Greg got a few decent shots. We since have booked directly with Red Sail for less money.
After the tour we headed back to the
ship and grabbed some lunch. We went back out to explore the local area and
did some shopping and picture taking. Next trip here we will just grab a taxi
and head to Arashi beach. Fellow travelers said the snorkeling was great there.
(the other ship snorkel went there) It is reachable by beach so that would be a
better plan next time---since we FINALLY saw the wreck. Had dinner and took in
the evening entertainment.
After
2 cruises on HAL with their limited entertainment this one was refreshing and
lots of fun. Met lots of nice people at meals and on tours. 3 production shows
and magicians, a ventriloquist, comedians, etc. The cruise staff was mostly
British. Daniel was a riot. Cruise director was new and hopefully she will
improve. Crew show as always was fun. We got the future cruise credit to use on
our Alaska cruise next year.
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