It was cold. Actually, it was very cold. Coming from freezing DC to Florida, I expected it to be warm and sunny. Well sunny it was, between the rain sprouts, but as my mother used to say, it is a step-mother sun: beautiful but lacks any warmth. Foolishly, I packed my coat in my luggage, and did not bring anything warm with me so I was freezing on the way to the port. Part of our rate included a transfer to the port – but as there were about 40 of us in the hotel, they brought in a big bus for that. The hotel is not far from the port, and the trip took no longer than 15 minutes. Much less than it took to pack and unpack the bus full of 40 people luggage.
Security and check-in were relatively fast, and in about 30 minutes we were already on board and in our room. Unfortunately, the cold, windy weather was a scene that remained well into the cruise. Not before we hit San Juan the sun and warmth were noticeable.
Having been cruising for quite a while, I do not get too excited over the port of call. The sad thing about the Caribbean islands is if you have been to one, you have been to them all. Frankly, I enjoy the cruise experience very much (and particularly, if it is a charted cruise like this one), that the port of call are really secondary. In some cruises I never bother to get out.
When we reached Half Moon Cay, which is Carnival Corp. private island in the Bahamas, the weather was still windy and cold, and I opted to stay on board. People who went to the island said the weather was fine and all have a great time. I just enjoyed a quiet day on board.
By the time we got to Puerto Rico the sun was out. Having been in San Juan only couple of months ago, we decided just to take it easy. We got used very fast to the getting to bed in 3 AM and waking up at 10, so we started the day slowly. After breakfast/lunch on the boat we just roamed into town. Originally I had us a room booked at the Hilton and we thought of having a beach day there, but as we started the day so late, I just took advantage of the being able to cancel the reservation by 6PM and forgo that plan. We strolled through the old town and made some purchases; soon enough we were back on board.
The surprised guest entertainer for the night was Wayne Brady who put on an incredible improve act. The house was packed and everyone was on the floor laughing. One of the advantaged on going on charters is that the entertainment is so much better than on a regular cruise. Of course the price of admission includes that expectation, but it is still nice to such caliber shows when on vacation.
The next day we were in St. Thomas. I choose to repeat the Champagne Catamaran Cruise to St. John. We had a very good time, despite the fact it was raining on and off and it was not the perfect weather I had last time.
Two quick sea days on the way back to Fort Lauderdale and the cruise was over. Of course, those cruises are over much too fast. I will be happy to be back on the Nieuw Amsterdam in June, sailing the Mediterranean Sea.
