Q's Corner: My 1st Carribean Cruise!

Hello all!

Carnival Vista Ship at the Port of Miami

View of Miami from the ship

I just came back from my first Caribbean cruise this past Sunday and I had a really good time. Fourteen of us from my family went on a 8 day Caribbean cruise on the Carnival Vista line. We flew into Miami boarded there. We had two sea days which was pretty fun. From 8 in the morning til 2am the next morning, there were activities for everyone all ages. There was a camp for kids during the day, dancing on the main deck in some afternoons to movies at night time. The food on the boat really good. Everything to burgers and fries, Mexican food, Seafood, Italian food, Asian food and a whole slew of dessert options.

Margaritaville in Grand Turk

Our first stop was Grand Turk. The port was right on the beach which was absolutely perfect. Walked
straight off the ship to the beach. Here, me and my family enjoyed some drinks from Margaritaville and cruised up and down the beach. I got a chance to go horse back riding on the beach and in the water which was so much fun. Talked to the natives of the island who were all so kind and got to learn a little bit about the island. In all, we spent 7 hours in Grand Turk before we boarded the ship to the next island which was La Romana, Dominican Republic.

View of the ship from the beach in Grand Turk

View of Grand Turk from the ship

The Dominican Republic was fun. We took a $5 round trip bus ride downtown to where all the

La Romana, Dominican Republic

vendors selling art, food and other souvenirs were being sold. Here, the natives were extremely nice, especially when I told them that I was from Boston, the same place where David Ortiz aka "Big Papi" played and retired from the Red Sox. I heard that the beaches here are really nice, but it was about a hour away by taxi both ways, and I didn't want to take the chance going and get back to the ship too late or worse, miss the ship. I bought some beautiful souvenirs and drank some Presidente beer which was oh so satisfying.

Dancers downtown in D.R.

Curacao was the next island we docked. I absolutely loved the bright colors of the buildings and homes on this island. I walked about 15 minutes into town to take a ferry across the way to get downtown. Downtown is where all the different restaurants, shops and vendors were located. Here I learned to speak a few phrases in their native language which is papiamentu that has elements of Dutch, English French, Spanish and Portuguese. Bon Bini, means welcome! :-)

Rif Fort in Curacao

View from Ayo Rock Formation

Aruba, our very last stop on our cruise was really nice. We went on a three hour tour of the island. Our first stop was the Ayo Rock Formation where we got to climb to the top and got to see a beautiful view of the island. Our second stop was the Aruba Aloe Balm museum they have. There we took a tour of the factory and got to see how aloe is harvested and used to make different products such a soaps, lotions, shampoos and other products.
The museum smelled absolutely wonderful. The tour ended with us going to the gist shop where I purchased some Kiwi soap which I loved a first smell! LOL. Next, we rode over the the California Light house where fresh coconut water was being sold straight from the coconut. Our last stop on the tour was Palm beach, I've never seen water so blue before. Absolutely beautiful!


Aloe Balm Museum


Our tour bus

The last two days, we were at sea and I took advantage and got some well needed rest and packed up all my clothes and souvenirs. Overall, I had a really good time on my first cruise. The only thing I did not like is the motion sickness I got from the boat rocking back and forth at night. There were only a few nights that the ship would rock, but when it did, boy it rocked!
Everyone that I came in contact with that worked on the ship were always nice. The food was really good with a lot of variety to choose from. The activities on the boat were a lot to choose from and all really fun and the rooms were nice and clean and the beds REALLY comfortable. I would definitely go on another cruise in the future, less than eight days though.

If you are interested in going on a cruise, or just want to find any information about them click here!

More pics below...