Shopping in St.Thomas

Since we were busy in the other islands with tours and excursions, St. Thomas was our only real chance to get any shopping done. I failed to research the island before hand, but of course the port shopping guide on board was a great help. (Cruisers, make sure you check in with your port shopping guide. You do save money and get GREAT recommendations).

What I Gather 

• Granted you know what things cost beforehand, you can save quite a bit. 
• Perfume is a bargain! Most were about $6-10 cheaper than US prices, in addition to being tax free. For example my all time favorite Viktor and Rolf Flowerbomb was $91 for a 1.7oz bottle as opposed to $100, and a 1.7oz bottle of Chanel Coco Mademoiselle was $62 in St.Thomas as opposed to $68 in the US. 
• I can only speak for the MAC counter, but makeup prices are the same as back home. Just tax free.
• Alcohol is definitely a bargain. Many 2-for deals. And your allowed to buy more than in any other island (since it is a US Virgin Island).
• Jewelery and watches can also be a bargain. For example, our port shopping guide Shanee, had these amazing two-in-one diamond earrings. Had I bought them in St. Thomas they would have been $695 (if I remember correctly). Purchasing them now back home? $1295 + tax. 
• There's a ton of unique find to be found from table clothes, bamboo sheets from Cariloha, and apparel and accesories that change color in the sun from Del Sol. 

My buys: Michael Kors Watch, MAC blot powder and pencil, Gucci Rush perfume, Del Sol nailpolish

Vacation Snapshots

I'm back from yet another wonderful cruise with Royal Caribbean (Well I have been back since the 13th, but I have been quite the incubus of viral plague). Our family vacation this year was on board the  Explorer of the Seas, sailing from Bayonne, New Jersey. Being able to drive to port as opposed to flying was so easy and hassle free! Not to mention, I could pack all that I wanted to, and not worry about paying any crazy fees. 

Without a doubt, this was one of my best cruises. It was the perfect length of time (9 days), great ports, and wonderful crew. It was also the first time I ever met the captain! Captain Olav was always around the ship and so friendly! 

Bermuda

This was my first time in Bermuda! We opted to take a tour around the Dockyard and surrounding area first, which was very informative and fun as it was done by trolley! After we returned from that excursion, we then went to Horseshoe Bay Beach. The sky was ominous and after a light sprinkle, it soon cleared up again. I could have spent all day at this beach with its gorgeous pink sand. We returned to the ship in time to watch departure. I especially didn't want to miss it since Bermuda is completely surrounded by reefs. 

St.Martin

One of my favorite islands/places to visit in the world. We arrived at noon, and went on our excursion at 12:30. We chose to go with Bernard's Tour since the company comes so highly recommended on Cruise Critic. The tour did not disappoint. The highlight was being able to go to Maho Beach and watch the planes land right overhead. We also stopped in Marigot for lunch and then went on to Orient Beach. We opted to be dropped off by the shops and took the water taxi back to the ship. 

St. Thomas

St. Thomas was also a first for me. We first took the bus into Downtown Charlotte Amelie for some amazing duty free shopping. I could have shopped there all day, but we had to get back to the ship for our excursion to Coral World and Maegan's Bay. The tour that left us at the pier. We eventually were able to catch up with the (overbooked!) excursion, and enjoy as much of Coral World as we could. After which, we headed off to Maegan's Bay which was absolutely wonderful! The water was perfectly calm and so relaxing. I am glad I did not know there were jellyfish until after I left the beach. 

Truth be told, St. Thomas is absolutely beautiful and the shopping is great. But the majority of the people were kind of unfriendly. And people say New Yorkers are bad...

Puerto Rico

 The thing I dislike about Puerto Rico is that the time here is so short! I We opted for the Bacardi Rum factory tour. The grounds are absolutely beautiful. We were expecting to go into the actual factory, but not so fast! Bacardi actually has a building set up specifically for tours. So you don't get to see the actual process/factory, but you do get a very informative tour, a bar tending lesson, and free cocktails. Who cares if its 9 in the morning?! 

Like I said, the time in PR is short but no trip to the island is complete without some local food. I'll have a post all about that coming up. 

Around the Ship

The length of this cruise is just perfect because you get enough time in various ports, and enough time to enjoy the ship. Explorer is just the right size to be in the action when you want to be and in peace and quiet when you need it. Our cruise director Jimmy was crazy, and his catchphrase was "How you cruisin'?" like Wendy William's "How you doin'? Like every Royal cruise I have been on, the entertainment and activities were top notch. I absolutely cannot wait to sail with them again (hopefully very soon!)

Missoni for Target

Not since the Alexander McQueen McQ collection in 2009, have I been SO FREAKING EXCITED for a Target collaboration. I mean its freaking Missoni! (Yes I said freaking twice in one paragraph. That excited) AHHHHHH!!!

This collection has EVERYTHING! Clothes, shoes, accessories, bedding, home goods, and then some.  Thankfully, my birthday is the following day since I want it ALL!!! :)

Here are my favorites:

(Check out the entire lookbook (and prices) if you haven't already!!)

Packing: Cruise edition

I initially had this post to go up last week when I was away.  But I clean forgot to schedule it. Whoops! 

As always, these are just my opinions. I figured someone may find it helpful!

Laundry Bag

It wasn't until my last cruise did I realize how essential a laundry bag of some sort is. I always unpack and shove my suitcase under the bed, and since the closet space is not expansive, a laundry bag is great to store dirty clothes. And it makes unpacking/laundry when I return home super easy!

Nightlight

I hate how unlike hotel rooms where a little light peeks out from under the door, the staterooms are  pitch black. A nightlight is much easier than turning on all the lights for late night bathroom runs. If you don't want to pack a nightlight, while bright, leaving the light on in the bathroom and closing the door works too.

Wrinkle Spray

Such a life saver, since irons are prohibited. I try to pack materials that don't wrinkle easy, but sometimes it just cant be avoided.  I don't travel anywhere without it. 

Flashlight

After the incidents on Carnival and Princess last year, I will not be without one for any of my trips. 

Detergent packets

These come in SO handy! (Like that one time I ran out of underwear in Italy...) Woolite is my favorite, but most detergent brands have their own travel version. 

Travel Dryer
Last year, I decided to leave my dryer at home.
Big Mistake.
I was always late to dinner, because as soon as I would start to blow dry my hair, it would overheat and shut off. This would then require it to est for about 5 minutes till I could use it again.
 I am absolutely obssed with my new Babyliss travel dryer. I have nicknamed it small and mighty, because it is just that. 

Ipod Speaker/Dock
This isn't an essential, but I can't be without my music when I'm getting ready or relaxing. (If you are on a newer ship (Like Royal Caribbean's Allure or Oasis,) they come standard in each stateroom!)

These next two are more for in port:
Toilet paper & Toilet seat covers

Tis better to be safe than sorry.


For more great cruise tips from a very seasoned cruiser, check out Nicole's travel blog:
Places To Go, The World To See.