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!)