Just saying "hey!"
Moms View Message Board: General Discussion: Archive June 2006:
Just saying "hey!"
Gosh, it's been so long since I've been on!! DH and I were on a cruise,(wonderful ) we've had family and friend graduations, and my DD turned 16.(!?!?!?) Next week I am a counselor at our church's day camp, and that is a tiring 8:00am-5:00pm commitment, so it may be another little while before I'm on again. Just wanted to say "hey!" I miss you guys!
Where did you cruise to? What ship? Tell Tell Tell!!!! I LOVE cruising!
Sounds like a busy summer for you! Pop in when you can.
Karen, we were on RCI's Adventure of the Seas. We did the southern caribbean out of San Juan.(Aruba, Curacao, St. Maarten, and St. Thomas.) We are looking at taking the kids on the Navigator for spring break next year. (Sailing out of Miami, then San Juan, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Nassau.) This was only our second cruise, but I think we are addicted, lol!
How did you like Aruba and Curacao? What did you do there?? I have been to St. Maarten & St. Thomas. We are cruising in November and one of our ports is Aruba, but Curacao is one place I really want to go too! We usually cruise Celebrity - we are on the Constellation for 12 nights November/December of this year. And next year, we are on the Xpedition to the Galapagos Island!
OOOHH!! Galapagos Islands! Sounds fun. I've heard good things about Celebrity. Their food is supposed to be really good. Royal Caribbean's is okay, sometimes very good, but not consistent, IMO. I'm really happy with everything else, though.
Our snorkeling excursion in Aruba was cancelled because of really high winds, but we had a taxi take us to a "quiet" beach and we had a very relaxing time. (It was our first port, so just vegging on a beach was just the ticket! The beach was Manchebo Beach.) BEAUTIFUL!! There is a resort there with an outdoor restaurant/bar, where we had a wonderful lunch. About five iguanas kept us company, lol!
In Curacao, we actually just walked around the city (Williemstad) which was very cool, had some lunch on the water, a yummy banana daquiri, and did some serious shopping. (Movado watches!) Our friends went to a beach and said it was great.
How long is the Galapagos Island trip, and where do you sail out of?
Michele, we bought Movado watches on our first cruise in 1999 - a his and hers for $300 - for the both of them. We checked stateside, and found the same watches for $400 EACH. That is what we gave to each other for Christmas that year. LOL
The Galapagos cruise is through Celebrity. They have a 10 night and and 11 night package. The actual cruise is 7 nights. You have 1 or 2 days pre-cruise AND post-cruise in Quito, depending on the package you choose. The cruise package price includes the transfers to hotel, etc., lodging in Quito, which I believe is the JW Marriott Quito, the meals, and tours of Quito. There are supposed to be some excellent markets there, for what are said to be absolutely beautiful scarves of great quality, and silver jewelry, among other local items. The airfare is also included in the package, from the US to Quito, to Baltra where the Xpedition sails out of, and returns. Also, on this particular cruise, tips are included in the price, as well as top shelf bar items, which you always pay extra for on other cruises.
We booked the 10 day package. Quito is very high altitude, something like 10,000 feet give or take. Many people get Rx's for meds for altitude sickness, and I will be doing that too. The main worry I have due to the altitude in Quito is my asthma. We've read a lot about this cruise on Cruise Critic, so we are picking up hints and info as we go. Most people are saying that if you take it slow and stay very well hydrated once you land in Quito, you *should* be OK.
As for the actual cruise, the Xpedition only holds something like 92 passengers. The ship anchors offshore and you get to all of the islands via Zodiac.
There are 3 excursions daily, and they vary in intensity. You can go on 1 or all of them. I believe most days a snorkeling excursion is offered as well. Naturalists are on board and required to be with you when you are on the islands, since they are a protected area. It's a casual cruise too - meaning no formal or dressy nights. Also, there's a 30 lb. weight limit/one bag per person, plus your carry on. You don't need much there, so it shouldn't be a problem. You CAN bring other bags with extra clothes and leave at the hotel in Quito. Apparently you need warmer clothes there.
The cruise leaves Baltra, Galapagos, and goes to:
Day 1 North Seymour, Galapagos
Day 2 San Cristobal
Day 2 Punta Suarez, Espanola
Day 3 Cormorant Point, Floreana
Day 3 Baroness Outlook, Floreana
Day 4 Las Bachas, Santa Cruz
Day 4 Bartolome, San Salvador
Day 5 Elizabeth Bay, Isabela
Day 5 Punta Espinoza, Fernandina
Day 6 Puerto Egas, San Salvador
Day 6 Dragon Hill, Santa Cruz
Day 7 Puerto Ayora, Sant Cruz
then Back to Baltra
Photo ops galore and I can't wait. We have talked about taking this trip for years. Very expensive, but clearly the trip of a lifetime, one us old poops need to do while we still can! LOL
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