We had never thought of doing a cruise, but I won it at a AAA travel show. We did have to pay for the air fare to San Juan, excursions, and drinks. But everything else was free.
We are winners!
We had never thought of doing a cruise, but I won it at a AAA travel show. We did have to pay for the air fare to San Juan, excursions, and drinks. But everything else was free.
Serenade of the Seas
The ship was the Royal Caribbean Serenade of the Seas. It had 13 decks, three swimming pools, a miniature golf course, casino, fitness center, spa, bars everywhere, etc. etc.
Alan enjoys a mango mai tai.
Our stateroom wasn't very big, but it was quite comfortable. Since it was free, we didn't complain. It was odd, though, because there were no windows. When the lights were out, it was like being in a cave. The only light came from the peephole in the door.
The "centrum" of the ship was beautiful. It was a circular area 9 decks high, with balconies overlooking the central area. The above picture looks up from the bottom. The below picture looks down from one of the higher balconies.
One of the things we enjoyed the most on the ship was the entertainment. They had a 500 seat theater, which had Las Vegas style singer/dancer/comedian shows every night. The musicians were top rate professionals. They not only played in the large theater, but also in the many lounges throughout the ship. There was a nine-piece pit band that also played dance music in the Centrum several nights, a Latin combo for dancing in the Centrum, a great Caribbean band next to the pool every afternoon, two piano bars (one featuring jazz and a sax player), a rock band, and a club with a DJ. We spent every evening after dinner going from place to place, enjoying the wonderful music and great specialty drinks. I settled on mango mai tais. Alan was more adventurous.
Alan enjoys a mango mai tai.
Our stateroom wasn't very big, but it was quite comfortable. Since it was free, we didn't complain. It was odd, though, because there were no windows. When the lights were out, it was like being in a cave. The only light came from the peephole in the door.
The "centrum" of the ship was beautiful. It was a circular area 9 decks high, with balconies overlooking the central area. The above picture looks up from the bottom. The below picture looks down from one of the higher balconies.
One of the things we enjoyed the most on the ship was the entertainment. They had a 500 seat theater, which had Las Vegas style singer/dancer/comedian shows every night. The musicians were top rate professionals. They not only played in the large theater, but also in the many lounges throughout the ship. There was a nine-piece pit band that also played dance music in the Centrum several nights, a Latin combo for dancing in the Centrum, a great Caribbean band next to the pool every afternoon, two piano bars (one featuring jazz and a sax player), a rock band, and a club with a DJ. We spent every evening after dinner going from place to place, enjoying the wonderful music and great specialty drinks. I settled on mango mai tais. Alan was more adventurous.
Barbados
We really enjoyed the beach at Barbados. The weather was wonderful our entire trip. The high temperature was about 85 degrees every day.
Dominica
We weren't able to dock at Dominica because of high seas. However, we were able ride by it slowly and get a good look from a distance. It was really beautiful. We were disappointed, however, because we had planned an excursion to hike to Trafalgar Falls.
St. Kitts
We did a walking tour of Basseterre, St. Kitts. It was a most interesting, old city.
This is the "Circus" in the middle of Basseterre.
We thought this palm tree was really interesting. Does anyone know what kind it is? Note: Dolores identified the palm as a Wayfarers or Travelers Palm. Apparently, you can get water from it, if you are desperate enough.
This is the Co-Cathedral, the only church that we saw that wasn't padlocked and shuttered. The stained glass windows had been repaired with plain glass in many places--evidence of past hurricanes, I suppose. It is a modern church, built about 1928. There was a Catholic school next door. We could hear the children singing.
The church below is St. George Anglican Church. It was first built as a Catholic church in the late 1600's, but when the British took over the island, it became an Anglican church.
This beautiful banyan tree was on the grounds of the St. George Anglican church.
This is the "Circus" in the middle of Basseterre.
We thought this palm tree was really interesting. Does anyone know what kind it is? Note: Dolores identified the palm as a Wayfarers or Travelers Palm. Apparently, you can get water from it, if you are desperate enough.
This is the Co-Cathedral, the only church that we saw that wasn't padlocked and shuttered. The stained glass windows had been repaired with plain glass in many places--evidence of past hurricanes, I suppose. It is a modern church, built about 1928. There was a Catholic school next door. We could hear the children singing.
The church below is St. George Anglican Church. It was first built as a Catholic church in the late 1600's, but when the British took over the island, it became an Anglican church.
This beautiful banyan tree was on the grounds of the St. George Anglican church.
St Croix
We did a snokeling excursion at Buck Island, off of St. Croix. I was unsuccessful in mastering the art of breathing through a tube, but Alan did great. He has snorkeled a lot. I had a lot of fun watching him, and he saw a lot of interesting things.
St Thomas
This is taken on one of the dining decks, with St. Thomas in the background. We ate on the deck almost every breakfast and lunch.
I am including this picture, because it gives you a sense of the scale of the ship. Those are normal-sized buildings in the foreground.
We did a self-guided walking tour of the old section of Charlotte Amalie. St. Thomas was a Danish colony in the late 1600's, so this Lutheran Church was built during that time.
We walked up the "99 Steps" to overlook Charlotte Amalie and the harbor.
I am including this picture, because it gives you a sense of the scale of the ship. Those are normal-sized buildings in the foreground.
We did a self-guided walking tour of the old section of Charlotte Amalie. St. Thomas was a Danish colony in the late 1600's, so this Lutheran Church was built during that time.
We walked up the "99 Steps" to overlook Charlotte Amalie and the harbor.
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