Eastern Caribbean Cruise '04

Welcome Aboard!

The Mariner of the Seas... 22nd- 29th of August 2004

Port Canaveral- Florida, Nassau- Bahamas, Charlotte Amelie- St. Thomas U.S.V.I. and St. Martin, N.A.

Alayna’s first cruise was a hit. There is no question that Bill & I love cruising, so when we took alayna on her first cruise, it was even more fun for us... Living in Cocoa Beach at the time was so convenient for us to take cruises since Cape Canaveral was only 15-minute drive from our house. No flights, no claiming of the baggage and no over-night stay in hotels and that entire nuisance. Our ideal vacation, just pack-up our bags, jump in the car and board the ship just 30 minutes after leaving the house. What could be better?

Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas was the biggest cruise ship we ever travelled with. The best part of the whole vacation was having our very own balcony. Every time we want privacy, we just ordered drinks and meals delivered to our room and enjoy the breezes in our private balcony... also when the ship anchored at every port, we have a different view every time... marveling at the beautiful turquoise waters and watching people having fun in the water, jet skiing, wind surfing and other water sports.

Our first destination, Nassau, Bahamas... we never arrange anything prior to arriving at any port. The cruise ship offers several planned itineraries for the guests to enjoy during the duration of the stay, which is usually 8-10 hrs. After having breakfast, my family just gets off the ship and looks around the port and sees what looks interesting. After minutes of getting off the ship, cab drivers approached us if we want to take a tour around the city. We are always reluctant in taking a ride at a strange vehicle in an unfamiliar country (especially if they’re not recommended by the cruise line), but we always end-up doing it anyway... this time was even more tempting, because it was a very nice limousine and they only want to charge $60 for the three of us! The going rate for city tours and other tourists trips costs at least $60 per person, so it was a great deal, we thought... the two-hour tour was very good except our driver took us to the “poorest area” of Nassau as he calls it, which was strange... Actually the area didn’t look poor to me... I have seen worst neighborhoods in the Phils. The houses looked middle-class and are well-built. He must have thought that we needed to know that? Anyway, it was a bit disappointing for me, because we didn’t have enough time to go and check out The Atlantis Resort. It was newly built at that time. So I just ended up buying postcards. We did see it from the ship and while driving around town looking at monuments of Columbus and other historical sites. When in land, we collect souvenirs from every port of call. Bill loves his hat collection and I like my postcards, photo frames and t-shirts.

limo ride in Nassau, Bahamas

Columbus Statue

Nassau's Center Square


here are photos of the Atlantis Resort

Back to the ship, dinner is another interesting time during the duration of the cruise. We get to meet people from other states and other countries. The waiters and waitresses are from all over the world and they are so friendly and accommodating. We really felt pampered. If the cruise is 7 days, we get to dress-up formally, twice. Other nights are just smart casual or casual. Have I mentioned the Dinning room is huge and grand? Three-story high and an atrium in the middle of it. The meals are always sumptuous and delicious. No matter how full you are dessert is still irresistible. If you don’t want to join the formality of being served, there is always the Windjammer Cafe that serves buffet for breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner. There is almost non-stop serving of food... everything is inclusive (well, except for alcoholic beverages). If you think you’re going to get fat in this vacation, you could always take a jog at the track outside the ship’s deck, swim in the pool, rock climb, skate in the ice skating rink, play basketball, play putt in the mini-golf course, hit the gym or just simply take a stroll in the promenade... The shopping on board is also enticing. We’ve bought some stuff and are very happy on our purchases. So many activities are available in the ship... day or night. We like to watch a show after dinner. A variety show is always nice. They have disco if you’re into that... or just sit by the many bars available, listen to a piano playing and enjoy a cocktail or two. When you finally want to rest after a long day of exploring, just head towards the elevator and go to your room, sleep and get ready for another adventure the following day.

one of the many inside lounge

alayna ready for bed, but wait she found chocolates on the pillows :D

one of the many entertainment in the ship... this was a "cirqe de soleil" inspired show

getting ready for casual dinner

pirate! i think this guy is from the Philippines

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, USVI... second port of call. This gorgeous island is actually part of the US. with about 19,000 populations... famous as a deep-water harbor that was once a haven for pirates and is now a famed cruise ship port of call; with about 1.5 million cruise ship passengers landing there. For me, it’s the best looking port in the Caribbean. A lot of boutiques and shoppes right outside the port. We didn’t take a land tour this time, upon arriving, we just hop on a mid-size fun boat and off we go to a secluded white sandy beach island. It was also a glass-bottom boat and we got to see some colorful fishes, nothing spectacular. The crew was good at entertaining the passengers... drinks were served and fun Caribbean songs were played. Some passengers even had a blast dancing with the crew. Few hours spent in St. Thomas was definitely relaxing... and we like it like that.

the water is so beautiful here!

boarding a party boat!

at one of the many tiny islands in St Thomas

Last port of call, St. Martin, (Dutch side)... the island is divided in half between France and the Netherlands Antilles. Again, we didn’t wonder too far off into the island. The port was very well developed and lots of shops and restaurants in the port. It was such a beautiful day, not too hot and the wind was blowing that we decided to hang around the port and enjoy the day people watching, getting some more sun and stroll along the many shoppes that offers great deals.

St Martin Port/ Shoppes

docking in Saint Maarten

alayna @ our balcony, checking out the view :)

After a relaxing day at the port, we headed back to the ship... took a short nap and get ready for dinner. Time to catch up with the other couples (from our table) and where they’ve gone. One of the couples was newly wed and they go for everything, from scuba diving, snorkeling, biking, and hiking. The second couple also does more than us. My family doesn’t like a hectic day. It’s a vacation and the main reason is to relax... Waking up early in the morning and fall in line to get somewhere just doesn’t appeal to us.

relaxing at the pool side

So many things to do in the ship... how could you get bored? Activities for children, teenagers and adults... If you are feeling lucky, there is Casino Royale and try your luck at roulette or slot machine. The last two days at sea heading back to Cape Canaveral... more time lounging in the pool area, having pina coladas and sun bathe (for Bill anyway, I tend to hide from the sun :) As our cruise was coming to an end... we are already missing the pampering from the waiters, our room attendant and most of the crew that we met. Not everyday that we get to experience a week off... out of the ordinary :))