ISLAND TRANSPORTATION TIPS

There are several options for ground transportation that someone visiting the Islands might want to take advantage of.  Your choices will largely depend upon your budget. 

You can book a shore excursion through the Cruise Line.  These are highly organized and escorted.  This can be done online weeks before you go on your cruise.  Your Travel Agent can also assist you.  Or… you can wait until you depart on your Cruise, and then simply book your excursion, which will include the necessary ground transportation, at the “Excursion Desk” on the ship.  This is convenient, but it is also  probably the most expensive.  The biggest advantage of joining a excursion offered by the Cruise Line is that the ship will not leave port without you.  If something goes wrong with your ground transportation, the Cruise Line will be aware and will make sure you are safely back on the ship before they depart.

I have done this only a very few times.  Now, however, I get off ship, walk past the lines of pre-paid and escorted groups, and head out on my own spontaneous (albeit, usually researched) adventure.  This provides several options. 

One can rent a van and driver for a full day, which can cost perhaps $350.  This might be a great option if you are traveling with a group of friends or family, and you can all agree on a schedule and places you would like to see.  The advantages to this option are several and obvious.  Here is a link to just such an option on St. Maarten: FULL DAY PRIVATE VAN ON ST. MAARTEN

Or you can create your own adventure.  This will mean completely freelancing your day, your destinations, and your ground transportation.  As crazy as this might sound, it really is not that bad of an idea.  As a matter of fact, this has become my preferred method.

Once you get off the ship you are very likely going to have to walk through a crush of tour operators / guides.  This is where it is important to have a pretty firm idea of where you want to go.  If you’ve done good research, don’t let them sell you something else.  Once, on St. Thomas, USVI, I had to get “very” insistent. “NO!  I DO NOT WANT TO GO TO MAGENS BEACH.  I WANT TO GO TO EMERALD BEACH!”

They warned me, “You’ll get out there and there will be no way to get back.  You might not be able to get back before the ship leaves.”  This of course was NOT true. 

What they should have said was, “There will only be 5 taxis waiting to bring you back, instead of 25.”

What else should you be aware of if you are going to freelance your time on an Island?  You are probably still going to wind up with a group… a group of strangers. 

Usually there are “hawkers” that are offering tours.  Once you agree on a tour and a price, you will be given to a driver.  Your vehicle might be a worn-out ol’ car...  On our first cruise back in '85, Joni and I toured Nassau and New Providence Island in a rusted old Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham.  Your options today will more likely be a minivan, full size passenger van, or any number of types of open-air trucks or trolleys.  It might be an air-conditioned shuttle bus.  So… chances are good that you are going to be a part of a group.  Few tour drivers will be willing to leave without a full vehicle.  This means that once you are shown to a vehicle you may still have to wait for a few minutes for others to join your ad hoc group.

This is where life can get “interesting”.  Your random “group” can be a blessing or a curse.  And… you have no control over the matter.  So, why not take control.  We will assume that you don’t want to pay the “full van” price for your ride.  That leaves you with only one other option.  Spend a little time on your cruise getting to know your fellow cruise mates.  Make some new friends.  With a friendly smile and some pleasant conversation you may very well create your own tour / beach group. If you find someone who happens to be headed to the same beach, you might ask if they want to share a ride.

So… whatever your final choices are concerning how to get around while visiting the Islands, it is a good idea to remain flexible, friendly, and most of all, be determined to have fun.

CARIBBEAN KISSES

Caribbean beaches are kind of like kisses from your lover; they are all wonderful, but some are breathtaking!

Years ago (pre-Internet), doing “beach” research was very slow and difficult.  One had to rely heavily upon a good Travel Agent.  The Internet, however, has changed everything.  Now you can spend a few hours doing your own research online.  You can see pictures.  You can read reviews.  You can watch videos.  But even these tools can fail.  Online reviews are not completely reliable.  Pictures can be cropped and / or enhanced.  Sometimes you have to look for that which the masses of tourists cannot see.  Sometimes you have to follow your instincts.    Sometimes, like that perfect kiss, it takes “feeling”. 

I have been spending some time Googling “beaches” on the islands which we visit on our upcoming cruise.   Up ‘til now I had not been having much success.  I was not “feeling” it.  And then, late this afternoon, I might just have found that perfect kiss.  Soft, unhurried, beautiful, and away from the hoards of cruise ship passengers.

“Where?”, you ask.  On Antigua.  “Valley Church Beach”.  I’ve got a good feeling about this one.   

Reason Number 1:  According to online information, it is typically not recommended by the taxi drivers.  This is good… very good.  Places recommended by taxi drivers are often packed with tourists.  I suspect that taxi drivers get kick-backs from the businesses to bring tourists to their locations.  The result: Recommended beaches will be crowded.  This means that getting beach chairs and an umbrella may be impossible.  Also, big crowds can mean lots of vendors trying to sell you stuff.  This can be a hassle.  “Valley Church Beach” is conveniently located adjacent to the “recommended” Jolly Beach Resort, which should mean that we will get all of the benefits of a beautiful beach harbor without the hassles.  This puts it in the “Win” column.

Number 2: It is about a twenty minute taxi ride from the ship.  Actually this is perfect for a couple of reasons.  It is far enough away that you have time to disconnect from the ship… you can get out of your “ship head” and into your “Ahhhhh… beach… head”.  But it is not so far away that you waste a bunch of time getting to and from.  You should not underestimate how important this can be.  Additionally, it provides an opportunity to “see” the Island.   One more, not to be overlooked benefit, is that it shouldn’t be unreasonably expensive to get there and back. 

This reminds me of another thing… Never mind.  I will put up separate post about “Island Transportation”.

Number 3: It has a beach bar / café.  The important word is “a”, as in one (1).  This is good.  I have access to drinks, perhaps a little bit of food, rest rooms, and maybe a shower to rinse off the salt water.  I don’t need anything more than that.  This is bad because lots of demand and little supply can mean higher prices.  However, my experience has found this not to be a major issue.  I would much rather have to deal with an over priced burger, than to have to put up with a dozen noisy beach bars, loud music, stray volley balls and / or Frisbees.

Indeed, “Valley Church Beach” may very well be a place that we need to visit… a perfect beach kiss.  We shall see.

BACK TO BACK CRUISES...

Back to back cruises one year apart.  I know that is not how it is usually done, but those that know me have learned to expect the unexpected.

Those very smart people that make their living in the Cruise Line industry have figured out ways to maximize their marketing strategies for gaining the best sales advantages.  One of the ways they do this is with careful planning of a particular ship’s itineraries.  For many passengers that travel from all over the world to enjoy all that a Caribbean cruise offers, back to back cruises with different itineraries is a very good option.   Offering such back to back sailing makes perfect sense from a business point of view, as well as from a customer point of view.

As a matter of fact, on our cruise just a few months ago, we visited with a couple from Germany that was doing just that.  It costs them so much in airfare, as long as they are in the Caribbean, they might as well stay for two weeks instead of one. It just makes good vacation-finance sense.  In the same way, we met cruisers from the U.S. who were doing the exact same thing.  If you’ve got the time (and the money), why not sail for two weeks?

Well… that is exactly what Joni and I are going to do.  We are just doing it one year apart!

Today we booked a sailing on the Jewel of the Seas for February of next year.  This time, however, we are sailing on the alternate itinerary, which will again take us to five ports in five days, but none of which were featured on the sailing this past February.  Only one of these ports, St. Thomas, USVI, have we been to previously.  All the others will be new to us.

I am truly looking forward to our return to the Jewel of the Seas.  It is an amazing ship.  There are hundreds of pictures that I didn’t take.  There are dances I didn’t dance.  There are late night strolls with Joni along the ship’s rail that I would love to continue.  This time I might even make it to the Fitness Center. When I walked out of the Windjammer Buffet, there was still food remaining…  So, I need to return and continue eating!

So… let the countdown clock begin.   296 days and counting…

A FINAL SUNSET

LEAVING A JEWEL BEHIND US and THE BANANA LADY

Enjoyed a final buffet breakfast this AM in the open air dining area on Deck 11 at the stern of the ship.  Lox and bagel with another bowl of granola mixed with chopped figs and dried apricots… delicious.  I am planning on a Jets BBQ Chicken pizza this evening in Brownstown, MI. We live in amazing times indeed.

Disembarkation couldn’t have gone smoother.  Luggage was much more organized in the Terminal than what I have experienced on other cruises.  Smaller groupings I’m sure contributed to this.  Carnival Cruise Line could take a lesson here.  We were in no hurry to catch our flight out of San Juan; however, if you are in a hurry, for a few dollars, let one of the porters assist you with your luggage.  The line for porters is much smaller and moves significantly faster.

You would think that standing in line waiting to get cleared through U.S. Customs would be boring.  Oh, no.  Even there we found ourselves close to the action…

A U.S. Customs Agent was quickly walking his K-9 partner past the waiting lines of people and their luggage.  The dog, a beagle, was happily sniffing at every piece of luggage just hoping to pick up the scent of some forbidden contraband.  When suddenly there was a bit of excitement just 3 people in front of me.  I noticed the dog, his tail wagging, was up on his hind legs, fore legs on top of a stack of the luggage of a middle-aged woman.

“Ma’am, I am going to need to look in your bags.  Do you have any agriculture products? Any fruit or vegetables?”

Nervously, she replied, “Well… No… I don’t think so.  Wait.  Yes.  I have a banana.”

I have to wonder how many times does a person have to be told?  “NO FRUIT OR VEGETABLES.”  Don’t take fresh fruit from the Windjammer Buffet and think that you won't get caught.  I mean... really... do you honestly think it is fair to "pocket" food from the ship for you to eat on your way home.  C'mon, lady.

Well... what is the moral to this story?  The dog got his treat.  Banana lady ate her banana.  And America is safe from foreign bugs.  But we are not safe from stupid people.

GOOD BYE, SAN JUAN

SUGGESTIONS

O.K.  It is now time for my suggestions; my “Improvements Needed” list.  Please note that this is not a “List of Complaints”.  They are simply suggestions that I think might have made our time on the Jewel just a bit nicer.

Iced Tea!!!  I want more convenient access to Iced Tea and Lemonade.  This is the same suggestion that I would make to Carnival Cruise Lines.  I do not understand why keeping guests hydrated isn’t more of a concern.  

Offer “Dance Lessons” every day.  The only dance lessons were Argentine Tango lessons; 30 minutes – one time only.  Cruise Ships pay some very well trained and experienced dancers to entertain guests on board.  That is a lot of “talent” going to waste.  Why not have those individuals provide “lessons” each afternoon?  And then have a “Party” each night for couple to put into practice what they learned earlier in the day.

There is a quiet renaissance taking place in America.  Ballroom dancing is happening.  And not just among us Boomers.  There is a great interest coming from those young kids – those in their late 20’s and early 30’s.  Dance studios all across America are open for business.  Party nights are packed with couples enjoying dancing.  Cruise Lines take note: The first Cruise Line to this party will win.

It would be nice to “jazz” up the morning breakfast buffet in the Windjammer.  At least one side of just one the several buffet bars should feature an International theme.  Perhaps one morning: French crepes.  The next: Mexican chorizo and eggs.  The list is long indeed of traditional breakfast recipes that could be enjoyed.

I know this is going to sound silly… (Carnival Cruise Lines does this)…  Hey, RC: Where is the chocolate when I return to my stateroom at 1 AM?

THE RUSSELLS

One Friday night, just as we had ordered our dessert – Key Lime Pie – we had a pleasant surprise.  One of the treats of cruising is the opportunity to meet new people.  The couple that normally sat at the table-for-two next to ours did not come to dinner, so the table was vacant.  Joni and I were simply enjoying a quiet romantic together, when Joni looked up and saw a “senior” couple, Jim and Pat Russell from Cleveland, walking in our direction.

Seeing the empty table next to ours, Pat says to Jim, “It’s K.C. and Joni. It looks like we could sit here.”

We had met the Russells on the dance floor.  Jim was 82 yrs. old, and Pat was quick to tell us that in less than two weeks, she would be an, “Octogenarian”.  They were a happy and effervescent “young” couple who loved to dance.  They told us that they take “about” 3 cruises each year!

Their unexpected arrival threw the Tides staff into a bit of disarray.  I quickly gave Eder a nod of my head indicating that all was O.K. with us.  Within just a minute, the red-jacketed Head Waiter showed up.  I finally got to see what the Head Waiter gets paid to do.  For the next few minutes he took over.  He quickly determined how to “rebalance” the loss of the invisible equilibrium that kept everything working smoothly.  He gladly listened…

The Russells explained that they had left their normal “early dining” table to go dancing!  Did you note that I said the Russells were 82 and 80 yrs. old???  Can’t you just hear that conversation?  

“Come on, Jim.  Let’s skip dessert.  The band is playing and I wanna dance...” 

“O.K., sweetheart.  Whatever you want.  What about dessert?”

“It’s no big deal.  We will just go crash the “late dining” and find us an empty table…”

When the Head Waiter determined that all that was needed was a couple of desserts he simply raised his hand.  Eder seemed to appear out of nowhere... somehow intuitively knowing to bring two Dessert Menus.   The Head Waiter confirmed the order: Two pieces of Key Lime pie.  Balance had been restored to the Tides Dining Room. 

So... Joni and I sat and visited, and laughed, and swapped dance stories, and ate Key Lime Pie with the Russells.  Truly, this is on of the joys of cruising.  Perhaps we will meet Jim and Pat again, on some cruise ship dance floor, sailing across the vastness of the Sea.