Category Archives: Ports of Call

The Cats of Old San Juan

When visiting the historic areas of San Juan, Puerto Rico, you can’t help but notice cats.  Strolling the blue brick roads through historic homes as colorful as a set of paints on an artist’s palette, many of the fanciful doorways … Continue reading

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Bicycling in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

While walking up the road to San Filipe Del Morro castle, one of two old forts within walking distance of the cruise ship docks in San Juan Puerto Rico, we spied two bright yellow bikes chained to a lamp post.  … Continue reading

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Random Bus Tour on St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

A tour of Saint Thomas on a local open-sided tour bus ran by island locals. Views of ships in the harbor and Magens Bay. A visit to Bolongo Beach, a favorite of local iguanas. Lots of photos. Continue reading

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Saint Thomas, US Virgin Islands

The US Virgin Islands include St. John and St. Croix along with St. Thomas.  They create the boarder between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, 40 miles east of Puerto Rico and 1100 miles southeast of Miami.  Cruise ships … Continue reading

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Half Moon Cay Revisited

I really hoped Half Moon Cay would redeem itself on this year’s visit.  On last year’s Holland America Westerdam cruise we sailed in under sunny skies on a bright blue sea.  This year the Carnival Liberty arrived in the dark … Continue reading

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Grand Cayman

Most people associate the Cayman Islands with banking, and a place people keep anonymous offshore accounts.  Legislation passed in 1966 to encourage the banking industry allowed the banks to flourish, giving a boost to their economy.  The Caymans, which includes … Continue reading

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Mahogany Bay, Isla Roatan Honduras

Carnival Liberty glided slowly backwards through the deep channel which appears to have been dredged through a shallow bay.  Through our balcony window we saw the rusty hulk of an old shipwreck poking through the water, so of course immediately … Continue reading

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Belize

Nestled between Mexico and Guatemala along the coast of the Caribbean Sea, Belize enjoys temperatures ranging from 66-88 degrees Fahrenheit.  As the only English-speaking nation in central America, Belize makes a great port stop for ships from the USA.  Though … Continue reading

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Cozumel, Mexico

Just off the coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula sits the island of Cozumel.  The name comes from Mayan words meaning the land of swallows.  At about 30 miles long and 9 miles wide, Cozumel is Mexico’s largest island.  It has … Continue reading

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Half Moon Cay

Half Moon Cay, Holland America’s private tropical island in the Bahamas. Continue reading

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