Category Archives: Ports of Call

Devastation and Recovery – Hurricane Sandy at Great Stirrup Cay

Many cruise ship lines have private islands around the Caribbean where their own ships stop.  These islands have ways for cruise ship passengers to spend a pleasant day on shore.  Norwegian cruise line’s Great Stirrup Cay in the Berry Islands … Continue reading

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Beggars of Spain

Our transatlantic cruise on the Carnival Breeze began in Barcelona, and made several stops in other Spanish ports before beginning the trek across the ocean.  Unemployment is quite high in Spain right now, so in some areas we saw quite … Continue reading

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Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Visiting Majorca on Carnival Breeze The Carnival Breeze docked in Palma de Mallorca  (Majorca) fairly early one morning near the start of our transatlantic cruise from Barcelona.  Not having scheduled any shore excursions, we got ready at our leisure and … Continue reading

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Grand Turk

Sunshine sparkles on water in varying shades of blue on both sides of the dock.  Walking down the dock from the Carnival Liberty in Grand Turk takes almost no time.  The light blue of shallow water drops to the dark … Continue reading

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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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