Bits and Pieces

Laundry Help

 Laundry

This is the first cruise that I noticed the laundry service being freely advertised and the service seemed pretty reasonable. I have had to look for the self-service laundry rooms. The deck plan handout you pick up when first boarding or at the customer service desk have the laundry spots noted, but not on the website deck plans. I have found them around the elevators on the left side (port) either middle or forward. The locations are not on every floor. I have taken a few laundry soap pods and dryer sheets(which serve multiple purposes). The sail and sign card works to pay for washers and dryers, although I have packed quarters. Laundry service is complimentary if you have gold status or above in the loyalty program (nice perk).

We usually pack clothes pins to hang up the swim suits on the clothes line provided in the shower.

While standing in the dinner line one evening close to end of the cruise, I overheard a young lady telling a traveling compadre that she had run out of undergarments, so if you need to overpack, then undergarments should be the item. Two swimsuits might be a good idea if you plan on participating in several water activities a day.

Art Auctions

Art Auctions seem to last forever, at least 2 hours. There are informative sessions about art and buying art, of course the plug is for you to attend and purchase at an art auction. Art auctions are held several times during the cruise. Many of the pieces for purchase are displayed in various locations of the ship. If you have a mild interest or curiosity, attend one of the art auctions/sessions. You might ave a good story or information to share. The free art work can range from 4"x6" up to 8"x10" print depending on the session, but the ones I have seen are 5"x7".







Towel Animals
What is a cruise without the towel creations?! On the last day at sea is a session on how to make them. If you can not remember the two animals, a book is sold (around $15 or so) to show you how and many more.

Grand Turk

Crystal blue water and beach in port center

Serene view of Grand Turk

Pristine azure water and white sand beaches of Grand Turk project a calming and relaxing vibe. Walking off the ship, you are in the shop area and large cruise center. The port area is gated and there is not a city around the port area, so the dock area has been built nicely as a resort type venue with the beach area, pool and various bars and eating establishments. Tribute to NASA and Friendship 7 splashdown is on display in an outdoor area of the port. There are replicas and information boards. The small Post Office will stamp your passport and sell a small variety of Grand Turk collectible postage stamps. Taxi rides to Cockburn are $4/pp.  Taxi rides to other parts of the island are also available and range from $6-$9/pp. The island is only 7 miles long and 2 miles wide. There are several tours available for beach stops, historical, snorkeling, scuba, and horseback riding.

A couple of us did venture out of the gated area to walk over to old salt ponds. Wild donkeys (left from the salt mining days) were roaming the area.

I had forgotten to print out a coupon from the website for a free shot of locally produced rum to be used at Jack's Shack, so we did not try the place. Jack's Shack is a short walk from the cruise dock.

Wild donkey roaming salt pond area

Port Welcome Signage

Friendship 7 Tribute

Relaxing beach area in cruise center

Salt pond across from cruise center

San Juan, Puerto Rico

View of San Juan from cruise ship

San Juan is an easy port stop to visit without an excursion. The cruise terminal is located in Old San Juan so you can just walk off the pier into the city. There is not a pier shopping area as in most ports; the shopping is a few blocks  away in Old San Juan. A US Post Office is a block away from the cruise pier so I was able to mail postcards to the grandkids without worries.

I enjoy Geocaching so I had saved a list of caches in Old San Juan and was able to locate a few. While searching, we met other tourist( even a couple geocaching) and struck up friendly conversations about geocaching and San Juan.

Just walking around we ran across a quaint bakery( La Bombonera) so we stopped in to try a few pastries and some very strong local coffee. We enjoy local finds.

Some of the streets are paved of blue bricks. Historians believe the blue bricks were the result of the iron furnace waste from the Spanish sugar carrying ships. As a way to dump the furnace residue, the sailors poured it on the streets. We walked to the San Felipe Fort and cemetery. Along the walk we saw the Totem, several plazas, and San Juan Gate. We ended our walking venture with a stop at Barrachina ( birth place of the Pina Colada). Puerto Rico offers many different attractions and adventures to explore either on your own or with a tour such as beaches, rainforests, Bacardi Distillery and forts.

Barrachina

Blue brick streets

Totem

Plaza Art and location of a geocache

San Juan Gate

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

View of St. Thomas from our balcony

Shortly after we docked the rain clouds moved over the area, but only lasted about an hour. We did not schedule an excursion, so we ate lunch then disembarked without any firm destination. At the dock is a free trolley to take you to the pier shopping area. Also close to the trolley area are the taxis and vans to take you to town and/or tours. The shopping area has numerous shops and bars. There is also a US Post Office. My grandchildren received their postcards within a week. In the shopping area is a sidewalk if you want to walk to Charlotte Amalie. If walking is an issue, then take a taxi for $4 per person. Across the street from the shopping area is the Paradise Point Skyride which is around $20 a person.

Charlotte Amalie has many narrow cobblestone streets. Shop owners occupy the buildings in the city center. There are a few historical sites to visit in the city center. I had read the banana daiquiri was the island drink, so we went in search to taste the drink to find out why it was so famous. The local shop owners looked at us with a strange look when we asked for the best place to go. The banana daiquiri appears to be only famous at the Paradise Point Skyride area. We did stop in Greengo's for local drinks (Bushwacker and Pain Killer). As we walked the city center we viewed the Frederick Lutheran Church and Emancipation Garden. Other points of interest in St. Thomas  which would require a taxi ride or tour are Blackbeards Castle, Magen's Bay, Fort Christian, Coral World Ocean Park, 99 Steps Stairway, Seven Arches Museum, and St. Thomas Synagogue.

Shopping alley in Charlotte Amalie

Greengo's Drink Menu

Emancipation Garden

Large Mahogany Altar inside Frederick Lutheran Church

Amber Cove, Dominican Republic

View of Dominican Republic from ship

The docking pier at Amber Cove (16 months old) is clean and easy to move around with plenty of shopping areas and a free pool. There is a place to have your passport stamped. If you want to leave the docking area, walkable space is not available, so it best to plan a taxi ride or an excursion.

Amber Cove Dock Pier Area

Amber Cove Dock Pier Area

We had reviewed each of the ports before the cruise and decided that Dominican Republic would be a good one to pick an excursion. Discover Puerto Plata Traditions & Local Flavors was an excellent excursion for us. There were 2 charter buses of Carnival guests for the travel around Puerto Plata. The buses traveled to the same spots but at different times, so we did not feel crowded.  Jose was our tour guide and did an excellent job explaining the government, education,  some history, and economy of the Dominican Republic.

Cacao Bean

Our first top was the Del Oro Chocolate Factory. We were offered a bit size brownie to taste and hot chocolate to drink, both Excellent! We were given a tour and viewed a video on how chocolate is made.Interesting fact: Dominican Republic is the largest producer of organic cacao beans. If you want to purchase chocolate, hot chocolate or brownie mix, be sure to do it at the gift shop at Del Oro since you will not have an opportunity when you shop elsewhere and the prices are the best at Del Oro.

The next stop was Independence Park and Cathedral San Felipe. We were given the opportunity to shop at a gift shop across the street from the plaza. We were then driven around the San Felipe Fortress, not a stop. The bus trip gave us an opportunity to view Dominican Republic. We then visited Vivonte cigar factory where we learned the art of making hand-rolled cigars. Coffee tasting was available as well Mama Juana (rum, red wine, honey soaked in a bottle of tree bark and herbs).  Our lunch stop was at Don Fernando Ranch. We were served a delicious meal of a meat stew (Sancocho) and entertained with local music and dance. We didn't have much time to walk the planation and visit the Brugal Rum center. The excursion took all the time we had in Amber Cove, so if you decide to take this excursion just know you will not have time to spend at the pier. There are plenty of chances for restroom breaks and decent restrooms. There is moderate walking, however at Don Fernando Ranch we noticed those with walking limitations did have some problems.

Dominican Republic has many places to visit and view: Samana Bay for whale watching, Mount Isbel ( cable car, botanical gardens, and Statue of Christ), beaches, Amber Museum, San Felipe Fort, various cigar factories, Brugal Rum Distillery,  and Jarabacoa Waterfalls.

Local products produced in Dominican Republic

Street Vendor

Plaza

Greeter in Independence Plaza

Coastal View from bus window

Our lunch venue

Meat stew lunch-Sancocho

Casino

The Hat Trick Casino is located in the middle of deck 5. In fact you walk through it all the time when getting from forward to aft.  When open the casino is a busy spot. I was surprised to notice the casino was open while we were in a few of the ports. Smoking is allowed. There a few slots that are non-smoking however they are surrounded by smoking allowed machines. The Hat Trick Bar is located inside the casino and smoking is allowed. The Hat Trick Casino offers daily tournaments and/or drawings. I fast walked through since the smell of smoking is heavy. There was one early morning when the air was breathable so I played $10 in a slot machine. The $10 was gone in minutes.

Kids and Teens

We didn't expect many kids and teens on our cruise because of the time of the year, end of January. There were a fair amount, but nothing like summer, holidays or spring break. Carnival does a nice job providing spaces and activities for all ages. On embarkation day, parents and kids can tour the areas and register for activities from 12:30PM-3:00 PM on deck 11 at Camp Ocean.
Youth programs are held in Camp Ocean, Circle "C" & Club O2. The Warehouse Arcade is open 24 hours on deck 4 aft.  For a fee on the last day is a Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast.