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.

Tea Time

TEA TIME:

I always enjoy tea time on the Carnival Cruises. The time and service is peaceful. Sometimes you are seated with another cruiser you do not know so you can strike up a conversation. Tea time is only available on Sea Days from 3-4PM in one of the dining rooms (Magic- Southern Lights Deck 4 Aft). Cucumber and salmon sandwiches are served. Wait staff serves you so you can choose what you want from the trays. There are an assortment of sweet pastries to select from. The free teas served are Bigelow green tea and Lipton black tea. Art of Tea selections can be purchased for $1.95 (excluding gratuity). I had brought tea from home so at the last tea time I used my tea. The last tea time was a celebration for the Veterans aboard.

Dining

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FOOD

  Food was pretty much the same as past cruises with the same menu selections and taste, so I will not write too much about the dining experience. Guy's Burger Joint serves some of the best hamburgers. We were not impressed with Pig and Anchor Smokehouse (only open on Sea Days and Grand Turk port day on deck 5).
         One note; we traveled with a group of 15 other people. The only time we planned to visit with each other was at dinner. We all had selected the any time dining (very popular and long line at 5:15). Any time dining does not reserve spots for large parties and the largest table is for 12. Even though there were a few issues in the beginning we were able to sit together as long as we were there by 5:45PM. The set dinner times work better for large groups.
          Also if you plan to attend a show or other activity, you will want to notify your server, otherwise you will miss the show because dinner service can take up to 1 1/2 hours or so. There are plenty of other dining selections so you do not have to eat in the dining room every night. 
        Even though I wrote a blog reviewing just the food on the Carnival Breeze, the review works for the food served on the Magic.  The blog link is:http://fourforfood.blogspot.com

Spa

Thermal Suite & Thalassotherapy Pool
    While on the May 2013 Magic cruise, my friend Tammy and I took the spa tour upon embarkation. On the tour we were told about the thermal suite and thalassotherapy pool and the special being run during the tour to use the service all week. We signed up thinking we could relax in a calming environment all week instead of picking one spa service for one time during the cruise. We thought it was a very good deal. The Carnival Breeze also has the same setup. Our spa deck room included use of the suite and pool all week from 8AM-10PM. The area is available for a fee for daily or weekly use. I used the area daily and at times the pool or thermal suites would be full.  Views are picturesque of the ocean and relaxing. Towels are provided. Location is in the spa area on deck 14 forward.

Thalassotherapy Pool

Heated Lounge Chairs









SPA SERVICES
     While I did not partake of any of pampering on this cruise, I have experienced spa services on previous cruises. The first time I had a massage was on our March 2012 Magic cruise. The massage was relaxing, however after the massage the staff attendant was hard selling the products and that was a turn off and made me wary of ever signing up for a spa service on a cruise. On the survey from Carnival I listed the spa experience as a negative. On the Breeze we took the spa tour to check out the thermal suite and pool area. I won a $100 gift certificate in the raffle draw. There are restrictions on the use of the certificate such as the type of services you can apply towards, so you do end up paying a portion. The nice part was that I was not given a sales job on the products. I even purchased a foot massage and was not sold any products, so I am not sure if the Carnival Spa staff have stopped their hard sell.

Every day there are spa specials and the spa area is pleasant. The gym area(no fee) has an ocean view and is open from 6AM-10PM daily on deck 12 forward in the spa area.

Balcony Room

The only other time we opted for a balcony room was when we took an Alaskan cruise in 2006, so on this cruise it was a treat. Inside interior rooms have been fine for us, however we found that this balcony room offered more space and felt more comfortable. There was a sofa which made relaxing easier and not always having to relax on a deck or in a common area. A balcony was a benefit to witness a sunrise or sunset. Our balcony room was a spa deck room which afforded us daily use to the  Thermal Suite and Thalassotherapy Pool. Like the interior rooms we have stayed in, the balcony room offered 3 small closet spaces, desk area, vault, refrigerator, bathroom and drawer space.