Our Honeymoon!
Got hitched, woke up, went cruising. Flew the day after our wedding to Miami Florida, checked into our Hotel in South Beach. Spent 2 days touring Miami, excited to board the first of our back to back cruise adventures. The vessels traveled “Norwegian Sky” and the Royal Caribbean “Jewel of the Seas”. 14 days of fun. HERE. WE. COME.
Had a great stateroom on the Norwegian Sky. It was located at the rear or “aft” of the ship, looking out the back. Actually, when I booked, I was able to get the aft on both vessels. The aft is very private and, on both ships, included larger balconies than other rooms in the same class.
The first cruise was four days. Set sail from Miami, to NCLs private island “Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas”. Beach and BBQ day, never a complaint there. Each cruise line seems to own, or stake claim to, a Unique “home port”. They usually invite all guests to a big, free barbecue on the beach. You can rent jet skis etc. but many cruisers prefer to take this day as a recharge.
Following a great night of too much wine and delicious food onboard The Sky, we woke in Freeport, Grand Bahama Island. Visited “Ben’s Cave”, a series of caverns frequently explored by scuba divers. There are thousands of yards of caves for divers to look inside. I’m not a fan of tight places, I’ll just sip my cervesa and watch from here thanks. Beautiful spectacle from above the water as well. Spent the afternoon on a vacant beach and enjoyed each others company.
A short jaunt to Nassau Bahamas, and to the Mega Resort “Atlantis”. It’s fantastic re visiting ports because you dont need to ask where the bathrooms are, or wonder how to get a locker key etc. Janet loved Atlantis and the Lazy River Tube ride. Cant remember if she had what it took to ride the “Leap of Faith” waterslide. You’ll have to ask her…
Disembark the Sky and onto the Jewel. Literally off one ship and walked onto another. The Jewel is a Radiance class ship (generally cruise lines order 3-4 of the same type of vessel, which puts them in a certain “class” of cruise ship) and had an unique Southern Caribbean Itinerary that caught my eye. The itinerary was as follows.
Miami FL
Labadee, Haiti
Puerto Limon, Costa Rica
Colon Panama, Panama Canal
Cartagena, Columbia
Miami FL
Labedee, Haiti was visited not long after the big earthquake that rocked so many lives. Trying to enjoy this beautiful peninsula not far from so much devastation was pressing. Many of the locals had kind but heavy hearts. This particular port is owned by Royal Caribbean and included a BBQ on the sand.
Woke up the next day in Pablo Escobars old stomping grounds. Cartagena Columbia, a port famous for Emeralds… and another expensive export lol. We had a great tour guide, drank the local beer, trekked a columbian fortress, paid close attention to a very unique culture. Very bright beautiful city, sections seemed frozen in time, then painted bright caribbean colours. Pinks, Powder yellows, gleeming whites and blues everywhere. Reminded me of a Spanish “Key West”.
Panama Canal was picturesque, saw the Locks. Big version of Lockport with massive tankers going through. Made for memorable pictures. Hopped a tour to Panama City, absolutely insane. To me the capital looked like a half built metropolis with bazillions of people around. Without a proper guide I could see how this place could be intimidating. The language barrier is real, ordering food was tough without help.
Puerto Limon, Costa Rica. We booked a zip line tour which we got to by cab. The driver had, what looked like, filed down “gremlin teeth”. Nicest guy, and always smiling, but man those chompers.
Zip Lined through the Rain forrest, heard monkeys and gorillas from every direction, tried grunting back, they didn’t respond. My first time buzzing along a zip line. A sobering, adrenaline filled excursion that, as long as you feel safe, is a surreal experience.
Off to a local beach and a vacant resort for some refreshments. Gorgeous Resort with amazing flowers and foliage. The smells and butterflies ☺️ No one there but us, it was kinda nice. Pura Vida (a Costa Rican saying). Ok “Gremlin Teeth”, back to the ship.
To seguey into our next Cruise you’ll have to accept this next story. I didn’t mention there are Casinos on all of these massive Boats. In the Casino they have VLTs, table games and host Tournaments. For a nominal entry fee I entered a poker tournament that potentially lasted the entire cruise. I spent a portion of every day playing cards. Janet cheering me on from the ACROSS THE TABLE. She made the final table too! We had our own cheering section lol. I ❤️ Poker
Well I won the tournament!
Happy Honeymoon to us! I won entry into the poker tournament RCL was hosting called “Poker Royale Tournament” which had a huge purse to be won. The prize also included a free cruise the following December on the largest Cruise Ship in the world. The 220,000 ton OASIS OF THE SEAS. Royal Caribbean’s Latest class of ship. This Gigantic floating city was featured on Discovery channels show “MEGASHIPS”.
“CLICK TO VIEW” the next post. Experience the Oasis of the Seas. Spoiler alert this beast has a Merry Go Round, skating sink, its own central park and an aqua theatre for the free evening Cirque du Soleil show… Wowza 👉👇
Seas the day 