South Eastern Caribbean Cruise: 26 Jul - 3 Feb 19

Booked this cruise in July 18 through Carnival for the cruise ship Fascination.  We have done this cruise before back in 2009 but was on a different boat and it was a different time of the year.

Saturday, 26 January - Got to airport early and visited the USO.  A decent size USO with the normal amenities.  Departed from Covington, KY on American Airlines flight to Miami at 1230.  Arrived in Miami at 1530 with a connecting flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico at 1745.  Did not visit the USO at Miami as we would have had to exit security.  Used accumulated sky miles so I don't know the actual cost of the flights.  Arrived in San Juan at 2100 as they are 1 hour ahead of EST.  Had a reservation at the San Juan Airport Hotel that I made through Expedia for 125.00 per night.  The hotel is actually in Terminal D of the airport which made it very convenient.   Rooms are a bit small and plain, reminded me of a dorm room but was nice to walk straight to hotel off the flight.  Rooms downtown San Juan are twice the cost of this one.  Left 20 degree weather and arrived to 75 degree, not bad at all

Sunday, 27 January - Took taxi from hotel to cruise port 15 minute ride for $23.00 for the both of us.  The cruise line offers a round trip shuttle but its 40.00 per person round trip.  Was able to drop off bags and walked around Old San Juan until we boarded at 1300.  

 

Carnival will give you a scheduled boarding time but we had no problems boarding at our convenience.  Our exterior room was aft on 5th deck (Main).  This boat is one of their smaller ships but had a "laid back" feel.  The Serenity Adult-Only Retreat is aft on deck 9 (Promenade).  Unfortunately no hammocks, just cushioned deck chairs with a few umbrellas, but being aft there is less wind then a Serenity that is fwd.  Departed San Juan at 2100

Monday, 28 January - Arrived at St. Thomas, VI at 0730.  Off the ship at 0900 and caught a taxi to Meghan's Bay on the north side of the island for $8.00 each 1 way for 20 min ride.  A beautiful beach catered to relaxing.  Back on the ship at 1400 and departed at 1600.  Weather was sunny and low 80's

Tuesday, 29 January - Day at sea.  A lot of relaxing on Serenity.  That evening we saw the show "Motorcity", which was a 60s/70s music performance and saw a comedy show later that night.  

Wednesday, 30 January - Arrived in Barbados at 0730 partly cloudy temps in the 80's.  We had a catamaran sail/snorkel excursion for 125.00 per person that lasted until 1500.  Had a good time  with the crew and did get the chance to snorkel with sea turtles on the 2nd snorkel.  The 1st snorkel location was over a sunken barge that had a lot of fish.  

Had a great lunch on the board and all the free rum punch you could drink.  Jennifer found a new friend...the bartender.  She was feeling quite well after 4 coconut rum and pineapple drinks.  

Departed at 1630.  Overall this sail was more about the rum punch and party atmosphere.

Thursday, 31 January - Arrived in St. Lucia at 0800.  Weather was sunny low 80s.  Had excursion from 0900 - 1200.  We took a 2 person kayak for a 45 min trip on the ocean to Pigeon Island for $69.00 per person.  There we hiked up to an old French military fort for a great view of the north part of the island.  A quick swim at the beach and back to town for some souvenir shopping.  Departed 1630.

Friday, 1 February - Arrived in St. Kitts at 0800.  Had a 6 hr excursion starting at 0900 on catamaran with snorkel and beach stops for $120.00 per person.  Met our crew just outside the cruise port.  Loaded and set sail for snorkel, much smaller group than Barbados.  45 min sail and snorkeled in crystal clear waters just off the island coast.  The snorkel lasted  an hour.  Had a great lunch on board then sailed to the island of Nevis to a great beach.  Got a 2chairs/umbrella for $15.00.  Relaxed for 1 1/2 hours then sailed back to the port.  Of course Jennifer found a dog that lived on the beach and they were instant buds.  This was one of the better catamaran excursions and was not rushed.  Departed at 1600

Saturday, 2 February - Arrived in St. Maarten at 0800.  Had excursion booked for 0930 called the Big 3.  It was in a zipline park on the highest point on the island.  A bit pricey at $129.00 per person but the large zipline is the steepest in the world called the Flying Dutchman.  The purchase included  2 innertube mountain slides, 4 mountain top ziplines and the flying Dutchman back to the bottom.  A huge adrenaline rush.  St. Maarten is covered in iguanas...wanted to take this one home but Jen said HELL NO!

Sunday, 3 February - Departed the ship in San Juan at 1000 and caught a taxi back to the San Juan Hotel.  Relaxed and had some dinner in the airport.  

Monday, 4 February - Caught flight at 0830 through Dallas and arrived back in Covington at 1900.  If you followed our last cruise you know our last day and trip home was very eventful.  Well, I'm glad to say we arrived back at port on time and when we were picked up our car started with no issues!

Overall I would recommend this trip during January with perfect temperatures and low chance of rain.  5 islands over 6 days is a really good trip for someone that just wants to see a variety of the Eastern Caribbean.  Like I said the boat was small so it did not have some the bells and whistles that the bigger boats have but it made for a smaller crowd which was nice.  The food choices and entertainment was limited compared to other ships but the destinations made up for it.

Next stop back in the RV - Vero Beach, FL