Getaway to the warm and a cruise on the Carnival Breeze
I wanted a vacation to the warm to break up the winter, so we planned this 8 day cruise after
seeing a good price ($1,160 for both) and good airfare ($255 after 100 discount for getting
another CC, and using air miles for Lynn).
I requested vacation time, we confirmed a house/pet sitter, so we were set to leave without
excessive worries. We actually left very early Thursday on Jan. 29th, so we could also spend some
time with good friends in Miami and visit the Chuhuly exhibit at Fairchild gardens.
This is our sixth cruise with Carnival, and will get us up to 44 days with them.
Miami, Friends and Fairchild gardens with chihuly exhibit
Up by 4 a.m. Thursday to drop of our car at Valet Connections and catch our 6:30 a.m. flight.
We flew American Airlines Detroit to Miami and rented a car from Alamo when we landed to go to
friends in Miami. Alamo also had a shuttle to take you to the cruise port when we returned the car
Saturday. We rented from EZ rental when we came back from the cruise to run down to the Keys for
the day.
Once we arrived in Miami we drove to Dwight and Jan's and got to spend some time with Jan, going
to eat lunch at Black Point Ocean Grill in Cutler Bay. After lunch and seeing Jan's dad for a
while, we headed home and Dwight swung by between clients to spend time and then Thursday night we
all had dinner at Big Cheese in Miami. Friday Jan made us oatmeal and then the four of us headed
to fairchild gardens for the chihuly exhibit. A fun afternoon walking through the gardens and even
riding their trolly for a tour.
Click on any picture for a larger image or to play a movie
Fairchild & Chihuly
Fairchild & Chihuly
Fairchild & Chihuly
Fairchild & Chihuly
Fairchild & Chihuly
Fairchild & Chihuly
Fairchild & Chihuly
Fairchild & Chihuly
Fairchild & Chihuly
Fairchild & Chihuly
Fairchild & Chihuly
Fairchild & Chihuly
Cruising south for two sea days
Sunday was 70 degrees and windy with a bit of overcast skys. A little cold for sitting outside.
Monday was 76 degrees, windy and sunny, better for being outside. We did make it to the treadmill
both days to at least walk for 20-30 minutes. I was fighting a bit of a cold and did not want to
push it.
The Carnival Breeze (christened 2012) capacity is: 3,690 passengers and 1,386 crew. A very big
ship but it did not feel crowded except the first lunch as everyone was boarding, eating at the
same time and location. The decor was nice and no complaints about the ship, except it seemed like
more smoking around the center pool than on other cruises. There were good choices for food and we
alternated between eating at the buffets and dining room for dinners.
Click on any picture for a larger image or to play a movie
Dinner
Dining area
Carnival Breeze
Ship views
Dinner
Center Pool towels
Towel art
Saint Thomas, USVI
Temperature was 78 as we were down to about 18 degrees latitude. We caught a old taxi for $20
(worried it would make it after it had a hard time making it up a hill) to take us to Secret
Harbor and rented a couple chairs for $10 each. We had brought our mask and snorkel and Lynn was
happy to swim with her newly short hair.
We enjoyed the beach, snorkeled a few areas, had a couple Stellas ($5 each) and then joined a
couple other couples who had a taxi scheduled back ($22 a little farther to downtown). Before
leaving we ordered a Ahi tuna nachos ($15) and ate it during the drive back.
When back in town we shopped around a bit (good deals), checked to see if they sold panasonic
lumix cameras (nope), and bought a few other souveniers (hat, Clara gift, shirt, liquor). Don't
believe the shops if they say you will be able to get the wine or liquor to your room. You get it
at the end of the cruise...
Click on any picture for a larger image or to play a movie
St Thomas
St Thomas
St Thomas
St Thomas
St Thomas
St Thomas
Secret Harbor
Secret Harbor
Cruzan Beach Club at Sunset Grille
Secret Harbor
Antigua
Temperature 78 degrees, humidity 75% but you don't feel it. We took the 22 bus (the buses are to
the right and up from port, just ask) for $1.50 to Turner beach. We were going to take the bus to
Valley Church Beach which we had been to before, but someone else on the bus said they had been
there and it was good. Turner beach was smaller with local vendors more condensed in trying to
sell their wares. We walked the beach a little and decided to catch the bus back to Valley Church
Beach which we had really enjoyed years before. We rented a couple chairs ($5 each, don't give the
money until they are giving you the chairs) and met up with a group from Grand Rapids that Lynn
had told about this beach in St. Thomas. We sat with them down from the congestion of the main
area and restaurant and under the shade of some trees. It was a nice spot and beers were $5 each
or discounted for a bucket full and local brand.
We left around 1 p.m. to catch the bus to town but a couple vacationing asked us if we wanted a
ride and we took them up on the offer. Back in town we found a couple stores for some rum raising
ice cream and wifi to check in with the world. Then back on the ship for food and to relax.
Click on any picture for a larger image or to play a movie
Antigua
Antigua
Valley Church Beach
Valley Church Beach
Valley Church Beach
Valley Church Beach
Valley Church Beach
Grand Rapids group
Antigua
San Juan, Puerto Rico
We had walked San Juan in previous trips and were hoping to go inland for other sites. Lynn got a
message from Norma who was a good friend of a friend and Lynn had been in contact with to get
information about renting a car and going to Rio Camuy Cave Park and the Arecibo observatory. In
discussions Norma had said it might be hard due to construction and our time frame, but
volunteered to pick us up and take us. We took her up on her offer and she was at our dock when we
arrived. 78.6 degrees, 74% humidity and we got the royal tour by Norma. We made it to the cave and
did their tour. It was a bit of a challenge for Norma as she was having physical issues, but she
took her walker and even with issues, like the wheel falling off and the walker running away, made
it through the whole walking tour in the cave. Lynn and I enjoyed the tour which was about $12 per
person.
We discussed a lunch stop, but with our time constraints and hoping to see Arecibo observatory,
Norma stopped for a quick snack at a roadside stand for me and her to try (meat in them) and we
headed off the the observatory. The road back to the observatory was long and winding, but we made
it and Lynn and I signed up for the VIP tour while Norma did the basic tour so she could rest and
watch a informative movie. The VIP tour took us down to the dish and by the facilities the
scientist and workers stayed in. After the tour we headed out quickly as we were starting to worry
about traffic and the time it would take to get back. When back in San Juan we stopped to fill
Normas vehicle up and all was well as we were back with an hour to spare. Bye and thanks to Norma
then back on the ship and off to eat as Lynn and I had not eaten much through the tours.
Click on any picture for a larger image or to play a movie
San Juan
Rio Camuy Cave
Rio Camuy Cave
Rio Camuy Cave
Rio Camuy Cave
Rio Camuy Cave
Rio Camuy Cave
Rio Camuy Cave
Cave Spider
Rio Camuy Cave
Rio Camuy Cave
Arecibo Observatory
Arecibo Observatory
Arecibo Observatory
Arecibo Observatory
Arecibo Observatory
Arecibo Observatory
Arecibo Observatory
Nassau, Bahamas
67 degrees, 49% humidity and back up to about 25 degrees latitude. We did laundry in the a.m. as
we did not arrive until noon. We walked around town checking out the shops and stopped for drinks
and a snack at a bar with wifi. After checking out more shops and Lynn trying on a few clothing
items, we headed back without any purchases.
Click on any picture for a larger image or to play a movie
Nassau
Nassau Bar stop
Leaving Nassau
My Carnival Breeze synopsis (notes to come)
-nice decor -nice photos in hall by doors -fairly quiet -nice room, OK sized bath
-buffet had good layout, and we headed to the aft where it was less crowded -we found some
areas to relax in the quiet and shade when needed -relaxed dress to formal choices -non
pay food was adequate to good to me, with a lot of choices, sea days also had hamburgers, pizza,
tandoori, mexican burritos. -good to OK entertainment
Off early and to the Keys
EZ rental Toyota Camry to the Keys. Stopped by Kmart for a couple items like a hat for me and
dress for Lynn. Then off to see our friend Linda, who we originally met when she sold our Moon Bay
unit back in 2000.
After catching up some, we headed to Lazy Days for the usual great lunch (sesame tuna sandwich for
me and hog fish for Lynn) and a mojito and rum runner. Then we headed back to the Sanctuary to
catch up with our friend Linda Hinkin and meet Linda Perloffs friend Mitch.
Click on any picture for a larger image or to play a movie
Lazy Days
Lazy Days
Lazy Days
Sanctuary
We had good timing as we missed 13 inches of snow Sunday night Feb. 2nd with U of M even closing
Monday, but winter was here when we returned as the week of Feb. 15th-22nd the temperatures
dropped to 13 below one night, and 20 below another.
