CRUISE THE CARIBBEAN (DECEMBER 2000)
This was our second Caribbean Cruise taken in December 2000.
The cruise commenced at Fort Lauderdale, Florida and followed the above route.
We flew there via Chicago and we were taken for an overnight stay at this hotel:
Next morning we boarded a coach to take us to our ship:
The 77,600 tons CENTURY. Heavier than the old QE2 and much more elegant.
Normally on cruises, to keep the price down, we book an inside cabin because we spend so little time in it.
On this cruise we were fortunate to be given a free upgrade to this one:
The standard of the fittings was way above that we experienced on the QE2.
It is always a bit of a gamble that the other passengers you are placed with for evening meal will afford easy conversation. This was our table for the whole of the cruise:
In the centre is Harold and Lorraine Vanderbilt. On the right Anton and Louise Hoefer. We all mixed well.
We were at sea all the first day and took in the ship's activities and entertainment:
We had been in a ship's Jacuzzi before but never had four to choose from.
In one of the ship's lounges that evening there was a very melodious Barber's Shop quartet:
Their style of singing was A Cappella -without musical accompaniment.
It didn't take Jackie long to make their acquaintance.
Our first port of call was OCHIO RIOS in Jamaica.
We were told not to stray away from the tourist areas. Jamaica is a poor country and muggings are frequent.
We did a little shopping and felt safe and quite at home here:
There was a ship's organised trip to one of the island's attraction, priced at $38 each. We chose to do it ourselves and joined up with another couple to share the taxi.
The place was called DUNNS RIVER FALLS.
It's a cool cascading waterfall that descends 600 feet down to a sandy beach. You have the choice to walk in the water or take the steps.
We returned back to the ship just in time for Afternoon Tea:
This was only part of what was available.
Before retiring we danced under the stars on the top deck and then went to sample the Midnight Buffet:
If this was insufficient, delicious pizzas were being served on another deck.
The next morning we were in George Town, Grand Cayman. We went ashore and the town was full of jewellry shops: we had little option but to browse round them. It was Jackie's birthday today so I invited her to choose something as a present.
At first she said she would rather wait till we got home and bought a pair of shoes. The thought soon disappeared though when she spotted an array of diamond/ruby rings. She said it would be our Ruby Wedding Anniversary in 15 months time and now may be a good time to buy given the tax incentive. With the help of one of the ship's crew who we saw in the shop and knew he had knowledge of jewellry we made a purchase:
Little did we think on entering the shop that when we left our bank-balance would be over a £1000 lighter
At our evening meal the waiters sang to Jackie and gave her a birthday cake:
Next day we docked at Playa Del Carmen, on the island of COZUMEL:
When we went ashore we found all the shops playing Christmas music:
Christmas seemed a long way off in such warm conditions.
The next day was all day at sea. That evening, although we still had two more nights on board, we had a formal Farewell Dinner:
At 6 30pm that evening we ate a sumptuous Farewell Dinner. At 11.45 there was more food billed as the Grand Buffet:
Here are just two of the many tables we could choose from.
On day 8 of the cruise we woke up in Key West. ( the tip of south Florida):
We found the best way to look round Key West was this:
A live commentary is given as it drives round many interesting places including the ALOE VERA SHOP.
Key West is a lovely place to wander round. We listened to a street Steel Band and were fascinated by this pair:
Father Christmas and his sledge pulled by a doggy-looking reindeer.
Our final evening's dinner menu included the shellfish "conch" and Key Lime pie.
We returned home via Chicago after a really enjoyable cruise The cruise line CELEBRITY is very much recommended.