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RCL AOS Southern Caribbean Cruise Review
9/16/2007
Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean
Cruise Region: Southern Caribbean
Length of Cruise: 7 nights
Departure Port: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Ports of Call:
- Aruba
- Curacao
- St. Maarten
- St. Thomas
I flew into SJU one day pre-cruise on 9/15 (Sat), where I had booked the Intercontinental. Beautiful balconied hotel right on the main strip and across the street from a variety of shopping and dining choices. Being on a budget I enjoyed a local restaurant for dinner, a grocery (with many empty shelves) for pop and beer and the next morning, Burger King for a cheap breakfast before heading to the ship.
DAY 1, Sunday
Having met Jack (who was also at Intercontinental) on the CruiseCritic message board, we had arranged to share a taxi. Plans worked out perfectly and we split a $28 taxi bill. We spent the short time in line enjoying getting to know each other and before we knew it, we were on the ship! Having gone our separate ways it showed what a small ship it really is when we ran into each other at the buffet and enjoyed lunch together.
That's the best thing about CC for a solo cruiser. You meet so many people that you're not really alone and run into new friends wherever you go :D
I ran into "Bob from CT" by the pool shortly after lunch. He had booked an aft balcony cabin (pix to come), and we checked out each others cabins. Bob, having been on this cruise the previous year, showed me around. Along the way we ran into Michelle & Bob (and family). We had a few drinks together in the sports bar.
My luggage arrive around 3 and I unpacked. I never feel like I'm on vacation til I'm unpacked and settled in.
Had early dinner with other CCers as arranged.
Sailaway was a bit lackluster for me. Didn't run into anyone; was tired, so retired to get a good night's sleep.
DAY 2, Monday - At Sea
Enjoyed room service for breakfast. Made my way to a Trivia game at 11ish where Susie & Nancy welcomed me to their group. We did well, but not enuf to win.
At poolside I ran into Michele & Bob who had switched to early dining and asked me to join them. then ran into Bob and we played a game of mini-golf. Lots of fun (especially since I won LOL).
CC group had our Meet & Mingle. Enjoyed meeting others I'd previously met online. RCL held a raffle of some RCCL gear and I was lucky enuf to win one of the better prizes.
This was formal night.
DAY 3, Tuesday - Aruba
Today at 2:30 was our Sail, Swim, Snorkel & Swing excursion on the Pirate Ship! I signed up with Bob, Geneline & Johnny pre-cruise. I'd only snorkeled once and was a little leary about doing it again. Our first stop was 'for beginners' in 12' of water and I got the hang of it and enjoyed it.
We then moved on to our second snorkel stop - an old sunken ship. We were told the depth was now 60' -- the knowledge of which I felt was totally unnecessary. If I floated at 12' i could float at 60' . Skipping the humor here - it was really rocky and the waves were strong pulling away from the ship area. I managed to see the ship (very cool), and make it back to the ship.  I'm really glad I had the experience.
THEN, the real highlight of the excursion... the "SWING" !
............ later dinner at Johnny Rockets cuz we returned too late for dinner. Johnny Rockets = FUN & YUM
DAY 4 Wednesday, Curacao
Hato Caves - Why pay for a spa visit when there's the HATO CAVES?!?!? ..............................................
The Quest 
:D :D :D :D
DAY 5, Thursday, at Sea
:(... sick, sinus, migrane, stiff, blahhhhhhh. visit to doc. $174. thought that was bad til went back on Sat!
Late breakfast in Windjammer.
Someone charged my card with $48 soda charge - got that taken off
DAY 6
Still sick, spent 45 minutes booking a future cruise.............. BAD experience.
(Note: Royal Caribbean "lost" my future booking; apparently there was some paperwork they neglected to give me when I booked - MAD)
On the bright side, I had a great dinner with my friend Jack and some other passengers we'd met throughout the cruise.
DAY 7 -
DEBARKATION
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NEW!
