Tampa, FL Depart 4:00pm
Midway down Florida's west coast, Tampa is within a four-hour drive of Tallahassee, Miami and Jacksonville. The city is home to a number of attractions and theme parks, including Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Adventure Island, Lowry Park Zoo and Florida Aquarium. Lovers of the arts can visit the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, the Tampa Museum of Art and the USF Contemporary Art Museum. The Florida Orchestra also is based in the Tampa Bay area. The Seaport Street Terminal,
Port of Tampa,
Tampa, Florida 33602. The Port of Tampa (Seaport Street Terminal) is adjacent to the Florida Aquarium. |
 
|
| Cruise Critic Meet and Greet |
CRUISE CRITIC MEET & GREET
Monday, February 10th, 10:00 AM till 11:30 AM in the Crow's Nest Lounge Deck 12 Forward |
Key West, FL
Key West is the southernmost point in the continental United States. This friendly town appears to be the Bahamas, New Orleans and Florida rolled into one. The tiny island, just two miles by four miles, can be easily navigated on foot or bicycle, but the Conch Tour Train is popular. The chief points of interest here include Mel Fisher's Maritime Heritage Museum, the Ernest Hemingway House, the Audubon House and the Robert Frost cottage. Visitors won't want to miss out on Hemingway's favorite watering hole -- Sloppy Joe's -- or Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville. Arrive 1pm Depart 4pm
|
|
| Feb 11 AT SEA |
|
Roatan, Honduras
Floating 30 miles off the Caribbean coastline of Honduras, in the Bay Islands, Roatan is 29 miles long and two miles wide.
Reefs surrounding the islands are teeming with marine life and offer some fantastic scuba-diving and snorkeling opportunities. Idyllic beaches also lure visitors.
Language English
Currency: Honduran Lempira (HNL)
Temperature: 80
Arrive 8 am Depart 5 pm
confirming Bodden's "Best of Roatan" Private Tour... $40 each cash only
http://www.boddentours.com/bestofroatan.htm
BoddenTours confirmation
Bodden Tips
|
 |
Thu Feb 13
Santo Tomas de Castilla, Guatemala
Just south of Puerto Barrios is Santo Tomas Bay, Guatemala's largest and most efficient port on the Caribbean Ocean. It was formerly known as Matías de Galvez.
Take an excursion to the Mayan ruins at Tikal, or visit the Cayos del Diablo Resort, located just across the bay from Santo Tomas Harbor.
Language: Spanish
Currency:Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ), US dollar (US$)
Temperature: 76
Arrive: 7 am Depart: 5 pm
(Was told best to take River cruise at pier)
want mayan ruins tour.
Maybe take ship tour |
 |
Fri Feb 14 Arrive 8 am Depart 3 pm
Costa Maya, Mexico
Mysterious ruins rescued from the jungle, monkeys announcing themselves from the trees, incredibly beautiful and rare birds, pristine beaches and a magnificent coral reef are just some of the attributes of the Costa Maya.
This southern section of the Yucatan coast stretches 80 miles from Xcalak, a fishing village on a finger of land reaching out to Belize.
The reserve's untouched forests and wetlands are home to a wide variety of birds, crocodiles, jaguars and monkeys as well as numerous Mayan sites.
Tour: Chacchoben Mayan Ruins
Language: Spanish Currency: Mexican peso (MXN), US dollar (US$)
Temperature: 76
See tour below |
 |
Fri FEB 14
Tour
Chacchoben Mayan Ruins
For many years the ruins of Chacchoben remained silent as evidence of the glorious past of the most brilliant civilization of the new world. Today Chacchoben has become the most visited Maya ruins site in Costa Maya!
Feel the harmony between nature and history, as you join us in a journey that will take you from the myth of creation through the collapse of the great Maya civilization. Enter the heart of this abandoned Maya ceremonial center and explore its secrets while you enliven your senses with the sounds of nature.
Our Chacchoben Maya Ruins Tour includes a two hour guided tour with a native guide who will unveil the history and secrets of a Maya city that flourished around 300AD.
Complete your visit with a short walk under the jungle and climbing Gran Basamento, Chacchoben's ritual heart, for spectacular views of the surrounding jungle and to admire Temple One, Chacchoben's astronomical hub.
This tour also offers the possibility of learning about the local plants and seeing some species of the local fauna including birds and spider monkeys.
PayPal Receipt
Tour Confirmation
|
 Inclusions: Round transportation in air conditioned vehicles, travel insurance, English speaking guide, entrance fees, guided tour at the ruins and bottled water. Duration: 4 hours.
Departure times:This excursion departs from The Native Choice Office one hour after your cruise ship docks. Departure times are based on your cruise's arrival time.
Deposit: A deposit is required at the moment of booking to confirm spaces for this excursion. Balance payment will be required ONLY in cash at check-in.
Your deposit is refundable if for any reason your cruise ship doesn't call port in Costa Maya.
Our excursions depart from our Hospitality Desk one hour after your cruise ship docks.
We adapt our departure times to fit your times in port, actual departure times depend on your cruise arrival time.
08:00 Cruise Ship arrival time.
09:00 Departure from The Native Choice Hospitality Desk.
09:50 Arrival to Chacchoben Ruins.
10:00 Guided tour at the ruins.
11:50AM End of guided tour.
12:05PM Departure from Chacchoben Ruins to Costa Maya.
01:00PM Drop off at Costa Maya.
Visitors are allowed to climb Gran Basamento and only a few steps of all the temples. All over the site there are ropes indicating how far visitors can climb.
Our Chacchoben Mayan Ruins Tour isn't very strenuous and doesn't include walking on uneven grounds. Total walking distance to see all sections available for visitors in Chacchoben is some 6 blocks. During our tour we walk this distance in around 1.5 hours. Once inside the park, it is possible to complete the tour on a wheelchair with a little help. Chacchoben Ruins site has a service area that includes clean bathrooms, a cafeteria and shopping area. There is a small commercial area at the site where the locals sell their products. Most pieces available for sale are locally made and cheaper than at Costa Maya.You are expected to negotiate the prices, so be ready to exercise your “Español” and have some fun! No credit cards accepted. |
| SAT FEB 15
AT SEA |
|
Sun Feb 16 TAMPA
Arrive 7 am
Depart 4 pm
Go to Acquarium
|
  |
Mon Feb 17 Key West Arrive 1 pm
Depart 5 pm
Temperature 70
Key West On-Off Trolly
|
  |
Tues Feb 18 At Sea |
|
| Wed Feb 19
At Sea |
|
Thur Feb 20 San Juan, Puerto Rico
Old San Juan is rich in Spanish tradition, with cobblestone streets and colonial architecture. This part of the Puerto Rican city is easily seen on foot, and cruise passengers can shop for handcrafted works or relax in a shaded park. New San Juan is distinctly elegant with lavish resorts, great restaurants and grand casinos. Visitors in San Juan can join an excursion to El Yunque, the only tropical rain forest in the U.S. national forest system. Adventurous travelers will want to partake in a deep-sea fishing, snorkeling or diving excursion.
Language: English/Spanish
Currency: US dollar (US$)
Arrive 12 noon Depart 11 pm
Temperature 80 |
|
 |
Sat Feb 21
St. Thomas,
U.S. Virgin Islands
This beautiful tropical island offers pristine beaches lapped by turquoise waters.
The picturesque harbor town of Charlotte Amalie is known for its great duty-free shopping.
The most popular shore excursions include island tours, a day at the beach at Magen's Bay, scuba diving and snorkeling expeditions.
Language: English
Currency: US dollar (US$)
Temperature: 80
Arive 8 am
Depart 5 pm
|
|
Sun Feb 22
Antigua
The largest of the British Leeward Islands boasts 365 beaches and crystal-clear waters. History buffs will want to tour Nelson's Dockyard National Park, where one of the great admirals of the 18th century kept his fleet. The island draws a huge yachting crowd during Sailing Week in April and is perfect for windsurfing, water-skiing, sailing, snorkeling and diving.
Language: English
Currency: East Caribbean dollar (XCD), US dollar (US$)
Arive 8 am
Depart 5 pm |
 |
Sun Feb 23
St. Lucia
St. Lucia is home to the majestic Piton Mountains, the twin volcanic peaks rising thousands of feet above the island. Sightseeing tours offer a look of the island's rugged beauty, including the tropical rain forests. Most also visit Le Soufriere, the world's only drive-in volcano. Water lovers will find a variety of water sports at Marigot Bay.
Language: English
Currency: Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD), US dollar (US$)
Arive 8 am
Depart 3 pm
Arive 5:00pm
Depart 6:00pm
Mon Feb 24 At Sea
|
 |
Tues Feb 25 Curacao
The simplicity of this colorful island makes it one of the most delightful ports of the Caribbean. City and island tours are available, highlighting the island's liqueur distillery.
Travelers exploring on their own will want to view the Queen Emma Floating Bridge and visit the floating market where brightly painted schooners are laden with exotic fruits and vegetables.
The island's crystalline waters are also home to the Caribbean's largest protected underwater park, with coral reefs stretching for miles.
Language: Dutch
Currency: Netherlands Antilles Guilder (ANG), US dollar (US$)
Temperature: 80
Arrive 8 am Depart 11 pm
|
 |
|
Visiting Curacao during your Cruise? We have the right tour for you!
First we drive over the Juliana Bridge, where you will have a great view of Willemstad. Then we pass through the old Jewish neighborhood, you will see all the old Jewish Mansions that are being restored. We also visit the Curacao Liquor distillery, here you can see how the ‘Blue Curacao’ is made and taste the different flavors. After the distillery we go to the Spanish water area, which is a beautiful residential area in the Spanish Water Bay. The last stop will be at the Curacao Sea Aquarium Beach, we stay here for 1 hour. After this nice stop, we bring you back to town.
Duration: 3 Hours .. starts at 10
The price for this trip is $25 and includes:
*Beer, soft drinks & bottled water on the bus
*Entrance fee at the beach
*Hotel/Ship Pick-up & drop-off
East Side Tour confirmation |
 
 
|
Wed Feb 26 Aruba
Aruba is an island of contrasting terrain, from its white-sand southern shoreline to its rugged and adventurous northern coast.
This charming Dutch island is known for its warm and welcoming locals, extensive culinary experiences (there are over 200 restaurants), and duty-free shopping.
Aruba offers excellent diving, and diving excursions include sites like the wreck of a World War II German freighter. Cooling trade winds coupled with average temperatures in the 80s make windsurfing and kitesurfing popular sports.
Language: Dutch (Official) and Papiamento
Currency: Florin (AFL), US dollar (US$)
Arrive 7 am Depart 2 pm
|
 |
| Thur Feb 27 At Sea |
|
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
This charming, British-influenced island boasts crystal-clear water and white-sand crescent beaches.
Take a submarine ride and marvel at colorful coral landscapes teeming with marine life.
Or, you may prefer to see the view through a glass-bottom boat. Snorkeling also is quite popular here, and sun-worshippers will be drawn to lovely Seven Mile Beach.
Language: English Currency: Cayman Islands dollar (KYD), US dollar (US$)
Arrive 8 am Depart 3 pm
|
 |
| Grand Cayman Tours |
Well, I hope this strange monsoon disappears before you get down here. In all the years I have spent January in the islands, I have never seen this kind of rain. Anyway, if it is water activities you want, I would book an excursion to Eden Rock which is a dive site in the harbor which is quite beautiful. It is a favorite beginning scuba site, but I only snorkel and I enjoyed it several years back. If you do that, then you will be right in town for any shopping and lunch afterward.
Another option is to go into the North Sound where there are trips to sting ray city where you can swim with the rays, but there is also some very beautiful snorkeling to do there. I will warn you, however, that if you have not gotten in and out of a boat lately, it is not easy, so think about that before you book. You might just take a boat to Rum Point's dock where you can hang out on the beach and drink rum drinks with lunch and swim. The water is shallow there quite a ways out, but my son-in-law found snorkeling there a few weeks ago.
If you opt out of the boat, get a ride to Smith's Cove where you can swim and there is some very decent snorkeling accessible from the beach. It is another of my favorite spots on the island.
If you hit bad weather, there is a museum right by the landing, there is a turtle farm in West Bay (pricey), or there is a place that has been restored called Pedro Castle that is about a half hour out of town. The botanical garden is great too but not in bad weather. Don't bother with the pirate caves or Mission House in Bodden Town.
Too bad I won't still be here. I could pick you up and do the grand tour.
If you get a chance to try Conch Fritters, don't miss them. Also the fish here is amazing.
See you when I get back or when you get back. Enjoy.
Merilyn |
| Sat Mar 1 At Sea |
|
|
Tampa Arrive 7 am
|
|
| HA GXDD8J |
|
| 2/9 AA 1052 SFO 12:20 a.m. - 11:20 a.m. |
|
| 3/2 AA 229 Tampa 12:20 p.m. - 5:20 p.m. |
|
| |
|
