Cruising! What better way to spend the Christmas season (or winter months) than with your toes dug into sifted flour-like sand and swimming in cool ocean water? This stuff is "in my blood" and being a native Floridian...well, let's say the beach gives me energy and is a part of who I am. So, those who know Rick and I tease us about being on the sea so much that we may get a ship named after us one day. Turns out, this will have been our 67th cruise since we were married in 1986. But, we are small fish in a big pond when it comes to cruising loyalty and by no means are we even close to that "christening".
Fort Lauderdale along 17th Street Causeway has always been a hub of activity and I always referred to it as proof of another stratosphere of living. Stunning mansions, luxurious hotels and a beautiful beach all lend to the allure. Take, for instance, the blue mega yacht in the photo below. Belonging to Steven Spielberg, this massive 282 foot vessel reportedly cost $184 million to build. It sat at the dock across from our hotel belonging to the landmark Hyatt Regency Pier 66 hotel. Fort Lauderdale has long been referred to as the "Venice of America" due to its expansive and intricate waterway system.
Rick and I enjoyed ourselves spending time outdoors along the water.
We visited my mom and dad (who still live in Fort Lauderdale) and had dinner at their home. Dad made his "famous" burgers on the grill and mom whipped up some deviled eggs.
Mom and dad have a glazed ceramic dog they nicknamed "No Fleas" (obvious reason). Well, No Fleas makes an appearance outside their front door every Christmas, complete with Santa hat and beard. Mom and dad put up a tabletop tree this year complete with lights.
The day came when it was time to board ship and begin our next journey on the sea. Once we checked in and received our boarding cards for the Regal Princess...
Here was something different and an industry first...Norman Love chocolates. Princess Cruises offers this premium chocolate experience on board its fleet of 18 ships. Way to go, Princess, for bringing this to the seas!
Norman Love trained in France and was former executive pastry chef for Ritz-Carlton. He is considered one of the best Chocolatiers in the world and was featured in Dessert Magazine as one of the top 10 Chocolatiers in North America. The Norman Love Confections shop (check out the website at: Norman Love Confections) earned acclaim in USA Today, In Style magazine, Martha Stewart Living and O, the Oprah magazine.
Speaking of things that are pure lusciousness, I made sure I had my traditional sail away "Milky Way" martini made with Baileys, Kahlua, vodka and chocolate. Missed toasting with my friend Lyn from Wales. She could not travel with us this time but I still said "cheers" and was thinking of her.
After we left Port Everglades, our lovely ship sailed first to the Princess private island known as Princess Cays located in the Eleutheran Islands, Bahamas. This was a tender port and with fair seas and ideal weather, we went ashore to enjoy the island.
The ocean waters were at least three shades of blue and crystal clear. Loved the colors! Rick and I began coming to this tropical paradise back in the 80's when Princess first began building it up. We have seen the island's appearance morph from simple sandy beaches and some chairs on the sand into brick pavers, private cabanas, small shops and upgraded facilities. Also, we witnessed several aftermaths from hurricane destruction but each time, Princess rebuilt and made it better and better. This private island still is one of our favorite stops.
Our next port of call was St. Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands. Here was another island Rick and I have watched grow and develop over the past 25+ years. We have even witnessed the construction of Crown Bay, another pier for cruise ship docking. With the growth came crowding and more traffic. Nowadays when we get ashore, we seek out less populated beaches and oceanfront gems to spend our day on land. On this day, we spent our time at Emerald Beach, a short taxi ride from the Crown Bay pier.
That evening we went up to the Fountain Pool on Deck 16 mid ship. Here they had dancing fountain shows at night with colored lights and music. There was also movies and concerts broadcast under the night sky at Movies Under The Stars with free popcorn.
St. Maarten brought back memories for us as we arrived at this next port of call. Our first experience with this island was also back in the 80's when we were aboard the S.S. Norway. St. Maarten had no paved streets, only sand. To get ashore, we had to use a tender as there was no pier to dock at. The tender was a two story boat with a front nose that opened like an old landing ship (also known as LST) during WWII. The tender's nose dropped right onto the sand and we walked off and stepped onto the beach. Now, St. Maarten is busier than ever. It has grown into a major hub for any Eastern Caribbean cruise and we call it "Cruise Ship Alley" based on all the ships docked in rows.
We berthed on the Dutch side at the pier in Philipsburg. St. Maarten is divided into two sides, the Dutch side and the French side. Having explored both sides in the past, we prefer to walk around Philipsburg and tour the shops and experience the beach along the waterfront boardwalk. It had its own unique charm.
The Guava berry Emporium along main street has been around since we first came to this part of the island. The legendary folk liqueur is sold here and is a national drink and large part of St. Maarten's history. Free samples of this combination of rum, sugar and wild guava berries help boost sales.
A storm brewed on the horizon but blew away before drenching us tourists.
With advertisements like these, who wouldn't be interested?
So we stopped in at the "Dirty Sanchez Crew Bar" for some refreshments (Trip Advisor recommendation). The bar staff were so friendly and easy going. They handed us a large Sharpie marker and we obliged by signing our nicknames (circled in red: Grumpy and Polka spot) to the bar. To commemorate our visit, we also donated a $2.00 bill for "good luck and prosperity" that was tacked to the bar wall.
The day was made extra special when we were joined by our travel mates Janet and Ralph. Some of the Princess Crew also showed up and we had some photo moments together.
Dinner that night with Janet and Ralph was at Sabatinis, a specialty Italian restaurant on board the ship. The cost was $25.00 per person and the portions were large and filling. It was a belated celebration for Ralph, whose birthday had been on December 10th.
The pastry chefs on board the Regal Princess created a masterpiece with sugar to celebrate the Christmas holiday. On display in the main atrium, this gingerbread village was amazing to see.
This Seaview Bar, located on Deck 16 mid ship, extended out beyond the side of the ship. As you walked over the glass floor, you viewed the ocean below. Awesome floor to ceiling vantage point as well through the glass windows.
On Deck 7, there was an outdoor lounge area outside the Crooners Bar. That made a wonderful place to feel the ocean breeze and take in the invigorating salt air.
All too soon our seven day cruise ended. But the relaxation and joy of being on the ocean is only surpassed by the warmth and goodness of the Princess Crew, who always make our voyages special.
With the 2015 Christmas holiday fast approaching, Rick and I would like to say "thank you" to our Princess Family, both near and far. We have been blessed by knowing so many of you and it gives us such a positive burst when we walk aboard a Princess ship and see familiar faces. It truly is like coming home, again. So, with this wish going out to all of you on the seas or at home with family and friends, Rick and I would like to say (in your native languages): Maligayang Pasko at isang napaka-masaya bagong taon; sùk săn wan-krít-mâat láe sà-wàt-dee bee mai; naye sāl kī hārdik śubhkāmnayeṅ; Selamat hari natal dan than baru; С Рождеством! (S Roždestvom!); Sărbători fericite; Boas festas e feliz ano novo; krismas ko subhakamana tatha nayabarsha ko subhakamana; kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu; Hristos se rodi, Vaistinu se rodi, Srećna Nova Godina; Khristos narodivsya, Slavite Yoho, Ščaslyvoho novoho roku.
Merry Christmas, happy holidays and a very Happy New Year!
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