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Carnival Cruise Lines to Build Port Stop on Haiti

8/11/2014

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Carnival Corp. developed Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas for its Holland America Line. Now, Carnival seeks to develop a port facility on an island off the coast of Haiti.
By John Roberts

Did you know that some cruise lines' have their own private islands? A stop at these islands serves almost like a sea day with a twist -- you get off the boat at a private beach resort with only your fellow cruisers sharing the space.

But you can spend the day any way you want. In solitude in a beach lounger, hammock or cabana. Or engaging in active pursuits like volleyball, snorkeling or even a 5K race, for examples.

The islands feature bar areas, barbecue buffet lunches and thrilling activities like ziplines and bike rides. Your ship is always within sight as you enjoy your day on the sands and in the waters, and you can go back onboard fairly easily if you've had enough sun or if you’ve forgot something.

You don't need to bring any cash ashore because -- like on the ship -- your stateroom key card serves as your credit card.

These islands are attractive to the lines because they get all the revenue for the excursion activities such as the ziplines, paddle boards, snorkel gear, cabana rentals, etc., as well as any drinks you buy while ashore.

Holland America runs Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas. Norwegian Cruise Line offers Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas. Royal Caribbean has Labadee in Haiti and Coco Cay in the Bahamas. Disney's Castaway Cay in the Bahamas is a wonderful outing, and the stop includes the chance to participate in the Disney Castaway Cay 5K run.

Now, Carnival Cruises says it will build a port in Haiti after it signed a deal to develop a new facility in Tortuga, an island just off the northern coast of Haiti.

It's not yet clear whether the development will be a private-beach-type stop for Carnival ships, but indications are that it will be similar to that or a facility developed like those in Costa Maya, Mexico, Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos, and Roatan, Honduras, that serve exclusively as cruise centers. 



"The development will create an exciting opportunity for our guests to enjoy a new, secluded and stunning destination on the island of Tortuga that the company expects will become a highly popular place for guests to enjoy for years to come," Carnival says. 

Elsewhere,

Australis, a expedition line that offers adventures to Cape Horn and Patagonia, is offering a four-day cruise that begins in Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city, located on the island of Tierra del Fuego at the tip of South America. The Great Canadian Travel Company created an excursion onboard the Via Australis cruise from Ushuaia, Argentina. The voyage goes through the Beagle Channel to explore one of the most breathtaking wilderness regions in the world: southern Patagonia, which includes the Tierra del Fuego archipelago.

The ship will visit Garibaldi Fjord, where passengers can disembark for a hike through the forest up to a glacial waterfall to enjoy spectacular views. If you stay onboard, the captain will point the bow toward the blue Garibaldi Glacier so you can enjoy the panoramic view from the upper decks. Then, the ship navigates along the northwest arm of the Beagle Channel to reach Pia Fjord. A short hike takes you to a panoramic view of the Pia Glacier, which extends from the mountaintops down to the sea. 

The sailing continues through the Murray Channel and Nassau Bay to Cape Horn National Park, where, weather permitting, passengers will go ashore. Cape Horn, discovered in 1616, is a sheer 1,394-foot-high rocky promontory. For many years, it was an important navigation route between the Pacific and the Atlantic and is referred to as the "End of the Earth." The park was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2005.  

The Australis will also stop at historic Wulaia Bay, originally the site of one of the region's largest Yamana aboriginal settlements. Charles Darwin landed there in 1833 during his voyage on the HMS Beagle. The ship then sails back to Ushuaia.

There are several departure dates for this program from October 2014 through April 2015. The cost is from $1,486 per person, based on double occupancy. Included are shipboard accommodations, all meals, drinks, and tours while cruising. Not included are transportation to and from Ushuaia and gratuities. Book by August 31, 2014, however, and the cost is $1,189 per person with a free cabin upgrade. Check out www.australis.com for details.

Crystal Cruises is installing a "Fitness Garden" along with indoor fitness center equipment upgrades during the drydock of its Crystal Symphony ship this fall. The outdoor fitness garden will exist as a circuit of fitness equipment laid out on three decks on the aft of the ship.

Another nice way to keep ship shape, right?

Thanks for reading,

JR

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Our Cruise on Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas

4/13/2013

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What a way to kick off my reunion with the wife and set up the next phase of my life: a 12-day cruise to the Southern Caribbean.

Seven months apart while she settled in to her new job and while I said my drawn-out bye to my newspaper career was difficult but no doubt the right choice for our goals.

Now that we have endured, we are fully under way in our lifestyle that will involve plenty of travel and other adventures.

I plan to document most of it here. You’re always welcome along as a way to keep in touch.

After a wonderful sendoff in Norfolk, I drove to Baltimore to meet with Colleen who Amtrakked down from Jersey. We consolidated our travel items over the weekend, caught up after a three-week period apart and got on Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas on April 1, a Monday. After a bit of car trouble and a bout with the flu in Norfolk during my final two weeks there, I was ready for a relaxing warm-weather destination. 

Bonus: Cuse made the Final Four, and we get to watch the Orange during the big event while onboard.

After three days sailing south, we would begin a run of six ports in six days.

First stop: Labadee, Haiti
The water was a little cloudy and the fish small, but the island provided a great chance to knock off some snorkeling rust after the long winter.

We hit six ports in six days. The itinerary kept us busy, but afternoon naps helped keep us refreshed. Add this to the growing list of signs that I realize I’m getting older: I really need a daily nap.
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Port 2: San Juan, Puerto Rico
This big old city offered a great chance to get out and about for some exploring, as we had no firm plans for the day while we waited for former Utica Observer-Dispatch colleague Aaron Christiana to get off work from his shift at his new job, editing a paper here. We had not seen Aaron for more than 11 years, so this port of call was very fortuitous. While we waited, we explored the city, enjoyed some local beers and toured a castle. However, our time with Aaron and his son Isaiah – already 12, wow! – was far too brief. We were able to grab a quick snack and some more beers. We will be back in November for a longer stay, so we’ll have another chance soon to fully catch up.

The Christopher Columbus Statue.
Old San Juan Food Court.
The Castillo de San Cristóbal.
Just like the good ole O-D days.
Port 3: St. Thomas
This is the lone port where we had previously visited. This time, we ventured to a new (to us) beach (Sapphire Beach) and got in some more snorkeling. This was much better, with tons of fish. Vacation was fully under way, now. I know this because I completely forgot what day it was and let slip from my mind that Syracuse was playing in the Final Four that evening.

Oh, that. Yeah, we had a good time watching both games poolside on the big screen, and I wasn’t even that perturbed at how the refs mucked up the end of the loss to Michigan. 

Port 4: St. Maarten/St. Martin
We blasted through both the Dutch and French sides of this island on a speed boat excursion that I forever will dub “The Spine Tingler.” Let’s just say the pace of the ride back to port after the snorkeling excursion was one helluva ride! What a fun day. We hit three snorkeling spots, had a great lunch and all the beers we could want. Saw hawksbill turtles, starfish and loads of other fish, including some extremely hungry and friendly little buggers that took a liking to a swimming CMac (see video). The island is great and now on the list of definite must-come-back-agains.

Port 5: Antigua
Snorkeling! Notice a theme? CMac loves her water time. Another great day, this time on a catamaran – with a canopy. Phew. My back needed a break from the bouncing and our skin a break from all the sun. Learned about a lot of the ecology of the island, swam out to Hell’s Gate for a hike up and over that bridge, surveyed a huge reef, visited a few beaches, had lunch and rum punch. What else could ya want?

Much better ride a day after the speed boat.
Hell's Gate
A quick hike.
Saw these cuties waiting for their mom outside a shop.
Port 6: Tortola
This marks six days in a row of waking up in a new port, and after so much sun and water, we decided to take it easy in Tortola. CMac’s skin was a little burned and itchy in spots, and my bald dome also needed a break. A leisurely stroll around the town for some shopping netted a nice swimsuit cover-up for Colls. We also grabbed a few postcards and were set for the three days at sea for the return to Baltimore.

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After a stroll through town, we found a view of the ship from the far side of the port.
Heading home
More trivia: We won quite a haul of prizes, some not too bad either, winning competitions focusing on topics ranging from 70s music to bar drinks to sports to a “Millionaire” style event.

Beer: Cozied up to the bar and met a whole lotta folks from all over the world and scored some free drinks from our super-cool bartenders, too.

Hit the gym daily: Had to earn the daily meals and desserts, ya know.

Nap time: See above. These daily snoozes are glorious, I tell ya.

Thanks for reading. Stay in touch. Next dispatches will be from our life together in Pennington.
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