COSTA CRUISE: 22 Nights – The Caribbean To Rome – $1500
Aside from visiting nine Caribbean islands, and stopping in the Canary Islands for two days, the Costa Magica is letting me disembark in Rome so I can visit Florence, San Marino and Venice. For those of you looking for great deals on cruises head for VacationsToGo.com . They are the largest sellers of discount cruises, and have everything to suit your needs.
I have a disadvantage traveling solo on cruises because they charge single supplements, sometimes as much as 100% of the cost of the cruise. They have a special area on the site for people traveling solo or who are looking for singles cruises. This time I was spared the single supplement altogether, and it was also a relocation cruise so there was an amazing double savings for only $1500.
I would never buy a cruise anywhere else, and the customer service is as good as their bargains. I did purchase $400 of services and excursions, but I saved on airfare to Europe which more than covered that expense. Hey I’m going to be celebrating my 60th. Birthday on board so I have to make it a little special. Hold the phone, they included a $200 shipboard credit. WOW!
My new home. No packing and unpacking for three whole weeks.
It’s so nice to be in one place for a while, and yet at the same time be traveling around.
ST. KITTS
FIRST PORT OF DEBARKATION
ST. KITTS BY TRAIN – It’s a special small gauge railway, and a relaxing way to see the island.
Just sit back and let the world go by with a cool drink and a fresh ocean breeze.
AMBROSIA – Serving up her namesake in the for of a plethora of rum concoctions.
STATELY MANOR
Humble Dwelling – A friendly chap who is representative of the friendly people of St. Kitts. It is an independent country, and one that I am likely to return to given the great attitude of its residents. They show a graciousness not found in other islands of the Caribbean. People waved to us for the duration of our trip.
Large areas of untouched land surround the island. This area was once home to the sugarcane industry.
ONE OF FOUR BRIDGES ON OUR JOURNEY
FORMER WINDMILL AND CHIMNEY USED IN THE PROCESSING OF SUGARCANE
LOCAL TRIO SINGING ISLAND FAVORITES
This land was sold off very cheaply by a very generous man so that the locals could afford to build here.
St. Kitts Eco-Park
TORTOLA – BVI
COSTA MAGICA – A Holland America ship heads out to sea.
That empty spot of land on the right enabled me to take those nice shot of the Costa Magica.
DOWNTOWN TORTOLA – Souvenir Shops
RACE TRACK ON BOTTOM LEFT
STOUTT’S LOOK OUT – Fun, little, open-air bar with a fantastic view.
LIKE I SAID
OUR GUIDE
There were a lot of big kids playing in the sand as well, but this made a much better picture.
BACK TO THE SHIP
ST. MAARTEN/ST. MARTIN
TALL SHIP – I nearly took the tour on that ship, but if I had I wouldn’t have been able to get this shot.
I would have also been stuck in the sun for three and a half hours. No thanks.
Yes Please! Unfortunately the sign is far from indicative of the sights to be seen. We were only subjected to old guys with their bellies and junk hanging out. Some were flapping about in the breeze as they jogged up the beach. Not so pleasant to look at.
NO JUNK ALLOWED
NUDITY PROHIBITED
THEY COME IN PRETTY LOW
ANTIGUA
A STEEL BAND WELCOME
GREEN STONE CHURCH
NELSON’S DOCKYARD
UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE
CLEMENTS HOUSE – ALSO A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE
The original bakery from Admiral Nelson’s days on Antigua.
VERY TASTY CHICKEN PASTRY
ANOTHER GREEN STONE CHURCH
PINK CATHOLIC CHURCH
THE FIRST PRIME MINISTER OF ANTIGUA
SHIPBOARD SCULPTURE
ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
NEARING ST. VINCENT
APPROACHING THE PORT
THE FORT
CANNONS – These were facing the land to protect from the indigenous population.
LOOKING BACK AT OUR SHIP
ST. VINCENT BOTANICAL GARDENS
8 Comments
Karen Devers
March 27, 2017This looks very cozy indeed. I’ve never taken a cruise and always wanted to. One of these days . . . .
The Travel Zealot
March 27, 2017Never say never Devers. At these prices you almost can’t afford not to! I just found out they threw in a $200 credit as well so my excursions were cut in half. Alaska is a good place for cruising as well, although the Caribbean is unceasingly beautiful.
Karen Devers
March 31, 2017You have some great shots here and I think the I love BVI photo would be a popular one to sell. You just need to lighten it up and bump up the color a bit. It’s a knock out!
Yes, the Alaskan cruise is on my list and I love the relocation cruise concept.
The Travel Zealot
March 31, 2017I lightened up the BVI photo to the max and that took care of the color. Good suggestion. I’ve got to hand it to those kids for unintentionally creating a great shot for me. It was like shooting ducks in a barrel. I pity the fools who took selfies and missed that one. Happens all the time.
Dinachka and Miachka
April 15, 2017The room you had looked pretty cozy . I would have loved to lay around on those beaches too.
The Travel Zealot
April 15, 2017Dina,
The room was super comfy especially with Palani keeping it in order 24/7. As far as beaches go, stay away from the one in Martinique. You will enjoy beaches in Playa del Carmen in October. They are on the Caribbean, and one is below a famous Mayan temple.
Jason
April 16, 2017Those photos are flat out gorgeous! The clouds, the beaches, the elevated views. You make it look effortless which I know is not always the case. That little train ride looked really fun. Keep up the good work.
The Travel Zealot
April 17, 2017The Caribbean is super photogenic especially given the weather we got. The only bad weather occurred when I was sick around my birthday, so we’ll have to get out and celebrate when I return. The train was an effortless and helpful moving photo platform. Sweetpea, the guide was an absolute delight. There were even air conditioned cars down below, and all the rum you could drink topside. From Piña Coladas to Cuba Libres served up by the pretty Ambrosia.