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Even though the end of October is still within the tail end of the Caribbean hurricane season, it seemed worthwhile to return to the single most popular cruising area in the world and to enjoy the Dawn Princess (Ref 1) in a so-called Southern Caribbean Adventure Cruise. And since a cruise of seven days is not enough, I also continued on the Dawn Princess in its so-called Southern Caribbean Voyager Cruise (Ref 2) that managed to visit a different set of islands. There were more than 300 passengers from the UK that also were taking back-to-back cruises aboard the vessel.
The Dawn Princess has been favorably reviewed in detail elsewhere but I can confirm that it is a very comfortable and pleasant ship of the larger variety (capacity of slightly more than 2,000 passengers). It has all the amenities and the number of activities can keep a person continually hopping all over the vessel.
I arrived in San Juan, Puerto Rico (Ref 3)
three days before departure to rent a car and see the island. My overall impression is that Puerto Rico has as much or more to offer than any other Caribbean island save Cuba.
Oct 21 - San Juan departure 2300 hours on a Saturday night. The large moon illuminated the giant U-turn as we rounded El Morro San Juan fortress, with its lighted walls, and then east along the northern shore until the Fajardo area when the ship headed south towards Trinidad and South America.
Oct 22 - At Sea. A most welcome day at sea to explore the vessel and relax a bit. The weather, although hot, was thoroughly enjoyed by all the sun worshipers aboard and this style persisted for fourteen days. The steel drum band played daily in the main pool area and that added a nice note. Just what you would expect of the Caribbean.
Oct 23 - Trinidad (Ref 4). I enjoyed a bus ride around part of the island and a look at the busy city. Most of the passengers made distinct remarks that they didn't need to return as they did not consider it much of a resort destination. Perhaps they would have liked the neighboring laid back island of Tobago better.
Oct 24 - Barbados (Ref 5). Many consider Barbados as one of the best islands in the region. I headed east for Crane Beach Hotel and enjoyed an outstanding view and a nifty beach experience. There is a small charge but it can be used to purchase a drink or two.
Oct 25 - Antigua (Ref 6). Here again I took a bus ride across the island to interesting English Harbour and then headed for a beach and ocean swimming.
Oct 26 - Tortola, British Virgin Islands
(Ref 7). Road Town, the principal port, is a small town that seems to be designed for cars and vacant parking areas line both sides of the main streets. Curious. The small botanical garden is interesting and some swimming can be accomplished but the emphasis seems to be on catering to the boating public that loves these American and British Virgin Islands. Many passengers took the ferry and enjoyed Virgin Gorda and the baths.
Oct 27 - St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands (Ref 8). I took the 45-minute ferry from Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay on St. John Island (Ref 9) just east of St. Thomas. A short taxi ride to Trunk Bay where a US national park affords facilities and an excellent world-class beach complete with underwater trail markers for snorkelers. The return was via a 15-minute ferry ride to Red Hook at the easternmost point of St. Thomas and a taxi back to the ship at Havensite.
Oct 28 - San Juan (Ref 10). Return to San Juan was very early, perhaps at 0500, and offloading started at approximately 0800. I stayed aboard but spent the day touring the colorful old part of San Juan. Fortunately, there were no large-scale political rallies as there were before the cruise when traffic was gridlocked for many hours at a stretch in the pier areas.
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