The map shows Miami but we departed from Ft. Lauderdale
Its a 2-day trip from Florida to and from the Virgin Islands
 

Took a walk around Ft Lauderdale the evening before departure

Arriving at the ship

Great poolside entertainment.
Jessica's solo guitar was phenomenal every afternoon
 

Playing volleyball in the pool.
Dave at the net; top, center
The two day trip to the islands went fast!

There was an excellent Caribbean sunset every evening

Pilot boat rendezvous St Thomas

Cokie Beach St Thomas ...More
There was a huge downpour about an hour after this photo was taken
 

The best sand we had ever seen
 

We got under cover at this beach bar.
Their rum punch was excellent!

Everyone on the beach had to take cover, the downpour was unbelievable

Pilot boat offloading a pilot to get us safely docked at the second port

2nd island: St Kitts ...more

Disembark crowd St. Kitts. It was hot, low 80's and a bit humid
 

Catholic Church St. Kitts
We walked around town, looked at everything.

 

Colonial Building

On to Barbados!

 

Night swim in the pool
 

Another Pilot boat for Barbados

We take a taxi to Carlisle Beach ...more
 

Looks like maybe another downpour is coming.
The water is warm and the swimming is excellent!

We order a bucket of local beers.
It begins to rain; Dave is trying to stay under the umbrella,
The going rate everywhere was $20 for two lounge chairs and an umbrella, all day.

 

The pier at sunset, Barbados
 

On to St. Maarten, here's the pilot boat as we arrive
 

Two day visit to St Maarten. We take a water taxi across the harbor to town.
Looking back, there's our ship on the right and on the left, the second largest cruise ship in the world, Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas. 
We were happy they left that evening.
 

Thanksgiving Day, two lounge chairs and umbrella $20

 

Here's a guy "Kendall" that managed this part of the beach.
You paid him for the chairs and he'd get anything from the local restaurant/bar behind him.
Jan's negotiating for a glass of Chardonnay.

Jan gets a foot massage that's out of this world.
The woman had a bag full of Aloe leaves.
She'd scoop out the Aloe with her fingers and massage it into the skin.

We watch this drone fly up and down the beach.
We liked this island the best. More about St Maarten


 

Drone flew above us and hovered.
No idea who or why it was flying around there.
We smiled and waved
 

Having a taste of the local rum punch.
 

Two masted schooner off our balcony
 

The next day we paired up with another couple and visited Maho Beach.
It's at the end of a runway and everyone would cheer and shoot photos of the low flying aircraft.
We had seen photos on the internet of 747s in this same position.
 

Excellent swimming at Maho Beach

 On to Orient Beach for the last half of the day

 

Having a cold one with Bruce and Lisa at Orient Beach
 

Heading back to Florida...
Another two-day sail with more sun and pool-side fun

Banana Daiquiri

 

Sunset selfie

The ship even had a glass blowing "hot shop" on the top deck.
Three girls did demos twice a day making stuff.
On the last day they auctioned off everything with the proceeds to charity.
The vase being made in the picture went for over $600

  Cruise Critic: Celebrity Equinox

  Our Trip itinerary

  Trips Index

  Tree Farm Home

We were impressed with this ship.
3000 passengers 1400 crew and it didn't feel crowded.
Age of passengers was around our age, maybe a little older
Music and entertainment was top notch
Food in the restaurant and the buffet was 5 Stars to us.
Cruise Critic gives it a 4.5

11/28/16

 Heading home Alaska 737-700