Royal Caribbean Blog

Today is our last day on the Mariner, but what better way to end the cruise than in CocoCay?

Patty and I woke up at 10 a.m. this morning and headed to the Windjammer for breakfast. We were able to get a great table that overlooked the colorful entrance of CocoCay.

Also visiting CocoCay today was Allure of the Seas. We had a feeling the island was going to be busy, so we got off the ship as soon as we were done eating.

Our first stop during our (perfect) day at CocoCay was Chill Island, which you can get to quickly by taking a left once you get on the island. Here you can find tons of seats and umbrellas for sunbathing and relaxing by the sea. There are also daybeds here you can rent for a fee if that is more your style.

It was a very hot day (85 degrees but felt like 95), so I wanted to stop and get a drink at The Wacky Seagull. Someone ahead of me ordered a Miami Vice (also known as a Lava Flow); it looked so good that I had to get one too. Patty and I sat down and enjoyed the views while I savored my drink.

We started going towards the Oasis Lagoon so we could cool off in the water. There were multiple shops along the way for those that enjoy shopping. The Chill Grill is also near Chill Island. We decided to check out the food they offered, and boy were we surprised to see how much food they had!

The Chill Grill had burgers, tacos, hotdogs, sandwiches, fruit and various desserts. It was a much larger selection than Royal Caribbean’s other private island, Labadee. Patty and I decided to split a cuban sandwich and ribeye cheesesteak sandwich.

I could hear the music bopping from the Oasis Lagoon, so I knew we were close! The lagoon was busy when we first got there, and it stayed that way most of the afternoon.

All the beach chairs were claimed by towels so it was hard to find an empty one to put our stuff down. Luckily, Patty didn’t have to wait too long, as a couple decided to leave when she was near them. The seats were right by the lagoon and had the perfect view of the swim-up bar.

Celebrating the fact that we found chairs, I visited the swim-up bar and got myself a Bahama Mama. It helped me stay cool in the heat for sure. A lot of the group cruisers were hanging out here so it was fun to see them and chat. This was my first Royal Caribbean Blog group cruise, and I met lots of friendly people that have made my first experience memorable.

I love jamming to the music at the lagoon, so that makes this place my favorite spot on the island. The DJ does an excellent job of playing current and older pop songs to get people hyped and excited.

As I mentioned, we were worried the island was going to be busy since there were two cruise ships. This was not the case because the island is larger than it looks. There are many places to go and spend your day, almost like a resort. This was my third time at CocoCay, and every time I visit, I find new spots or things to do!

The heat was catching up to us, so we chose to head back to the ship and give ourselves plenty of time to shower and get ready for dinner.

I had heard from an employee that I can get a Johnny Rockets shake as part of my Diamond Plus status, so I wanted to go see if this was true. Johnny Rockets is only open from noon to 5 p.m., so I had to go before dinner. Turns out the employee was right, and I got an Oreo shake for free! I wish I would’ve known about this sooner.

We didn’t want to forget to look at all of our professional pictures and buy some, so we did that since we were close to the dining room. We decided on our welcome aboard picture and another from a photoshoot.

Matt was sitting with his daughters at a table of eight, so he invited my mom and me to join them. It was a lovely dinner with great company!

Patty ordered the crispy coconut shrimp as an appetizer. We both got the cheese tortelloni as the main dish. I thought this was super good and different than how it has looked in the past. As I was eating it, it occurred to me that it tasted like mac n cheese, in a good way!

Dinner had two of my favorite desserts - the summer fruit pavlova and dark chocolate brownie. Both were a-ma-zing and I so wish I could bring home some leftovers (but there were none to be had).

The Farewell Variety Showtime featured both Adam Kario, the juggler and comedian from last night, and Jeffrey Allen, who had performed towards the beginning of this sailing.

Adam put on a great show and brought someone up to help him with an act, and that was fun to watch. The crowd even gave him a standing ovation. Jeffrey is an Elton John impersonator. While I did not know any of the songs he played, I could still appreciate his musical talent.

After the show, it was approaching 8 p.m., and it was time for the sunset. We made our way to the helicopter pad at the front of the ship. There were about 20 other people up there taking pictures of the sunset as well. It was beautiful for our last night at sea.

Since this is the last night of the cruise, we had to pack to leave. Patty and I are not light packers, so we had to dedicate a chunk of time to getting ready for tomorrow's long day back home.

There was still one more event I wanted to attend at 9:45 p.m. - The Battle of the Sexes game show. The host asked for five women and five men to come up on stage to represent each team. They then had to compete in certain challenges, like making a paper airplane and seeing who could throw theirs the farthest and choreographing a synchronized dance with a handkerchief. It was a fun show, but I had to leave early to finish up my packing.

That’s a wrap on our Mariner of the Seas group cruise. Thank you for following along with us! Our next group cruise is in December on Wonder of the Seas. In the meantime, happy cruising!

Happy Sunday! We hope you are having a great weekend! Now it’s time to sit back, relax, and catch up on all the Royal Caribbean news from the week!

The big news in the cruise world this week came when the CDC ended its voluntary Covid-19 program for cruise ships.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced it will no longer report Covid cases on cruise ships, which includes the color-coded program that provided case numbers on individual ships.

In lieu of the program, the CDC will continue to publish recommendations, but it will ultimately be up to the cruise lines to implement their own protocols.

Royal Caribbean News

• CDC posts new Covid-19 recommendations for cruise ships
• 7 ways to have a great time in port without a cruise ship shore excursion
• UK vs. US cruising: What are the main differences?

Video: 10 Tips To Save Anyone Time on a Cruise Ship!

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Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — 10 Tips To Save Anyone Time on a Cruise Ship! — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Read our Mariner of the Seas live blog

We've been sailing on Mariner of the Seas this past week and sharing a daily look at what it's like onboard.

Matt and Angie are on an 8-night eastern Caribbean cruise that departed from Port Canaveral.

Guide to cruises to Greece

Have you dreamed of sailing to the Greek isles some day?

Whether you’re interested in touring the birthplace of the Olympics, swimming at world-renowned beaches, or strolling charming villages, visiting Greece is sure to impress.

Check out our Greek Isles cruise guide for everything you need to know for this type of sailing.

What's the difference between big and small Royal Caribbean cruise ships?

Does it really matter if you book a big cruise ship or a small cruise ship?

There are advantages and drawbacks to each size of ship, and it's important to know the differences between each one.

Before booking a cruise, you should know if you should choose a big ship or a small ship.

Although it was a day at sea, my mom and I had a busy day!

We both have slept in every day of this sailing, and today was no different. Patty has been wanting to try breakfast in the main dining room, so she hurried down to deck three before it closed at 9:30 a.m. I on the other hand went to the Windjammer because I needed to eat quickly.

Patty told me she was very impressed with how fast the service was in the main dining room because she arrived, ordered, and ate in only 25 minutes. She started off with a bran muffin and a fruit plate. For the main course, she got Eggs Your Way with sides of bacon and cheese grits. She was shocked by how big of a bowl the cheese grits were. The food was all very good, she said. Patty enjoyed being waited on and would do it again even if she had limited time to eat breakfast.

At 10 a.m., the group cruisers gathered in the conference room to hear Matt record a podcast for his channel. He described what he did at each port and his overall experience on the group cruise thus far. After that, he answered a few cruise questions people emailed him. It was fun to be a part of his episode.

I had been eyeing the frappuccino drinks at the Cafe Promenade, so I ordered a caramel one to try. I didn’t know if there would be coffee in it so I wasn’t sure what to expect. It did have coffee in it, but it wasn’t too strong of a taste so I was happy about that.

While I was getting my drink, the Veteran's Gathering was taking place. It was a special event, and I could tell many felt the same way. 

Next up on my agenda was the Ladies Pamper Party in the salon. I have been to this event multiple times on past cruises because I like to feel a little pampered every now and then! The event was busy, as all the seats were taken when my mom and I arrived.

The employees sampled various cleansers, toners, moisturizers, etc., and described to us how to apply them to our face and neck. I have the same old skincare routine, so I enjoyed switching it up and experimenting with new products.

One of the products they used was the sunglow bronzer, which I have been using for at least 10 years when I purchased it on a previous cruise. The employees applied it to those that wanted to try it, so Patty and I had that done.

At 1 p.m., the group cruise had a private ice skating event in Studio B. After signing a waiver and getting geared up, we were able to hit the ice. I was very rusty at first and had to get used to the skates before I was comfortable to slowly maneuver myself around the rink.

Even Matt came on the ice for a short while!

Love & Marriage was at 2 p.m., which I thought was an odd time because it’s usually at night during production showtime. Nonetheless, we attended the event with a strawberry daiquiri and lava flow in hand.

This show is one of my favorites, so I was excited. I have seen the show so many times that I can predict almost every question they ask the couples! The newlyweds won this time around.

We had some time to spare before afternoon trivia, so Patty and I relaxed on deck four and watched the waves. Deck four has become one of our favorite quiet spots on the Mariner.

Patty likes to walk laps, and she said she prefers walking on deck four rather than deck 12. Deck 12 is busy with sunbathers and group gatherings that prohibit her from a constant walk.

Deck four is far less busy; even without a walking path, she gets a good workout in. Another plus is that for at least half of the time, she is in the shade versus in the sun on deck 12.

Patty and I had not been to general knowledge trivia yet on this cruise, so we were intrigued to see how we would do. We actually did not do too bad (I thought) and scored 9/20. We knew we did not win, so we left before they announced the winners (who got a perfect score).

Since we were right by the casino, I wanted to test my luck. My family says I am the lucky one of the group, but that was not the case today. I did not bet much, but I lost it all and was left with a measly 0.24 cents. I left the casino with nothing to brag about, but I still had fun.

By this time, we needed to get ready for dinner. Tonight was “dress your best” night which is the equivalent of the old formal night. I find it interesting how they changed the terminology, but I can see why since people may not want to get dressed to the nines for dinner. I would estimate that only 25% of guests dressed in formal attire while most of us were business casual.

Upon seating at the table, you are expected to scan a QR code and use your phone to look at the dinner menu. My phone wasn’t easily accessible, so I asked for a physical menu which I appreciated. On this cruise, I realized I miss getting the physical menu every night, but I understand their reasoning to limit germs.

I started with the roasted tomato soup while Patty got the Asian-style pork tacos. The main course was chicken cordon bleu for me and tagliatelle pasta for Patty.

She told me she missed having meat during her dinner, so she also later ordered the grilled lamb chops. I helped her finish her pasta.

Dessert consisted of tres leches, crème brûlée and the apple blossom à la mode. They have the apple blossom every night, but I just had to order it because I know how good it is. It was a great choice!

By the time we finished dinner, it was already time for the 7 p.m. headliner show “Center Stage.” I thought it was just the singers and dancers, but there was also a juggling & comedian act in the middle - The singers and dancers opened and closed the show. It was nice that we got to see a variety of entertainment that everyone could enjoy.

Right after the show, there was an 80’s party happening in the Royal Promenade. Similar to the 70’s disco inferno, there was music and dancing to all things 80’s. Patty and I watched the show for a little while, then we went to the Bamboo Room to share a mojito. The mojito in the Bamboo Room is excellent in my opinion.

I had some time before the 10 p.m. game show, so Patty and I went up to the Solarium to relax in one of the daybeds. These are always occupied during the day, so we were happy to finally enjoy one tonight. We couldn’t even feel that we were moving and it was peaceful to hear the rhythm of the waves.

The game show was Adult Majority Rules. They had a regular Majority Rules earlier this cruise that I attended. The one tonight was a completely different version. It was so funny; I think I laughed the most I ever have during a game show.

Immediately after, there was adult karaoke. I listened to a few singers - some were great and others not so much. I can’t judge though because I cannot sing myself!

Tomorrow we will be visiting one of Royal Caribbean’s private islands, CocoCay.

Today's port of call was St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The ship arrived at 7 a.m. and had a scheduled departure of 12:30 p.m.

Knowing we did not have much time in port today, Patty and I decided to wake up earlier than usual and head up to the Windjammer for a quick breakfast. I had my usual while Patty switched it up with some yogurt and biscuits with gravy.

Once we lathered up with sunscreen, we wanted to get off and walk around the port, which seemed to be the common theme among other cruisers. While at the Windjammer, we could see a beach nearby, so we first wanted to stop there.

As we were walking off the ship and into the port, I could hear music in the distance. This is nothing too unusual, but as we walked closer, I noticed it was just a man blaring music from speakers and not actual musicians. I thought this was interesting, but hey, it was a hot day to be outside doing live entertainment.

The last time I was here was in January 2015. The port looked exactly as I remembered. We had not gone to the beach, so I was unsure how to get there. However, it was quite easy to find, as it was just around the corner from the main square.

Frederiksted Beach was conveniently located less than a 10-minute walk from the port. There were lounge chairs and umbrellas all around. It was busy today, and many families were enjoying the ocean and sunbathing. We also stumbled upon a perfect picture opportunity with Mariner in the background, so we had to take some photos!

We wanted to see some of the shopping, so we made our way back toward the main square. Another person had his computer plugged in and playing music for all to hear. There were the typical pop-up shops here, such as t-shirts, jewelry, local art and other knickknacks.

As we walked a little farther, I noticed a small group of people gathered around a pen. Upon further inspection, I noticed four small puppies. They were so cute and loved by everyone that saw them (including me).

They were from the St. Croix Animal Welfare Center: “providing and promoting the humane treatment of animals in our community.” The last time I was in St. Croix, the same organization was there with puppies. One of the workers told me their breed is unknown, but they were a couple months old.

After taking a few more photos and enjoying the scenery, Patty and I were ready to head to the ship and cool off. It was 90 degrees and humid. We were in the sun a lot yesterday, so we were burnt and not wanting to get even more burnt.

We had been wanting to try the main dining room lunch on board, so we did that as soon as we got back. We were seated right away, and next to the window which I liked. Since my mom’s phone wasn’t working, they were able to give her a physical lunch menu while I looked on my phone.

I ordered the mozzarella sticks for an appetizer while Patty got the Manhattan clam chowder and insalata caprese. For the main meal, I got the chicken sandwich and Patty got salmon. Lastly, I got the Floating Island, which was meringue in a vanilla creme sauce with caramelized sugar on top. Overall, we enjoyed the lunch and service. We also had nice conversation with a couple seated next to us.

As soon as we finished lunch, the ship was leaving St. Croix, so we watched the sail away from deck 4.

Patty was sleepy from the night before and took a nap. She told me how she woke up last night to some rough waters, so she did not sleep as well as she would’ve liked. Luckily I slept right through it!

As Patty was napping, I wanted to do some work, so I tried to find a place to sit with my computer. I wasn’t sure where to go, but as soon as I saw the Starbucks, I knew that would be a good place to go. There was seating all around, even behind the counter, so it was easy to find a quiet spot.

The Wi-Fi onboard has been pretty good this sailing. There are moments when it’s slow, but it works for the most part. I had a few small issues with the Surf & Stream but I was able to get my work done.

We had not gone to the Diamond Lounge yet, so we wanted to stop by before our 5:30 dinner. The lounge was pretty full (but that isn’t saying much because it’s small to begin with) but we had no problems getting little appetizers and our drink order in. I got the chocolate martini and Patty tried a mango mojito - both were very tasty choices. I actually liked my mom’s more than mine!

In the main dining room, I started off with the baked potato soup while Patty had the seafood puff pastry and escargot (she orders this every night). For the main course, I had the lasagna al forno and she had the beef stroganoff. Our waitress, Carol, did warn us that it had pickles in it and therefore wasn’t as popular, but Patty wanted to try it anyway. We appreciate her honesty when we are trying to decide what we want!

For dessert, I got the English trifle and Patty got the coconut layer cake. We were very pleased with our meal and the friendly service.

We had just enough time to make it to the 7 p.m. show: The Magic of Puck. We got there 20 minutes early so we got good seats in the aisle on the main floor. The show was packed, so I was glad we got there when we did. Puck was on season seven of America’s Got Talent, so I knew he would not disappoint. He did an excellent job with his tricks and audience engagement.

The night was still young, and there were two game shows I wanted to attend: The Perfect Couple and The Liars Club. They were both in the Star Lounge back-to-back.

I wasn’t sure what to expect at The Perfect Couple - I thought maybe this was replacing Love & Marriage. I would be disappointed if they got rid of Love & Marriage because that is my favorite show on Royal Caribbean cruises! Once I was at the gameshow, I quickly remembered that this is different.

Three couples participated in three challenges to see which couple was most compatible. I was rooting for the older couple, and they ended up winning!

I had to wait about 20 minutes before the next game show, so I stayed in my spot since it was still busy. I am wondering if they should have these gameshows in the Royal Theatre since they seem to be popular and we are sailing at full capacity.

The Liars Club is where three employees attempt to convince the audience they know the definition of odd words. For example, the first word was “slangwhanger.” The three employees gave various descriptions (trigger happy, a shy and quiet child, or a loud and obnoxious speaker), then the audience voted who they thought was telling the truth. It was a fun time and many laughs were had.

Tomorrow we will be at sea before arriving in CocoCay!

I recently went on my first cruise from the United Kingdom after previously only sailing from ports in the United States. While planning my cruise, I wasn’t sure what differences I should expect on a cruise departing from the UK vs. the US.

Once I got onboard, I realized that while there were a few slight differences, the Royal Caribbean experience was nearly exactly the same whether sailing from the UK or the US. However, it was fun to spot the ever so slight differences onboard, from certain foods available in the Windjammer to being able to brew tea in my cabin.

After all, while you may be on a Royal Caribbean cruise from the UK, you’re still with an American cruise line. Therefore you may not see as many differences onboard as opposed to if you would sail with a British cruise line.

For example, British cruise lines, including Cunard and P&O Cruises, offer an afternoon tea service, where you can enjoy a variety of teas, sweets, and savory bites. This is something you won’t find on a Royal Caribbean cruise departing from the UK.

Nonetheless, let’s take a look at the top differences I noticed between my UK and US cruises with Royal Caribbean, and some general differences you’ll see when planning your UK cruise.

Tea kettles in the cabin

Something you’ll notice when entering your stateroom for the first time on a UK cruise is an in-cabin electric kettle for coffee and tea. You can make instant coffee and tea directly from your room, which can be nice when you are having a relaxing morning in the cabin.

While you may encounter this on Alaska cruises leaving from the US or Canada (as I did on Ovation of the Seas last year), it’s not guaranteed.

Attitude toward the weather

The most "culture shock" I had on my cruise from Southampton was on our first sea day. As we began traveling toward France, the weather was not cooperating. The sky was completely gray, winds were not ideal, and the temperature did not feel like mid-June.

I had to walk from one side of the ship to another, so I decided to walk on the pool deck. I was shocked when I walked outside and saw tons of passengers on the pool deck... with several even swimming outdoors! Some passengers were using towels as blankets, others in full winter jackets, and some "sunbathing" in just a swimsuit.

I couldn't help but imagine how empty the pool deck would be if we encountered similar weather on a cruise from Florida! I appreciated the determination of the passengers onboard my cruise from the UK to enjoy their vacation no matter the weather. Luckily the weather improved later on in the week, but it was a fun difference to note.

Time of year to sail

You can cruise with Royal Caribbean year-round on itineraries leaving from the United States. Whether January, July, or October, you’ll find a wide range of itineraries available. While certain destinations are seasonal, such as Alaska and Northeast/Canada cruises, the majority of sailings are offered any time of the year.

Royal Caribbean’s UK cruising season typically runs from May to October each year. If you’re looking to sail on Anthem of the Seas in, say, January, you’ll have to fly over to the US.

Outlets

One minor difference that UK cruisers should know before booking a Royal Caribbean ship is that there are no Type G (UK) outlets onboard, so it’s important to pack a few plug adapters in your bag.

Royal Caribbean ships have both Type C (Europlug) and Type A/B (USA) outlets available in cruise ship cabins. 

Drink options

Royal Caribbean works hard to cater cruises to passenger demographics onboard. On cruises departing from China, for example, you’ll find more Chinese-influenced cuisine and beverage options.

Similarly, one thing you’ll find on cruises leaving from the UK is a menu of gins and beers available. I was surprised to find a menu of gins and beers set up on tables throughout the ship, as I had never seen this on a US cruise before!

Menu differences

One thing you’re bound to notice on a UK cruise is the additional menu options available in the Main Dining Room. Each night, you’ll find two additional menu options: an English-style main (Guinness pie, chicken and leek pie, etc.) and an Indian curry.

While you can technically order Indian food in the Main Dining Room on cruises departing from the US, you won’t find it on the menu. Instead, you’ll have to inquire with your waiter about what Indian options are available that day.

On UK cruises, though, an Indian option is listed on the main courses section of the dining room menu each evening. Curry options are quite diverse, too, from a classic chicken tikka masala to lamb and fish curries.

You may also find English-influenced cuisine in the Windjammer, from dessert puddings to savory pies and English breakfast.

Ports

Cruise ports on a sailing departing from the UK are, unsurprisingly, quite different from where you’ll visit on a cruise departing from the US.

Cruises from the United Kingdom visit the following destinations:

• Norwegian Fjords
• Northern Spain & France
• Mediterranean
• Canary Islands

There are also several itineraries that visit the British Isles, although they usually do not depart from Southampton. Jewel of the Seas, for example, will be offering British Isles cruises departing from Amsterdam and visiting ports in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Ireland.

Most cruises from the US, on the other hand, visit the following destinations:

• Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean
• Alaska
• Bermuda
• Northeast & Canada
• Mexican Riviera

Both UK and US cruises offer a range of landscapes, cultures, and history to discover. If you’re looking for a warm, sunny beach day, you’ll be able to find that on a Mediterranean or Canary Islands cruise from the UK or a Caribbean cruise from the US.

Likewise, if mountains and fjords are more your style, a Norwegian fjords cruise and an Alaska cruise will both offer unbelievable scenery and cooler temperatures.

Ships

You’ll have many more options when it comes to picking a ship when sailing from a US port. Most Royal Caribbean ships are sailing from a US port at some point during the year, so you won’t have trouble finding a ship that matches your cruising preferences.

You’ll typically have only one option when cruising out of the UK. Anthem of the Seas is the primary Royal Caribbean ship that sails from Southampton, England.

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Even though there’s only one ship option, Anthem of the Seas is a favorite among Royal Caribbean fans. As a Quantum Class ship, she is designed to sail in the cooler temperatures you may encounter on a UK cruise, with indoor relaxation and activity spaces for guests of all ages.

Among her features are the North Star observation pod, RipCord by iFLY indoor skydiving, and a full-length musical production of We Will Rock You.

Guests & crew onboard

Generally speaking, the majority of guests onboard a cruise departing from the US are from the United States, Canada, or Latin America. Cruises departing from England tend to have a primarily UK passenger makeup, although you’ll also find passengers from all over the world.

I estimated that around 80% or more of the passengers on my Anthem of the Seas cruise were from the UK or Ireland. I was definitely in the minority with my American accent!

I also noticed more staff from the UK on my cruise from Southampton compared to sailing from the US, including the cruise director and pub singer (although this could have just been a coincidence).

Read more about cruising from the UK:

• I tried my first cruise from the UK: here's what you should know
• Anthem of the Seas Live Blog: 7-night Spain & France cruise from Southampton

Hi everyone! My name is Angie. I am one of the Social Media Managers for Royal Caribbean Blog. I am going to be taking over the rest of the live blog for this sailing!

Today we arrived in St. Kitts. Joining me on this cruise is my mom, Patty, who loves cruising as much as I do.

We pulled into the port around 10:30 a.m., so we had plenty of time to enjoy breakfast in the Windjammer. We even got to see the mountainous and lush St. Kitts scenery while eating.

I always go for a sticky bun (they have different flavors every day), an omelet and cranberry bread (one of my all-time favorites). The last time I was on the Mariner in April, I was able to create my own omelet, but I could not this cruise. The standard ham and cheese combo is a good alternative.

We had an excursion today - “Catamaran Fan-ta-sea to Nevis with Snorkel and Beach” - with those of us on the group cruise.

We were instructed to meet the group outside at the white tents at 11 a.m. Since everyone was getting off the ship at the same time, it was quite busy and we weren’t sure if we would make it on time.

By 11:30 a.m., everyone had gotten off the ship and we were ready to board the 65-foot catamaran. It was a short walk to the catamaran, and I was glad we didn’t have to go on a bus ride to get there.

Since I am prone to motion sickness, I took some Dramamine and I was ready to go!

Once on board, we made our way about seven miles to Shitten Bay (I swear that is the real name). Here, we were able to snorkel or stay on the catamaran and enjoy the views. I opted for the snorkeling while Patty stayed on board and took photos.

I had a fun time swimming around and seeing all the different kinds of fish, rocks, coral, etc. I saw tons of Sergeant Major fish as well as Trumpetfish. One of the workers even dove down to show us an octopus hiding under a rock, a rainbow fish, and some pretty shells.

We snorkeled for about 45 minutes, then we had lunch on the catamaran. The menu included jerk chicken, mac n cheese pie, sweet potato pudding, rice and beans, and a lettuce salad. Drinks were also included. I had some fruit punch while many had soft drinks, rum punch, or beer.

After lunch, they took us to Nevis, a nearby island, which was about another four miles away. They dropped us off on the beach where we could do our own thing for an hour. There were plenty of lounging chairs with umbrellas, but I assumed they would cost extra. To my surprise, we sat down and no one asked us to pay. After being in the sun for quite a while, I wanted to get under some shade, especially since I burn easily.

Not long after sitting down did we get bombarded by locals trying to sell us stuff - jewelry, hats, dresses, t-shirts. I was not looking to buy anything but Patty was suckered into buying two hats for $15. It ends up she did alright negotiating because someone else on our excursion paid more from the same salesman.

A dip in the cool, clear water and some lounging beach time went by fast, as the catamaran was soon back to pick us up and head back to the ship.

We had a leisurely, hour-long trip back to the starting point. It was choppy waters at first, but then the last half was smooth sailing. I laid down in the front of the catamaran and relaxed while enjoying the beautiful landscapes.

This excursion was a fun experience! All four workers were friendly, helpful, and personable. One took extra care of the passengers that needed additional assistance. Another was great with the kids and gave them snacks and seashells. Captain Phil and his crew were always smiling, offering drinks, and asking if we needed anything.

As we were leaving, one of them gave me a magnet of a frog that said “Nevis” on it - it was very cute.

We arrived back at about 5 p.m. The ship was leaving at 5:30, so we did not have time to shop around. My mom always likes to get a t-shirt or two, but there was no time, so we headed back to the Mariner.

We have 5:30 dinner in the main dining room, and we were able to get there just a little late since we had to drop off things in our cabin and rinse off. Our waiters, Carol and Frederick, are always so accommodating and never make us feel bad if we arrive late.

Dinner was good as usual! My mom loves seafood, so she ordered the escargot, shrimp cocktail, and seafood cake. For the main course, I chose the chicken parmesan while mom decided to get the New York strip steak.

Dessert was tasty, as I got the Mississippi Mud Pie. Mom got the no-sugar-added dark chocolate custard. We also decided to share the lemon curd tartlet. All were great choices, but mom did say she wished the custard had some whipped cream on top.

After dinner, we tried to attend the 7 p.m. ice skating show, but it was too late as the person at the front said the venue was full. However, I did notice others going in since they had people saving them seats. We had to wait and try the 9:15 show instead.

To pass some time, we checked out the casino. As Diamond Plus members, we have $6 free play on any machine in the casino. Patty chose to play some Jacks or Better poker. It entertained her for over an hour; she doubled her money at one point, but then lost it all. Isn’t that how it usually goes?

Once it was almost time for the ice show, we got there early to snag seats. The venue was packed; there were even people standing behind the seats to watch the show. The show was “Ice Under the Big Top” and included lots of elaborate and colorful costumes and sets. It was an upbeat way to end a great day!

Tomorrow we will be in St. Croix.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published new recommendations pertaining to Covid-19 for cruise ships and cruise lines.

Included in the recent post, the CDC addresses the following categories; onboard Covid-19 response plans, shoreside response plans, port operation components, medical care components, housing components, Covid-19 vaccines, surveillance for Covid-19, Covid-19 surveillance testing reminders, and procedures for embarking passengers including pre-embarkation Covid-19 testing.

This recent posting by the CDC comes on the heels of their announcement on July 18th, 2022 that the voluntary Covid-19 Program for Cruise Ships was coming to an end.

Instead, the CDC would provide general guidance and recommendations to cruise lines for safe practices regarding Covid-19. With this new guidance, the CDC will instead provide general health and safety recommendations to cruise lines, this is very similar to how they are providing guidance to other areas of the travel industry, such as airlines.

“As of July 18, 2022, CDC’s COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships is no longer in effect. CDC will continue to publish guidance to help cruise ships continue to provide a safer and healthier environment for passengers, crew and communities going forward,” states the CDC on their website.

The CDC stated in this new posting, “this guidance is based on the best available science regarding the subject areas covered. CDC will reevaluate the guidance for cruise ships periodically, based on scientific evidence and the state of the pandemic, and update the guidance as needed. CDC will notify cruise ship operators if the guidance is updated.”

As reported last week, the guidance posted by the CDC are only recommendations, not changes being made to cruise line protocols. Each individual cruise line, including Royal Caribbean, will evaluate the recommendations made by the CDC and will choose what their individual protocols will be.

The most recent guidance presented by the CDC cover nearly every aspect of cruising, including Covid-19 vaccines. The CDC says the following about Covid-19 vaccines for cruise travelers, “CDC recommends all eligible travelers be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines.”

The guidance also recommend that cruise ships conduct pre-embarkation Covid-19 testing saying, “to reduce likelihood of onboard transmission, cruise ship operators should consider requiring travelers to get tested for current infection with a viral test as close to the time of departure as possible (no more than 3 days before travel) and present their negative test result prior to boarding. Testing within 1 day of embarkation is highly recommended.”

The posted guidance by the CDC mean the organization is still recommending that cruise passengers be both vaccinated against Covid-19, as well as take a Covid-19 test prior to boarding a cruise ship.

It is important to know that this guidance posted by the CDC are only recommendations for cruise lines, and that it is up to each cruise line which, if any, of the recommendations they choose to follow.

The decision to end the CDC’s COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships, allows cruise lines to determine and set their own individual Covid-19 policies and requirements.

Royal Caribbean posts their Covid-19 requirements on their website under their “Healthy Sail Center”. “The U.S. CDC recently announced that the COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships is no longer in effect, and published recommendations to guide cruise lines as they determine protocols. Upon review, we will adjust our protocols and provide guidance to our guests. For now, our current protocols remain in effect for cruises departing U.S. homeports,” states Royal Caribbean on their website as of today, July 21, 2022.

Currently, Royal Caribbean has adjusted requirements for sailing depending on where the cruise ship embarks from. For example, passengers embarking on a cruise from Florida must meet the following requirements in order to sail: be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 at least 14 days before sailing (children age 11 and under are not required to be vaccinated against Covid-19). Guests sailing from Florida are also required to take a Covid-19 test before sailing. “Before arriving on boarding day, you’ll need to take a COVID-19 test on your own, at your own expense, to meet boarding requirements in line with U.S. CDC guidance. Vaccinated guests must show a negative result for a PCR or antigen test no more that 2 days before boarding day,” states Royal Caribbean on their website. Royal Caribbean’s Covid-19 requirements and protocols depends on the embarkation location and the destination of the cruise ship, it is important that guests check Royal Caribbean’s website for the most recent requirements before sailing. 

With the end of the CDC’s COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships, it is likely that changes to Covid-19 protocols for cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean will be made.

For the most up to date Covid-19 protocols for cruising with Royal Caribbean read here.

Readers can view the most recent posting by the CDC pertaining to cruise ships here.

Next up in our port visits takes us to San Juan, Puerto Rico, but not until a bit later.

The schedule has is in San Juan later in the day, so the first half of the day is more akin to a sea day.

I started things off as usual, grabbing a cup of coffee from Starbucks and going up to the pool deck. The morning breeze and lower temperature makes sitting in the adirondack chairs my favorite spot on Mariner of the Seas.

The Crown and Anchor Society Top Tier event was held today in the Royal Theater.

The Top Tier event is where the ship's staff thanks the cruisers onboard with the most loyalty reward points. It's nice to be recognized for being a loyal customer.

Immediately after we went to Cafe Promenade for a "pizza brunch" event, where chit chatted with a slice of Sorrento's Pizza.

After the event, we headed to the main dining room for lunch. 

Since we weren't due into San Juan until later in the afternoon, I decided a nap was a good idea.

Mariner of the Seas pulled into San Juan right around 3pm, and docked downtown.

We had no tour booked, so let everyone else disembark first, and then walked off the ship to start our explorations. 

Read more: 7 ways to have a great time in port without a cruise ship shore excursion

It's very easy to walk around San Juan because the ship docks downtown and Old San Juan is fairly small.

We walked from the ship in the direction of the two Spanish forts, with a stop along the way anytime the kids spotted a stray cat.

Even at 4pm, it was very hot out still, so when we got to El Morro, it was great to have a very strong breeze to cool down.

We wanted to have dinner in San Juan, and tried one restaurant we had been to in the past, but they were at capacity. They recommended La Mallorquina, which happens to be the oldest restaurant in San Juan.

Their menu was primarily Puerto Rican food, but they had just enough variety for the pickier eaters to enjoy.

I went with mofongo, which is made with fried green plantains that are then mashed with garlic and topped with your favorite type of meat. 

Once the sun set, it became far more comfortable outside. We took the kids to Himalaya Ice to enjoy ice cream before heading back to the ship.

Back onboard, we went to watch sailaway. Whether sailing in or out, San Juan is very pretty. Since it was night, we got to see the city lit up on our departure.

We wrapped up our night with music in the pub.

Tomorrow we will be in St. Kitts.

Most people will look to book a tour of some kind to go on while their cruise ship is in port, but you don't need an excursion to have an enjoyable day.

Shore excursions are a popular way to see the top tourist sights that any port has to offer, and it's definitely the right approach for knocking out these must-see places.

However, there is sometimes a port of call on a cruise where for one reason or another you opt not to book anything. Perhaps you've been there a few times already, or the weather doesn't look great, or you just need a break after port visits the previous couple of days.

Whatever the reason, there can be fun things to do in every port your cruise ship visits without a formal tour or plan.

Depending on the port, there can be more options than others. In some ports, the cruise ship will dock directly in a city, whereas others, the ship docks further away. Even the most rudimentary cruise ports usually have a few things worth doing, so I wanted to highlight suggestions for how to get off the ship and explore just a little bit without a plan.

Here's my list of seven ideas for how to have fun in a port without any excursion booked.

Drink for cheap at a bar

If you skipped a Royal Caribbean drink package but want to enjoy tropical drinks, going to a bar in port can save you a lot of money.

In the Caribbean especially, drinks will cost you significantly less than on your cruise ship. Not only is each beer and cocktail likely cheaper, there are usually better specials and larger drink sizes.

I have yet to find a port that a cruise ship visits without at least one bar somewhat near the port. Most ports that cruise ships visit have a port area, which is a secured area enclosed from the rest of the city or island. In this area, there are all sorts of vendors and bars are included.

Some bars are steps away from the security checkpoint to get back onto the ship, which means there's no way you are missing the ship and minimal effort to get to and from the bar.

Find free wifi

Whether you bought an internet package on your ship or you're ready for "real" internet that doesn't take a minute to load that funny gif your sister sent you, there's usually plenty of places in port offering wifi access.

Just like the drink at the bar tip I just covered, you can usually find complimentary wifi at many bars and shops in port.  Some will require a password, which usually means buying something. Stop in for a drink, but stay for the wifi.

A good idea is to ask a crew member onboard the ship for places to go with free wifi, as crew members regularly visit these ports and seek out the internet too.

Ask locals for a nearby beach

Depending on the port you visit, there can be a beach you could walk to from where your ship docks.

This isn't possible in all ports, but sometimes there is a nearby beach. A good idea is to ask a local in the port for suggestions. 

Keep your expectations in line, as the closest beach may not be the most pristine stretch of sand and water you've ever seen, but you also didn't have to pay for a tour either.

Here are a few easily walkable beaches from select Caribbean ports:

• Nassau: Junkanoo Beach
• St. Maarten: Great Bay Beach
• Cozumel: El Cid La Ceiba Hotel

Have lunch

A favorite to-do in any port if all I want to do is feel like I got off the ship and did something is to find a spot for lunch.

Just like the bars, there's usually a few restaurants in close proximity to where the cruise ships dock.

In cities like San Juan, Puerto Rico or Cozumel, there's far more choices than other ports.

Most serve up enough variety for the pickiest eaters. In fact, restaurants near the ships tend to offer more American food than authentic local cuisine, so don't worry too much about having to eat anything unusual.

If you are in the mood for authentic local cuisine, it would be a good idea to ask one of the vendors in the port for a suggestion. 

Be sure to bring cash, as credit cards are not always accepted.

Listen to live music

Another good idea for something different to do is find a musical act performing in port.

It's been my experience there are different musicians that perform in port for cruise ship passengers as they come and go.

Generally, you'll find most musical acts in the first few hours the ship docks and then again before the ship leaves because that's when foot traffic is highest in the port area.

Ideally, find a nearby bar you can sit at and enjoy the tunes. Be sure to bring some small change to tip the musician after enjoying the performance.

Go for a run

If you like to jog, maybe take a break from the cruise ship running track and go for a run in port.

It's a good idea to research in advance where you can safely run near the port. Not all ports may have an area you can start running. Many places cruise ships visit are industrial ports, or simply not in an ideal part of town.

If nothing else, a short taxi ride should get you to a park, boardwalk, or good starting point.

Go to a supermarket

One of my favorite DIY shore excursions is to go to a local supermarket and browse what they have.

This is a really fun shore excursion to do in a different country because it provides a lot of insight into the destination.

You can browse the aisles and see what is for sale, who is shopping, how much things cost and how to buy things. What is the popular snack food? How are things packaged? You will learn so much by lurking in the supermarket.

Read more: 6 things that happen on a cruise that nobody talks about

You'll probably need to take a taxi to get a supermarket.

The first port of call on our Mariner of the Seas cruise is at Royal Caribbean's private destination in Haiti, known as Labadee.

This was a full day visit, so we got the kids up and going with breakfast in the Windjammer so we could get off the ship and enjoy our day.

I booked cabana at Barefoot Beach prior to the cruise, which is the area of Labadee reserved for suite guests. About a week or two before the cruise, the cabanas here appeared on the Cruise Planner site.

When we got onboard the ship on the first day, I stopped at the Shore Excursion desk to ask if this was going to be a problem since I was not in a cabana. The staff informed me they had decided to open up the Barefoot Beach cabanas to all guests to book, so we were good to go.

The ship was cleared at 8:30am and we walked off around 9am.

The sun was shining and we headed to Barefoot Beach. 

There are three types of Barefoot Beach cabanas: Beach, Hilltop and Over the Water. We booked an over the water cabana.

Cabana number 4 is to to the right of the beach, and has steps adjacent to the cabana leading into the water.

The water temperature was perfect, and as the morning went on, the temperature started to rise and being in the water became a necessity.

At 11am, the group met up at one of the bars to enjoy the signature cocktail of Labadee, the Labadoozie. 

Unlike the cabanas at nearby Nellie's Beach, lunch was served in Barefoot Beach at a buffet towards the back of the area.

You'll find your typical beach lunch here, with chicken, burgers, and hot dogs. I recall the Barefoot Beach lunch had different options, like lobster or steak, but not today.

We ate lunch, and then took my oldest daughter to try something new to us: Sip and Paint.

Available to book through Royal Caribbean, there is about a 90 minute painting experience where you can paint a object while enjoying beach cocktails.

It's located on a hill near the entrance area, which has a fantastic breeze that made it incredibly comfortable despite the afternoon heat. I wouldn't have minded a hammock up there for a nap.

Each person has a choice to paint a clay pot or a wooden boat. Paint and a smock are provided, along with stencils.

Adults are served rum punch, while kids get fruit punch.

This was a nice change of pace from the usual beach day fun, and my daughter really enjoyed getting a creative break inbetween beach time.

After the painting, it was back to the beach to enjoy the rest of our afternoon.

Unfortunately, my oldest daughter got stung by something while in the water. It wasn't clear if it was a jellyfish or beach lice, but it hurt her quite a bit.

The lifeguard showed up immediately with vinegar spray, but it didn't help.  So we took her to the nearby first aid station.

To my surprise, there was a doctor on duty who triaged the situation and cleaned the area on her leg, and used hydrocortisone cream on it before giving her benadryl and motrin to help with the pain. No cost for the care.

It a little while, but the pain started to subside a bit, but going back on the ship so she could properly shower and use more of the hydrocortisone cream was the best idea.

They took her on ATV back to the ship and the hot water of the shower helped a lot.

We went to the main dining room for dinner. Since it's a group cruise, there are a series of tables together for everyone in the group to dine together.

Whenever I eat in the main dining room for dinner, I ask for Indian curry and they had two wonderful vegetarian options. One was chana masala (chickpeas) and the other was something else that I did not know the name, but it was wonderful.

I also sampled one of my favorite things on the main dining room menu, spaghetti bolognese.

I also couldn't resist a bowl of French onion soup.

After dinner, the kids went to the room to watch some movies and the adults were back in the pub on the Royal Promenade to see the pub singer, Darla. A good time was had by all.

Tomorrow we will be in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Stray Observations

I really love Mariner's elevators show which floor is next.

The wifi speeds on Mariner are nothing special, but it's been very serviceable. Certainly good enough to get the basic internet stuff done.