August 2009

I just returned from a 9 night Royal Caribbean, Explorer of the Seas cruise leaving from Bayonne, NJ.  We were a group of 38 people.  Our trip started off with a chartered party bus which shuttled us from Queens, NY to Bayonne, NJ.  What a sight that was to see this HUGE white bus come rolling down the street.  That alone set everyone into a CRUISITUDE party mode!!!!

Our group consisted of 13 kids ranging in age from 12-15; 5 kids between 17-20 and 20 adults.  We had 4 large tables for early dining; kids sat together & adults sat together.  Every night was filled with chatter & laughter from each table.  Many of the couples were celebrating “milestone anniversaries”.  It was “178 years of marital bliss.” 

Our ports of call were Bermuda, St. Maarten, St. Thomas & San Juan.  

There were so many activities on the ship that we stayed up late every night & started early again the next day.  The events were: 

• Parade in the Royal Promenade on the first & last night;
• singing & dancing shows, comedy night, magic night, Ice Show, movies, art auctions;
• trivia games, game shows, bingo, bridge playing;
• dance lessons, poolside line dancing, dance parties;
• scrape booking, ice skating lessons, bouldering lessons, watercolor lessons, fitness & health classes,;
• tournaments (blackjack, royal flush poker, volleyball, basketball, shuffleboard), Nintendo Wii competition, Mr. Sexy Leg contest,
• lectures (computer, digital photography, cooking), wine tasting, towel folding;

……and more!  Just LOADS of ENTERTAINMENT!  Of course, the fun was also spending quality time with old friends & new friends!

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After the Explorer of the Seas left Bayonne, NJ, we spent a full day at sea and docked at King’s Wharf, Bermuda.  King’s Wharf is also called Royal Naval Dockyard, which is on the western section of Bermuda.  The Royal Naval Dockyard was an active navy base during the War of 1812, and is now a center for tourism.

Bermuda is approx 21 miles of land area.  Visitors are not allowed to rent automobiles or operate any other kind of four or more wheeled vehicle on Bermuda's roads.  The reason is the unfamiliar, often narrow, winding, sharply twisting roads.  Besides that, the vehicles are driven on the left side of the road.

Mopeds or scooters can be rented. Mopeds have larger wheels than scooters and are safer.  But again, they can be dangerous to those not accustomed to them driving on the “wrong side” of the road.  Water taxi or “pink” colored buses are available for Hamilton or St. George’s. 

Bermuda is known for its “pink sand”.  It’s actually sand with specks of pink sand in it, giving it a “pink hue”.   The beach sand is not volcanic but from finely pulverized remains of calcium carbonate shells and skeletons of invertebrates such as corals, clams, forams (single-celled organisms) and other shells.  Horseshoe Bay is a beautiful beach with very fine sand & calm blue waters.

Things to do in Bermuda:
Diving & snorkeling (although snorkeling in the Caribbean is probably better), watersports, shopping, visiting the pink sand beaches, golfing, historical churches, dozens of ancient fortresses, art galleries, horseback riding, Crystal Caves tour, aquarium, lighthouse, museums.

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