This was our second eastern cruise, and we really got it right. We drove in from Maryland, stopped friday night in Jacksonville at Wingate Inn - GREAT value. Drove on down saturday, arrived around 12:30, got right on. I changed our dining rotation to PLAPLAP, as it fit our plans best. Rain for sailaway didn't hurt us at all, as our 12 year old son and I watched Florida disappear from the "secret" deck on 7.......NEAT! As kids are 12 & 15, we let them dine on their own sunday and did Palo's - excellent as usual. Our servers were Vlado & Densak........they did a great job, and Vlado is from Croatia, as was our server 2 years ago, Matej. Vlado knew matej, and told him we were there...had a nice reunion.
LOVE St. Maarten, we did the 12 metre challenge - had true North last time, took Stars&Stripes this one, and STILL lost by a length. My son decided we just have to come back again! Shopped front street, kids had never "negotiated" prices before. Got a good buy on a new dive watch and some pearls, as well as the mandatory Guavaberry. Did happy hour at the Greenhouse after some swimming/snorkling - 2/1 Caribs always make me smile. On St. Thomas son and I had arranged to go diving at Coki Beach - Peter and Laura do a wonderful job, and we had a great day.
The last time out we missed Castaway Cay, but got it this time, and again had a great time - hammock sleeping works fine for me. Overall, it was a fabulous vacation, and I would say to anyone wondering if teens are too old that no, it works out great. They could come-and-go as they pleased, and with them being "on their own" we spent a good bit of time in the adult pool just relaxing, as well as being able to go up at night for a hot tub. Also, I HEAVILY recommend a veranda. We've had one both times, and spend early mornings (coffee time) as well as late evenings (sunsets) on it. Overall, DCL did a great job!
LOVE St. Maarten, we did the 12 metre challenge - had true North last time, took Stars&Stripes this one, and STILL lost by a length. My son decided we just have to come back again! Shopped front street, kids had never "negotiated" prices before. Got a good buy on a new dive watch and some pearls, as well as the mandatory Guavaberry. Did happy hour at the Greenhouse after some swimming/snorkling - 2/1 Caribs always make me smile. On St. Thomas son and I had arranged to go diving at Coki Beach - Peter and Laura do a wonderful job, and we had a great day.
The last time out we missed Castaway Cay, but got it this time, and again had a great time - hammock sleeping works fine for me. Overall, it was a fabulous vacation, and I would say to anyone wondering if teens are too old that no, it works out great. They could come-and-go as they pleased, and with them being "on their own" we spent a good bit of time in the adult pool just relaxing, as well as being able to go up at night for a hot tub. Also, I HEAVILY recommend a veranda. We've had one both times, and spend early mornings (coffee time) as well as late evenings (sunsets) on it. Overall, DCL did a great job!
