Grand Hyatt Resort & Spa- Kauai

July 19,2009

One of Lisa's corporate clients is considering this beautiful resort for a meeting in 2011, so while in Hawaii, we decided to do a "site" visit and thoroughly check the place out.

Reminiscent of the classic Hawaiian hideaways of the 1920s and ‘30s, the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa is located along the soothing white-sand beaches of Kauai’s sunny south shore. As guests in the magnificent resort, Lisa and I were able to absorb the peaceful beauty and spirit of this Pacific paradise enveloped by raw wilderness, pristine beaches, and a beautiful winding coastline. Located about 17 miles from Lihue Airport (LIH) from the moment we stepped into the grand lobby we were in love with this place. Imagine stepping into the lobby and having the beautiful blue Pacific Ocean perfectly framed by a open air lobby with massive columns, lush trees and plants and plenty of open space. With 602 guestrooms, including 37 suites—most of the guest rooms offer ocean views. All guest accommodations feature private lanais and are appointed in classic Hawaiian style. Standard guestrooms are a spacious 600-plus square feet. Luxurious pillow-top beds featured in all guestrooms and suites.

The resort has a five-acre saltwater swimming lagoon offering kayak and flotation rentals; two freshwater outdoor pools with connecting “river pools,” and sundeck. With three tennis courts; pro shop and tennis professional there was plenty of available court time with instruction for those who want to improve on their game. They even offer mountain bike rentals for back-road adventures. And for those who need some assistance in slipping into vacation there’s the 40,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor ANARA® complete health and fitness spa … Lisa really enjoyed this part of the property and so did Alex and Rachel (Lisa’s teenage kids).

My favorite part of the entire resort was the Robert Trent Jones’ designed 18-hole Poipu Bay Golf Course next to resort—home of the PGA Grand Slam for over 10 years. It actually made me start to feel like a golfer. An awesome course, with reasonable greens fees (for Hawaii) with breathtaking views of the Pacific, especially on the back nine. The course is very golfer-friendly (I shot a 90) and a “must play” while you are in Kauai.

The resort has in excess of 12,000 square feet of retail shops: fine art, jewelry, clothing, gifts, and sundries and 65,000 square feet of flexible function space, all located on a single level.

Now for the food … a subject near and dear to my heart ….

A fusion of sensations will delight you at the award-winning Italian restaurant. Dine al fresco under the twinkling evening stars overlooking the ocean, or choose the intimate indoor settings with beautiful murals and floor tiles reminiscent of an Italian villa. This enchanting scene is complemented by the delicate and flavorful selections of our creative menu, served by our attentive yet discreet staff. Here, in the restaurant chosen as “Kauai’s Best Italian Restaurant” and Kauai’s only Four Diamond Award Winning restaurant, each meal becomes a celebration. Donderos is the proud recipient of the following awards:

    - AAA Four Diamond Award 2009
    - Zagat's Certificate of Distinction 1999 for excellent service and quality cuisine
    - Honolulu Magazine's Hale Aina Award 1997 for Best Kauai Restaurant

Next there’s Tidepools where we twice embraced the tempting combination of contemporary Hawaiian cuisine served in a unique Hawaiian setting. Open air hale pili (thatched huts) with waterfalls and koi-filled lagoons create a charming rustic scene. Alex and Rachel had a hard time resisting feeding the koi from the table until they found out that they survive on a special diet and are well fed twice a day ... by hotel guests at 9:30 every morning.

Inspired by the natural ingredients and rich traditions of Hawaii, the tantalizing selections pay homage to the classic fare of Hawaii while creating new taste sensations. Awarded Honolulu Magazine’s prestigious Hale 'Aina award for fine dining in Kauai year after year, Tidepools will dazzle you with dishes such as Sashimi of Hamachi and the best Ahi tuna I have had in years.

Awards

   - Zagat Surveys 2009 Best Restaurant on Kauai
   - Honolulu Magazine's Hale Aina Award for Best Kauai Restaurant 2006, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1997

Please click here to view Tidepools extensive wine selection, dessert, keiki and dinner menus.

So from days filled with sunshine swimming in sparkling pools or playing on the Robert Trent Jones Jr. Golf Course to evenings of dancing under the stars at a traditional Luau, you'll discover the perfect Hawaiian holiday you've dreamed of at Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa. Whether you prefer an action-packed adventure of scuba diving and mountain biking with the whole family, or blissful relaxation in the sumptuous spa or on the sandy beach while the kids take advantage of Camp Hyatt, this exquisite Kauai resort offers all you could wish for.

There is much to explore on our beautiful island of Kauai and knowledgeable concierges are available to assist you in planning an exciting outing, ranging from helicopter tours to gallery hopping and everything in between.

If you would like additional on this fabulous resort, please feel free to give us a call at 877-313-9009 or email us at info@sunsandandseatravel.com.

gogo Inflight Internet

July 10, 2009

Lisa and I are on the way to Hawaii (Kona then Kauai) as I write this blog from 35,000 feet somewhere over Arizona. I do this via gogo's wonderful Inflight Internet service (our flight attendant, Jill, actually turned me on to it). This service is now available on a number of American's flights at a cost of $ 12.95 for the duration of the flight. I have been online now for over an hour with absolutely no conectivity issues. For the traveler that must stay connected (me) this is absolutely phneomenal!

I have edited our websites (the one you are on right now and pairingsatsea.com), checked emails, searched a couple of cruises for a client who emailed me (on my Blackberry) right before we took off from St. Louis, checked baseballs scores, looked at the weather in Hawaii for the next two weeks and even modified my Facebook profile. I even went on gotomypc.com and logged on to my computer back at the office ... all this from 35,000 feet ... WOW!

I turned TOTALLY unproductive time (usually reading the Ambassador Magaizine for the third time this month ... it's only the 10th of July) into incredibly productive time and entertained myself while Lisa read a book and caught up on her sleep.

So next time you fly and didn't quite get done back at the office or you're working that BIG deal that demands your constant attention, or if you are like me and just have to be connected at all times ... check it out. If you want additional info before your next trip check it out on the web at www.gogoinflight.com.

Until next time ....

The El Conquistador - San Juan, PR

March 31, 2009

Lisa and I just returned from the fabulous El Conquistador Resort where we lost ourselves in the vibrant beauty and captivating allure of Puerto Rico. Perched high above the ocean on 300-foot cliff, El Conquistador Resort is a peaceful retreat on the Island of Enchantment. This resort is divided into five villages, providing a soothing getaway from the stress of the world. We enjoyed the breathtaking, panoramic ocean views at The Grand Hotel including the villages of Las Brisas and La Vista. We can't wait to go back for the pure indulgence of the Las Casitas Village - the distinctive four-diamond resort that shares the grounds, where a resort butler is at your service 24 hours a day in your private villa. Built into the side of a cliff, overlooking the Atlantic on one side and the Caribbean on the opposite, and wrapped around its own swimming pool, we let sea breezes caress us in Las Olas Village. One of our favorite spots was the La Marina Village, which overlooks the sea and is home to the fabulous new water park and private marina. Experience this vibrant Puerto Rico resort for yourself, complete with beautifully appointed accommodations, attentive service, and a magnificent setting:

-Located on the northeastern tip of Puerto Rico, near El Yunque Rain Forest

-Four miles from the stores and attractions of downtown Fajardo and Las Croabas

-On-site world-class golf, spa, casino, water park, wind surfing, scuba diving, and fishing

-A 10-minute boat ride from our private Palomino Island

-31 miles from San Juan and Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport (SJU)

So, if you are looking for an awesome resort (part of LXR Resorts) only a couple of hours from Miami (tons of flights) with golf, spa, gambling and tons of water activities ... check out the El Conquistador Resort. Lisa and I can't wait to go back.

Give us a call if you want additional info ... 877-313-9009.

Anguilla - An Undiscovered Treasure

Anguilla - October 27, 2009

Well, where shall I start … how about at the beginning.

Several months ago, I asked Lisa what she wanted for her birthday and much to my surprise (not really) she said all she wanted a “trip“. The “trip” was to a resort she had wanted to go to for years and had somehow never managed to get there. The resort is called Cap Juluca and is located on the small Caribbean island of Anguilla. Anguilla had somehow escaped my Caribbean travels over the years also, so it was a trip to a paradise where neither of us had ever been. When I say paradise, it truly is paradise. Let us tell you about it.

We arrived in late October and the entire island with a few exceptions was still closed for the “season” nonetheless our experiences for the most part were over the top.

First of all, paradise(s) are usually never easy to get to, and this one is no different, but three legs (from St. Louis, to Miami, to San Juan to Anguilla) and you arrive in “paradise”. As you make your final approach to Anguilla from San Juan, you realize from the airplane that this place is a bit different … a relatively small island (16 miles long and only 3 miles wide at the widest part of the island) with the bluest waters of the Caribbean rivaling Bermuda in the appeal of the color and clarity of the island.

Upon arrival we proceeded directly to Cap Juluca by private taxi $ 28 US for a 20 minute ride) to the resort. Everything that Lisa and I had ever read about Cap Juluca referred to the beach as “one of the most beautiful in the world” and I’ll have to say the reviews were on the mark. Cap Juluca is situated on the south side of Anguilla facing St. Martin (a mere 20 minute boat ride away and St. Bart‘s 10 minutes further) and receives a generous daily breeze from the south and east that makes the 85 to 88 degrees temperatures and high humidity actually quite pleasant most of the time. We spent a portion of every day on that beautiful beach and were never really uncomfortable despite the heat and humidity.

While we (me in particular) were somewhat disappointed in several ways by the resort itself, all in all, Cap Juluca and, in particular, Anguilla was a delightful adventure for us.

So please let us tell you of our adventures in paradise …

On the day after our arrival, we chartered the Funtime Three, a 37 foot boat, for the day and with Captain Chester and First Mate Checky at the controls, we set our for our day-at-sea adventure. First item of business was a “drive by” of some of the outer islands off Anguilla with names like Prickley Pear Cay, Sandy Island, Meads Bay, Little Bay, Shoal Bay, Sandy Ground and even Long Bay … we saw them all. It was as we approached Mead’s Bay, that we noticed this magnificent new resort, in the final phases of construction, called The Viceroy. The name, of course, is the branding of the Viceroy in other parts of the world … places like Santa Monica, Palm Springs, Miami and Snow Mass. We decided after the “drive by” that we had to see more and were able to arrange a visit for the next morning with Phillip Day (Sales Manager) and Denise Wilder (Meetings and Events) … more on this later.

Next it was off to St. Martin (the French side) for a quick lunch and a camera purchase. Having never been to the French side of the island, it was interesting to see but very familiar with other Caribbean islands where cruise ships make a stop and nothing like the preserved beauty and of yet-to-be-developed Anguilla.

After lunch we headed back to Anguilla where we made a stop at Shoal Bay East and visited with Carol the bartender at Uncle Ernie’s, a cute little “Caribbean like” bar with fantastic rum punch on a the beach just around the corner from the Viceroy. We met some nice folks there (both visitors and locals) and after a quick swim back to our boat and we were on our way again to Little Bay and to check out the CuisinArt Resort … we had to check it out from the waterfront as it had not yet opened for the season. After that it was back to our little piece of paradise for a quick swim then dinner at Pimm’s at Cap Juluca.

One of the highlights of our stay at Cap Juluca was our morning horseback ride on the beach along and in the ocean with our local rastafarian guide. Highly recommend that you do this at least once while in Anguilla.

Our cab driver from the airport told us that Anguilla was blessed with a variety of great restaurants and awesome food and we found out quickly that he was soooooo right.

A bit about our culinary experiences …

Blanchard’s … small, quaint and somewhat overrated by our best judgment, but nonetheless enjoyable.

Veya, on the other hand, was by far one of the best culinary experiences Lisa and I have had in quite some time, was one of our favorites for the week. Owners Carrie and Jerry Bogar provided us with an absolutely divine experience … Lisa with her tuna and me with the “five spice pork” found ourselves wondering how could such a fabulous restaurant be found on such a small Caribbean island. It was then that we met Carrie (the chef) and Jerry (her husband/wine sommelier) and began understand why this was such a fabulous place. Winner of numerous Wine Spectator awards, Veya would rival most big city restaurants.

Picante, the next night, quickly became another favorite of ours and strange as it may seem, yet another husband and wife team … this time is was Theron and Chloe Loizos. Who would ever expect a Mexican/southwest restaurant in the Caribbean much less an awesome one! We started with the ceranno pepper infused (very spicy) margaritas which were an unbelievable surprise and finished the evening with a great meal (enchiladas, local crawfish and steak fajitas) and then more margaritas … with Theron and Chloe who came to Anguilla several years ago from Marin County, California and now call Anguilla home.

Our favorite evening, by far, was our last night in Anguilla. I arranged for a romantic dinner for two on the beach complete with moonlight, tiki torches, the song of the ocean and great food from the hotel’s restaurant called Spice. It was such a perfect evening in so may ways that I decided this would be the time and place to ask Lisa to be marry me … and because of the perfectness of the moment, she said yes.

So, now that Lisa has said yes and I told you earlier that I would have more on the Viceroy later … we are returning to Anguilla in April to recite our marriage vows at this fabulous new resort which sits atop a high coral point separating crystalline Barnes Bay and Meads Bay. Along more than 3,200 feet of exclusive Caribbean beachfront, hotel guests bask in the innovative Kelly Wearstler design, intuitive Viceroy service and unexpected Anguilla resort privileges recognized as Viceroy signatures.

The Viceroy is definitely for discerning travelers who prize polished personal service and sought-after luxury Caribbean resort seclusion, Viceroy Anguilla embodies the sophisticated Anguilla resort experience. Within 35 secluded acres on Anguilla's exclusive west end, the resort's lush landscaping, two beaches, sophisticated architecture and Kelly Wearstler-designed interiors set the stage for an incredible island getaway.

Viceroy Anguilla transcends virtually all Caribbean resorts with its unrivaled accommodation selections, including guestrooms, studio- to three-bedroom suites, penthouses, and four and five-bedroom villas.

Lisa and I can’t wait to return and express our love for each other in true Caribbean Viceroy luxury.

So if you are looking or a Caribbean getaway, off the beaten bath, with some of the world’s most unbelievable beaches and yet untarnished by cruises ships and their passengers call us to arrange your next vacation in PARADISE!

If you would like additional on this fabulous resort, please feel free to give us a call at 877-313-9009 or email us at info@sunsandandseatravel.com.

New Year’s Eve on the Celebrity Solstice January 1, 2010

Lisa and I are nearing the end of a wonderful seven night Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Celebrity Solstice as I write this. It has been an absolutely fabulous cruise with port calls on San Juan, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts and St. Maarten … more about the ports later.

Let’s first talk about this magnificent ship …

The Solstice is the first of five ships Celebrity has built, is building or will build in the “Solstice class”. I cannot emphasis the word “class” strongly enough. As a veteran of over 30 cruises I can honestly say that I have never sailed on such a magnificent ship as the Solstice. From the moment we stepped aboard, we knew this ship was different. It is different for a number of reasons and many of those reasons start with the "Celebrity’s Leading Ladies " … these five women (a frequent cruiser, a travel agent, a travel writer, a hotelier and a cruise considerer) who had significant input into the initial and ongoing design of the “Solstice class” ships. The public areas are second to none on the high seas …. with a number of “phenomenal firsts” including the first ice bar at sea which turned out to be the best people watching venues on the ship as well as the most phenomenal bartenders on the ship … be sure to stop by the ice bar and check in with Rosa and his staff of “flipping” bartenders. We actually saw him do a number of his famous “stacked martinis”. At one time during the week he did 30 … a bartending feat that makes Tom Cruise in the movie Cocktail seem like a rank amateur. Rosa is the only bartender I have ever seen do this … it is truly something to behold. Be sure and stop by for at least his martini “sampler” just so you get an idea of the skill that Rosa and his cohorts employ to entertain and quench the thirsty passengers aboard the Solstice.

Another “phenomenal first” is the Aqua Spa. As the largest spa at sea it also qualifies as one of the top spas to be found anywhere. Another key insight provided by "Celebrity’s Leading Ladies " was the desire for a more relaxed, intimate shipboard stateroom experience connected to the sea and linked to highly personalized spa elements. The result? A unique class of veranda staterooms called AquaClass, an oceanside retreat created for guests who are most passionate about pampering and “getting away from it all.”


Simplicity and comfort are evident throughout the room, from the bathroom’s fog-free mirror and tall jetted bodywash shower, to the robust pillow menu. Aroma scent selections tied to specific vacation goals (relax, revive, re-energize, etc.) provide guests with a multi-sensory experience, while lavish AquaClass toiletries and refreshing daily teas, juices and bottled water round out the offering. There’s even a 32” flat screen TV for those of you (like me) that have to get your daily “news fix.”


Many other upgrades here as well most of which came from the "Celebrity’s Leading Ladies " . As a result of the input from these ladies, the staterooms have larger bathrooms including larger showers and even a special footrest fro the ladies for shaving their legs. Much more storage space and larger dressing table are also a result of the committee and a rounded end queen size bed was a welcome respite from a day full of activities. Our balcony, with its teak flooring and comfortable chairs that reclined with a footstool, were a quiet and secluded getaway from the noise and sometimes crowded public areas of the ship.


AquaClass comprises 130 of the ship’s 1,425 staterooms, each double-occupancy only, creating the perfect grown-up getaway. Guests in AquaClass receive unlimited access to Celebrity Solstice’s new AquaSpa relaxation room on the same deck, and the Persian Garden, an exotic aromatherapy and steam room. AquaClass guests also have an exclusive dining room, Blu, an intimate, 130-seat specialty restaurant with menus developed by Celebrity Cruises culinary consultant, Blau & Associates, which operates upscale eateries for high-end hotels such as Las Vegas Bellagio, Miami’s Setai and Cabo San Lucas One & Only Palmilla. A cut well above the traditional dining room experience as far as food, elegance and atmosphere are all concerned, Blu was a very special treat for each evening that we dined there.


Yet another “phenomenal first” is that the specialty restaurants are all neighbors on deck five aft. Most cruise lines scatter these specialty restaurants all over the ship, but on the Solstice they are all in the same neighborhood. Our favorite by far was the Tuscan Grill, a upscale Italian delight. Lisa and I had dinner here on New Year’s Eve and had a table right by the windows looking out at the illuminated wake of the ship … a most romantic setting. Be sure to make your reservations early (online) and stop by early in the evening to make certain that the maitre de has your special table all picked out for you.

A very special wine bar called, Cellar Masters, was indeed a most enjoyable “phenomenal first” in that it is the first significantly upscale bar totally dedicated to wines from the world over (some 50 to 60 available by the glass … even Opus One and Caymus Select). It is staffed by knowledgeable, well trained sommeliers and was a nightly stop for us on our adventure.


The public areas of the Solstice were too many to mention here, but of significant note was the multistory library overlooking a central elevator corridor with no less than 8 fully glass elevators that run from deck two to deck 14. These elevators overlook the ornately decorated central lobby area that you are able to view as the glass elevators speed amongst the floors. Another “must see” on the Solstice is the Sky Bar located on deck 14 all the way forward. It is here that you can enjoy your favorite beverage while viewing the magnificent blue waters of the Caribbean Sea.

In our opinion, the most unique “phenomenal first” was the “Lawn Club” on deck 14 aft. This ship is the first in the world to have actual real grass growing on deck ... over a halt acre of it! These grassy areas we used for putting, croquet, baci or just lounging around. Seems like every day we saw a different use of the grassy areas including sun bathing on beach towels and teenage kids just sitting in the grass “hanging out“. I particularly enjoyed the freedom to light up a great cigar while watching fellow passengers find different uses for the fresh mowed lawns of the Solstice. This could only be done at the Sunset Bar which is at the absolute aft end of deck 14. In addition to the activities on the lawn, another “phenomenal first” is a glass blowing exhibition that actually produces absolutely beautiful pieces that are sold during the cruise.

For a brief 5 minute video of this beautiful ship as put together by Celebrity Cruise Line, click on the following link …… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=papMCNqe8WM



By now hopefully you get that this ship is indeed my favorite of more that 30 + cruises in the last 20 years …. now for the ports-of-call. First stop, San Juan, Puerto Rico. The ship actually docks in old San Juan. This is a 465-year-old neighborhood originally conceived as a military stronghold. Its 7-square-block area has evolved into a charming residential and commercial district. The streets here are paved with cobbles of adoquine, a blue stone cast from furnace slag; they were brought over as ballast on Spanish ships and time and moisture have lent them their characteristic color. The city includes more than 400 carefully restored 16th- and 17th-century Spanish colonial buildings. The Old San Juan attracts many tourists, who also enjoy the gambling casinos, fine beaches, and tropical climate. More tourists visit San Juan each year than any other spot in the Caribbean. A leisurely foot tour is advisable for those who really want to experience this bit of the Old World, especially given the narrow, steep streets and frequently heavy traffic.


Our next port-of-call was St. Kitts. St. Kitts is a quaint little Caribbean island whose main crop until a few years ago was sugar, which they have now abandoned for tourism (can you spell cruise ship). Having never been to St. Kitts, Lisa and I wanted to get the “full story” so we took a delightful little “sugar train” ride half way around the island and learned about the history of this mountainous Caribbean island. The train which rides on 18 miles of track that took 14 years (Caribbean time??) to build rides along the coast line for the most part and allows you to see life as lived in a variety of small towns along the way. At the end of the 18 mile ride which takes about two hours, we were taken by bus to meet a catamaran for the balance of our trip around the island. On this portion of the trip we were able to see the balance of this beautiful Caribbean island which has a lot of similarities to the Hawaiian island of Maui. While our history lesson on this portion of a four hour excursion was non-existent, the rum punch and Caribe beer were in abundance which made this portion of the trip clearly the more fun part of our four hour adventure.


Next stop was St. Maarten (the Dutch side) of this fun filled Caribbean island which is shared with the French as “St. Martin“. We were one of four cruise ships in port today. This is one of the ports that the new Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas will call upon and they now have the Caribbean’s tallest sand pile as a result of the dredging required to accommodate the world’s largest cruise ship.

Lisa and I spent about three hours doing my absolute favorite excursion in the Caribbean, crewing one of the 12 meter America’s Cup yachts in a race with two others. Now don’t think for a minute that I know the first thing about sailing, but the captain and crew do a phenomenal job of quickly teaching you how to perform your duties to make this a fun event for all. Lisa and I were on the Starts and Stripes which was Dennis Connor’s winning yacht in the 1987 America’s Cup Race. It was of significance that we were crewing a boat that was once crewed by the incredible men who won the America’s Cup in 1987. A fun time was had by all and of course, rum punch to celebrate our second place (by a nose) finish. We then spent the rest of the afternoon scouring the local shops and bars and enjoying the local scene in St. Maarten. We even enjoyed a juicy hamburger and a couple of cold beers at the Blue Bitch Bar.


The last two days on the way back to Ft. Lauderdale were spent onboard our beautiful Solstice further exploring all of the public areas of this, the most beautiful ship at sea (in our humble opinions). If you would like to appreciate this AWESOME ship ... give us a call at 1-877-313-9009 ... we can help you get to paradise!

Port of Miami - November 13, 2009

Lisa and I headed to Miami today preparing to board the Norwegian Pearl on Saturday morning for a special Norwegian Seminar a Sea. We decided to stay really close to the Port of Miami this trip and selected the Intercontinental Hotel on Chopin Plaza. The hotel while pricey was very nice with the opportunity for us to awaken to our ship right outside our window.

So Saturday after coffee and a shower we headed over to the ship. Not having boarded a ship out of the Port of Miami in some time, we didn’t really know what to expect, so we headed over early arriving at the port at 11 am. We went right through security to one of the shortest lines I have even experienced in all of my years of cruising. After checking in, we proceeded upstairs to a lounge where we expected at an hour or two wait since we have arrived so early. Can you say 10 minutes??? Seriously, from the time we stepped out of our taxi until we were on the ship sipping champagne was exactly 15 minutes …. WOW what a pleasant surprise.

Oh, if you are cruising with Norwegian out of the port of Miami, early arrival pays big dividends. Now don’t expect to see your stateroom or your luggage until well after 2:00 pm, but to be onboard the ship enjoying a bit of exploring and your favorite adult beverage (with an umbrella of course) is always a fun time for all … not to mention the joy of watching those passengers who arrived just a bit later we did standing in lines outside the building, on the street, probably an hour or more away from where we were at our favorite bar on any ship … the Lido deck.

The Pearl … in true Norwegian style, this ship has a lot to offer. She has 8 specialty restaurants, a rock climbing wall, a bar with bowling lanes right down the middle of it, the largest big screen TV I have ever seen on a ship … 2 stories tall in the main atrium of the ship.

So we headed out on Saturday afternoon for the ports of Samana in the Dominican Republic, St. Thomas, Tortola and Great Stirrup Cay.

In Samana we visited the Gran Bahia Principe Cayo Levantado Hotel. The Bahia offers elegant seclusion just a 10-minute ride from the mainland to the famous paradise island of Cayo Levantado and the exclusive five-star Gran Bahia Principe Cayo Levantado Hotel. At the hotel we were able to enjoy all the amenities of this gorgeous and world acclaimed hotel, numerous pools, private beaches and all of the amenities you would expect at a five-star world class resort.

The warm waters of the Caribbean sea bathe the beaches of the Gran Bahía Príncipe Cayo Levantado Hotel. With its magnificent colonial-style architecture, it is the ideal place to let go and give free reign to all your senses in this secluded island paradise. Restaurants, swimming pools, clubs, shopping centers and leisure areas... it is a place full of interest, where the main sporting attraction is golf.

Cayo Levantado is one of the world's most beautiful islands and an ideal place to enjoy a comfortable luxury vacation amidst matchless natural surroundings. This wonderful hotel offers all the necessary amenities to turn your vacation into a dream trip. Lisa and I spent the entire day at this island paradise before heading back to our ship to head for St. Thomas. Feel free to call for further details.

Having been to St. Thomas at least ten times previously, we were looking for something that neither of us had ever done before on St. Thomas. We found a wonderful snorkel expedition on wave runners!

So after a “mandatory” stop at Megan’s Bay and the temporary “mountain top” (the old one burned down last year) for world famous banana daiquiris we headed to the Wyndam Hotel and Resort to meet up with our snorkel/wave runner tour.

Talk about a fun afternoon, we rode in international waters from St. Thomas cruising near St. John, Tortola, Caneel Bay (home of the famous Vanderbilt estate) and numerous other islands in the British and US Virgin Islands. As you can imagine we were able to get into waters that traditional snorkeling boats couldn’t even come close to. Lisa is the “snorkel queen” and loved the snorkeling while I preferred zipping about from island to island and bouncing across the Caribbean sitting just a few inches off the surface. It truly was one of the most enjoyable days ever on St. Thomas. Something to check out next time you are in St. Thomas. You can find this excursion on our website at www.ssstravel.com and just click on the ShoreTrips logo on the home page. You can actually book this excursion right from our website!

Back to the ship for a quick shower and a nighttime departure from St. Thomas … the most visited port in the Caribbean and in my humble opinion, one of the most beautiful places on earth to wake up.

Next stop … Tortola. Having only been to Tortola once before (16 years ago) I was shocked at what all has been built there since my last visit. Tortola boasts one of the largest “for charter” sailing fleets in the Caribbean. Lisa and I spent a couple of hours checking out options for a potential new source of travel for our clients. Imagine yourself exploring exotic waters … enjoying the company of family and friends where you can dine under a star-studded sky … exploring quaint waterfront towns, browsing in high-end boutiques, enjoying a range of watertoys, this is what makes a vacation adventure on one of the 46 to 62 foot crewed yacht so relaxing and memorable. It’s literally the stuff of dreams, a sojourn into the exotic and inspiring from the luxury of your private yacht. All of this hosted by your own captain and personal chef, completely focused upon creating memories that will last a lifetime. Watch here for further details.

Thursday was a day at sea. I love days at sea … resting, relaxing on deck, reading a good book, gambling, bingo, dance lessons, cooking lessons, working out in the gym or just getting a massage … always tons to do on sea days.

Next we called on Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian’s private island for a wonderful day at the beach. Great food, volley ball, snorkeling, jet skis or just relaxing on your lounge chair and basking in the sun. Great Stirrup Cay was a fun day for all regardless of chosen activities. The only thing bad about Great Stirrup Cay was it was the last stop on our week of adventure before heading back to Miami.

All in all it was a very fun week of exploring. Thanks to all the nice folks at Norwegian for making it a great seven days for us.

If you would like to know more about any of our travels, simply shoot us an email or give us a call. We are friendly folks who love to travel and assist others in their search of the “perfect vacation”. You can find us on the web at http://www.ssstravel.com/