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Fist Day Embarkation

I open the eyes very early every time I arrive at the Caribbean, it's daylight and the sun is splendid. I go to the balcony and my cruise ship is there, is huge. The day is running calmly, getting to know San Juan more. It's a good way to know it better, though the strong sun rays are making us feeling exhausting, before entering to the fortress, completely exhausted, we ask for pity, a pity that means a delicious fruit shake in a small cozy bar at the ocean front. Soon we will be eating...

We then returned to the hotel, and went to the port directly. I started walking with my suitcases. Five minutes later, my idea of a season enjoying a deluxe life, crumbled at the same tune I was getting tired while almost dragging my heavy luggage to the port. At last, after asking three times for the entrance door, we are in front of it. And it's true, this place is ugly, ugly, a sort of hangar where million suitcases are stored. We then passed to the second counter and then to a large room and after a long queue, someone gave us a bunch of paper to fill out.

It's true that one achieves to forget the heat and the other related sufferings once you are inside, it seems as if one has entered into a comfortable bubble. The cabin is much more better than what I have imagined.

Over one hour and a half have elapsed and the luggage has not arrived. Aboard many restaurants are available; however, dinner is usually enjoyed at the Universe or the Galaxy, which are gala dining rooms, though there is an around-the-clock buffet table served by the pool.

The table is wonderfully attended by a maitre and a waiter. After dinner, there are a wide array of activities: casino, cafés, a bar specialized in wines, karaoke, a discotheque and a theater with 1,500 seats. The day has been long, but one has to see the ship leaving the port, it's very nice, even under a persistent Caribbean rain that accompanies us upon departing Second day. ST. THOMAS

The night has been calm, one barely notices that the ship is moving, and when I was just opening my eyes I was arriving on the island of St. Thomas, a true beautiful island. Breakfast takes place in the upper deck, I want to capture every moment at sea.

Immediately after we landed, a picture was taken at the bridge and we are already visiting the island. With other journalists, we prefer to join organized excursion. Upon returning, some chose to go back to the ship, but I remained in the city¾Charlotte Amalie¾and see by myself the local life. St. Thomas impressed me very favorably and is much more nicer and "luxurious" than other Caribbean islands.

We went back to the ship, still having some time to enjoy the pool and sip a cocktail while watching the sea. My favorite moment of the day was upon departure, watching the island lagging behind and a much more huge sea.

Third day. ANTIGUA

A new day woke up and Antigua rises before our eyes. Today we determined to hire a taxi and establish contact with the locals. We landed following what later turned into a ritual: identification, photo on the bridge and then on land again. Antigua Port is full of life, taxi cabs, guides, they all manage in the crowd to offer their services holding maps with their hands. We started the tour along the island, stopped by a church and arrived at Nelson's Dockyard, a restored 18th-century British shipyard, from there we went to the local craft market and to Dow´s Hill Interpretation Centre, a museum where the history of the island and of its inhabitants are told.

After visiting the most representative sites, we asked our travel companion to take us to some nice and secluded beach where we could spend the last moments at Antigua. We arrived on Antigua, where a typical bar awaits us to recover our strengths. I approach the bar to drink something and listen as someone says: The Twins have fallen! I looked at him, thinking that he has drawn mad, but I turned my head and watched the television, being shocked and paralyzed.

We returned to the port. The excursion has been superb, interesting, full of information and of pleasant company. Tonight the gala dinner is offered in honor of Captain Gianpaolo Casula. Sequined and flounces dresses fill the corridors. Fourth day. GUADALUPE

We are heading to Guadeloupe in the third day aboard. The plan for today is something different since the journalists are given an organized trip with the very cruise staff. We arrived at a Natural Park where the bravest are diving below Carbet Falls, the tallest fall of the Caribbean, to mitigate the surrounding warm. When we all are ready, we set out for Severin Rum Distillery. Fine rum and books await for us and after buying all the books we can, hunger made us recall that it was right time to eat. Another island is left behind, how many things were learnt in few moments! Fifth day, day in board.

Today is a special day, we won't dock at any port, we will simply enjoy our floating house and explore all the possibilities. The swinging of the waves made me get up a bit later and I went to the deck, a light sun and a blue calm sea accompany us. Early in the morning the pool is lonely and though smaller than what I have imagined, I indulge in floating, watching the sea. We can even have the illusion that we are brave, and that suddenly we are in the high sea.

Souvenirs stores are another good option to have a good time. Yes, I know, we always buy things that we won't use later, but they are so cute, with a little ship all over the places that I cannot resist the temptation and provide my relatives with useless items. We cannot either escape from the temptation of the Internet. Though as an enemy of progress I stick to the computer lost in the middle of nowhere. At last, paying high costs, I'm again online. What a relief!

Sixth day Our last port before returning to San Juan is Aruba, this is my second visit and my mind is back to one of the most beautiful beaches of the Caribbean with their impressive extremely blue waters. The whole group gets together to go out to tour the most significant spots.

I chose to swim quietly and have a suntan lying on a beach chair. I have to trust the others when they describe how beautiful the fishes are, I'll believe them. The last stop is the beach.

Today, the sea day is something special since our departure will be after 11 p.m. with plenty of time to go to the ship and after dinner to go out again.

Que pena, es la última cena, más fotos, ambiente edulcorado pero ya hasta me parece bien. Tenemos que hacer las maletas para entregarlas antes de dormir. ¡Qué corto! ¿Podemos repetir?.

Seventh day and the end.

We should wake up, as early as possible. We have to be in emigration department at 6:00 a.m. and the queues are so long that is better to go earlier than what we were told to conclude arrangements soon.

Then we have time to have breakfast, have a ride and bid farewell to every corner until 10 a.m. when we are announced over the loudspeakers that we can land. It's over, my first cruise has just concluded, I have now a more realistic image, but not worse, I liked life aboard which is beyond doubt, a good way to see the world, of establishing contact with it, to return later.