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Our Caribbean Cruise on Oceania, January 2010

We booked this cruise an entire year ago when Oceania made us an offer we couldn't refuse! It just sounded so right to give ourselves a holiday present which enabled us to get out of the cold for 10 days, and to celebrate Ruth's second retirement anniversary. We spent 2 days in Miami and the Everglades before boarding Regatta for a cruise to the British Virgin Islands (2 different days/islands), Antigua, St. Barthelemy, Dominican Republic, and Turks and Caicos (missed - sea too rough), plus 3 days at sea. Other than our 1997 Bahamas trip, and Howard's trip long ago to Jamaica, we had not been to the Caribbean. We found it to be much more than just sun and sand, and as usual, Oceania took us to some very interesting and varied locations! See second Caribbean gallery, too! To see a larger image, double click it. You can also view these photos as a slideshow (use top right button).
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We went to Miami 2 days pre-cruise to see Roger & Jorge & play tourist. I went to the Everglades. Here's a great blue heron.
We went to Miami 2 days pre-cruise to see Roger & Jorge & play tourist. I went to the Everglades. Here's a great blue heron.		 At Shark Valley, Everglades, I found an egret that snagged an excellent lunch.
At Shark Valley, Everglades, I found an egret that snagged an excellent lunch.		 Howard and his ex-DC friend Roger went to Monkey Jungle while I was in the Everglades.
Howard and his ex-DC friend Roger went to Monkey Jungle while I was in the Everglades.		 What a beautiful creature!
What a beautiful creature!
On Jan. 4, Jorge took us to the port to board Regatta. We left Miami on an unusually cool (45 degree) evening.
On Jan. 4, Jorge took us to the port to board Regatta. We left Miami on an unusually cool (45 degree) evening.		 We had 2 at sea days. On the 2nd, we has reservations for Toscana, so we dressed up and had someone take our picture.
We had 2 "at sea" days. On the 2nd, we has reservations for Toscana, so we dressed up and had someone take our picture.		 When it becomes light, the flags go up!
When it becomes light, the flags go up!		 The next morning we woke up in Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands. Ruth took a safari bus to the Baths.
The next morning we woke up in Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands. Ruth took a safari bus to "the Baths."
At the Baths, you climb, crawl & wade through a maze of huge boulders to get to Devils Bay beach.
At the Baths, you climb, crawl & wade through a maze of huge boulders to get to Devils Bay beach.		 Oceania's Regatta in Virgin Gorda. I found the Brit. Virg. Isl. interesting, because the currency is U.S.$, not euros!
Oceania's Regatta in Virgin Gorda. I found the Brit. Virg. Isl. interesting, because the currency is U.S.$, not euros!		 From the path leading to the parking lot at the Baths.
From the path leading to the parking lot at the Baths.		 The next day we woke up in Antigua, Leeward Islands. Sugar used to be king here, and mill structures dot the countryside.
The next day we woke up in Antigua, Leeward Islands. Sugar used to be king here, and mill structures dot the countryside.
We rented a 4WD & drove around. These colored markers designated a nat'l road, but we still got lost several times.
We rented a 4WD & drove around. These colored markers designated a nat'l road, but we still got lost several times.		 Ruth got up early and walked to the market, finding a huge statue of VC Bird (former prime minister) nearby.
Ruth got up early and walked to the market, finding a huge statue of VC Bird (former prime minister) nearby.		 Howard did a great job driving on the left, and occasionally with horses - or goats!
Howard did a great job driving on the left, and occasionally with horses - or goats!		 Someone on CruiseCritic.com called Shirley Heights just a view of a marina, but I found it amazing!
Someone on CruiseCritic.com called Shirley Heights "just a view of a marina," but I found it amazing!
We saw colorful houses, Nelson's Dockyard, Eric Clapton's rentable mansion ($50K/wk), Fig Tree Hill - lots to do on Antigua!
We saw colorful houses, Nelson's Dockyard, Eric Clapton's rentable mansion ($50K/wk), Fig Tree Hill - lots to do on Antigua!		 One day I was sitting on the quiet deck outside when a butler walked by.
One day I was sitting on the "quiet deck" outside when a butler walked by.		 Ruth found out that Florida lobster wasn't QUITE the same as Maine - but the presentation was nice!!
Ruth found out that Florida lobster wasn't QUITE the same as Maine - but the presentation was nice!!		 The next morning we woke up in Gustavia, St. Barthelemy, French West Indies. There are big yachts in Gustavia!
The next morning we woke up in Gustavia, St. Barthelemy, French West Indies. There are big yachts in Gustavia!
St. Barts is a small, French (formerly Swedish), chi-chi island. Not many cruise ships call on it due to high port charges.
St. Barts is a small, French (formerly Swedish), chi-chi island. Not many cruise ships call on it due to high port charges.		 At La Tourment hill, planes practically graze jeeps/cars on their way down to the short runway.
At "La Tourment" hill, planes practically graze jeeps/cars on their way down to the short runway.		 If a pilot doesn't stop quickly enough, he/she ends up on St. Jean beach! Nothing keeps beachgoers off the runway here.
If a pilot doesn't stop quickly enough, he/she ends up on St. Jean beach! Nothing keeps beachgoers off the runway here.		 The Grand Fond area of St. Barts is wild, beautiful, and sparsely populated.
The Grand Fond area of St. Barts is wild, beautiful, and sparsely populated.
Time to take the top down (seaside in Grand Fond.)
Time to take the top down (seaside in Grand Fond.)		 On the northwestern side of the island, we stopped in Columbier to admire the view of harbors and islands, incl St. Maarten.
On the northwestern side of the island, we stopped in Columbier to admire the view of harbors and islands, incl St. Maarten.		 We woke up the next day back in the BVIs, but this time the island of Tortola. We rented a jeep and drove to the West End.
We woke up the next day back in the BVIs, but this time the island of Tortola. We rented a jeep and drove to the West End.		 Colored buildings at Pussers Landing in the West End. West End is popular with boaters.
Colored buildings at Pussers Landing in the West End. West End is popular with boaters.
We drove by the infamous Bomba's Shack (mushroom punch full moon parties) & watched surfers at Apple Bay.
We drove by the infamous Bomba's Shack (mushroom punch full moon parties) & watched surfers at Apple Bay.		 On Ridge Road, with help from a cabbie, we found this beautiful, long mural painted by various local artists.
On Ridge Road, with help from a cabbie, we found this beautiful, long mural painted by various local artists.		 Tortola from Skyworld on Ridge Road
Tortola from Skyworld on Ridge Road		 Not our best day: We had a leaking tire, and Howard had to change it - right there on Ridge Rd. on the mountain!
Not our best day: We had a leaking tire, and Howard had to change it - right there on Ridge Rd. on the mountain!
Oceania Regatta in Tortola
Oceania Regatta in Tortola		 I wasn't into the planned activities, but Howard participated in putting, shuffleboard, trivia, etc..
I wasn't into the planned activities, but Howard participated in putting, shuffleboard, trivia, etc..		 Asst Cruise Director Nolan Dean taking a stab at the folks in the paddock (shuffleboard losers).
Asst Cruise Director Nolan Dean taking a stab at the folks in the "paddock" (shuffleboard losers).		 Lobster AND lamb? No problem! We love Oceania's smallness (less than 700 pax), informality, dining flexibility, & great food.
Lobster AND lamb? No problem! We love Oceania's smallness (less than 700 pax), informality, dining flexibility, & great food.
Day 8 brought us to Samana, Dominican Repub, known for whales in Feb./Mar. & a beautiful island beach -but no beach today-rain!
Day 8 brought us to Samana, Dominican Repub, known for whales in Feb./Mar. & a beautiful island beach -but no beach today-rain!		 I took a very quick picture of this garbage I found in Samana. The DR is very poor; Samana doesn't have running water.
I took a very quick picture of this garbage I found in Samana. The DR is very poor; Samana doesn't have running water.		 I took an excursion to El Limon waterfall, photographing countryside scenes like this from the bus.
I took an excursion to El Limon waterfall, photographing countryside scenes like this from the bus.		 Easy start, but it got hairy: We rode up/down a steep rocky path, forded a 3 ft deep stream, with guide running behind horse.
Easy start, but it got hairy: We rode up/down a steep rocky path, forded a 3 ft deep stream, with guide running behind horse.
At one point we crested a hill and saw a view similar to this except better. (Could only take a few pix-raining too hard.)
At one point we crested a hill and saw a view similar to this except better. (Could only take a few pix-raining too hard.)		 My guide Negra struggled in the water coming back & another guide had to come help. My horse and I continued on....
My guide Negra struggled in the water coming back & another guide had to come help. My horse and I continued on....		 Howard did a catamaran & snorkel excursion while I horsed around. Little snorkeling was done, however,due to the heavy rain.
Howard did a catamaran & snorkel excursion while I horsed around. Little snorkeling was done, however,due to the heavy rain.		 I saw the Grand Turk lighthouse at breakfast, but then the ship couldn't dock there. At least the show that night was A+
I saw the Grand Turk lighthouse at breakfast, but then the ship couldn't dock there. At least the show that night was A+
Grand Turk lighthouse (photo-CruiseCritic.com). Wanted to see it, plus John Glenn's space capsule from '62 splashdown off GT.
Grand Turk lighthouse (photo-CruiseCritic.com). Wanted to see it, plus John Glenn's space capsule from '62 splashdown off GT.		 Our cabin stewardess Nataliya from the Ukraine was the best we've ever had - really, really wonderful.
Our cabin stewardess Nataliya from the Ukraine was the best we've ever had - really, really wonderful.		 Nataliya's assistant Raj from India (on right) was awesome, too. For more pictures, hit all galleries & go to next gallery!
Nataliya's assistant Raj from India (on right) was awesome, too. For more pictures, hit "all galleries" & go to next gallery!
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