We decided on a Caribbean cruise for my birthday this year. One week in paradise with warm water and beautiful beaches. This itinerary had us leaving out of Port Canaveral Florida on my birthday stopping in the Dominican Republic, St. Thomas, Tortola and the Bahamas.

Our flight left San Diego late on a Friday night and we arrived in Orlando before 6 am.

We got some coffee and charged our phones while we waited for our ride.

We arranged a transfer from the airport to the port for 9:00 a.m and were at Port Canaveral before 10:00. Unfortunately the previous cruise arrived late {or passengers weren’t disembarking} whatever the truth was, our boarding was behind schedule.

Alas, we were making our way onboard. Our rooms weren’t ready so we headed straight to the pool deck we went.

We sat and people watched. Sang along, more people watching, made friends and then found our room to unpack and shower. We had a nice dinner in one of the two main dining rooms followed by espresso martinis and music.

Day two was at sea which meant we slept in. The only downside to that was the pool decks were packed. This cruise was full which we weren’t used to. There were lines and limited seating for most everything. So instead of sitting poolside we decided on wine and chocolate tasting.

Followed by a night of dueling pianos.

Our cabin at the end of the night.

Our cabin stewardess was the BEST!

The next morning we woke up in Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. Our plan was to take a taxi to Umbrella Street and Costambar Beach.

Can we talk about the port though?

It took us a good 30 minutes to walk through the port of Taino Bay. I mean it was beautiful and full of things to do, see, drink, eat and swim in…but WTF. Half of an hour just to get to public transportation.

Once we got in a taxi and made it to our first stop. He didn’t just let us out, he parked and walked with us to Umbrella street. Actually, he took these photos for us.

He suggested that we go to Playa Dorado instead, because “Costambar is too quiet”. Stupid me said OK because Playa Dorado was also on our optional to-do list.

We pull up to a beach and a little bazaar. Our taxi driver was greeted by buddies whom walked along side us through a maze of bright sarongs, t-shirts, hand-made ceramics and then to the beach.

It’s fine, we thought…We are where we want to be.

Sun, monkeys and calamari…. I mean what is better than that?

We swam and soaked up the sun until our time was up. Then we bought shit we didn’t need before our taxi driver took us back to the port.

We ended the night with a nice dinner and listening to music, our favorite hobby.

The next day we are in St. Thomas.