Last Update: 01-SEP-2018
All photos were taken with a Cannon PowerShot S90 10MP camera. Video was shot with a Cannon PowerShot S90 camera and converted to AVI with AWS Video Converter 6
First time we got a balcony. Also, this made the room wider.
High tec TV ! NOT
Small safe.
Looking at the baltimore port facilities and I-95
Masonville Cove
What began as the restoration of an abandoned and neglected parcel of land in the Middle Branch has become something very special. Masonville Cove is 70 acres of water and 54 acres of cleaned-up wetlands, nature trails, and a protected bird sanctuary, all soon-to-be protected by a conservation easement and part of the Shores of Baltimore Land Trust. The Masonville project developed from mitigation tied to the creation of a Dredged Material Containment Facility (DMCF) by the Maryland Port Administration (MPA).
Looking back at the channel marker lights and various harbor views
Sunset over Baltimore
It took us appx. two hours to get down to US-50 Chesapeake Bay Bridge. (A 3200 foot (980 m) suspension span over the western channel with a maximum clearance of 186 feet (56.7 m))
It took us appx. 6 hours to get to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge tunnel. We passed that around 1 AM
We had no security escort this time.
We started the day appx. 40 miles SE of Cape Hatteras. The weather was great from the start. Partly sunny and in the low 70's but as usual very windy. Amazed that not may people were sitting out. This ship is the fastest one we have gone on. By sunset we were down at the same latitude as central Florida.
Rainbows
Sunset
Oh the crowds
Mary in the hot tub
Towel critters
We started the day appx. 430 miles east of Miami, FL. The weather was great. Upper 70's to low 80's but again really bad winds.
Funny the climbing wall is closed because it's wet. But, it's not raining ?
Mary gives the wall a try. Not telling how far she went.
Boring sunset and Mary hiding from the wind. Only 200 miles from Haiti now.
Oh the crowds
2600+ on the ship. Where is everyone ?
Night shot from the stern
Labadee is on the North shore of Haiti about 85 miles from Port au Prince. RCI likes to call it a private island, but it's not. An eight foot security fence separates it from the rest of Haiti (more on that later) so you really can't explore Haiti beyond the fence (not that you would want to anyway) The village of Labadee is about 3 miles across the bay to the west. The resort is on former farmland leased by RCI about 25 years ago. We visited all of the beaches (both open and sheltered, coasters, zip lines, water activities, and a space where a number of local vendors exhibit their wares.
We both had serious concerns with this stop. First, it's Haiti. Enough said. Second I was concerned with the BBQ lunch as I did not want to eat or drink ANYTHING that came from Haiti. We were relieved to see them taking all the pre-made food from the ship and the lunch was fine. Also, we were very concerned about swimming here. In the reviews we saw that people were complaining about all the trash washing up on the beaches. We did not see trash on the beach but when we were leaving we did see considerable trash at sea as we went along the coast of Haiti. Labadee is not really that remote as the city of Cap-Haitien (Population 190,000) is located 6 miles to the southeast and I am sure that they don't have a concern with water quality.
Royal Caribbean International has contributed the largest proportion of tourist revenue to Haiti since 1986, employing 300 locals, allowing another 200 to sell their wares on the premises, and paying the Haitian government US$6 per tourist. The resort is connected to Cap-Haitien by a mountainous dirt and gravel road.
Anyway, we enjoyed the visit and look forward to visiting again.
Security chasing away locals
Map of the facility
Looking towards the west
Taking the walk to Dragon's Breathe Point. This is due to the sound that the air makes when blown by the sea waves, through the rocks.
MS Explorer of the Seas with us today. 3,114 passengers adding to our 2,600 +. The area was quite crowded and would have been better with only one ship. But we enjoyed sitting along the beach where the zipline takes you over the water. It would be rough for swimming but is scenic.
Some of the locals
Dragon's Breathe Point. This is due to the sound that the air makes when blown by the sea waves, through the rocks.
Lower end of the zip lines. At $85 a run insane.... People love to make others rich I guess !
Rocky beach !
Walked down to the eastern part of the facility.
Up to the 3rd world vender area. We were not harassed
Looking back at the ship (two ships but ours is closer)
One of the armed guards (blurry)
This was the fence area. From time to time a guy in a uniform would walk by with an AK-47. They would look at me when I looked at the gate so I had to be discrete. I did notice that the people on the beach in this western part of the facility were not from the ship. They must have been wealthier locals that the guards would allow thru the gate. When the pain in the ass photo people from the ships would come around and ask which ship you were on, the locals had to get the stories straight !
I guess RCI has to walk a fine line as at night the locals would destroy the place. Security was a joke as many locals were also coming via the water.. When you would go to the restroom you had them handing you a towel and asking for a buck. I just ignored them. Still the harassment was less than some other places we have gone before.
Looking at the Columbus Cove area
The Arawak Aqua Park ($15) Looked like people were having fun.
Interesting rock formations. Extremely rugged !
Ruins with no historical info on it. Probably slave related.
Lizzard
Departing Labadee, Haiti
The actual town of Labadee, Haiti
Louis XIII at $1999.99 a bottle
Tonight's critter
I will use the write-up from the last time we were here...
We arrived at 2 PM and with the 5 PM sunset it really does not give you much time to leave the city. We departed at 10PM for St Thomas.
I really wish that they would skip this stop. I know what they say... But, Puerto Rico is NOT the shining star of the Caribbean. Its a ghetto / dump !! The only good thing is that you can load up on prescription drugs as the pharmacy's will sell you ANYTHING you want... For a price !!
We walked up to Fuerte San Cristobal and looked around on this extremely humid 85 degree day... Because my cell phone is ATT I was able to make some free call's (this works on St. Thomas too) back to the states.
We stopped at Barrachina and paid $7.50 each for two Pina Coladas, as this was the birthplace of them. It was ok but not worth the $$
We were just happy to get back to the ship without being shot or run over !!
This ended up being our worst weather day of the cruise. It was a great place to have a bad day !
Started out sunny. But that would change.
Security here. Got to spend that homeland security money !
San Juan Harbor
Frigatebird
MSC Poesia - MSC Cruises - 3605 passengers and terrible reviews so I wish them well.
Strange as they were pumping the fuel into the truck from our ship.
Christmas time at Plaza de Colon, San Juan, PR
Good place to stay out of the rain !
Narrow streets and high security !
Fuerte San Cristobal with the stormy Atlantic in the background
Looking back at the ships
Police substation = less crime. NOT !
Walking along Bulevar Del Valle which looks down on the slums of Barriada La Perla, San Juan, PR
Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery - Some scenes from the movie "Assassins" were filmed here.
El Morro, San Juan, PR - Fuerte San Felipe del Morro or Castillo San Felipe del Morro in Spanish is a sixteenth-century citadel which lies on the northwestern-most point of the islet of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Named in honor of King Philip II of Spain, the fort, also referred to as "El Morro" or "promontory", was designed to guard the entrance to San Juan bay, and defend the city of San Juan from seaborne enemies.
Parque del Quinto Centenario - Some battle sheep !
Iglesia San Jose, San Juan, PR
We made it back to the ship ! Some night shots from the Balcony. Looks much better in the dark !
It was a strange weather day. The wave that was moving west across the islands stayed to the north today. So, it looked like it would rain but in the end we only had some brief showers.
Like last year we signed up with a taxi driver that I found on the web that had an impressive website and was very responsive: Henry Christopher, Triple E Tours. This year he took us (2 couples) to the Secret Harbor Beach Resort. Secret Harbor is located on the quiet East End of Saint Thomas away from the bustling downtown area. The low rise buildings all have an oceanfront location. On-site amenities include a large crescent shaped, palm lined beach, 3 tennis courts, fitness center, freshwater pool, dive/water sport center and a seaside restaurant. Ken was able to buy drinks from the Blue Moon Cafe and we rented two chairs and an umbrella from the dive shop for $20. We will definitely be back here again !
Not looking good but we decided to go anyway. In the end a good move !
Can't wait till we have prices like this in Maryland. The commute to work will be much better !
Secret Harbor beach. The clouds stayed just to the north. The snorkeling was very good here--lots of coral and fish in a sheltered cove, and not at all crowded
Henry and Mary
Got the booze past the security bozos !
Lots of fruit !
Storm damage
Not sure what ASETHYLENE is
Harbor & ship views - Charlotte Amalie - St. Thomas
Enough said... Something you would not generally see on a higher class cruise line
No sunset. Everyone is gone. Various ship views
East end of St. Thomas
The main dining room from deck 5
Tonight's critter
More fruit for the Pirate Cove Buffet / Party
Excellent weather on a moonlit evening. Another ship off in the distance
Long enough exposure and night becomes day (15 seconds)
