By now it was close to 9, standing room only, the staff takes away most of the tables and chairs, and the DJ starts the serious bar games, like bar top dancing contests for free shooters. The winner got a free shooter down the throat, then the losers got them, then everyone standing on the floor within the DJ’s reach with their mouth open got them. Police sirens and whistles going off, lights dimmed, everyone screaming, dancing, singing along with the songs. He often killed the volume at the chorus, and 300 people “sang” the chorus. Guess what, all 300 knew the exact dirty chorus to “Monie, monie” (sp). It was wilder than the movie Coyote Ugly, more like in front of the stage at a wild rock concert. Except we didn’t see anyone dump a pitcher of beer on anyone’s head, and to be fair, there was no nudity like “Girls Gone Wild” in Florida, there were no fights (gorilla bouncers), and no one passed out on the floor. There were more girls than guys, about 3-1, and with the Crystal gone it was just Destiny cruisers, resort people, few locals. Every few minutes large water vapor misters sprayed the crowd, a nice touch, and sometimes the staff shot clouds of paper clippings all over. Several times we were going to leave to check out other bars, but then some new game started and we just couldn’t stop watching, and stayed until the ship sailed. Small local beers were $4, regular size beer like Coronas were $4.50, and liquor was $5, or just follow the DJ around with yer mouth open. What a scene. The young hotties told us the Aruba Carlos has a “badder” rep than the one in Cozumel; imagine, the conservative Dutch out-partying the Mexicans. There’s hope for us Canuks.
About our tour, we love catamaran cruises, lots of deck space and more stable than the yatchs. We took the Aruba Sailaway Beach Cruise run by Pelican Tours through the ship which was terrific. Large 73 foot cat, the Fun Factory 1, free booze. First stop was snorkeling the WWII wreck of the Antilles, a fascinating scene. We anchored behind the wreck and then snorkeled from the stern of the wreck towards the bow, with the wreck getting closer to the surface the closer we got to the bow until it was only a few feet underwater, covered in golden coral, beautiful, tons of fish. You can stand upright and touch the wreck with your fins. Bubbles rise from the divers inside the wreck. A great snorkel whether you arrange it yourself or through the ship. Next stop snorkeling a brain coral reef, lots of fish.
Last stop a chicken and ribs b’b’cue at the Pelican Company pier on Palm Beach, stores and café on a large pier, lunch or dinner in the café depending on your tour time, then free time on their section of the beach. Water equipment, great sand, papillas thatched umbrellas and loungers, over an hour there. Then sailed back to the ship pier laying on the webbing with our drinks. Our other favorite spots are sitting in front of the windshields or dangling our feet over the side holding the railing. A fun crew.
DISEMBARKATION
Disembarking was fine, we did immigration about 7, buffet breakfast about 8, color called to debark around 9, and on the pier at 9:20. The last color was scheduled to be called at 11. Luggage pickup was well organized and efficient.
Our flight was at 3:45, so we had time to do San Juan. CCL won’t store your luggage, but there is a luggage holding business across the street and to the left of the pier, at the end of the yellow/green/red awnings. Luggage storage is $3 per bag, and the dear girl allows you to strap your carry-on to your luggage and counts it as one piece, so we left 2 luggages and 2 carry-ons for $6.
Then we walked the 2 blocks along the bay and then headed into old San Juan to shop and explore. Pretty blue cobblestone streets, no place for high heels. Could have walked up the hill to the fort but didn’t. This was Sunday, and a few shops opened at 10, but most were open by 11. Shopping prices were up and down, you had to know your stuff.
A lunch suggestion is the Baccachina, 1 block in from the bay. We waited 10 minutes for a seat at lunch time. Finally had to go, walked back to the luggage place, $20 cab to the a/p incl bag charges and tip.
This was the best Caribbean cruise we’ve ever had, you’ll have a ball. Hi to our new shipmate friends Kim, Rose, and Lena! Email us if you want.
-Bob and Wendy
