Day 1. FT. Lauderdale Sail Away 6:00pm.
Day 2. At sea.
Day 3. San Juan, Puerto Rico Arrive 1:30pm Depart 8:30pm For first timers this port has an interesting “Old & New San Juan City Tour”(2.5 hrs, $32.) Try the “Fortifications Segway” touring the old city on a Segway (3.5 hrs, $95).
Day 4. St. Thomas, USVI Arrive 7:00am Depart 5:00pm This is one of the best shopping ports in the Caribbean. A tour especially designed for the handicapped is “"ccessible Scenic Island Drive and Mountain Top" (2.5 hrs, $64).
Day 5. Philipsburg, St. Maarten Arrive 6:00am Depart 5:00pm One of the most fascinating tours here is the "America's Cup Sailing Regatta" (3 hrs, $89) A sailing competition with famous yachts like Dennis Corner's "Stars & Stripes," "Canada II" and "True North." After the exciting race participants are treated to complimentary rum punch.
Day 6. At sea.
Day 7. Labadee, Haiti Arrive 8:00am Depart 4:30pm This is RCI's private island where passengers may enjoy the white sand beach and swimming or snorkeling in the sparkling clear water. For those who love water sports there are many choices: "Kayak Adventure”"( 1.5 hrs $38.); "Personal Watercraft Experience", enjoying the thrill of speeding on a Waverunner (1.5 hrs, $95 adults $29 children); "Snorkel Safari" (2 hrs, $46), etc....
Day 8. At sea.
Day 9. Ft. Lauderdale Arrive 6:00am.
Debarkation from the Independence of the Seas
We had a terrific going home breakfast in the main dining room at 6:30am and went back to our stateroom. At 8:30am a wheelchair came for Vincent and we were taken down and off the ship to baggage pick up, customs and passport control. We were out on the port at 9:00am. This is quite good for the biggest cruise ship with so many passengers.
Conclusion
This was another great cruise. As "Frequent Floaters" with 37 cruise credits on RCI ships and Diamond Plus membership in the Crown & Anchor Society, we enjoy all the repeaters benefits aboard, including the use of the Concierge Services, the Diamond Lounge, evening cocktails, reservation for special restaurants and tickets for the ice skating show and other favors. That is the reason RCI is our favorite cruise line. However, we are addicted to cruising and we also cruise on other lines. Until now we have never experienced a bad cruise, although some cruises have been better than others.
Now we look forward to cruising on the Norwegian Pearl on Jan. 4 and on the Ruby Princess on Jan. 24. We have also booked transatlantic crossings on the Celebrity Solstice in April and Queen Mary2 in May and the inaugural cruise on the Oasis of the Seas in Dec 12, 2009. Happy Cruising!