SoDak

Just checking to see if anyone has done this excursion on Carnival. We are doing the Journey cruise out of Baltimore in January stopping at Grand Turk, Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire and St. Croix and would like to kayak at one of those stops. This one looks the most interesting.

I tend to be fairly cautious about the excursions and pay the extra to book via the cruise line.

What time does boarding start' date=' generally (assuming no delays, etc.)?[/quote']

This will be our first time out of this port so I'm not sure. With the Florida ports, we just usually head over after we check out of our hotel and hope for the best. We probably do that here as well.

 

BTW - like your comments on the other thread in support of SeaWorld. No organization is 100 percent perfect. People just do the best they can and hope that is enough.

While I really loved my visit to Sea World many years ago (I became a huge manatee fan that day), my vote would be for Kennedy Space Center which I always visit when I'm in the area. There is so much to see there. They have a really fun ride that is a simulation of a manned spaceflight. There are two IMAX theatres which show two different movies. Last time I was there they still did some tours to the old launch sites. Depending on the day, they may have some of the old astronauts and other employees talking about their experiences at NASA. If your group has even a passing interest in space, this is a must see.

Thanks for sharing your pictures. You are a very cute couple! I also tried that buttered popcorn dish and LOVED it. Next time (:p) try the warm chocolate melting cake with a side of strawberry ice cream. Strawberries and chocolate are made to go together! ;)

Thanks for the advice on the warm chocolate melting cake. Heading out on the Pride in January for the Journey cruise so I will definitely be trying that.

Sailing from Baltimore is very easy. One other note is that it takes about 8 hours from the time you leave the dock to sail down the Chesapeake Bay until you get to the Bridge Tunnel. Once you have passed the Bridge Tunnel you will be at the Atlantic Ocean. So, usually it is around 12:30 AM or so from the time you leave Baltimore until you hit the open seas. The first day and a half are cold, but then you hit the Gulf stream and it will warm up.

Thanks for all the information. More reasons to make a return visit to the coast. We are always looking for interesting vacation ideas.

Sailing out of Baltimore is fantastic for ease and efficiency. We've sailed from Cape Liberty and all the FL ports and would pick Baltimore over all of them. We've sailed off the east coast in December and March. It's cooler than FL (obviously! Lol) but it makes for a unique sailing experience. We were delayed in December due to weather however. It was only by s few hours, but some people are really bothered by that sort of thing. Cocoa as a sail away drink was fun!

 

Have a great cruise!

I'll have to remember the cocoa idea. Around here we like to add a little peppermint schnapps to turn it into an adult beverage.

The Coast Guard pulls the buoy in late November/early December. Usually around the same time they pull the Patapasco and Susquehanna NOAA buoys.

 

It's pretty cool, but won't be there in January. Here's a cool pic of it before it was deployed. http://midatlantic.coastguard.dodlive.mil/2014/06/the-star-spangled-buoy/

Thanks for the picture. I guess that just means I'll have to make a return visit to Baltimore.

Thanks for that info. My husband is a history buff and will love it.

Not worrying, more like wondering if there are any interesting bits about this port that are different than the warmer weather ports.

Hope nobody minds but I'd be okay with a snowfall as we are leaving. Would make for some interesting pictures.

Absolutely! Those things are almost good enough to make me not want to sail on a ship that doesn't have the cantina.

 

On sea days, the steak and eggs at lunch is another go-to meal for me.

Funny, it actually was enough to make me not choose a cruise. Was going to do the Mexican Riviera but from what I could tell the ship didn't have the Blue Iguana or Guy's Burgers.

I love the Blue Iguana and the service I got there on my last cruise was OUTSTANDING.

I've only cruised on Carnival because of the price but would be open to others if the price is right. Are there any special websites you all search for better prices?

I generally get casino deals from Carnival because they want me to come back and leave more of my greenbacks.

Looking forward to the January 17 Journey cruise on Pride. We've never gone out of Baltimore and are just curious to know if there are any "quirks" in cruising out of that port.

Not too worried about the cold since we are coming from Minnesota. Looking forward to new experiences.