ADVENTURE/ABC's Aug 20-27,2016 REVIEW w/lots of photos

[Hoopster95]

We have a cruise booked next year to the ABCs, so I am itching for your photos and comments on those three islands. Keep up the excellent review.

 

Loving your review! We're on the Adventure for this itinerary early next year. Almost no one has reviewed this itinerary, yours is wonderful. Thank you!

 

Thanks for following :):)

The reason I took this trip on this specific week in August prior to Sept. is I'm covering my office over the Labor Day weekend for my partners... I'm working today :mad:, tomorrow :mad:, and Monday :mad::mad:. I don't have time today to post Bonaire but hang in there please... my goal is to have Bonaire and Aruba done by Monday night.

[perfect match]

Thx for following :)

Truth be told, When on the upgraded Navigator May 2014, Navigator was the first "upgraded" Voyager Class ship. Up to that point, by far and away the Freedom Class ships felt to me much more crowded than any Voyager Class I had been on. However, the new Navigator also seemed very crowded. They added many new staterooms and made less public space, as will happen to the Adventure. While I love the addition of new specialty restaurants and the new sports court, I can only imagine the problems the pool deck will face with that many more passengers on board with all the new cabins and less public space. I would still sail the new Voyager Class over Freedom, I don't hold Freedom Class high on my list of class of ship I like the best, but then again I'm one of the few that think this way as there are many cruisers who absolutely love Freedom Class.

 

Definitely you will have to try to see for yourself... everyone has their own favorites, likes & dislikes. You might love the new upgrades! :)

 

 

I do enjoy trying out all the differnnt ships and cruise lines to see which I like the best. We may never reach top tier status with aanyone because we enjoy exploring so much.

 

I did feel the updates you were describing on Adventure would take away a lot of public space, but then I really have enjoyed the Freedom class. We will see what happens as we work our way throuch the RCI fleet. :D If nothing else, I'm sure we will enjoy the journey. We have enjoyed every ship we have cruised on so far, each in their own special way.

 

Sorry to hear you have to spend your holiday weekend working. I remember those days all too well! :eek: Do what you can on your review. We will be here when you get back.

[happy trailer]

I visited the ABC's on the Explorer repositioning cruise a couple of years ago, and I've been dreaming of a return ever since! Bonaire took my breath away- and I didn't even snorkel! Subscribing to your wonderful thread, and looking forward to your photos and to reading about your adventures on those paradise islands :):)

[preschool teacher]

I also thank you for your review...I will be going to those islands in December....you are great at showing so much of the essence of your experience.....don't work to hard.....

[murphy4]

Thanks for the review so far!! I have not done Voyager class. I looks like a mini version of the Oasis class. I did Radiance class last year from San Juan and loved the ship. Jewel!

[Ocean Boy]

Thanks for the review so far!! I have not done Voyager class. I looks like a mini version of the Oasis class. I did Radiance class last year from San Juan and loved the ship. Jewel!

 

No. Though the Voyager class is a slightly smaller version of the Freedom class, there is little similarity between the Voyager and Oasis class.

[Hoopster95]

After another great sleep and beautiful wake-up to the aft balcony and the wake of the ship, it was time for my usual morning specialty coffee in one of the DL or CL lounges. In this case, the CL on deck 9 was very close for me, so I popped in there most mornings rather than the DL on 14. For those of you who haven't seen the CL on Voyager Class ships, while nicely appointed I would otherwise spend zero time... it's an interior room with zero view of the sea, very much inferior to the DL on 14 in my opinion. Nonetheless, I had the opportunity this morning with nobody there to take a few pictures. Here is the CL on Adventure... and I doubt anything will change with the drydock as it looks mainly identical to the Explorer CL

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Hoopster95]

Before heading up to the WJ for breakfast, I quickly snapped this shot looking all the down the elevator bank into the studio B lobby on deck 3

 

 

 

And finally we had our breakfast anticipating our arrival to Bonaire. We can the the salt piles off in the distance to one side, and Klein Bonaire coming into view on our port side as we sat in on of our favorite spots in the WJ at the back windows facing aft

 

 

 

Time to freshen up, pack the backpack, and head out for our Woodwind snorkel! But not before a couple of requisite pics out our balcony of the morning with Klein Bonaire to the left and Kralendijk on the right

 

 

 

 

 

Bonaire is a super small, and what I feel is the least commercialized of all the islands I have visited with RCL. The town itself is super small with very little to see and do... and thus also easy to find things. Soon enough we were off the ship and down the street 1/2 block on our way to the Woodwind meeting point

 

[Hoopster95]

I have taken the Woodwind snorkel in 2013, and was extremely impressed! Needless to say, I was just as impressed this time with their communication. I originally asked for a morning spot, but within a couple of hours emailed back that the morning was fully booked, only the afternoon available... so be it. I asked to be wait-listed, not expecting a call back or anything, but sure enough about 2 weeks prior to sailing Captain Ulf asked if I wished to move back to the morning.... YES! I met Ulf on the previous trip, but not this time as we had a younger captain with us today steering the Woodwind catamaran.

 

Along with the excellent communication via email, they provide a very easy to read and view aerial of the port area, with arrows pointing out an approx 3-5 min walk from the ship to a meeting point right at the gate of the Divi Resort where a representative would meet us. 3 years ago, I had to find the actual pier with no one meeting us, so it looks like they have fine tuned the process for tourists which is great to make things easier. Along the way it's a beautiful short walk along the beach/coastline with the ship in the background behind you, and exactly like their email says, in 5 minutes you get to the large "Divi Flamingo Casino" sign where a rep is standing right there with your name on their list.... very very easy, excellent co-ordination. Those of you leery to book private excursions, this will be the absolute easiest and hassle free you will ever book.

 

 

 

 

 

The gentleman kindly tells you to walk all the way through the resort on the walkway (do not deviate) where you will find the Woodwind office. The resort is beautiful as well as you walk through

 

 

 

 

 

And a simple 5 minutes through the resort, you reach the "Woodwind" sign.... no waiting, nothing to be scared about finding a rep, very very easy.

3 years ago there was no "office" when I signed in... we just waited in the corridor there or down on the pier util they showed up to ask us to sign in. Now this office was open and much more "official" looking. If it was there the entire time, I sure wasn't exposed to it last time I was here.

 

 

[Hoopster95]

With everyone signed in and on time, Deidre (Ulf's wife and co-owner) came out to introduce herself. Down the ramp we went onto the pier to board the Woodwind and set sail for Klein Bonaire.

 

 

 

I figure we had about 30 people on board, and there was no cramming for a seat... everyone had the opportunity to sit comfortably in order to enjoy the views as we sailed off. Needless to say we were pretty happy campers be out on the ocean about to visit under waterparadise!

 

 

 

 

 

The Woodind gets going by power, but very soon after the engine was shut down and the sails were put up. We sailed in the opposite direction of Klein Bonaire (and the Adventure) down towards the Flamingo International Airport (in the direction of the Salt Mines) for a little extra R&R for the morning, and they offered us water, juice and even early morning rum punch!

 

[Hoopster95]

In less the 15-20 minutes we reached the tip of land adjacent to the airport where Woodwind had one of two choices... either hug the coastline all the way down to the salt flats or turn right into deeper ocean and sail over to Klein Bonaire. Obviously the latter was the way to go as the Captain spent the next 1/2 hour or so tacking (zig-zagging) into the wind in order to sail across the bay

 

 

 

Soon enough, we were close to reaching the Klein Bonaire and the start of our snorkel, so Deidre and her team came around to fit us with masks and flippers. Not i the picture below they now offer full head gear masks that cover your mouth as well if you are not a proficient snorkeler. Several fellow cruisers tried them and kept them, the entire morning, so they must've worked very well for them.

 

 

 

I'm a pretty decent swimmer and diver, so no need for that full mask for me personally. However, they also offer long sleeve wet-suit type of body shirts as well as balaclava type of hoods that cover you fully if you are sun burnt or apt to burn. With my shoulders a little red from the last couple of days, I thankfully asked for a top to wear which was great. They do not just give you equipment and tell you nothing else, they always come back for feedback, and ask how you feel with the equipment, offering advice to everyone... very very good staff, can't say that enough, to ensure you personally have a great day (ie. no clouding masks, tips in the water, tips for your flippers, checking themselves how things are fitting, ensuring a mustache or beard is sealed, etc etc).

 

 

 

Alas, it was time to jump in! And I'm never one to be shy when told to go, so off I went and waited for our guide from the ship to collect everyone in our group. Here is the Woodwind looking back once I jumped in, and in the distance on the bottom right you can just make out the Adventure so that you can get a feel for the approximate distance from the shore and the port.

 

[squiffynimrod]

Oh yeah!

 

Show me the pics!

[Hoopster95]

Klein Bonaire

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klein_Bonaire

https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attraction_Review-g147267-d148296-Reviews-Klein_Bonaire-Bonaire.html

 

Klein Bonaire is a protected Marine Park, and the coral reefs are being protected/preserved as best they can. Having said that, there's a ton of beautiful creatures down there! This snorkel had a little less fish life than what I remember from three years ago (November vs. August) but there was still plenty to see. I am not a professional photographer by any means, and have a low end Olympus TG-4 underwater camera I am now playing with, but I did get some really great pictures on this snorkel... and you can too when you do this excursion!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That 4th pic above had a really cool little fish in there I followed for a bit, very interesting little guy. The photos above were not altered folks... that's what you actually see with your own eyes when you're there!!... and if you are experienced (ie. quick in the water re currents, adjusting you body to the reefs without getting sliced, etc). That last photo was one of many I took in the shallower reefs and the colors are amazing.

 

And finally below is the professional photographer, Alejandro. He was also on board Woodwind 3 yrs ago. I took several photos of him chasing down various fish and other fellow cruisers to take their picture. We surprisingly and unfortunately only had 2 turtles total viewed on this snorkel... here's one we followed for quite a while, with a great shot of Alejandro diving down to interact.

 

[squiffynimrod]

Outstanding!

 

More!

 

Bonaire has been on my bucket list for a while. Thanks for sharing!

[Hoopster95]

We snorkeled probably a total of 1 1/2 hours!... This is not a "typical" ship excursion where it takes you an hour to get somewhere, they drop you in for 20 minutes, and then you're herded back like cattle for the hour return trip to the ship. So after an amazing morning visiting Klein Bonaire, it was time to pack up and move along.

 

 

 

Like my experience 3 yrs ago, the Woodwind motored directly across the bay towards the coast. Once there, the engines were again turned off, and the sails raised in order to enjoy a leisurely sail back hugging the coast line back to the Woodwind pier. Note the 2nd picture below the proximity to the Adventure so you can see roughly where we are compared to when we started the morning. Just a beautiful easy sail with rum punch in hand, this is the life!!!

 

 

 

 

And not to much longer after reaching the shoreline, lunch.... yes, lunch!... was served. I was hoping it was the same (or close) to what I had 3 years ago and it was exactly the same. Chicken Pad Thai... hey, why change a good thing?!?! Total YUUUUMMMMM

 

 

 

Yes, we stuffed our faces. I didn't see anyone else with anything left on their plates either.

 

[Ocean Boy]

Great pictures!

[Hoopster95]

Finishing lunch, the staff does an incredible job not only with the technicalities of the snorkeling itself (ie. taking care of everybody, fitting them, guiding, helping people who can't swim, instruction, etc etc), they also serve and clean-up after you, just superb customer service, offering everyone more punch or anything you wanted while we finished the sail back.

 

On the way back, I wanted to take some close® pics of Adventure, especially aft, to have close-ups and views of our cabin on deck ten under the WJ glass... and also have great pics to look at later in case I ever wish to study the other cabins for a future cruise.

 

 

 

 

 

That third pic above you can really see how the super structure of the aft really protrudes away from the ship, and thus the balconies of the lower aft cabins. Nonetheless gotta love the beautiful Adventure (Voyager Class) design and profile

 

 

 

Well, unfortunately, this was it for the Woodwind. Here's a good shot of Deidre explaining some last things and thanking everyone. I tell you what... this excursion is worth more than what they charge. I truly hope that those of you who ever decide to do this respects how they treat everyone and take care of things in a very professional and fun way... and they are personable and fun to talk to! They totally deserve a great tip in their tip jar for sure

 

 

 

And here's Alejandro walking around asking for who will buy his photos. 3 years ago it was a plain little stick flash drive for $25... now he has a cool souvenir turtle flash drive, fun. And now it's also a little higher priced $40.

I interrupted him when he got to us saying he doesn't even have to ask or show me the pictures, I was buying one even before I stepped on Woodwind! If they were anything of the quality he provided 3 years ago, they were worth every penny.

 

[Hoopster95]

If all of you don't mind, I'd like to share some of Alejnadro's prof pics just that you can all see how a prof camera performs under water compared to my point-and-shoot.

 

 

 

 

He follows all the participants around throughout the snorkel, taking pictures if us while diving or interacting with the various sea life. He does that for everyone so we can all have personal memories of the day underwater, just a great guy. Here are a couple of us at play

 

 

 

 

These next few are magazine "National Geographic" Quality... yes after he followed these various fish around and pointed out to us, we were able to take pictures and dive after ourselves to enjoy them a little more

 

 

[Hoopster95]

A common Bonaire siting - Octopus

 

 

 

 

Here are fellow cruisers at play with the turtle... Alejandro does not divide out the images, there's no time. The flash drive has every single image of the entire morning, regardless of who's in the image. You get about 100 photos on the flash drive

 

 

 

 

And as a final example, here one last National Geographic quality picture on my flash drive as a memory from this morning of getting up close and swimming with this little guy. I was up close with this specific little guy as well so this picture holds a special memory for me.

 

Edited September 4, 2016 by Hoopster95

[Hoopster95]

BUT WAIT!!!

It's only 12:30pm and we're no where close to being done :p

 

When panning this trip, my initial day in Bonaire would be golf cart rental in the morning, and then Woodwind in the afternoon. After being put back on the morning Woodwind, I started thinking about the golf cart idea and decided that 20mph max would not get me around the island in 3 hours with stopping to view things... I would have to choose either going south to the salt flats only or north to Gotomeer Lake and Rincon only... but I wanted both!

 

I started pricing out rental carts. Almost everyone in Bonaire states a 3 day minimum rental. Out of those I tried to contact, only Voyager Bonaire rentals replied, telling me that they do one day rentals for cruisers but for $90 + tax + insurance. Then then said, that while for a full day will be worth it, for my mid-day three hours in the afternoon it probably isn't worth it as I can climb onto one of their tours for $30pp. Well, that was as easy decision. So I booked them on-line at Voyager Bonaire Tours.

 

They had my name and were waiting for us to arrive off the Woodwind, and in fact they had called the Woodwind office to ensure we had arrived. Their starting point, along with any other tour you could possibly want, is right in front of the ship at the end of the pier. Very very easy to find

 

 

 

It was an open air vehicle with only 10 people in it, so no glass windows to contend with for pictures

 

 

 

Bonaire truly is not big, and does not really have a whole lot to see on land.

The next time I come here I think I will do a full day here:

https://www.infobonaire.com/washington-slagbaai-national-park/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_jZgi27UXM

 

 

For now, I'll try to show you what I saw in 2 hours (not much) but it was still enjoyable to get a feel for how little this island has to offer, and thus how remote Bonaire truly is.

 

Here's a couple of signs I certainly don't see at home: watch for donkeys and watch for divers!!

 

 

 

 

Bonaire's limestone is also impressive, as the ocean obviously was much more inland thousands of years ago and/or the island has raised since. the road winds it's way right beside some great examples

 

Edited September 4, 2016 by Hoopster95

[squiffynimrod]

Wow. Just wow.

 

My next cruise HAS to be the B of the ABC's.

 

Thanks for the pics.

[Hoopster95]

They make this a really big deal as a tourist attraction with a stop by many tour operators, but all it is is a 78 stair path down to a very nice beach for some of the best diving available according to many. It's called 1000 steps only for the reason that many divers lugging super heavy equipment up says it feels like a thousand steps, not 78! This is the only "official" sign indicating you're at the 1000 steps

 

 

 

And this is what it is

 

 

 

There were a few iguanas hanging around posing on the nearby rocks

 

 

 

The cacti were huge all over the island.

 

 

 

While a pair of divers came up, another who had just gone down was making his way into the water.

 

 

 

This was a 10 minute stop and were were off rather quickly. This was approximately 1/2 hour into the tour around the island. Here's what the Voyager vehicles look like

 

[cincicruisers]

Thanks for sharing. Great photos.

[Hoopster95]

Leaving the coastline to go inland, this area is by far and away the most beautiful of the entire island by a mile. This is also the entry point into the National Park as described in a post above. So for something different the next time I'm here, I'll be renting a car and doing the car route through the National Park. For now I'll I can do is enjoy the limited scenery as we drove through.

 

 

 

 

 

There's Gotomeer Lake above... just a gorgeous place. And of course we had to stop for a few photos of the world famous flamingos... but there were hardly any! I believe they had migrated and most of them were gone for the summer as I have seen pictures of hundreds (if not thousands) in this lake. During our two stops, we viewed maybe 25 in total unfortunately

 

 

 

 

Along the way the driver would point out various fauna, trees, explain a few things. He stopped and picked a few "cherries"... these were surprisingly good as they did not look ripe nor like our North American cherries.

 

 

 

 

I have to break here for now folks.... stay tuned and thank you for your comments and for following!

Edited September 4, 2016 by Hoopster95

[perfect match]

As a diver, I've been wanting to go to Bonaire for years. After seeing your snoreling pictures, all I can do is echo the others on this thread with a WOW! of my own. Absolutely awesome! I can only imagine how great the dving there is if the snorkeling is that incredible!

 

Please don't tell my DH this, :eek: but I am considering changing our upcoming Panama Canal cruise to one that goes to the ABC islands. I have already been looking at a few sailings that would work for us. I think I'd better at least sleep on this before I spring it on him, though. DH is not a diver so he is not as excited as I am about going to the ABC's, but even he was pretty impressed when I showed him your snorkeling pictures. I don't think I would have a difficult time talking him into snorkeling in Bonaire. :D

 

I can't wait to see what you guys did on the rest of your cruise!