LIVE - Equinox 8/15/21 - Ultimate Caribbean - It’s finally here!

[aring75]

We are docked with two other ships today.
 

The NCL Joy

 

 

 

And the Church of Scientology ship “Freewinds”

 

[terrydtx]

Just now, cltnccruisers said:

This is starting to look like we might not just be floating around after all.  😀

My wife, Dianne, said last night that for the first time she believes we are going to be able to go somewhere.  This after we have had 5 cruises canceled in the last 18 months.

[terrydtx]

1 minute ago, aring75 said:

We are docked with two other ships today.
 

The NCL Joy

 

 

 

And the Church of Scientology ship “Freewinds”

 

Is that Tom Cruise's ship? LOL

[aring75]

We’ve had drizzly rain off and on, but it has definitely helped keep the temperature down. 
 

I do not hate it. 

[aring75]

I’m pretty sure I need one of these oceanfront condos with the wrap-around balconies. 
 

 

 

May have to start a go fund me. You know, to help support my mental health and well-being. 
 

 

Edited August 23, 2021 by aring75
CC does not like GFM. Good to know.

[cltnccruisers]

4 minutes ago, aring75 said:

We’ve had drizzly rain off and on, but it has definitely helped keep the temperature down. 
 

I do not hate it. 

Never mind the DI question.  I was showing the pics to Donna and she says, "It's right there"  😒

[terrydtx]

3 minutes ago, aring75 said:

’m pretty sure I need one of these oceanfront condos with the wrap-around balconies.

If someone told me I had to live on an island in the Caribbean it would be either Aruba or Curacao. We have some retired friends who have a condo on the beach and they spend most of the winter there.

Edited August 23, 2021 by terrydtx

[aring75]

Just now, cltnccruisers said:

Never mind the DI question.  I was showing the pics to Donna and she says, "It's right there"  😒

Lol. Sorry! I didn’t even realize that it was a question. 😂🤣

 

I thought you were commenting on how it’s right there when you get off the ship. 
 

Maybe I can start a “Where’s Waldo” for the cruise community. Except it will be port pictures where you have to find the Diamonds International. 

[ROYALBOY]

Glad to see we will be able to get off even with a mask. if I can wear one in South Florida, I can wear one anywhere.

Edited August 23, 2021 by ROYALBOY

[cltnccruisers]

2 minutes ago, aring75 said:

Lol. Sorry! I didn’t even realize that it was a question. 😂🤣

 

I thought you were commenting on how it’s right there when you get off the ship. 
 

Maybe I can start a “Where’s Waldo” for the cruise community. Except it will be port pictures where you have to find the Diamonds International. 

Donna starts building her cruise folders as soon as we book - sometimes sooner.  I should have known she'd know where it was.  So after our excursion I know where we'll stop first.

[Travelexpert35]

1 hour ago, robinsra said:

Did you see taxi stand and prices for the beach?

Thanks loving your review

 

We were in Aruba a couple of years ago and the taxis were only $10 ow to Eagle Beach and we had 5 people we shared with so it was cheap. 

[SonuvaBeach]

2 hours ago, aring75 said:

Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant has a pretty varied menu. Appetizers, salads, sandwiches, pasta, seafood, and burgers. 

 

 

We weren’t really starving, so we opted for some frozen drinks and shareable apps. 
 

The chips and queso app was a great way to start (try to remember to bring a small portable bottle of hand sanitizer).
 

 

We enjoyed the queso, but the chicken quesadilla was stuffed full and really good!

 

 

 

We thought we’d have room for the coconut shrimp after, but we were very full. We have dinner tonight in Tuscan Grill, so we decided not to overdo it. 

WE LOVE LUCY'S!!!! I'm glad you found it. The manager gave us mugs with the shark on it for our bar called "THE BITE ME BAR." No one is allowed to use them. They are  just for looking at!

[aring75]

On 8/17/2021 at 3:34 PM, cltnccruisers said:

Is there a Silent Disco?  DW has been after me forever to do that.  But I dance the same way I swim - like a brick.

 

Just an update to my previous post. They have had silent disco most nights, but other than the first one, they have all been in the Sky Observation Lounge. 

[aring75]

4 hours ago, terrydtx said:

Are the mask mandates being enforced?  I noticed several tourists in your earlier pictures were mask less walking around? 

Sorry. Missed this question earlier. Masks are absolutely enforced on tours (at least the ones we’ve been on), also I’ve seen several people gently “reminded” to wear their masks when entering stores and restaurants. 
 

It doesn’t seem as strict when walking outdoors, but I would say a good 80% of people seem to be following the rules. 

[amevola]

3 hours ago, terrydtx said:

If someone told me I had to live on an island in the Caribbean it would be either Aruba or Curacao. We have some retired friends who have a condo on the beach and they spend most of the winter there.

We love Aruba.  If we are able to winter there sometime in the future, we will.

[lenetere]

This is a "mask in port" question.  Walking around in port, I understand, but do you know if they're required on beaches?  Or while on a boat excursion?  Just trying to decide what type of excursions make sense for me.  Thanks!

[aring75]

14 minutes ago, lenetere said:

This is a "mask in port" question.  Walking around in port, I understand, but do you know if they're required on beaches?  Or while on a boat excursion?  Just trying to decide what type of excursions make sense for me.  Thanks!

Not required on our beach excursion in St Lucia. Had to wear the mask while on the bus and in port (leaving and returning to the ship), but not while on the beach. All shops and restaurants have required them (until you are seated at the restaurant).

 

Also, on our catamaran excursion in Antigua, we were allowed to remove our masks on the boat. 
 

Masks required in port and in stores in Dominica. And I’m sure on buses too, but we didn’t take an excursion there.
 

Hope this helps!

[Bluewake]

5 hours ago, terrydtx said:

Are the mask mandates being enforced?  I noticed several tourists in your earlier pictures were mask less walking around? 

Based on our experience walking around the downtown area in Aruba, I would say about 50% of the people we passed were masked.  In the stores, the percentage of masked customers was much higher. As for store personnel, it seemed that most were masked, however, in several stores we entered, there were some clerks who were either not wearing a mask or had theirs pulled down.  Our sense was that the higher end stores (Eg. DG, Prada, LV) were most compliant. 

Edited August 23, 2021 by Bluewake

[Bluewake]

8 hours ago, crimsonbird said:

Thanks so much.  That's perfect.  Do u recall the exact name of the tour so I make no mistake when booking.  Appreciate!!

Coastal Cruise to the Pitons”.

[aring75]

All aboard in Aruba is 10pm tonight, but I wanted to mention that as of right now, the government of Aruba has issued a mandatory 10pm curfew. This means all shops and restaurants must be closed by 9pm. 

[aring75]

Broadway show tonight. This will be the 3rd production show featuring the singers and dancers so far. 
 

 

 

Also. There is an 80s party tonight!

 

Radical. 
 

Wouldn’t you know it. I forgot to pack my leg warmers. 
 

[aring75]

Dinner in Tuscan Grille this evening. 
 

Foods
 

 

 

Drinks

 

 

[aring75]

They start by bringing a big bunch of fresh basil to the table. They snip a few fresh pieces into a dish and add olive oil. 
 

 

 

You get a basket of freshly baked bread. Ours was still warm. 😋

 

 

 

There’s a small pepper mill in the table. The evoo is pretty good with the pepper added. 
 

[aring75]

We got the antipasti board to share. 
 

 

 

And both decided on the Caesar salad. 
 

[aring75]

Mark got the 9oz filet. 
 

 

 

I got the 12oz ribeye and ended up giving almost half of it to Mark. 
 

 

 

We also got the broccoli and the garlic mashed potatoes. 
 

Just look at all that roasted garlic.