LIVE from Equinox (June 24, 2023), sailing on a budget

[hcat]

16 minutes ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

 

Looks super fun!! Did they have non-fish/seafood options at lunch?

looks like a lovely place..if you can stay away from the mosquitos!

[AbbyCruiser45]

17 minutes ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

 

Looks super fun!! Did they have non-fish/seafood options at lunch?

Yes! Burgers, wraps, chicken salad, and Reuben’s. Seafood options were actually the minority! 

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

Just now, AbbyCruiser45 said:

Yes! Burgers, wraps, chicken salad, and Reuben’s. Seafood options were actually the minority! 

Thanks!!

[calicakes]

1 hour ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

 

Looks super fun!! Did they have non-fish/seafood options at lunch?

We just spent a week at that hotel this past april and went to the island three times. They do have a lot of lunch options.

[AbbyCruiser45]

1 hour ago, hcat said:

looks like a lovely place..if you can stay away from the mosquitos!

They were only on the nature trail! So stay away from that and you have the perfect day!

[jelayne]

17 hours ago, vickykay said:

Lamb chops were always on the smart casual menu the first day ( Eclipse this past May).  My husband’s favorite!). He ordered the roast lamb and found it inedible ( tough and full of gristle). And he’s not at all picky). Our assistant waited replaced it but it was exactly the same.  Hopefully was a one off.  I can’t remember what I had ( excellent) but seems no longer on the menu.
 

Roast lamb is not a very good meat.  The only lamb I have found good are lamb chops. 

[AbbyCruiser45]

Last night we hung out at the Sky Observation bar a bit, chatted with some fellow passengers, and played a very close game of Boggle. We opted for the buffet for dinner because we wanted something easy after a long port day. It was good! We also went to the comedian, who was great. He has an 18+ show on one of the sea day nights so we’ll try that out too. 

Curaço has been a great port so far! I woke up to a great sunrise and enjoyed the sail in on the balcony. 
 

We got off the ship just before 9 and went straight to the Mangrove Park. I highly recommend this. It’s walking distance to port, only costs $10/person, and took about 30 minutes. There was a lot of wildlife to see and it was just peaceful. 

Afterwards, we just walked through the town. We ended our trip out at Iguana Cafe for some coffee and a snack of bitterballen. While there, we got to watch the bridge swing open. I had no clue it could move with people on it! 

We got back on the ship for lunch and it was Caribbean day in the buffet! This is one of my favorite themes they do. I had fried yucca, plantain, beef patties, and jerk chicken. 

We will go to the MDR tonight, so I’ll let you all know how it is! For now, we’re going to read, play cards and Boggle, and drink a little 😊

[lovetocruisee]

2 hours ago, AbbyCruiser45 said:

Last night we hung out at the Sky Observation bar a bit, chatted with some fellow passengers, and played a very close game of Boggle. We opted for the buffet for dinner because we wanted something easy after a long port day. It was good! We also went to the comedian, who was great. He has an 18+ show on one of the sea day nights so we’ll try that out too. 

Curaço has been a great port so far! I woke up to a great sunrise and enjoyed the sail in on the balcony. 
 

We got off the ship just before 9 and went straight to the Mangrove Park. I highly recommend this. It’s walking distance to port, only costs $10/person, and took about 30 minutes. There was a lot of wildlife to see and it was just peaceful. 

Afterwards, we just walked through the town. We ended our trip out at Iguana Cafe for some coffee and a snack of bitterballen. While there, we got to watch the bridge swing open. I had no clue it could move with people on it! 

We got back on the ship for lunch and it was Caribbean day in the buffet! This is one of my favorite themes they do. I had fried yucca, plantain, beef patties, and jerk chicken. 

We will go to the MDR tonight, so I’ll let you all know how it is! For now, we’re going to read, play cards and Boggle, and drink a little 😊

 you are doing a great deal in your day. 👌🏽

[AbbyCruiser45]

We had an excellent dinner in the MDR last night. We started the evening with wine in the ensemble lounge and listened to live music.

We were seated immediately for dinner, around 6pm. I had the BBQ spring roll and the cream of chicken to start, both were excellent. For my main, I had the braised beef brochette and a side portion of the linguine. 

We then ran up to the top deck to watch the last of the sunset and our sail away. It was a nice, peaceful night! 

While I’ve been typing this, we’ve just been sitting off of Bonaire waiting to pull into port. The engines just kicked in though and we’ll be there for an early, 7AM arrival. I think we’ll plan on getting off the ship and heading to Sorobon beach. We’ll likely get back to the ship for lunch. 

[hcat]

On 6/27/2023 at 8:29 PM, AbbyCruiser45 said:

They were only on the nature trail! So stay away from that and you have the perfect day!

thats great.. I would still wear ling pants and spray with DEET..the  mosq love me!

[hcat]

great photos..

we have been to Aruba and Curacao many times but now have 2 new places to check out..the hotel with nature & mangrove park  island.

 

May be worth taking another ABC cruise.  thanks for reviewing these places!

[Georgia_Peaches]

52 minutes ago, AbbyCruiser45 said:

We were seated immediately for dinner, around 6pm. I had the BBQ spring roll and the cream of chicken to start, both were excellent. For my main, I had the braised beef brochette and a side portion of the linguine. 

Your meal looks great!  I just opened up my app to see if those options are available for our cruise beginning Sunday and I noticed that it says “Make a Reservation”. We have Select dining and I didn’t think a reservation was required.  Do you happen to know if Select needs a reservation?

[AbbyCruiser45]

Just now, Georgia_Peaches said:

Your meal looks great!  I just opened up my app to see if those options are available for our cruise beginning Sunday and I noticed that it says “Make a Reservation”. We have Select dining and I didn’t think a reservation was required.  Do you happen to know if Select needs a reservation?

Reservations are not required, but depending on how large your group is, you may want to try to make them. For this trip, with just the two of us, we’ve been seated immediately between 6 and 6:30. I’ve traveled with family before, in a group of 5 and 6, and we made reservations every night since it’s harder to get a table that size. 

[CunucuMom]

During your walking tour of Mangrove Park, did you notice the kayak tour?  Website shows as $20 pp and but I'm not sure if that includes kayak and life vest rental.  Enjoying following along in your journey!

[AbbyCruiser45]

2 minutes ago, CunucuMom said:

During your walking tour of Mangrove Park, did you notice the kayak tour?  Website shows as $20 pp and but I'm not sure if that includes kayak and life vest rental.  Enjoying following along in your journey!

I’m not sure because we were in and out before the first tour started. I think it would be worth checking out though! I would imagine it includes the kayak. I didn’t see any signage indicating otherwise. 

[AbbyCruiser45]

Holy cow, Bonaire! The water was absolutely stunning. We didn’t end up trying for the golf cart because we just wanted to get to the beach. And wow. The water was stunning. We went to Sorobon beach and the Sebastian Beach Club. It was only $5/person taxi ride and then $10/person chair. There was not a lot of shade, so that was disappointing. But we were mostly in the water. At first glance, the water seems murky but that’s because the sea grass is protected. There is a path to walk through and then you are in shallow, crystal clear water. The beach is super windy and it must always be because there were tons of wind surfers. They were great to watch. It looks like you could also book lessons if that’s something you’re interested in. 

We got there around 9 and stayed for about 3.5 hours because we didn’t want to buy lunch out and we’re getting a little sun sapped. My sun allergy reaction is already all over my hands, the rash guard is working for my arms though! The taxi was $5/person if we wanted to wait for two more people, but people didn’t seem to be leaving so we were able to pay $20 total to leave right away. 
 

Lunch in Oceanview was my favorite theme day today, Taste of Italy! Basically, all the capresse and fresh mozzerella you want. Now I’m enjoying the shade on my freshly cleaned balcony (state room attendant just came by with a hose, not by request, just routine) enjoying this view! 

[lovetocruisee]

10 minutes ago, AbbyCruiser45 said:

Holy cow, Bonaire! The water was absolutely stunning. We didn’t end up trying for the golf cart because we just wanted to get to the beach. And wow. The water was stunning. We went to Sorobon beach and the Sebastian Beach Club. It was only $5/person taxi ride and then $10/person chair. There was not a lot of shade, so that was disappointing. But we were mostly in the water. At first glance, the water seems murky but that’s because the sea grass is protected. There is a path to walk through and then you are in shallow, crystal clear water. The beach is super windy and it must always be because there were tons of wind surfers. They were great to watch. It looks like you could also book lessons if that’s something you’re interested in. 

We got there around 9 and stayed for about 3.5 hours because we didn’t want to buy lunch out and we’re getting a little sun sapped. My sun allergy reaction is already all over my hands, the rash guard is working for my arms though! The taxi was $5/person if we wanted to wait for two more people, but people didn’t seem to be leaving so we were able to pay $20 total to leave right away. 
 

Lunch in Oceanview was my favorite theme day today, Taste of Italy! Basically, all the capresse and fresh mozzerella you want. Now I’m enjoying the shade on my freshly cleaned balcony (state room attendant just came by with a hose, not by request, just routine) enjoying this view! 

     Gorgeous, it’s a pity that you have to leave the ship when we get on.   Keep enjoying it!!!

[abritinva]

Thanks to everyone for their answers to my question reBonare golf carts and kudos to the OP for a very interesting thread.

 

 Thanks again

[phoenix_dream]

On 6/24/2023 at 7:09 PM, HS2BS said:

We send the cart rental in early May, plenty of room for my wife’ wheelchair. It’s a good idea for the Mobil person to go to the rental building(not a good sidewalk or road for a mobility device) to pick up the cart and drive it back, and revers when dropping off.

 

Hal

I'm following this thread as we are on the same cruise early next year.  I have a question about the carts.  Their website says they will deliver the cart to the port for people with disabilities.  But when I messaged them, they said what you are talking about, that the non-disabled person had to go get the cart and bring it back.  Do you know if they had the option to have the cart delivered to the port or is their website promising something they can't deliver?

[HS2BS]

We exited the ship and I pushed the wheelchair to the tent(Bonaire carts’) to sign in. They then provided a shuttle to the cart location, and shuttle back at the end. The pickup and drop off was a short distance from the port entrance, the longest walk was the pier itself.

 

Hal

[KKB]

@AbbyCruiser45 our nephew lived in Bonaire for a time & recommended Sorobon beach--we too, LOVED it!! 

[Dar & Bob]

On 6/29/2023 at 7:08 AM, Georgia_Peaches said:

Your meal looks great!  I just opened up my app to see if those options are available for our cruise beginning Sunday and I noticed that it says “Make a Reservation”. We have Select dining and I didn’t think a reservation was required.  Do you happen to know if Select needs a reservation?

In January we were traveling with 2 other couples and we all made reservations for 7:30 - after 2 days of having to get a pager and wait to be seated we spoke to the maitre'd and were told basically no way they could/would honor the reservation. So IMO the reservation is worthless. 

[Josie201]

@AbbyCruiser45really enjoying your review.  
 

was it rocky to get into the water at Sorobon Beach ?   Would it be suitable for toddlers and elderly in terms of ease in and out?   

[AbbyCruiser45]

12 hours ago, Josie201 said:

@AbbyCruiser45really enjoying your review.  
 

was it rocky to get into the water at Sorobon Beach ?   Would it be suitable for toddlers and elderly in terms of ease in and out?   

It was not rocky at all! It was really sandy with an easy entry. There were some chunks of old coral here or there but nothing too difficult. Kaleb forgot his water shoes this trip and he was perfectly fine. The waves aren’t huge either because the beach is technically in a bay, so the “main ocean” (I don’t know how else to describe it) breaks on a sandbar way further out than you would need to go. 

[horseymike]

Thanks again for the great photos and live commentary of your cruise .