My View: A Symphony of Gratitude (Live Thanksgiving Week)

[APDMOM]

On that helpful note from @BecciBoo - here are the better views of the wings:

 

TIP:  Portside (left) has the see through glass bottom that BecciBoo posted above - not for the faint of heart:

 

 

View of the helipad from the portside wing:

 

Entrance to the portside wing:

 

TIP: Starboard (right) has the telescope:

 

 

 

Edited November 24, 2023 by APDMOM
Delete extra pic

[APDMOM]

Evening Entertainment:  1977 - A Thrilling Adventure on Ice

 

The seas were a bit rough, but these talented performers did exceptionally well!  

 

TIP: I thought sitting on the right edge of the seats facing the ice would be the best space - not so, as the skaters often stand in the corner, which blocked my view.  Sitting right in the center would be better.  Or, DH and DS thought the seats on the sides in the very back were the best.

 

I usually try to choose a seat where I would not distract with my camera, which is why the edge is usually good.  

 

Some Views of the Show, Drones and All!

 

Starting with my favorite part - a short video clip of the hula hoop slinky:

 

 

 

Drones:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[APDMOM]

A short clip of our evening live music in the pub with Pablo Okubi (The video does not do his voice justice) - highly recommend looking him up:

 

 

[APDMOM]

My View: End of Day 4 - At Sea:

 

Grateful for another beautiful day at sea, and a balcony to avoid too many crowds 😄 

[APDMOM]

Cruise Compass: Day 4 - At Sea

 

TIP: This PDF version is much more clear than the photos:

cruisecompass.pdf

 

 

 

 

 

 

[APDMOM]

My View: Day 5 - Aruba

 

Grateful to see "Good Morning" in a language very close to my own, and one of those spoken in Aruba.

 

As we say in South Africa & Namibia:  "Goeie Môre!" 

 

[APDMOM]

Another beautiful sunrise:

 

 

Views of sailing into Aruba (the ship backed into port):

 

 

[APDMOM]

Breakfast at El Loco Fresh:

 

We enjoyed the breakfast burritos, but we still prefer the Johnny Rockets B.E.L.T. breakfast sandwich, which I will post about later this week - keep forgetting to get a picture!  The burritos are a bit dry but great with some guacamole!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[APDMOM]

TIP:  If you don't have international cell service, check the exchange rate before you get off the ship.  Most places in Aruba had prices listed in US dollars also, so it was not a problem.  Just helpful to know the exchange rate in case you find places who don't post the price in US $.

 

[APDMOM]

A little extra gratitude:

In Aruba, I had an extra reason to be thankful - DS's sandal broke, so we had to go on the hunt for a new pair.  It is the only way I can get my DH to willingly walk in the heat to shop!  LOL!  😄 If it weren't for the broken sandal, I would be walking these streets alone.

 

Views of our Walk in Oranjestad:

 

TIP: We docked at the 'far pier', so the walk is a bit longer.  It was about 1 km to Renaissance Mall.  There is a free shuttle that will take you, but we decided to walk rather than wait.

 

Finally got to see some Christmas Decorations!  

 

 

 

 

 

When you see a random swing... 

 

Stone Street - nothing significant about it, except that it is in my native tongue, and that Aruba is "One Happy Island"

 

 

 

[Morecruisesplz]

1 hour ago, APDMOM said:

My View: Day 5 - Aruba

 

Grateful to see "Good Morning" in a language very close to my own, and one of those spoken in Aruba.

 

As we say in South Africa & Namibia:  "Goeie Môre!" 

 

Where are the slides? Maybe this photo not from your cabin?

[APDMOM]

2 hours ago, Morecruisesplz said:

Where are the slides? Maybe this photo not from your cabin?

This photo was taken from deck 7 by the rock climbing wall (not our cabin).  The Ultimate Abyss is just to the left of the photo.  The water slides are over Central Park, midship.  🙂 Will post some of those pictures later.

[APDMOM]

More Views of Oranjestad, Aruba:

 

Saw this beautiful bird - did not have the superzoom camera with me...

 

 

 

 

 

[Morecruisesplz]

11 minutes ago, APDMOM said:

This photo was taken from deck 7 by the rock climbing wall (not our cabin).  The Ultimate Abyss is just to the left of the photo.  The water slides are over Central Park, midship.  🙂 Will post some of those pictures later.

Thank you! We like those inside facing, aft Boardwalk balconies but wished the balcony view was as good as your photo. Enjoy!

[APDMOM]

A Few More Daytime Views:

 

TIP: The tram is free - just hop on for a loop through "downtown" Oranjestad.  

 

Wish we had seen it before we walked the 2 miles, but then we got our steps in!

 

 

 

 

 

[APDMOM]

Walking back toward the ship:

 

After that long, hot walk in pursuit of sandals, we deserved some relaxing time in the solarium pool, which was very quiet on this port day:

 

[APDMOM]

The Views from the Ship:

Not the best views, and a long walkway to the shops... but it is worth it.  As mentioned before, there is a free shuttle to the shops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[APDMOM]

On 11/21/2023 at 1:49 PM, sdrocks said:

Doing this same ship, itinerary in March.  Would be interested to know if we don't take an excursion can we walk around the port area (my husband mobility challenged so will be in a wheelchair) and perhaps see any shops, or just areas of interest ?  Have been here before (Aruba, Curacao) but not for many years.  Have been on so many Caribbean cruises we don't have any real interest in beaches or water activities.  But if we can experience some of the "flavor" of these ports without an excursion that's probably more than adequate for us. 

 

@sdrocks  The verdict on Aruba is questionable for a wheelchair.  It is doable, but there are not many ramps to cross the streets, some of the sidewalks are narrow, and some are not well maintained.  It depends on the kind of wheelchair you have whether it will be a 'smooth' ride.  

 

Curaçao is much better - very accessible, though still a longer walk from the pier to the fort.  The Emma bridge (Pontoon Bridge) is easy to cross to "The Other Side" - Otrobanda, which has many great shopping experiences.  You may want to look at Google maps for the walking distances.  Hope this is helpful!  All the best for your planning. ❤️

[APDMOM]

TIP: Since it was a port day, the Rising Tide Bar was not too busy.  

 

We took a quick ride with a free diamond drink before heading out to the sunset.  

 

Carnival Magic in the sunset:

 

 

Edited November 25, 2023 by APDMOM
Add 2 pics

[APDMOM]

Evening Views - A Walk through Oranjestad at Night:

 

TIP:  The "I ❤️ARUBA sign moved to the Citgo station right outside the port area.  (No longer across the bridge past the Renaissance Mall):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carnival Magic and Freewinds:

 

 

 

[APDMOM]

TIP:  Most of the photos were taken on the street closest to the pier - L.G. Smith Blvd.  We felt very safe walking this area at night - there was a lot of activity and many passengers from the ship still strolling around. 

[APDMOM]

56 minutes ago, Morecruisesplz said:

Thank you! We like those inside facing, aft Boardwalk balconies but wished the balcony view was as good as your photo. Enjoy!

 

I agree!  We used to love the Boardwalk balconies, but the Utimate Abyss takes away from the view and the atmosphere - those noises that play whenever someone slides are a bit annoying.

[APDMOM]

Windjammer Offerings:

We had worked up a bit of an appetite during our evening walk, so we went to see what the Windjammer had to offer.  One of my favorites, the Artichoke Crêpe, was available at the buffet:

 

LOL!! Don't know why that salad picture is posting upside down - it is right side up on my Mac 🤣

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[buffet24]

Hi there APDMOM,

If you get a chance, would it be possible to check the wifi internet speed (ie. speedtest.net) a few different times (if you remember) during mid-day on a Sea day?   Thank you in advance!!

 

[perfect match]

I’m grateful for those beautiful pictures from Aruba! I really need to focus my cruise planning efforts more on cruises that go to the ABC Islands.