mpcaruth Posted February 11, 2013 Author #126 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Aruba Continued: Went spent about 45 minutes in the water at Arashi, then packed up for our trip back to the ship. The drive back was along the main stretch along the tourist beaches of Palm Beach and Eagle Beach. The hotels were amazing looking and the beaches looked great. I took some photos from the jeep: We were dropped off across the street from the pier entrance. My daughter and I walked about a block to an open air market (lots of locals selling souvenirs from booths). The prices for the T-shirts, bags, purses, and other typical souvenirs were probably the cheapest we have seen on any of the islands we have cruised to. So…we loaded up on shirts and novelties. Aruba Final L: Back on ship, we went to an upper deck to watch sail away. So sad this was our last port. We slowly sailed in front of the airport runway where we saw a plane appear to be waiting. My son asked if the plane was going to take off over our heads. We told him it was probably not allowed, since the ship was so close and with so many passengers. Then “bbrrmmmmm” a loud sound startled everyone on the ship. The plane was waiting on the runway for the plane that was about to land. I caught a picture of the plane just before landing. Aruba is truly "one big happy family"! Of all the ports I have been to, this would rate as the top for a future land-based vacation. If you recall, my favorite port day was La Romana (Seavis rocks!), and my son's favorite was Curacao (he loves snorkeling). Now, my husband and daughter selected Aruba as their favorite (they loved the off-road adventure and the unknowns). So, as you can see, we are all different, but we all had a GREAT time at the ports! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TampaCouplePDB Posted February 11, 2013 #127 Share Posted February 11, 2013 What fantastic pics! Thank you! I don't know if you said this, since I mostly just looked at the pictures right now (sorry!)... but I was wondering if any of the stops had tenders? We're doing the same stops on the Breeze in November. I've bookmarked your thread to read all about the excursions later. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpcaruth Posted February 12, 2013 Author #128 Share Posted February 12, 2013 What fantastic pics! Thank you! I don't know if you said this, since I mostly just looked at the pictures right now (sorry!)... but I was wondering if any of the stops had tenders? We're doing the same stops on the Breeze in November. I've bookmarked your thread to read all about the excursions later. :D Good news! There are no tenders on this itinerary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpcaruth Posted February 12, 2013 Author #129 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Thanks for the review. We're debating on this itinerary on either the Freedom or Breeze for our next cruise. I see in your signature that you have sailed the Dream and the Freedom. Knowing that the Breeze is very similar to the Dream, I think you should pick which of those two ships you liked best. I bet the Freedom is much cheaper than the Breeze. Have fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traci1960 Posted February 13, 2013 #130 Share Posted February 13, 2013 MargaritaVille area and pool look pretty awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmomof3k Posted February 18, 2013 #131 Share Posted February 18, 2013 OkayJust looked over the Funtimes and I did not see the show listed...... thats why I was asking...... and I heard good things about the show.... Thanks Okay so you still have not come and joined the roll call for the Freedom yet...do we scare you lol:p come on jump in the water is just the right temp! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terri-eddie Posted February 18, 2013 #132 Share Posted February 18, 2013 Yes this hot tub is open to everyone. It's almost a secret. I rarely see anyone here. You have to go through the locker room and choose an unmarked door leading to this hot tub. One door leads to the gym and the other to this area. As you walk through the area with lockers, before you reach the washroom area, there's a door on the left marked MASSAGE...go through this door and take the first door on the right, it leads to the hot tub. My daughter and I discovered this on our first night on the Freedom a week ago. It felt so good, and we were the only people in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kat55cruises Posted March 24, 2013 #133 Share Posted March 24, 2013 Can you bring the conch onto the ship and then back into the US w/o problems? Is there a live critter in these shells? Is there some kind of quarantine the shells have to go through? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpcaruth Posted March 24, 2013 Author #134 Share Posted March 24, 2013 Can you bring the conch onto the ship and then back into the US w/o problems? Is there a live critter in these shells? Is there some kind of quarantine the shells have to go through? We cleaned the conch shells out to remove the sand, and there were no live critters. The shells went through the ship scanner fine. I know they do not allow sand to be carried onboard, but we have never had a problem with shells. You can also buy clean and shiny conch shells from vendors in the ports, and these are allowed on the ship. Once in the cabin, we cleaned the shells with soap and water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fydlstyx Posted March 24, 2013 #135 Share Posted March 24, 2013 EVERGLADES CONTINUED: Notice the Ospry on the left carrying a fish: To be continued... Your pics are terrific. I can't wait to read the rest of this....thanks for sharing! Sherry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beachlover1964 Posted April 18, 2013 #136 Share Posted April 18, 2013 Seavis Saono Special Tour Continued: The power boat ride to the island was GORGEOUS! We stopped twice along the way. The first stop was next to some caves to discuss the Taino Indians. To be continued... These are among the most beautiful pictures I've ever seen! The sea is breathtaking. I came across your review, because I'm looking at the 8 day for June as I had a week free up at work and I am now sold (and I'm only 1/2 way through your review). Thanks for your excellent and informative review Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyZ Posted April 18, 2013 #137 Share Posted April 18, 2013 Excellent pics and review. We are on the 8 day Breeze in June and doing these exact ports. We are doing Seavis Eco tour in DR and Irie Tours in Curacao Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathyoo Posted April 18, 2013 #138 Share Posted April 18, 2013 Wonderful review, fantastic pictures and most of all gorgeous children. Thank you for taking the time to share. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poptart Posted April 18, 2013 #139 Share Posted April 18, 2013 just found this review. I am loving it so much I am already thinking about checking prices and booking this cruise for next year!! At work and need to get some done. I'll come back later to finish reading. I've only gotten thru the Dominican Republic tour. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scuba's wife Posted April 18, 2013 #140 Share Posted April 18, 2013 Hi, I noticed on your air boat in the Everglades that you had ear plugs. Did they provide those or did you bring them yourself? Thanks! Really enjoyed your review as we are doing the same itinerary in June with an 11 year old daughter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpcaruth Posted April 18, 2013 Author #141 Share Posted April 18, 2013 Hi' date=' I noticed on your air boat in the Everglades that you had ear plugs. Did they provide those or did you bring them yourself? Thanks! Really enjoyed your review as we are doing the same itinerary in June with an 11 year old daughter.[/quote'] Thank you. The tour provides the earplugs. This is really a great cruise, and I am sure your daughter will think it is amazing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpcaruth Posted April 18, 2013 Author #142 Share Posted April 18, 2013 just found this review. I am loving it so much I am already thinking about checking prices and booking this cruise for next year!! At work and need to get some done. I'll come back later to finish reading. I've only gotten thru the Dominican Republic tour. :D Go ahead and book the cruise during your lunch hour!!!! The Freedom is a great ship. And you cannot beat the value of this itinerary with any other cruiseline. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ch27088 Posted April 18, 2013 #143 Share Posted April 18, 2013 Aruba continued: Stop at a really small church: The next to last stop was at the Lighthouse. I didn’t get a picture of the lighthouse, but managed to catch it in a photo at Arashi Beach. There was a herd of goats that roamed the field next to the lighthouse. Again, the animals intrigued my kids (pun intended). Our final stop was Arashi Beach. The kids snorkeled some here, but we were really not in the right location to see anything. The water was a nice refreshing end to a hot, dusty, and fun day. To be continued… Did you bring your own snorkel gear, or did you rent? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Geegitz Posted April 18, 2013 #144 Share Posted April 18, 2013 Thanks for posting! Looking forward to Aruba and Curacao on our next cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpcaruth Posted April 18, 2013 Author #145 Share Posted April 18, 2013 These new posts reminded me that I wanted to share our Old Time photo. It was advertised in the Funtimes one night that there would be Old Time photos. There was no line when we walked by, so we decided to do it. The kids had so much fun picking out the costumes, and there were probably 20 or more to choose from with varying sizes. My son, who hates getting his photo taken, enjoyed dressing up as a old western bank robber. These photos were the same price as all the other portraits. So, compared to the price of Old Time photos at beach vacation destinations, this was a deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpcaruth Posted April 18, 2013 Author #146 Share Posted April 18, 2013 (edited) Did you bring your own snorkel gear, or did you rent? We brought our own snorkel gear, but I think they also had some available for free use in one of the Jeeps. Edited April 18, 2013 by mpcaruth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poptart Posted April 19, 2013 #147 Share Posted April 19, 2013 Wonderful review and a others have said your pictures are amazing. I did look on carnivals web site at lunch but it wouldn't let me pick the freedom or the breeze for may or November 2014. I'll keep checking or check another website to see if is available yet. I look forward to reading your other reviews. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunny side up1 Posted June 4, 2013 #148 Share Posted June 4, 2013 We are taking this cruise in July. Love your review and photos. Thanks for all the details. These ports are all new for us and exactly why we chose it. You have helped me with our plans a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rena921 Posted June 4, 2013 #149 Share Posted June 4, 2013 (edited) We are taking this cruise in July. Love your review and photos. Thanks for all the details. These ports are all new for us and exactly why we chose it. You have helped me with our plans a lot. Hi sunny side up! We are sailing with you on July 27th! Come join our roll call! http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1624694 Edited June 4, 2013 by Rena921 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marshhawk Posted June 30, 2013 #150 Share Posted June 30, 2013 Your photograpy is wonderful, there is one picture, I want for my screen saver at work-with your permission, so I can just dream of being "there", beach,palm trees and water! My Legends roll call from last year want to go to new ports, as a reunion, can you tell we made freinds for life while cruising? We are looking at this cruise for 2015. Thank you so much for this review! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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