My View: The ABC Islands on Navigator of the Seas (A picture heavy trip report)

[Paulette3028]

We have 1388 booked for Feb 2, same itinerary. We also have Woodwind reserved on Bonaire. I can't wait! I'm not very good at reviews, but will try to share something.

 

I'm loving this review - thank you!

 

We are on the same sailing with you. I am enjoying reading this thread.....looking forward to this cruise alot....we have never been to any of these ports. In Bonaire, we are doing Bonaire Highlights and Beach Fun. In Curacao, we are just walking around and heading over to the synagogue in town, which is supposedly an interesting structure.

[BHannis]

Sailing on the same itinerary in Jan, so thank you for the great preview! Just curious- what time did it seem like things closed up in Curacao? You took some pictures at night, but was much open at that time?

[Sobro]

We are on the same sailing with you. I am enjoying reading this thread.....looking forward to this cruise alot....we have never been to any of these ports. In Bonaire, we are doing Bonaire Highlights and Beach Fun. In Curacao, we are just walking around and heading over to the synagogue in town, which is supposedly an interesting structure.

 

The synagogue also has an attached museum. Allow some time for that. Plus if you go across the small inlet where the floating market docks, the Maritime museum is nice. It's only steps from the market.

[OhJinkies]

I’m on the same ship and itinerary for the January 5 sailing. Really enjoying your review, thanks!

 

 

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[Sunshine-lady]

We can't thank you enough for posting this review with the pictures. We are doing this cruise in March and this helps to hold us over. Thanks again!

[Canadian Cruiser98]

Really enjoying this thread so far! We're heading to Curaçao, Aruba and Bonaire on the Adventure of the Seas in March and it'll be our first time in the latter two destinations, so I'm looking forward to hearing what your experiences were with those ports.

[APDMOM]

We are back, after a fun overnight trip to Orlando to pick up my parents from Orlando Airport. Glad (and a little envious) to see so many planning trips to the ABC islands. They truly are fun and unique!

 

 

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[APDMOM]

My View: Day 6 - Bonaire

 

Views of Kralendijk from the ship:

 

 

 

[APDMOM]

The courthouse, police station, and jail, jokingly called “The Bermuda Triangle" by locals:

 

 

Shortly after docking, a familiar ‘face’ showed up:

 

[APDMOM]

This was our first time visiting Bonaire. We do not snorkel, so we opted for a ship tour to see the island. Once again, we purchased the tour in advance when there was an online sale. We did the Mangroves, flamingoes and beach stop tour, which we had purchased for $47 each. On the ship, the price was $59. My husband really loved this tour and decided this is his new favorite island. He likes the fact that it is not built up and that the tour visited so many quiet, natural environments.

 

 

Some of the vegetation:

 

 

Goats under the thorn bushes:

 

Fences made of Cactus to keep out what/who needs to stay out:

 

“A Christmas Tree” (Cacti with Santa hats)

[APDMOM]

Flamingoes:

 

 

 

Ironically, flamingoes are protected in Bonaire. However, they fly over to Venezuela, where they are eaten. (According to our tour guide)

 

More feathered friends of Bonaire:

 

[APDMOM]

Lac Bay:

 

Conch shells everywhere:

 

 

It takes this coral one year to grow an inch:

 

More of Lac Bay:

 

[APDMOM]

After Lac Bay, we went to Jibe City Windsurfing. Unfortunately, we did not get to walk around here, but it looks like a great place to return to on a future visit… maybe we will rent one of the golf carts next time:

 

 

 

 

Speaking of golf carts, I am pretty sure this was one of our roll call members riding around town ;)

[APDMOM]

Getting back to town:

 

 

After a quick lunch in the Windjammer, I walked around town and bought a beautiful necklace ($39) from a place called “Elements”. It was started by a South African who had worked on a cruise ship, where she met her Italian husband. They decided to settle down in Bonaire, and this beautiful jewelry is the result of their family effort. I don't usually buy jewelry, but I liked their cruise love story, and the jewelry is truly beautiful:

 

Read their story here, if you are interested in the details:

 

 

[APDMOM]

Tonight’s Headliner show was Chad Chesmark. It was an excellent, funny illusionist show. We really enjoyed it and I highly recommend the show for adults and children alike:

 

This lady was the best! I hope she sees this review. It was such fun to see her being a ‘good sport’ and she made the show even more enjoyable!

 

The Michael Jackson Mickey Mouse impression :)

 

Curtains!

[APDMOM]

A few more parting views of Bonaire… we hope to be back again!

 

 

 

[APDMOM]

With that, it is the end of my view of Day 6. Good night! Aruba trikes coming up tomorrow… Don't change the channel :D

 

[boxermom711]

OMG!!! Love all the pictures but especially of Bonaire. I will have to go to Elements. Such a cool story

 

 

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[Citymom92]

Fantastic review-and agree your pictures are the best! Visiting the ABC islands is definitely on my bucket list. Thanks!

[dada2199cc]

Great review and great photos!

 

I was also on this cruise and it's amazing for me to see how other people cruise. I'm a "laid back no planning" cruiser so I never saw any of this stuff but it's great that it's there and it's awesome that folks can have fun doing it all.

 

I only saw beaches at all the ports (1 beach day each), the Windjammer for almost all lunches (we don't eat breakfast), the gym every other day, 5 specialty dinings (3x Izumi, 2x Chops) and Windjammer for every dinner.

[Nessa1dc]

Thanks- maybe also freedom.

 

No pre ordering of tickets for Freedom either....

[ksuds]

Tonight’s Headliner show was Chad Chesmark. It was an excellent, funny illusionist show. We really enjoyed it and I highly recommend the show for adults and children alike:

 

This lady was the best! I hope she sees this review. It was such fun to see her being a ‘good sport’ and she made the show even more enjoyable!

 

The Michael Jackson Mickey Mouse impression :)

 

Curtains!

 

 

This is awesome! She is our friend Karen. She told us she was so nervous up there she was shaking and thought she'd pass out. :p

[ksuds]

I love your review. We were on your sailing and it's great to see reviews of things we didn't do. In Bonaire we rented the golf cart. The Donkey Sanctuary was the best part of our day. Amazing! If we went back, I wouldn't change a thing.

[JTBCruiser]

I've been reading your reviews each day and so enjoy the photos. DW and I sail on her in less than 90 days, feel like we are sailing with you.

[Bruin Steve]

APDMOM,

Thank you so much for posting all of this including those phenomenal photos...and all the work you put into it...

Very timely for me...We fly to Miami next Wednesday to catch the December 22 sailing of this cruise...which I was looking forward to, but now even more so! Thank you...