Cruise Vacation Port Excursion: Jet Ski Tour in Grand Cayman

We arranged this port excursion outside of Carnival Miracle (as we did a past excursion when on Carnival Conquest). Typically, the cruise arranges tours to Stingray City but in massive boat loads. It’s not our idea of enjoyment brushing shoulder to shoulder with a crowd to get a glimpse of wildlife. We read a lot of great TripAdvisor reviews (4.5 out of 5 stars based on 114 reviews) about Action Water Sports. It’s actually our 2nd time using this company as we had just been here just last month. We reserved 2 jet skis as single riders (Total: $220) through Grand Cayman Cruise Excursions (Island Marketing Ltd). Read More

Aruba Sailing and Snorkeling to the Antilla Ghost Shipwreck

Our port excursion today takes us touring Aruba with Aruba Watersports Center with their Sailing & Snorkel Trip. We made “pending” reservations this very morning as Carol and Robert, friends we made from the cruise, recommended the adventure. Fellow cruisers, Cindy and Michael, also hoped to jump on the same tour so we all disembark together. Read More

First Time: Spotted a Cuttlefish while Snorkeling in St Lucia

Our port excursion today takes us touring St Lucia with Carnival Sailing with their Land & Sea Adventure. Nearing the end of the full day tour (…we had just visited the Volcanic Mud Baths…) was a 30-min. snorkel recommended only … Read More

Stick-in-the-Muds at St Lucia’s Volcanic Mud Bath (Sulphur Springs, St Lucia)

Our port excursion we were stick-in-the-muds in St Lucia with Carnival Sailing with their Land & Sea Adventure. Looking forward to visiting the world’s only drive-in volcano and soaking in mud bath experience. This mud detoxifies the body and helps heal sun burns, eczema, arthritis, sore joints, and more.

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Port Excursion: Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens (Soufriere Estate, St. Lucia)

Last time in St Lucia we went with Spencer Ambrose Tours for a challenging 4-mile roundtrip hike up 2,619 feet above sea level on the iconic Gros Piton. This time around we wanted to chill. So, we decided to try Carnival Sailing and participate in their Full Day Land & Sea Adventure. It allowed us to admire the beautiful mountain scenery from a catamaran on the way to Soufriere Harbor to visit Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens to see the 17-meter/56-feet falls that tumble down the mountain from the volcano; get down and dirty at the La Soufrière Drive In Volcano for a mud scrub and soak; lunch at Fond Doux Plantation Resort; check out Marigot Bay; then, finish off the tour snorkeling. Read More

Boating: First Time Snorkeling around the Underwater Pipe at Electric Beach

Having a cousin who grew up in Oahu but currently lives in Washington, he showed us one of his favorite places to snorkel in West Oahu. Jumping aboard our 20-foot motorized Mako 204cc, we head out exploring for spinner dolphins and humpback whales to allow the sun comes up and warm us all up. We arrived where the local power plant was visible about 100 yards from the beach area. But what lies beneath… underneath the water are two giant cooling pipes that pump warm water out. The flowing water is more than strong enough send you doing underwater cartwheels but I called it the “Underwater Pipe Elevator.” Enjoy the video.

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Boating: Life in Oahu – Magical Days with Wild Locals

My best experience with Oahu’s Spinner Dolphins was just my Christmas Eve Snorkel with Spinner Dolphins in the warm waters of Hawaii. But no complaining here. I always feel blessed to see them wild and free in the ocean. Enjoy the video. Read More

Boating: Christmas Eve Snorkel with Spinner Dolphins

Fortunate to be living in the resting grounds of Hawaii’s spinner dolphins, they touch on our hearts! We’re in their natural environment and the dolphins choose when and how long they want to share their turf with you. So fascinating to observe their behaviors in the ocean but also have the ability to listen to them vocalizing with their squeaks, whistles, and echolocation clicks.

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