Our Caribbean Cruise Experience: A Journey Through the Bahamas
Our Caribbean Cruise Experience: A Journey Through the Bahamas 🛳️
Join us as we recount our exciting cruise adventure through the Bahamas, from January 5th to January 12th! Over the course of 8 days and 7 nights, we explored beautiful destinations and indulged in a myriad of dining experiences.
Setting Sail from Brooklyn 🌊
We boarded the cruise at the Brooklyn cruise port on the afternoon of January 5th. After a lengthy wait of roughly 1.5 hours, we finally stepped onboard. A little tip: make sure to print and attach your luggage tags at home for a smooth check-in process!
A Cabin Upgrade Surprise ❤️
We initially purchased interior cabins, including Wi-Fi for about $680 per person. To our delight, we were upgraded to a balcony room for free (originally valued at over $1200)! This upgrade really enhanced our stay, providing an incredible ocean view 🌅.
Culinary Delights on Deck 15 🍽️
The cruise featured a self-service buffet on Deck 15, available almost all day. The only downside was that after 11 PM, only pizza was served. The dining area boasted floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing us to enjoy breathtaking views while we ate. The breakfast was predominantly Western-style, with only plain congee available for a Chinese option.
Lunch was a feast! We had options like roasted duck and fish, along with some Chinese dishes (such as Sichuan-style beef) that, while not entirely authentic, were delightful and plentiful. For dinner, most passengers opted for the main dining room on Deck 6. With fixed seating and attentive service, the menu changed daily and leaned towards fine dining — though we did experience a few overcooked meals.
We also discovered a hidden menu, featuring an exquisite Indian curry lamb that was a highlight of our trip, along with butter chicken on the last night 😋.
Room Size and Comfort 🤔
Even in our upgraded balcony room, we found the space quite limited. With two large suitcases, there was barely room to walk, and we had to spread our bags out on the sofa to make things work.
Weather Woes and Recommendations ❄️
Traveling in January, we encountered some chilly weather, with temperatures in the low 20s even in the Bahamas. This makes it essential to pack extra sweaters, long sleeves, and pants! Unfortunately, we faced rough seas due to the weather, which made us miss our private island stop. Thankfully, we had brought motion sickness medication that helped ease the discomfort.
Onboard Entertainment 🎉
The cruise offered several entertainment options, including an adult-only casino, bowling for $40 per 30 minutes, an F1 racing simulator (which proved quite challenging), and an old-school flight simulator that, despite outdated graphics, was fun to navigate!
Each evening, there were shows scheduled, though their quality was hit or miss. There were also parties, but I didn’t attend any; I could dedicate a separate post to that if there’s interest!
Final Thoughts 🌟
Our Caribbean cruise was a blend of surprise, culinary exploration, and entertainment, making it a memorable journey. Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or a first-timer, experiences like these offer precious memories!
Feel free to leave any questions or comments below. Happy travels! ✈️