Cruise away the winter blues
Photos by Kristin Emery/For the Observer-Reporter
Enchantment of the Seas cruise ship
Coco Cay Island, Bahamas
The pool at National Hotel, Miami Beach, Fla.
When Hurricane Irma slammed into the Florida Keys, a planned diving vacation on Marathon Key got cancelled. A few months later, my boyfriend and I spent those unused vacation days on a last-minute, short cruise thanks to a promotion from Royal Caribbean. Their annual sale offers buy one/get one 50 percent off for many itineraries. It was a deal that was too good to refuse.
Cruising rookies
My boyfriend was a cruise rookie and I had only cruised once before to Alaska, many years ago in late September. I was looking forward to cruising in warm weather on a ship where the swimming pools were actually open and the temperature would let us linger outdoors.
We opted for a quick getaway of four nights, sailing from Port of Miami, Fla., with three ports of call. For us, this turned out to be a good decision since our ship, Enchantment of the Seas, was smaller compared to some of the brand-new behemoth ships that boast zip lines and ice skating rinks.
We still had plenty of onboard activities and the amenities were terrific, but I would recommend choosing one of those very large ships with all of the bells and whistles if your itinerary includes at least one day at sea.
The only aspect of our cruise that could have been improved was the temperature of the pools and hot tubs. The outdoor temperature that first day was in the upper 60s and the pools were so chilly that hardly anyone swam for the duration of the cruise. There were 5 Jacuzzis, but the temperature was warm rather than hot.
If you’re looking to really enjoy the pools and outdoor deck activities, opt for going during warmer months.
As for pricing, a friend and veteran cruiser offered me the tip that he always looks for, and often finds, cruises for around $100 per day. Paying substantially more than that may not be a good value unless you’re splurging for a balcony, suite or higher deck.
Timing is everything
We sailed from the Port of Miami, but great itineraries from Port Everglades (Ft. Lauderdale), Port Canaveral (from where Disney Cruise Lines sails), Tampa and even Baltimore, Md., can be found. Departing from Baltimore also saves on airfare if you choose to drive.
Ships often leave in late afternoon, which means you board any time after 11 a.m. Flying down early on the morning of your departure is one option, but a long flight delay could endanger your cruise. Opt for an early morning non-stop flight or arrive the night before to reduce stress.
Since our itinerary was only four nights, we tacked on a day before and after the cruise to round out the week.
We arrived in Miami early morning the day before our departure and took in the beauty and excitement of Miami Beach before hopping a taxi to the cruise terminal just before lunch the day of departure.
Our ship also returned to port very early, so we also spent that day and night in South Beach.
Vibrant South Beach
You’ve seen the photos of colorful art deco hotels with palm trees dotting Ocean Boulevard. This is vibrant South Beach, the southernmost section of Miami Beach, and truly a place you have to visit at least once. This place is constantly evolving and reinventing itself with the chic club, neighborhood or restaurant of the moment changing by the season.
The rooftop pool at AC Hotel Miami Beach by Marriott
However, if you think South Beach is only for the young or the adventurous … think again. There are beautiful, tranquil neighborhoods and laid-back, quaint coffee shops and restaurants around every corner.
The night before our cruise, we stayed at the AC Marriott Hotel at 29th and Collins, just a short walk or ride north of the center of nightlife, but quiet and removed enough to be a wonderful escape. The beach is across the street and the pool is on the roof surrounded by cabanas and a breathtaking view.
This was only to be outdone by the National Hotel, about ten blocks south, where we spent the night after our cruise. The artwork and styling is top notch with a long, rectangular infinity pool that you would imagine in a dream.
Traveler’s tip: Book online directly through their website and save the $35 resort fee. You may even get an upgrade to one of the cabana rooms overlooking the pool.
As for dining, where to begin?
This town is bursting with gastronomic offerings, and we splurged on the unbelievable chef’s tasting menu at the Bazaar by José Andrés. The James Beard award-winning chef blends dishes from his Spanish heritage with Latin influences to create flavors you’ve never tasted before.
A waiter prepares a drink using liquid nitrogen at the Bazaar by Jose Andres in Miami Beach, Fla.
On our final night, we found outstanding OLA Restaurant, which gave us more Latin flavors from delicious mojitos to ceviche and empanadas.
Ports of call
Our South Beach restaurants could not be outdone, but Royal Caribbean sure gave it their best shot. From a sumptuous buffet to fine dining each night, the cuisine on this cruise line was first rate.
We didn’t need to eat another morsel by the time we docked in Key West for the day. That didn’t stop us from sampling succulent coconut shrimp, crispy conch fritters or divine frozen chocolate covered Key Lime pie on a stick. Those treats were sprinkled along a crawl down the famous Duval Street, starting at Sloppy Joe’s and ending at the Southernmost Point in the U.S.
The second day brought tons of sunshine to make for glorious diving, snorkeling and lounging on Royal Caribbean’s private island, Coco Cay, Bahamas. We lucked into a dozen or so huge spotted eagle rays on our dive, then swam, snorkeled and sunbathed on the white sand beach.
Our final port of call was Nassau, Bahamas, and we opted to channel our inner child by plummeting down the steep waterslides and frolicking in the lazy river rapids of the Aquaventure at Atlantis Resort. Imagine a roller coaster powered by water and you get the idea behind the Power Tower and other features added to the resort’s vast waterpark in the past decade.
Traveler’s Tip: You can book Atlantis as an excursion through the cruise line or grab a taxi to Atlantis and buy passes to the waterpark on site for a few dollars less. Some taxi drivers/tour providers outside the cruise terminal also offer even better deals on waterpark passes and excursions.
- Watch for online ads for sales and special deals, and sign up for emails from cruise lines. We saw an online ad for Royal Caribbean’s buy one/get one 50-percent-off sale, which saved us more than $200 on a 4-night cruise.
- Make sure you get a passport. You won’t be allowed to book an international cruise without one. www.travel.state.gov
- You can book excursions through the cruise line, through a provider online or explore on your own. Excursions booked through cruise lines may be more expensive but often include transportation or meals. Check with provider on refunds/cancellation policies due to illness or inclement weather, or wait to book excursions until a day or two before your cruise based on the weather forecast.
- Do the math when it comes to booking all-inclusive drink packages or upgraded dinners in on-board steak houses or restaurants. Your fare includes meals and basic non-alcoholic drinks plus many cruise lines allow passengers to bring on two bottles of wine per cabin. If you’re spending every day off the ship in port, a drink package may not be worth the added expense.
- Remember that you already tipped. Most cruise lines charge a daily per-person fee for tips for waiters and cabin attendants. You can always tip more for outstanding service.
Check out:
Atlantis Bahamas, Paradise Island, Bahamas http://www.atlantisbahamas.com/
National Hotel Miami Beach, 1677 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL www.nationalhotel.com
The Bazaar by José Andrés – Blends the James Beard award-winning chef’s Spanish heritage with influences from the local Latin culinary tradition. In the SLS Hotel, 1701 Collins Avenue Miami Beach, FL http://www.sbe.com/restaurants/locations/thebazaar-southbeach/
OLA Restaurant – essential flavors of Latin America with specialty mojitos, renowned ceviches and creative combinations of Pan Latin, Spanish and Caribbean flavors. In the Vintro Hotel, 2216 Park Avenue, Miami Beach, FL www.olamiami.com