4 Nights Bahamas: Great Stirrup Cay from Tampa, Florida Cruise

We loved this cruise!!!

We booked a balcony cabin on Deck 10 and it was perfect for us! Very affordable compared to the ever inflating prices on Royal Carribbean and the like! Embarkation was a breeze! We were worried about getting there for our stated embarkation time but honestly when you show up they just put you through so we got on the ship early and were able to start our cruise immediately !! We had our carry ons with us and went right to the buffet! We staked out a spot near the Adults only pool and it was so nice! They announced that cabins were ready around 3pm so we unpacked and sat on the balcony! We ate all dinners in the Main Dining Room and had the early seating - the menu has some traditional foods they offer every night such as French Onion soup, Shrimp Cocktail, Greek Salad, etc - I got Prime Rib and a baked potato and it was perfect! We also utilized the Buffet and it was totally fine! If you don’t like something or it’s weird just go get something else! Nassau was the first stop and there were 5 ships in port!! It was crazy but we got our little slice of the beach! Those guys working the beach are amazing really! Next stop was Ocean Cay Marine Reserve which we adore! We love it because it’s not all built up with water parks and it’s really just the beaches, the Lighthouse and a wonderful day of relaxation. After the sun sets they do a light show from the Lighthouse which is such a nice touch as you’re leaving you can see the Lighthouse in the dark ocean! Debarking was a bit of a chaotic mess but we got a shuttle to the airport and we are already home!! I will most definitely do this cruise again!! Try it! For the price, you really should try MSC and you can make up your own mind- don’t let others dictate how you feel about a cruise line until you experience it for yourself!!

Miami • Key West • Bimini

Fantastic Getaway! We did a small upgrade on our cabin which was beautiful and gave us a smidge bigger bathroom & storage space. The restaurants are all delicious & the ship had GREAT entertainment -my favorite was the Miss Behave show & the A cappella group “The Magnets” & it’s a ship show (dinner show). We rented a golf cart in Key West Florida to tour the island and sample all the key lime pie - *Kermit’s & *Key Lime Pie Co. were our top picks! I highly recommend going straight to south point if you want that pic, to beat the rush. The highlight of the trip was our off shore adventure in Bimini, Bahamas - we did the Sapona shipwreck & shark snorkeling (20-30 reef sharks)! Bimini has beautiful tranquil waters and the Beach club does not disappoint, it is a great last day. The staff were all very friendly and helpful. Don’t forget Red for Scarlet Night and pajamas for the PJ party both were a blast!

Outstanding introduction to Alaska and to cruising

The North to True Alaska Expedition was my introduction to Alaska and to cruising. I had an outstanding experience that exceeded my expectations. The Admiralty Dream is a 49-passenger boat without wifi and with moderate (aka small but clean) accommodations. If you enjoy the large cruise ship experience, this might not be for you. Because none of our devices worked and there were so few of us, we played cards/games with and talked to the other passengers. We got to know everyone, including the crew, and by the end of the 6 days/5 nights, it felt like a family. Many of us are now in a What’s App group sharing photos and trading insults. Passengers also spent time reading, sketching, journaling, and participating in a scavenger hunt. We saw humpback whales, orca, sea otters, sea lions, seals, porpoises, brown bears, mountain goats, eagles, puffins, numerous other birds (I logged 13 new species), and even banana slugs. We saw multiple glaciers and did a polar plunge in front of one. We went on a couple of short hikes and also a short kayak trip into a sea cave. These were not extreme athletic events - again, depending on your preferences, you might not be happy with the length or level of difficulty. I was worried about the food. It was amazing. Coffee, pastries, cereal, and yogurt were set out at 5 am. Hot breakfast cooked to order was at 7 am. Hot lunch cooked to order was mid-day and included dessert. Then there was cookie time around 2:30 (fresh baked on ship), hors d’oeuvres around 5, and dinner in the evening (with another dessert). Vegetarian, seafood, and meat entrees were offered at each meal. The chef and crew were attentive to food allergies. We enjoyed presentations about Alaska history and wildlife and found the crew providing these to be knowledgeable. One afternoon, a crew member was convinced to bring out his guitar and sing for us on the top deck while we sipped cocktails, watched for whale spouts, and soaked up Alaska sunshine. We closed out each day with a bedtime story read aloud by crew. These stories were Alaskan Native folklore. Two things I wished I had packed for the trip - slippers and a sleep mask (they’re not kidding about Alaska daylight in June!).