The "third times a charm" HCL cruise PTR About This Page:

[amandal]

San Juan looks so pretty!!! I so want to go there. . . . It's actually pretty funny that you followed the parents back to the boat - do you think it was part of their master plan?? LOL. Thanks for the double update, I knew you had it in ya!!

BTW, a sidenote - Is your new countdown something that was planned and I missed it? Or did that trip just miraculously present itself?? Do tell!!!

[PrincessSharon]

Sorry you missed the trolley to the fort (too bad they didn't listen to you ). But I have to say that what you saw looked amazing. I agree with Dawn, next time go without Eric's parents and you can drag him around.

[scdisneyfan]

Originally Posted by janicelovesmickey

great update!! the rainforest looks great.
I can understand taking pics of roadsigns though.. I do the same, I think because its so "different" than the US..

i think so too! we even check gas prices! weird right?

Originally Posted by janicelovesmickey

ok, love the San Juan pics too, and designer outlets *would have died in shopping heaven too*
great night time pics!! the boat looks pretty.

those outlets were my weakness...it was so great to see those out of nowhere really!

Originally Posted by chezp

San Juan looks beautiful - how neat to have so many outlets there.

I know! I mean it was odd for me to see them in the middle of downtown but how awesome to score some deals!
San Juan is a must see...well i thought so

Originally Posted by rlb38

Sounds like an amazing day. Beautiful photos.

It really was a super day! Thanks!

Originally Posted by HeatherD

Sounds like a great day! Looking forward to reading more...

More to come this week! Thanks for reading!

Originally Posted by dsteiny23

Yay!! I got a cameo appearance On a cruise is not a bad place to be when the rest of us are getting snow dumped on us.
I LOVE San Juan from your pics. I wish we would have had time to explore it ourselves. The cobble stone streets are just beautiful and the old buildings have so much character. Of course the most beautiful building you got a picture of was the Burberry building .
That's a shame that his parents dragged you back early. But, like you said, maybe you guys can get on a cruise just the two of you and then YOU can drag him around. Love the pic of you on the chair on the deck...you are right, it looks like the shot in Titanic when the camera is just panning down the deck...except with you in a chair LOL!!

Looking forward to more!!

I know it was so hard for me not to text you right back but i was afraid it was too late. I'm so glad you could see some of the city through our eyes I thought the Burberry building was especially pretty too because it was my fav color blue...it was like an easter blue ya know?
I usually do drag HIM around but we were getting tired anyway...but when we are on vacation its like we fight sleep or the tired leg feeling ya know? But, it will be MY TURN to do what we want to do right??
Hey WAIT! I felt the hoodie and flip flops were such a great addition to titantic shot*LOL*

Originally Posted by tammyd_rn

Yeah, I checked in to see how your photobucket was coming and was excited to see you had two updates. Your pictures were great. I think I would like the hiking excursion I love waterfalls. Loved the night picture of the cruise. ship. Sorry you guys didn't get to explore as much as you would have liked.

Looking forward to more.

YAY! what timing right??? glad you could get over here for an update!
I really do love waterfalls. There are alot of them on our way to TN from here and i'm always like "look at the waterfall eric!!!" like we havent seen it before hehehe that waterfall was absolutely amazing in the middle of a rainforest out of nowhere ya know?
See, i see not getting to see what we wanted to as an ample excuse to go back right?

Originally Posted by Kenny

GREAT update!!
(amazing what a little prodding can do... just kidding... sort of...)
OK... seriously , I Loved the update! Sorry you missed the trolley to the fort, I would have liked to have heard about that. I bet Brenda would have had the umbrella and I would have been walking around getting my shirt wet, too... must be a guy thing?
The cobblestone streets were cool and I'm glad you kept a low profile around the tinted windowed cars 'cuz I'm really enjoying your pictures. Especially the one of the ship at night! That's just beautiful!

Well, i'm so glad you enjoyed the update! I knew you would! Yeah i was hoping to see that fort too and i love to ride trolleys too but i guess it will have to wait till next time!
I def think the "no umbrella" thing is a guy thing because i always have that thing with me! Thanks about the pics....the one of the ship at night took us forever to get perfect but I'm glad we were patient because its amazing!

Originally Posted by lindawdw

Great update! The pics of the rainforest were beautiful. Can't wait for more.

It really was amazing! More to come soon!

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

Just getting caught up again Crissy!! Sounds like a great day in San Juan! Love the pictures!!

Thanks! more to come on ST. John soon!

Originally Posted by pamcarey

Great update! Sounds like a wonderful day! Too bad you didn't get to explore a bit more after his parents went back to the ship.

yeah, i know but i'm thinking that will get us back to San Juan eventually because we were so impressed with it all. I mean we didnt have high expectations and it far exceeded those for sure!

Originally Posted by belle0517

Great update! Love the pictures in San Juan!

Thanks so much.....keep reading!

Originally Posted by OhToodles!

Great update - and photos! Glad you enjoyed the hike - and didn't get hurt doing it. It looked like an amazing excursion. The city at night looked great too. Sorry you weren't able tio fully enjoy it. Can't wait to hear about what happened next.

I do usually get hurt because i'm so clumsy but i escaped scrape free so if i can do it then everyone can do it!! It was the most amazing excursion i've taken in my three cruises!

Originally Posted by retiredkid

All caught up! Great updates and photos. San Juan looks fabulous. Glad you got to see the bar from the TV show. Always cool when you can look back at the tape and say We were there! Beautiful shot of the ship at night.

I know thats why we had to have our pic there because it was like "hey, we saw that on TV!!!" Such a great story for us to remember it by!

Originally Posted by amandal

San Juan looks so pretty!!! I so want to go there. . . . It's actually pretty funny that you followed the parents back to the boat - do you think it was part of their master plan?? LOL. Thanks for the double update, I knew you had it in ya!!

BTW, a sidenote - Is your new countdown something that was planned and I missed it? Or did that trip just miraculously present itself?? Do tell!!!

It is one of my top places to see again! I DO THINK it was their plan the whole time to go back like that....funny you picked up on that because eric and I were convinced it was something they had planned from the beginning *L* weird right?
You are more than welcome for the double update!
OMGGGGG! hahahha I was going to see who noticed my countdown without me blurting it out!! Seee that's why i you so much! This was not a planned trip but it def is now! I will spill the deets at the end of this TR but if you cannot wait email me and I will tell all

Originally Posted by PrincessSharon

Sorry you missed the trolley to the fort (too bad they didn't listen to you ). But I have to say that what you saw looked amazing. I agree with Dawn, next time go without Eric's parents and you can drag him around.

I know....the one time I knew exactly what i was talking about It was their loss! Funny thing is and i'm sure i forgot to add this part....the fort had closed about 6pm which means we wouldve rode the trolley there and it wouldve been closed. So, no harm done!
I know i'm soooo going to be the head hancho next trip

I will post an update this weekend about St. John....i know these pics will draw somee oooooo's and ahhhhhh's

[MyRapunzal]

Great update! sorry it took me some time to get over here! But, you know, Ive been distracted with my books! lol! Love love love love the San Juan pics! sounds like a good day- no matter how early it ended! Annnnd I loooooooove your new ticker! Yay for a romantic trip for two to WDW!

Oh and Kenny-- love you new sig pic!

[scdisneyfan]

Thanks mel! I am almost done reading. I will have Breaking Dawn finished by this weekend. I am on page 570 or something like that!!! I'm thinking i can read about 100 pages today and finish this weekend! I cannot wait!!!
It was a good day and it started at 10 am and went to 830 pm that's so much longer than we got in most ports so it was well worth it and we loved that!
Yay for the upcoming trip! I think its going to be so much fun for sure!
BTW i do love kenny's new sig pic too!

[pamcarey]

Originally Posted by scdisneyfan

Thanks mel! I am almost done reading. I will have Breaking Dawn finished by this weekend. I am on page 570 or something like that!!! I'm thinking i can read about 100 pages today and finish this weekend! I cannot wait!!!

I just love those books too! I am about 3/4 of the way through Eclipse, and then I can't wait to start Breaking Dawn!

[Starla4436]

I am so glad I found your TR! I have read the whole thing in two sittings. I never thought I was a cruise kind of a girl but you are convincing me that maybe i need to try it out. San Juan looked so amazing...Oh and ya'll room on the boat is gorgeous. When I start planning Ben and I's cruise I will be sending you some PM's that's for sure.
I can not wait to read more more more....

[Kenny]

(I'm glad you like the sig pic Mel and Crissy... makes me thirsty when I see it!! )

[lindawdw]

First off, congrats on your upcoming to WDW with free dining! Glad you were able to persuade Eric to go to "our happy place"! The pics of San Juan were just beautiful. I loved seeing the cobblestone street and all the pretty paint colors on the buildings! Sorry that you had to go back to the ship early. Can't wait for more.

[scdisneyfan]

Originally Posted by pamcarey

I just love those books too! I am about 3/4 of the way through Eclipse, and then I can't wait to start Breaking Dawn!

I finished Breaking Dawn yesterday and cried because it was over *L* SUCH a great series and you will breaking dawn!

Originally Posted by Starla4436

I am so glad I found your TR! I have read the whole thing in two sittings. I never thought I was a cruise kind of a girl but you are convincing me that maybe i need to try it out. San Juan looked so amazing...Oh and ya'll room on the boat is gorgeous. When I start planning Ben and I's cruise I will be sending you some PM's that's for sure.
I can not wait to read more more more....

YAY!! So, glad you found it too! Girl send away on the PM's and i'm putting up more hopefull today or tomorrow so look for it!

Originally Posted by Kenny

(I'm glad you like the sig pic Mel and Crissy... makes me thirsty when I see it!! )

You look so happy in that pic and it makes me thirsty too*!!

Originally Posted by lindawdw

First off, congrats on your upcoming to WDW with free dining! Glad you were able to persuade Eric to go to "our happy place"! The pics of San Juan were just beautiful. I loved seeing the cobblestone street and all the pretty paint colors on the buildings! Sorry that you had to go back to the ship early. Can't wait for more.

Thanks!!! Eric is actually more enthusiatic in the planning than i ever imagined!
More to come soon I"m working on the photobucket resizing now!

[pamcarey]

Originally Posted by scdisneyfan

I finished Breaking Dawn yesterday and cried because it was over *L* SUCH a great series and you will breaking dawn!

I started it yesterday, and I love it so far!! I will be so sad when it's over too!

[MyRapunzal]

Originally Posted by pamcarey

I started it yesterday, and I love it so far!! I will be so sad when it's over too!

Such a great series! And Breaking Dawn was awesome!! Its very sad when its all over but hopefully she will get back on track in writing them from Edward's perspective and we will get a whole new series of them some day!

[scdisneyfan]

"Party Cloudy with a Chance of Sunburn is today's forecast in the beautiful U.S Virgin Islands!!!"

Wednesday.....March 4th: St. Thomas & St. John, U.S Virgin Islands
Port time: 8-5pm

I guess I need to start by saying that prior to going the bed the night before we were asked to set our clocks forward by an hour We would now be on St. John/St. Thomas Time. So, needless to say we lost an hour of precious sleep *L*

Before we headed to bed that night we made a "Game Plan" with his parents. They decided to sleep in but Eric and i decided for the first time to do our own thing

We set our alarm for 7am with a in room Breakfast delivery at the same time.
Today's agenda : Get off boat at 8am. Explore St. Thomas and be back to port at 1030am. Meet his parents at the dock for our 11am excursion to St. John. Take a guided bus tour through St. John and back to port at 3pm. Last call onto ship at 430ish. Departure at 5pm.

We got up on time and ate our room service breakfast. You may all be wondering what we ordered each day and it was fairly predictable. I always had a bagel with cream cheese, a banana, yogurt, a small pastry with coffee. Eric always had ceral and coffee.

We were quickly showered and ready to explore St. Thomas by foot. This was our second time being in St. thomas. We usually dock at Havensight right next to Paradise Point in Charlotte Amelie however this time they had us at HCL own personal port right on the other side of town.

We were off the boat quickly and i'm assuming that since it was so early and the stores in Charlotte Amelie were not open till 9am most people had decided to sleep in. I will say this pier was really nice and had a bunch of new little shops and eateries. We had heard most of it was new. We found our way to the taxis and asked for a ride into downtown. It was 10 dollars one way. Which wasnt too bad. It was bout a 10 minute ride.

On our way into town we followed the coast and we saw this fellow docked in Havensight pier

It was the disney cruise line!!! Eric took multiple shots for me
Here are a few more shots of the bay


As you can tell it was overcast and looked like it might rain that morning (but it never did!!)

We arrived into downtown and we were dropped off at the open air market. Eric decided that he first wanted to climb the 99 steps!!!! Glad I had a big breakfast....so that's exactly where we headed!

Here are the famous 99 steps (which actually count out to be like 103 but whatever)

that shot was before the climb
This is mid climb

This is the reward of the climb at the top!


I was sweating and out of breath but it was completely worth the climb (not a throw back to the miley cirus song at all *LOL*)

Once we climbed those stairs, Eric's next venture was to check out downtown Charlotte Amelie, St. Thomas.
We climbed down the stairs and walked over to the downtown area which was only two blocks away. Unfortunately we were reallllly early. The stores were barely opening at this point. So, we just took pics and walked around ducking in the stores that were open.

Alot, of the stores were down alleys, which might seem scary but it was completely safe

here is my pic with the post office to which I kicked myself for not mailing some postcards from here but I had no idea it was there!


We walked around for about an hour and a half. Looking in stores and looking at buildings, taking pics. We realized we wanted to save our money for St. John that day so we only picked up a few souvies.

Around 10am we decided to catch a cab back to our pier.
It was fairly easy, I just followed the signs that said taxi hub and then looked like we needed a taxi and they found us*L* It was 10 for that ride too!

So, for 20 dollars we had two hours in dowtown St. Thomas at our own pace which was super nice to do!
Here is a pic of our ride back


Once we arrived back at our pier, we found a coffee shop in the shopping area and bought two lattes because it wasnt too hot just yet and I needed more caffine!!!*L*
We plopped down on the bench in front of the cruise ship and low and behold look what we found!!!!???

How many iguanas can you find in that pic??????
I swear I saw 50 of those suckers on the rocks below!! Apparently they live all around St. THomas!
After we drank our coffee, Eric and I wandered around and took pics at the pier

We were soon found and joined by his family! If you go and sit on a bench long enough they will find you!!!*L*

I was sent to find out where we would be loading the ferry for our excursion. I quickly found out it was already boarding and it was 20 mins till 11am. We all quickly walked over to the ferry for St. John and boarded on the front of the Ferry.

This is where I decided "hey, its cloudy and I'm going to sit in the sun".......

Up next: St. John my new home

[belle0517]

Great update!

[Colexis Mom]

What a great start to the morning!!