Latin Gems 26.1.14

[gillhalfpint]

Just had an email from my TA. Two islands have been swapped round. Aruba is now Tuesday 11.00 - 22.00 and Bonaire is now Wednesday 08.00 - 18.00. Everywhere else the same.

[happy v]

It'll be nice to have an evening in port.

 

Sitting with a drink somewhere watching the sun go down.:)

[gillhalfpint]

It'll be nice to have an evening in port.

 

Sitting with a drink somewhere watching the sun go down.:)

 

I am looking forward to that one. Aruba was 08.00 - 23.00 though before they changed the days round.

[happy v]

I've just been looking at this cruise because I would like to spend an evening in port. However from Newcastle there is only one flght a month, which is not usually a problem, but all THREE do the same itinerary. What's the point in that :confused: you would have thought we could have the new itinerary for at least one flight.:(

[geomagot]

(afaik) only 1 flight from bristol this year also latin gems itinerary:(

 

I was put off latin gems a little bit because of the extra sea day....but the late sailing from aruba is definately a plus....loads of great eateries/drinkeries/late shoperies & casinos on the hotel strip:cool::cool: and some nice (but quieter) bars just footsteps from the ship....lovely to stroll around the marina on a balmy caribbean evening:cool:

[jaceyar]

We did Latin Gems in March and thoroughly enjoyed it. Unfortunately we foolishly booked a bike tour in Aruba - something I will never repeat! But in the evening we wandered over the road and had a few cocktails and a nice meal in Iguana Joe's. There's an interesting apartment/shopping complex which has it's own internal dock for arriving residents to sail right in. Due to the bike "tour" (Chris Hoy would have struggled), I didn't see much of Aruba apart from the last bit where we went along near the huge beaches.

It's a shame I think, that they took off Marguarita Island from the itinerary - hence the extra sea day. We did a beach transfer on the island and saw a lot of it - it's very poor and they'll miss the income from the cruise ships. We had a fantastic lunch on the beach which cost very little due to the exchange rate. I bought some pearl earrings and OH bought a Panama Hat which so far is surviving! It was a fab holiday.

[gillhalfpint]

Glad to hear someone else enjoyed Margarita Island. We did a tour round and loved it, and enjoyed the public beach near the ship after our trip. We were on the waters round the swamps and the boatman brought up seahorses in jars and starfish for us to see, and the "cowboy country" of cacti was great. Could just imagine the lone ranger and tonto galloping round a corner!

 

Looking forward to Aruba as we have not had an evening in a port before. Another new experience.

[kruzseeka]

We did the Thomson beach transfer at Margarita Island and loved it. On balance despite the great press the ABC islands get I think I'd prefer to do two of these plus M.I. and go back to one sea day.

[geomagot]

There's an interesting apartment/shopping complex which has it's own internal dock for arriving residents to sail right in

 

I believe that is the renaissance hotel...boats sail right into the lobby.....the hotel owns a private island (flamingo island) and they ferry guests back and forth in speedboats straight out of the hotel lobby...theres also an (upmarket) shopping mall and a starbucks (with free wi fi) in the lobby

 

you need a room key to get the boat but sometimes (and we have done this in the past) you can blag a free ride over to the island...if the boat is not full (tip the driver a couple of dollars or he may not bring you back)

 

It's a shame I think, that they took off Marguarita Island from the itinerary - hence the extra sea day. We did a beach transfer on the island and saw a lot of it - it's very poor and they'll miss the income from the cruise ships. We had a fantastic lunch on the beach which cost very little due to the exchange rate. I bought some pearl earrings and OH bought a Panama Hat which so far is surviving! It was a fab holiday.

 

 

I agree with the cheapness on margarita...$17 for 2 big burgers chips (fries) & salad, 4 cokes & tip on playa del aqua beach....but the beach was packed (I mean packed!! to the rafters!) and no serving of alcohol due to easter holidays (locals brougt their own in brown paper bags)

 

a couple of good points....the beach near the port has a lifeguard in attendance due to very dangerous currents around that swampy mangrove area....and the flamingoes trully are a stunning sight.....but, I have been to isla margarita a few times now....and, sorry but I wont really miss it

[gillhalfpint]

We did the Thomson beach transfer at Margarita Island and loved it. On balance despite the great press the ABC islands get I think I'd prefer to do two of these plus M.I. and go back to one sea day.

 

I like that idea too. I am going to enjoy the new islands though, just love the Caribbean after our first cruise Jan 13.