UMBRELLA STREET IN PUERTO PLATA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Many members of the HG Travel Club recently returned from our exciting cruise to Antigua, St Maarten, San Juan Puerto Rico and Puerto Plata Dominican Republic. Here’s what Rick and Cassandra Benko, first-time cruisers with our Travel Club, wrote me: “Cassandra and I have always talked about trying a cruise but never took the plunge. Having our Travel Club, we were very confident about committing to this cruise with all the positive feedback we have seen through the Travel Club Facebook page and emails. Knowing we would be cruising with fellow residents, having Duane and Rhonda to help guide us and answer questions, and the door-to-door service made it easy for us to decide to give it a shot. The whole experience was not disappointing. The ship and accommodations were elegant, the staff and service were friendly and extremely helpful and the food was amazing. We enjoyed the ports, especially St Maartan and San Juan. It is safe to say we will definitely cruise again and are seriously considering the Mexico cruise next year with the Travel Club.” Wow! You can’t get any more positive feedback than that!!
So, what made the cruise so memorable for us? Each island had its own personality. After leaving the Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port, we spent two days at sea and then our first stop was Antigua, an island with a West Indian culture. Cricket is almost a religion there, and the food is amazing, with specialties like pepper pot and local seafood.
Early the next day, we arrived at St Maarten, which is very unusual. The northern part is French owned, and the southern part belongs to the Netherlands. You’ve probably seen a YouTube or photos of a Caribbean island where you can stand on the beach at the end of the runway, and the jumbo jets are on final approach literally right above your head. It’s been on my personal bucket list for decades to experience that thrill; it’s now scratched off my bucket list (see photo). I’ll never forget that exciting experience!!
The next day, we cruised into San Juan, Puerto Rico, which is known for its centuries old Spanish forts. San Juan also is known as the birthplace of the pina colada, and it’s no secret that Bacardi has its largest distillery in Puerto Rico.
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic was our next destination, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Rhonda and I took an excursion to view the beautiful city and have lunch in a delightful restaurant in the mountains overlooking the Caribbean Sea.
Reluctantly, the 68 HG Travel Club cruisers left the Dominican that evening for a day at sea and returned to Fort Lauderdale. Tired, but thankful for the experiences with our friends, we boarded our motor coaches and returned to the Glen.
Our Travel Club does a Caribbean cruise each Spring. Next February we depart Tampa and cruise to: Cozumel, Mexico; Belize City, Belize; and Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico, with a total of three days at sea. Why don’t you join our fun and excitement? For information, call my cell at 636-541-4561 or email me at [email protected]. Let’s go cruisin’!!!!
