YEAR 1996

WESTERN CARIBBEAN CRUISE

Originally our cruise in Carnival's M/S Sensation was scheduled to take us to the Eastern Caribbean, visiting San Juan Puerto Rico, and St. Croix and St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. However, due to hurricane Bertha the itinerary was changed as we arrived to embark. It was changed to the Western Caribbean. We offer you here some photographs of this 7-day cruise:

Sunday, July 7 - Departure from Miami

Sunday, about 5:30 p.m., we left the Port of Miami. The terminal facilities of the Port of Miami is probably the most modern seaport in the nation. More major cruise lines are based in Miami than in any other port on the world. This has the advantage to the traveler that due to the large competition here, better prices and values can be obtained when you start your cruise in Miami.

Here is a view of South Beach as the ship was passing through Government Cut. In the background you can see some of the buildings in the Deco section of Miami Beach.

Monday, July 8 - At sea

Tuesday, July 9 - Arrival at Playa del Carmen, Yucatan, Mexico

This morning at 7:00 the ship made a brief stop at Playa del Carmen, in Yucatan, Mexico for those of us that were taking the Tulum Tour. This photograph was taken about 6:05 a.m. and shows the sunrise over the Mexican waters as we were approaching Playa del Carmen.

We recalled Playa del Carmen as a small beach village that we visited years ago during our stay at Cancún. We were surprised to find in this visit a modern and developed town with magnificent resorts in the vicinity.

Visit to the Mayan Ruins of Tulum in Yucatan.

Tulum is a unique and fascinating archeological site. It is the only ruin of a costal Mayan city. In this photo we can admire the principal structure of this site, El Castillo or Temple of Kukulkán. This is a small temple-crowned pyramid at the top of a bluff overlooking the Caribbean sea 40 feet below.

Tulum was built around the 10th century to serve as a fortress city that at one time had about 600 people living here. The city was walled on three sides, this "walled city" (which is what Tulum means in English) was inhabited until about 70 years after the Spanish conquest, when it was abandoned. This site has about 56 structures in various stages of conservation.

Wednesday, July 10 - At sea

Thursday, July 11 - In Grand Cayman

Early this morning, right after having breakfast, we were taken by small boats to George Town, the capital city of Cayman Islands. From here, we went directly to Parrots Landing for an unforgettable snorkeling experience. We spent most of this morning swimming around the coral reefs and observing the marine life. The crystal clear and warm waters of these islands are a real paradise for snorkeling and swimming. This was one of the most rewarding tours that we took during this cruise. The picture shows Susana doing some snorkeling in this area.

In the afternoon, after having lunch in a local pub, we spent most of our time (and some money as well!) doing some shopping in the numerous stores of George Town. Niní, my wife, was specially attracted to some black coral jewelry typical of these tropical islands.

Friday, July 12 - In Ocho Rios, Jamaica

In Ocho Rios we visited the well-known Dunn's River Falls. We were taken as a group down to the beach were the river flows into the Caribbean Sea. From here we went up the falls, in a single line formation following the expert steps of our local guide. As you climb and look up, you think you will never make it to the top.

The line of tourists moves from one side of the falls to the other, climbing a rock here, descending into a water hole there, avoiding a swirl in the middle of various stones, going up again as you reach another slippery rock. Your mind only thinks about holding firm against the strong cold water that descends the rocks with a resounding warning of the danger in each step taken in this natural ladder chiseled by the falling river in the granite wall.

Climbing the falls, with all its risks and struggling against the strong water current was probably our top experience of the whole cruise.

After our ascent of the falls, we went to Shaw Park, a beautiful botanical garden in the mountains. The park has a water fall that can be observed from a platform surroundend by all kind of tropical flowers. Also, we were able to observe some native orchids thriving in the tree trunks around the park.

Occasionally, we were able to see amidst the tropical foliage the bay of blue waters below us and our ship anchored by the pier awaiting for us. Although we were not ready to leave, eventually we returned aboard our cruise ship, after we completed a brief visit to the city.

This visit to Jamaica had a very special meaning to us, because this was the last of the four larger Antilles islands that we have never visited before. The other three islands of this group are: Cuba, Hispaniola (Haiti & Dominican Republic) and Puerto Rico.

Saturday, July 13 - At Sea

After departing Jamaica and the ship turned north toward the Passage of the Winds that connects the Caribbean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean, between Cuba and Haiti we had a rough night.

Early this morning, I wake up and went up to the upper deck, I was expecting this special moment when I thought, the ship will be closer to Cuba and we would be able to see my motherland. A magnificent sunrise was waiting for me.

I stayed on deck for a long time, and eventually as the morning fog was dissapearing, the contour of the Cuban coast was visible. I don't know how long I was there just looking toward the horizon, trying to remember my old geography classes and in my wishful thinking I started identifying accidents in the coast, in the mountain ranges.... eventually the ship started turning north.... and Cuba was left once again behind... I was there so close and yet so far... Thirty-four years after I departed from Cuba, tears came out of my eyes again as left her behind once more.

Sunday, July 14 - Return back to Miami

Finally, very early in the morning on Sunday, we were back in Miami. As the ship was approaching the pier, I took this picture of downtown Miami, illuminated with the light of a rising sun, that was welcoming us back home!

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