Morning at Sea on the way to Puerto Rico. The Old World fort of El Morro at the tip of the island kept invaders literally "at bay" for hundreds of years, making Puerto Rico a pivotal location in history and geography. Not such a far trip from St. Thomas, Puerto Rico is actually visible from a hilltop vantage point on St. Thomas. In fact, we spent most of the night's passage from one island to the other idling, just far enough out to sea to allow the ship's casinos to be open for business. It would have been nice to walk around St. Thomas in the early evening, and enjoy the unique experience of a Caribbean island sunset *from* the island. Maybe we could have had time for a drink and some shopping at a relaxed pace after our action-packed day of shore excursions, but as usual: Just follow the money. The casinos need to be open. jpmeyer.com
00:59
Day 5: The Voyager of the Seas Arrives in Puerto Rico; morning watermelons
Royal Caribbean's flagship sails past Puerto Rico's Old World Fort El Morro. If you let your imagination go, you can imagine canons and muskets firing at you from all five levels of the fort. Fortunately, the guns are now silent, and a small water escort was all the Voyager needed to get into it's slip. As the ship was docking, we had breakfast, and at the end of this sequence, you can see examples of the magnificent watermelon art we enjoyed every day.
On our way to visit San Cristobal, we took a driving tour of "New" San Juan, Puerto Rico. Royal Caribbean was very good about arranging our day trips for us. Additionally, the ship does not leave if one of the ship-sponsored shore tours has not returned on time. The same is not true if you use any other touring method! Here we were teased with gorgeous beaches passing us by. At least we know where to stay next time we return.
Feels like a movie set, except these galleons are for real. Dank tunnels and passageways alternating with intense sunlight and canons. This fort was not going to be taken! And yet, it is now handicap accessible. jpmeyer.com
02:43
Day 5: San Cristobal Fort, San Juan National Historic site slideshow
El Morro and San Cristobal are both part of the San Juan National Historic Site, a part of the U.S. National Parks Service. The rest of the site includes bastions, powder houses, and most of the wall that surrounds the city of Old San Juan. The other fort at the western end of the entrance to San Juan Bay is called San Juan de la Cruz, on the Isla de Cabras. This intense defense system kept Spain's power intact in the New World, for centuries. The significance of Puerto Rico's pivotal role regarding the wealth of the Caribbean sometimes gets lost in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" fantasy.
There are five levels of planned defense to this walled city. If one level is breached, the attackers are stymied at the next. Even the nice green lawn in the front is with a purpose: there's no cover for an attacking army! Voyager of the Seas stands tall over the entire city. The end of this segment shows a stark contrast between old and new fort. jpmeyer.com
Old San Juan walking tour back to the Voyager of the Seas. Just can't beat those "old world" cobble stone streets for immersive atmosphere, complemented by the subtle pastel palate of individual building colors. It is possible, without inordinate effort, to ignore the commercialism, and just live the Old World fantasy. A brief stop in pigeon park - don't look up with your mouth open! jpmeyer.com
03:17
Day 5: Old San Juan walking tour, then back on to the Voyager of the Seas
From the pastel colors of Old San Juan, we make our way back to the Voyager of the Seas. Back on board, there's lots more to do. We explore, we swim, we eat, we in-line skate, and we climb the rock wall again. Royal Caribbean has literally packed in too much for us to do in one week!
05:31
Day 5: Formal night preparations; clay army ready for battle.
Royal Suite again, this time getting ready for formal night, including a tour of Sebastian's clay army. It took him 3 days to set up this battle! This is more of a "Daddy's so proud" moment more so than a Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines "Voyager of the Seas" moment, but it did take place in our stateroom. jpmeyer.com
02:31
Day 5: Formal Night again, and the evening's entertainment in the La Scala Theatre
Again, it's inconvenient to drag our formal clothes on vacation, but we do look good! Of course, Royal Caribbean does not requires that you dress formally unless you're eating in the main dining room that night. There are lots of other options available, including room service at no extra charge. Then off to the La Scala Theater again for this evening's stage show. This evening was another Broadway review, professional and entertaining. But the night is not done. Next: Our turn on the ice!
Royal Caribbean was the first cruise line to incorporate an ice skating rink onto a cruise ship, and the Voyager of the Seas was the first ship to have it. We could be skating at our local rink for all the viewer knows, but those bright blue skates give it away: we were on board! It is delightfully disconcerting to enjoy winter sports one minute and then look at the warm Caribbean sky the next. Wonderful! We'll sleep soundly for our adventures tomorrow in Labadee, Haiti, aboard the Wave Runners!
If you're not a smoker, you'll have to hold your breath as you walk thru the casino. Not the best video footage, but you get the mood.
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