AIDA

[09.01.2016 Saturday]

At 7:15 we get up and go for breakfast. Since we have to get off the ship early tomorrow I start packing, 9:15 we meet up with the group. The island of Grand Cayman is extremely flat unlike the other islands, it should be a more relaxed bike ride than the last. In addition, the island is very small, it is considered the Switzerland of the Caribbean since no taxes have to be paid, every large company has at least one branch office or “mailbox” here. It is not possible to go directly to the island with a cruise ship, we have to drop anchor and tender again 300 meters before. The main attractions for tourists are stingrays that swim in the shallow water and can be stroked, water sports and beach and a turtle farm.

Read more →

[08.01.2016 Friday]

Today is the last sea day, so rest day of our trip. We sleep long and have breakfast at 10 o’clock, then stroll through the stores on the ship, but find nothing.

Read more →

[07.01.2016 Thursday]

Today the AIDA reaches the state of Belize, and there the city of Belize City. Culturally, the mainland has a lot to offer and that is why we have booked our longest excursion with 8.5 hours to the Mayan site “Altun Ha” with subsequent boat trip with the possibility to see dolphins, manatees and crocodiles.

Read more →

[06.01.2016 Wednesday]

Actually, we had booked a few months ago for today a bike tour with snorkeling, this was unfortunately canceled by AIDA. Therefore, we booked instead of the bike the ATV tour (quad), I’ve never driven, but that’s certainly fun.

Read more →

[05.01.2016 Tuesday]

The new year is already here again and I have not done any sports for weeks. Therefore, I get up today at 6 o’clock, put on my previously unused jogging clothes, take two towels with me to occupy loungers (otherwise there is no chance after 10 o’clock on a sea day to still get hold of which) and run for an hour on the upper deck. I am not alone, a handful of people run with me on the jogging parkour, it is already 27 degrees and we look at the sunrise while running.

Read more →

[04.01.2016 Monday]

Today we arrive already at 7 o’clock “our island” Jamaica in Ocho Rios and get up at 6 o’clock to photograph the sunrise. Unfortunately, we are not alone in this, since many offered excursions start early, people are already streaming 6:30 the breakfast buffet and food on the outside deck.

Read more →

[03.01.2016 Sunday]

After the usual good breakfast buffet, we join the table tennis meeting today at 10 am and play with a total of 6 people each against each other. This is a lot of fun, although most of the players are better than we are.

Read more →

[02.01.2016 Saturday]

For a second time we reach the island of Hispaniola and then the Dominican Republic. This time we do not dock in the capital, but in La Romana, which is the second major transfer point after Jamaica. This means that we are in port from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and more than 60% of the guests leave the ship today. Almost 1200 passengers leave the ship after 15 days and new ones join us.

Read more →

[01/01/2016 Friday]

At 8 o’clock we are already awake, so that there is already shortly before 9 o’clock on the outside deck breakfast. So slowly we have arrived on the AIDA and try to adapt to the mass tourism, which means we borrow two towels, look for a free place on the pool deck next to the hundred other Germans and occupy two loungers. We manage 90 minutes in the sun to fry at 31 degrees, it is really very hot.

Read more →

[12/31/2015 Thursday]

City: Basseterre Island: St. Kitts (Leeward Islands)

Air/ water temperature: 27 degrees/ 27 degrees

On the last day of 2015 we have to get up pretty early, because the booked excursion “Typically St. Kitts” requires meeting point at 7:45 a.m. with the group.Therefore Harry and I get up 6 a.m., have to wait shortly before 7 a.m. at the restaurant with other guests for the opening to have breakfast, provide ourselves with drinking water in the fitness area and are on time at the agreed meeting point.

Read more →