Week One Locations

Welcome back! Today I’ll show you two of the locations we visited in the first week of my cruise – the Bahamas and Grand Turk (we were diverted from our normal route that week to avoid a hurricane). Unfortunately, I was unable to get off at the other location we visited that week – Half Moon Cay (Holland America’s private island) – as I was on IPM (In Port Manning) that day.

The first location we visited was Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas which is located on the island of New Providence. The island is 21 miles long and seven miles wide with an area of about 80 square miles.


Above: One of the main squares in the city of Nassau

Below, you can see the Ryndam, docked behind a Carnival cruise ship. In the background is the Atlantis Hotel, located on Paradise Island. This photo was taken just east of the famous Fish Fry village.


Above: Cruise ships docked

The second location we visited was Grand Turk, part of the Turks and Caicos Islands. The first photo I posted from the Caribbean was taken from the beach here. This island is a good example of the way in which many of the ports (such as Mahagony Bay and Costa Maya) are set up: there is an enclosed tourist area which you walk into from the ship, containing shops, restaurants and pools. Many cruise passengers never leave this area but beyond it, locations tend to be rougher and reveal a more authentic view of local life.


Above: The cruise ship entrance to Grand Turk

Below is another shot of the tourist area. You can see how clean and well-kept everything is.


Above: Grand Turk tourist area

In my next blog post, we’ll be travelling to the Jamaican port of Ocho Rios where I’ll be posting some video footage of a ‘bobsled’ ride and a look at the famous Dunns River Falls. Speak soon!