Our Favorite Places!
Below are some of our favorite places that we have been, with a little bit about what we enjoyed there!
Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos
Nestled in the heart of the Caribbean, Grand Turk, the capital of the Turks and Caicos Islands, is a hidden gem waiting to be explored.
We've been on a few cruises to Grand Turk, and this stop never disappoints. In one of our most recent times stopping here, we decided to rent a golf cart to explore the island, and it was a blast cruising around. We found some remote beaches that were just perfect for a chill afternoon. For lunch, we hit up Jack's Shack, where we grabbed some tasty food and enjoyed the laid-back vibes.
After filling up, we decided to try snorkeling on the beach right by Jack's Shack. The water was crystal clear, and we spotted some colorful fish and coral. It was a cool way to cap off our day on the island. Grand Turk surprised us with its relaxed atmosphere, beautiful beaches, and tasty eats, making it a memorable stop on our cruise.
Juneau, Alaska
Our stop in Juneau, Alaska, was a total blast! We kicked off the day by checking out the town, exploring the shops, and getting a feel for the local scene. Then came the highlight – a fishing charter with The Local Guy Charters. We signed up for a salmon fishing trip and, let me tell you, it was a whole new level of excitement.
Out on the boat, Captain Andrew and his deckhand Harbor made the whole experience top-notch. We weren't just catching salmon; we also reeled in some rockfish, adding a bit of variety to our haul. The real surprise, though, was the close encounter with a bunch of whales. They were right beside our boat, and we got to take pictures and videos of them. Juneau turned out to be a day of exploring, fishing, and unexpectedly getting up close and personal with some amazing marine life.
Amber Cove, Dominican Republic
Nestled along the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, Amber Cove Cruise Port stands as a gateway to tropical paradise for cruise enthusiasts.
We've been on a bunch of cruises that brought us to Amber Cove, and it's always a good time. The downtown area is a fun spot to check out with its shops and local vibe. We've hit up the private beaches too, just kicking back and soaking in the sun. One time, we decided to spice things up and took an ATV tour, which was a blast – cruising around and exploring the island a bit more.
But honestly, one of the best parts is the water slides and pool right at the port. It's like a mini water park, and we always end up spending some time there. Just simple fun, sliding, or hanging out in the lazy river, and cooling off in the pool. Amber Cove has become one of those places where we know we can have a good time.
Half Moon Cay, Bahamas
Whenever your cruise is scheduled to stop at Half Moon Cay, it turns out to be a relaxing day on a stellar beach - beautiful clear blue water, with the whitest sand ever - see our video here! We like to rent a clamshell which is like a little shaded spot on the beach – perfect for escaping the sun for a bit. (Pro tip - if you book an excursion from the boat, you get to be one of the first one's off the boat - clamshells included!) Usually we bring our own snorkels so we can snorkel in this crystal clear water. We take our time exploring the island, finding some nice spots to just kick back and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
For lunch, we always eat the food provided by Carnival (free lunch!) and it is always great. They have a variety of options. It is nice not to worry about finding a place to eat – just simple, tasty food right there on the beach. Overall, Half Moon Cay is a laid-back stop on a cruise, with a beautiful beach relaxation and hassle-free eats.
Skagway, Alaska
Our time in Skagway, Alaska, during our cruise was pretty awesome. We decided to hop on the White Pass Railway, this classic train that showed us some stunning views of the mountains and forests. The train ride was a relaxing experience, winding through scenic landscapes that just made us appreciate the beauty of nature.
Once we wrapped up the train ride, we headed into the downtown area. It was like stepping back in time with these cute, colorful buildings. We wandered around, checked out local shops, and soaked in the laid-back vibe of the town. Skagway's downtown had this genuine feel to it, and it was cool to explore a place with a bit of history. Overall, our day in Skagway was a nice mix of natural beauty and small-town charm. Check out one of our videos of Skagway here!
Nassau, Bahamas
Our latest stop in Nassau, Bahamas, was a real adventure. A lot of times Nassau can get a bad reputation, but not for us! On our last cruise we decided to try snuba diving and snorkeling with Stuart's Cove, and it was a blast. The folks there were super cool and let us jump off their boat into the crystal-clear waters. Snuba diving was a new thing for us, a mix of snorkeling and scuba diving, and it felt amazing being right there with the fish and coral.
The best part? They even let us swim with sharks! It sounds crazy, but it was totally safe and kind of a thrill. The sharks were just doing their thing, and we got to watch them from a distance. We captured a lot of footage with our GoPro, and our guides would take our cameras up close to the sharks! Nassau turned out to be a real highlight on our trip, with Stuart's Cove adding that extra bit of excitement and letting us get up close with the underwater world, sharks and all. You can see some clips of this trip here!
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Our recent visit to Montego Bay, Jamaica, was a laid-back day full of sunshine and chill vibes. We played it safe by booking an excursion through Carnival to make sure we had a good time without any worries. The excursion included stops at some local shops, giving us a taste of the Jamaican culture and a chance to pick up some souvenirs.
The highlight, though, was spending the day at Doctor's Cave Beach. It's this super cool spot with clear blue waters and soft sandy shores. There was a trampoline we could jump from in the ocean. We kicked back, soaked up the sun (Ethan sat under an umbrella) and just enjoyed the beach life. There was a restauraunt at this beach that we ate some Jamaican Jerk Chicken from, and it was delicious. Montego Bay turned out to be a pretty mellow stop on our trip, and we got to experience a bit of Jamaica without any stress, thanks to the Carnival excursion. It was all about good times, sunshine, and taking it easy.
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Our day in Grand Cayman was a blast! We hopped into a taxi and headed to this super affordable beach on the famous 7 Mile Beach. The place was gorgeous with its soft sands and clear waters. We rented some beach chairs and just chilled for a bit. The cool part was when we decided to go tubing behind a jetski – it was an unexpected thrill that added an extra layer of fun to our beach day.
Snorkeling there was a highlight too. We dipped into the ocean, and lo and behold, we spotted a barracuda! It was wild seeing it swim by, and the whole snorkeling experience made our beach day even more memorable. Grand Cayman turned out to be a day of budget-friendly beach vibes and spontaneous water adventures, making it a laid-back and enjoyable stop on our trip.
Victoria, British Columbia
Our stop in Victoria, Canada, during the cruise was a laid-back adventure. We grabbed a taxi and headed downtown to soak in the city vibes. The town was buzzing with life, and we explored different shops, checking out everything from souvenirs to local finds.
As we strolled through the streets, we caught some local musicians playing live music, adding a sweet soundtrack to our visit. The port was busy with activity, and we saw a bunch of interesting things – from boats coming and going to people enjoying the waterfront views. Victoria turned out to be a charming stop, full of simple joys, like exploring the town, listening to good tunes, and taking in the sights at the port.
Ketchikan, Alaska
Our day in Ketchikan, Alaska, during the cruise was pretty wild! We kicked things off with a hike, and yeah, it was raining, but it didn't stop us from enjoying the beautiful outdoors. The rainforest vibes were real.
Next up was this wildlife tour, and let me tell you, we saw a bunch of cool stuff. Salmon were running up stream, our guide was feeding Bald Eagles, sea lions were playing, and believe it or not, we even spotted a mama bear catching salmon for her 3 cubs. It was like a real-life nature show, and we couldn't believe our luck.
To top it off, we swung by the totem pole museum. The totem poles were something else – each one telling a story, and it was cool learning about the native culture. Ketchikan ended up being a mix of adventure, wildlife wonders, and a bit of history thrown in for good measure.
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