It’s hard to believe I decided to leave my Camera at home on a recent holiday. I’m a photographer, it’s what I do! This is the first time, and won’t be the last. I loved just being able to enjoy the trip and felt lighter not lugging my equipment.
I recently came back from a 10 day Caribbean cruise with my mom. We were celebrating her 80th birthday. Mom has a lot of trouble walking, so I pushed her 99% of the time. Just carrying a little over the shoulder bag made it easy for me to just GO. I didn’t want to be weighed down with cameras, lens, tripods, etc.. I wanted to enjoy the trip and be present for my mom, and have a little fun 🙂
Our 8th cruise is a Southern Caribbean. Good thing because it really wasn’t that warm in Florida and very windy. We’re on Royal Caribbean Serenade of the Seas. If you’ve never been on a cruise before I highly recommend a cabin with your own balcony. This was our view on it for two days as we made our way to our first Island.
Charlotte Amalie West, St. Thomas is breath taking, especially after watching the sea for two days! LOL We normally do bus tour’s of the Island. You can hire the locals’s at the third of the price the cruise ships want. Most of the Island’s were $25. for a 3 hour tour. Which is plenty of time for a little Island viewing.
Please keep in mind, I haven’t altered the colour on these images. The colour of the sea in places really is Turquoise!
St. Thomas is the place to shop, and there’s jewelry stores everywhere in port.
Back on the ship, it was interesting to watch them put this mast on the sail boat.
Frederiksted St. Croix had a massive dock to walk.
On our tour over to the town of Christiansted we saw quite a bit damage from hurricane Hugo. 
Welcome to Martinique! Having the starboard side of the ship worked out pretty good for us, as we were able to watch the ship dock some times. 
I thought this island tour was funny, first we went to church, then…. 
DEPAZ RUM FACTORY!!! LOL 
I just love this skinny/fat tree view, might be one of my favourites! 
Followed by a Volcano…. someone offered to take my pic.
Next Island is the beautiful St. Kitts… waiting to have breakfast on this baloney with a million dollar view.
Batik is something I’m familiar with, as we learnt about it in high school, lot’s of beautiful fabrics to choice from at this local store and factory. 
Atlantic ocean on one side, Caribbean Sea on the other. 
Last island was Saint Maarten, there was a private ship parked right beside us, not sure who it was. I decided a panoramic of the port of Phillipsburg was in order. 
The locals selling their wares, you pretty much see the same stuff all over. This one was more of a market. So many items to choose from. 
Sea on the left, landing strip on the right. While we were there a small plane landed. The international jets are apparently awesome to watch land. You can see some hurricane Hugo damage on the hotel in the distance. 
I’d highly recommend a Caribbean cruise in January/February it makes the winter in Winnipeg a little more bearable. I didn’t take as many photos on this trip, and that’s ok. The iPhone was enough for me this time.
Until next time Happy Trails or Ocean views 🙂 Michele
Photography by Michele 