Just returned from a cruise to the Southern Caribbean and had a wonderful time. A few surprises along the way that need to be mentioned so other travelers know to expect them or try to avoid them! We sailed the Destiny out of San Juan. We planned to arrive a day ahead of time so any weather delays would not affect the sail time. That was a really good idea as we were able to see San Juan and do a little sightseeing before getting on board on Saturday night night we went to Barrachina's where the "Pina Colada was invented", That was a great time. We had looked at their menu on line prior to sailing and decided to have dinner there too. At 8:00 a Flamingo Dancer Show was offered so we decided to sit in the dining room for dinner. We all enjoyed the food and the show. Be sure to wear good walking shoes around Old San Juan as the streets are cobblestone and it makes walking difficult. A FREE trolley service is offered starting at 9:00 in the morning. We didn't see it at all at night which was after 7:00. On Sunday Morning we made our way to a Little Bakery and restaurant called La Bombonera. (Recommended by Rachel Ray's TV show) We found it with the help from directions from the locals. Try to get there if you can!. It is at 259 SanFrancisco Street in Old San Juan not far from the terminal. We had the signature pastry - Millarco's (Not sure if that is spelled right)along with a delicious breakfast. We stopped at Walgreens just up the street to get some things to take on board. Soda, bottled water, (Good Idea to bring some for your excursions) sunscreen and a bunch of snacks! (Yes we did eat them plus all the other stuff on the cruise. We wished that we had brought more stuff to have as we watched the Super Bowl game on a Gigantic screen. The ship had hot snacks but they really need to have some expert advice on how to have a Super Bowl Party!) Then we went back to check out of the hotel- Old San Juan Sheraton Here was our first surprise. When we arrived the bell man took our bags to our rooms. One girl carried her only bag and had no assistance from the bell man. On our bill there was a $6 charge for each occupant in the room for the bellman fee. We had tipped him when he delivered the bags,not aware of this charge. When we asked about it at the desk we were told that our booking agent knew of this charge and she would not take it from our bill. Even the girl who had no bellman come to her door had been charged. We asked why the bellman would accept the tips when he knew about the charge, she said tipping was optional and the bellman wouldn't decline it! Fair warning: IF YOU ARE STAYING AT THE SHERATON you will be charged even if you do all your own baggage handling. We went to the ship at 11:30 and found that we were able to board. Being early had its advantages! No lines no waiting! We did some shopping in the duty free shops after checking in. We bought lots of booze which we carried on board and we were able to keep it in our cabin. Which came in very handy after seeing the cost of drinks! My advice: Bring your own stuff either from home or get it at the duty free shop on the terminal (which was very reasonable) before you sail. There is ice and cups available on board. Make your own drinks and you will be happier on the day that you get your Sail and Sign Bill. We carried the little miniature bottles that we got for free at the Liquor Store in our tote bags along with soda that we purchased on shore at the different ports. Lido deck had plenty of ice freely available as well as ice machines on the cabin deck areas. If you bring in Liquor after you leave San Juan they will keep it in holding until you are ready to disembark on Sunday! You can bring on soda at any time. Follow the ships crew when you arrive in port to find the little spots they get their stuff at. Remember BRING IT ON WITH YOU IN YOUR CARRY ON! A typical bar bill Beer $4.75 plus gratuity = $5.46. Soda $1.75 plus gratuity = $2.01. We did order from the bars but we did a lot of sitting on the balcony and enjoying a few cocktails away from the hub bub. Every day there was a featured drink and it was very tempting to order that $17 monkey carved out of a coconut shell filled with a coconut punch! Now we just had to find room to pack the darned thing to take it home! Some of our excursions need to be looked at as far as timing. In Dominica there were three ships in port and it seemed like everyone was going to see the Falls and to Emerald Pool. We took the Nature Tour Trafalger Falls and Emerald Pool trip . Timing is everything here. We had a wonderful tour guide who took us on the Nature Tour and then up to Trafalger Falls. Maybe we should have flip flopped these two. By the time we got to the parking area for the Falls we had to wait on the road in the bus for over 30 minutes before making room for us in a lower lot which meant we all had to climb a VERY steep hill where the big parking lot was and it was full of busses,to get to the area where you then had to climb quite a bit more to get to the viewing area. It was very beautiful but way over crowded. at least twenty or more bus loads with 20 people on board, and we were all on the trails passing - some going up some going down. And the paths were as narrow as the roads. We lost two people from our tour bus, waited 20 or more minutes for them...finally left without them as they got on another bus by mistake and were already gone. WE had to meet up with them, waited another 10 minutes and then proceeded to Emerald Pool which was quite a ways away-30 minutes at least. So we went fast. And of course someone got car sick. So that took a few more minutes of stopping time. By the time we got to Emerald Pool we were almost the only ones there. But we had another stop to make. A place that served us Rum Punch. I would have rather spent more time at the Emerald Pool and skipped the drink. But it is part of the tour and we had to go to the Punch Place. They had closed before we got there as we were now 5 hours into a 4 hour tour. Some one came out and served us, our choice punch or beer. Then back to the ship just in time to sail.Good thing we were a Ship Excursion. They don't wait for you if you go off on your own. Be prepared to pay $1 to use the restrooms at the Falls and the Emerald Pool. They also have local craftsmen at all the stops that sell jewelry and stuff from their island. Not a very relaxing day, but our tour guide Josie made it special for us. Barbados was our next port. Lovely area but know that if you go downtown to ask all the prices in American Dollars. We were shied away thinking the prices were as marked but found that you just divide it in half and that is your price! We ate at a little place Downtown and had Flying Fish and Macaroni Pie with the locals Delicious $13.95 Barbados, $7.50 American Our cab driver took us there but now I can;t remember the name. It was up stairs of a little bar just around the corner of the Mall Stores on a side street. Three stars for food, atmosphere if you like to see were the locals go 3 stars. Don't go if you like to be pampered and waited on. The art work on the walls were puzzles glued together. Great Food. St. Kitts was the next port and wished we could have spent more time there. We took a Catamaran to snorkel and eat lunch and party. The snorkeling wasn't so hot but we did see some beautiful fish when he threw the food over board for everyone to see what we should look for. After that the fish swam away. At least that is what I think. Then to a picnic lunch which was delicious and time to play in the water. We ran out of beer on the island but had plenty of Rum Punch. Why do we drink that stuff? There is no punch in there! A great party on deck all the way back to the ship and once again no time to shop in the beautiful shops at the port, as we were off to the Dominican Republic. St. Kitts was not on our original Ports of call when we booked this trip a year ago. The cruise lines has the right to change the ports, but we were never notified of the change until we got our paper work two weeks prior to sailing. That was a BIG surprise to the nine of us that booked as we picked that cruise and sailing date because we intended to go to St. Lucia and to Antigua. Well, I don't know who to blame for not informing us, either the cruise lines or our travel agent. Maybe someone reading this knows how to find this out! Our last port was LaRomano, Dominican Republic. Also not on our original port list. We spent the longest time on this port which was hailed as unsafe to leave after dark. Here the gang way was open all night. But we were told not to go out. While it was still light out we went to the market in the square, to shop and found a little patio bar across the street for those who were shopped out. Had a few Presidente Beers and danced, before heading back to the bus loading area a few blocks away. Wear comfortable shoes as the walks are uneven. The next day we took a cruise tour to the Altos Chavon Artist Village. Our tour guide was a wonderful retired teacher who grew up in the Dominican Republic, taught in New York State, and retired to the Dominican Republic. He was so informative about everything we went past. The love his country and his devotion to spreading the word of a wonderful place to visit was very evident. He stopped by trees along the roads and told of how they work for medicinal purposes. He took us to the depressed areas and then to then rich areas and the marinas in Casa De Campo and told us of all the rich history of the country. It was Saturday and the classes were not in session, the shops were open but Manuel wanted us all to hear about the history of this area and the country. Wish we had more time to shop here as the basket weaver was phenomenal and the jewelry that is made only in Dominican Republic was exquisite. We got to see Sammy Sosa's home. (But don't tell anyone because they are not supposed to stop there! Shhhhh) We barely made it back to the ship! We were supposed to be on board at 4:30 but we were dropped off at the bus terminal at 4:35 and there was a hike to get to the boat! Good thing that there was another bus just arriving just behind us. They were waiting for us to arrive and ready to lift the gang way. Once again the boat won't sail without the people booked on a cruise tour! Good Thing! We sailed all night and got to port at San Juan at 6:00 am. A computer glitch prevented anyone from leaving the ship until 9:30 or so. If you had an early flight you would be the first called to leave The disembarkment was long for us. We were in the last group called to leave the ship while others in our group were the first groups to be called. We checked out at 12:00 noon and then went directly to the airport. My suggestion is to book a tour in San Juan before flying home so you get an early assignment. We did not have time to see any sights after we arrived back in port as our transportation to the airport was prearranged and the transportation service ended at 1:00.We were glad to have the day before we sailed to see the port of San Juan. It is gorgeous and really one of the prettiest ports we visited .