Average is the word that describes the Carnival Triumph, average food, average service, average entertainment, etc. If one has been on a Carnival cruise, you pretty much know what to expect. For those who have not been on a Carnival cruise, there is plenty of information on the ship.

I write this review for those who are interested in striking out on their own on the islands, specifically San Juan, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.

San Juan - Our cruise ship docked around 5:30 p.m. We had to be back on board by 11:30 p.m. We had been to San Juan before and knew that we did not need a tour with the operators that are waiting for you on land. However, a family in our group wanted a tour so we hired a van and driver. The cost was 100.00 for our four families total. The driver was willing to take us where we wanted. We drove by the two forts, both of which are closed after 5:00 p.m., down some cobblestone streets with shops, and past the capital. We saw the church where Jennifer Lopez and Mark Anthony were married. We elected not to go to new San Juan as it is just a big city. One thing to note is the architecture of the buildings. After getting out of the van we went to Senor Frogs, bought some souvenirs, had a margarita, and joined in the conga line. My daughter bought a necklace and earrings off of a street vendor. When getting on the ship, there is free liquor shots upstairs as well as downstairs. St. Thomas - Our group of seventeen ages 13 - 61 got off the ship around 9:00 am. Once on shore we negotiated with a driver to rent he and his open air bus for the entire day. The cost was 20.00 per person. Again, we wanted this driver to take us where we wanted to go. Most of them insist on giving you the standard tour but I had been to this island before, read reviews before we left, and had done my homework. I knew where we wanted to go. First stop was Charlotte Amalie for shopping at Del Sol, a store that sells fingernail polish, clothing and other items that changes color in the sun. Then off to jewelry shop. It is important to note that when shopping at a cruise recommended store, you will have the cruise line backing your purchase. However, you will pay much more. We elect to shop at the smaller stores on the main street using our MasterCard for insurance. Example: I negotiated a necklace to 550.00 but the retailer charged me 25.00 to use my MasterCard. Always get exactly in writing what you are buying, then have it looked at when you get home to make sure you got what you paid for. My sister purchased a new ring, the original price was 4500.00. Final price was 3000.00 using MasterCard. The retailer in St. Thomas said the ring would appraise for 6000.00 in the States which it did for insurance purposes. However, 2 different jewelry retailers in South Carolina said that they would sell the same ring for 5000.00. All together we spent about 10000.00 on jewelry. We then went to a vantage point, Drakes Seat to take pictures of Magens Bay, one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world. From there on to Sapphire Beach for some fun in the sun. We rented boogie boards for 5.00 each. We wanted to go snorkeling at Sapphire Beach and learned on the way back to the ship that the snorkeling is great when you go far left when looking directly out at the ocean. St. Maarten - We got off the ship about the same time. Information is so sketchy on this island so I really hope this review is helpful. When getting off the ship, we went to the water taxi. Service is 6.00 per person for all day. After getting off the 2 minute ride, we again negotiated with a driver for his van and services for the entire day. We went to the French capital of Marigot where no one in our van wanted to get out. Our stop consisted of a carry out to get drinks. We moved on to Orient Beach. Beware there is no where to change into bathing suits except paying for a bathroom in a shack. We opted to change behind some cars. Your driver will probably steer you towards someone in particular. Don't be afraid to walk down the beach and negotiate for lawn chaises, we paid 40.00 rent for 10 of them. We rented jet skis, 40.00 for a half hour and parasailing 45.00 per person. There is nudity in sections of Orient, topless women. We skipped Dawn Beach for snorkeling because it is on the Atlantic and is supposed to be rough. We left Orient Beach and took a very short ride to Gamut Beach (something like that), it is a little cove that is perfectly calm and hardly no tourists. There was supposed to be snorkeling there but is is rather far out where the waves break. One tires very easily. Next time we go to St. Maarten we will try Pinel Island for snorkeling. We had little time for shopping in St. Maarten but the little we saw, their prices appeared to be higher than St. Thomas. Beer is 1.00 each and pina coladas, 6.00 each.