To celebrate our four-year anniversary, we set sail on our first-ever cruise – a sun-soaked, adventure-packed journey through San Juan, St. Thomas, Barbados, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, and St. Maarten. From scuba diving beneath the Pitons in St. Lucia (yes, at a site called Superman’s Flight) to racing actual America’s Cup yachts in St. Maarten, every day delivered a new thrill. We sipped piña coladas at not one but both “birthplaces” in San Juan and explored lush island terrain by ATV in St. Kitts. There were rum tastings, hidden lobsters, VIP views from Drake’s Seat, and even a run-in with a baby monkey. Equal parts luxe and exhilarating, it was the kind of trip that leaves you sun-kissed and already dreaming of the next adventure.
We set sail on our cruise from June 23–30, 2013, aboard the Carnival Valor – a full week of adventure, island-hopping, and ocean views:
St. Thomas (Scuba, 99 Steps & Magens Bay)
We kicked off the cruise with a bang – diving in the crystal-clear waters of St. Thomas, surrounded by vibrant coral and curious sea life. After drying off, we climbed to Drake’s Seat for a panoramic view where Sir Francis Drake once scouted the seas (and where I geeked out just a little). We wandered through the 99 Steps at Blackbeard’s Castle, soaked in the sun at Magens Bay, and basically checked off every pirate-themed stop possible – with just enough time left to feel fancy. Be sure to hire a private taxi to be able to easily explore the island and visit Magen’s Bay.
Barbados (Mount Gay Rum and Green Monkey)
Barbados brought the perfect blend of wildlife and rum, which is honestly a great life balance. We met a very mischievous green monkey who clearly had it out for our sunglasses, then toured the iconic Mount Gay Rum Distillery, the oldest in the world. The tour came with a side of history, a large sampling of rum, and a newfound appreciation for Caribbean craftsmanship. We briefly stopped at the gorgeous Carlisle Bay beach on our way back to the cruise ship.
See our Virgin Voyage Caribbean Cruise blog for our visit to Rockley Beach.
St. Lucia (Superman’s Flight at Pitons)
St. Lucia absolutely stole our hearts – and possibly a few breaths – on our anniversary. We dove at Superman’s Flight, a drift dive at the base of Petit Piton, where the current was strong, the sea urchins were plentiful, and Sarah fully committed to a superhero pose mid-dive. Later, we explored Anse Chastanet, where we found a secret lobster party (nine of them!). It was exotic, thrilling, and exactly the kind of anniversary adventure we dreamed of.
See our Virgin Voyage Caribbean Cruise blog for more on this stop in St. Lucia.
St. Kitts (ATVs and Monkeys)
This island served up tropical jungle vibes and a dose of adrenaline with an ATV ride up the mountain to a scenic, abandoned sugar mill. We capped off our day with taking a picture with a baby monkey (now a tradition every time we go to St. Kitts). Between the wild views and the wildlife, it was a rugged-luxe day we won’t forget.
See our Virgin Voyage Caribbean Cruise blog for more monkey pics and tips on the Mt. Liamuiga volcano hike.
St. Maarten (America’s Cup Regatta Race)
In St. Maarten, we got very competitive. We raced real America’s Cup Regatta yachts – our team aboard Canada II crushed it, thanks to our unexpected role as primary grinders (aka the human engines of the boat). It was tough, exhilarating, and a total bucket list win. Afterward, we rewarded ourselves with a stop at the Guavaberry Emporium, where we sampled the island’s famous Guavaberry liqueur – a spicy, woody, bittersweet local specialty made from tart native berries. We capped off the day with a visit to The Yoda Guy Museum, run by one of the creators of the original Yoda puppet. Because after racing yachts, obviously, you go meet a Star Wars legend.
Puerto Rico (Castillo San Cristóbal and Piña Coladas)
We wrapped things up in San Juan with a day full of history and flavor. We explored Old San Juan and the impressive Castillo San Cristóbal, soaking in centuries of history and panoramic views of the coast. Then, on a very important mission, we set out to solve the island’s great mystery: Who really invented the piña colada? Our first stop, Barrachina, had the fame but not the flavor. The second, at our hotel Caribe Hilton, delivered a creamy, tropical masterpiece that definitely lived up to the hype. With one last perfect sip, we ended the trip sun-drenched, rum-happy, and already dreaming of cruise number two.
See our Virgin Voyage Caribbean Cruise blog for more on our second visit to Puerto Rico.
For more pictures check out our album Anniversary Caribbean Cruise.
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