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The Caribbean '08: Puerto Rico, San Maartan, St. Kitts

JOEL GOES CRUISIN' AND DESCRIBIN' again . . .

For 7 days at the end of November 2008, I cruised the Caribbean on the *maiden voyage* of Celebrity Cruise Line's "Solstice." I flew to Ft. Lauderdale where the 1033-foot (121 feet wide--too wide to traverse the Panama Canal) ocean liner embarked on a cruise of such choice locations as San Juan, Puerto Rico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Basseterre, St. Kitts.

My Audio Description Associates periodically provides describers for cruise excursions--this time Marlaina Lieberg requested description services so I sent myself (I've known Marlaina and her husband Gary for many years). Highlights of the cruise included checking out the ship's ship's "lawn" (yes, real grass!)--a cruise liner first; describing the ship's "Hot Glass Show," a demonstration of glass blowing/collaboration with the Corning Museum of Art--another cruise line first; the ship's show "Solstice" with flying performers--again, a cruise line first; lectures by former astronaut Walter Cunningham (Apollo 7); a Segway tour of San Juan; and the St. Maarten Park.

The overall itinerary:

SUN 11/23/08 FORT LAUDERDALE, FL

MON 11/24/08 CRUISING

TUES 11/24/08 SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO

WED 11/25/08 PHILIPSBURG, ST. MAARTEN

THU 11/26/08 BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS - THANKSGIVING

FRI 11/27/08 CRUISING

SAT 11/28/08 CRUISING

SUN 11/29/08 FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA
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  • A view of Celebrity's new "Solstice."

    A view of Celebrity's new "Solstice."

  • We had a personal tour of the ship with Event Coordinator Kim Heroux--Marlaina with Aggie and husband Gary are pictured here in front of a tactile heart installation.

    We had a personal tour of the ship with Event Coordinator Kim Heroux--Marlaina with Aggie and husband Gary are pictured here in front of a tactile heart installation.

  • In the ship's "Sky Observation Lounge," this nude on tip-toe greets cruisers.

    In the ship's "Sky Observation Lounge," this nude on tip-toe greets cruisers.

  • On the ship's top deck, the lawn (real grass!) "naps" periodically.

    On the ship's top deck, the lawn (real grass!) "naps" periodically.

  • At the adjacent gift shop, astro-turf flip-flops go for only $24.99.

    At the adjacent gift shop, astro-turf flip-flops go for only $24.99.

  • The ship's solarium features a light show with light tubes surrounded by jets of water.

    The ship's solarium features a light show with light tubes surrounded by jets of water.

  • Near an outdoor pool, kids prance through fountains.

    Near an outdoor pool, kids prance through fountains.

  • A view of the outdoor pool, spas, and pool bar.

    A view of the outdoor pool, spas, and pool bar.

  • Marlaina and Aggie take a break.

    Marlaina and Aggie take a break.

  • Looking out over the bow of the ship, the Caribbean stretches to the horizon.

    Looking out over the bow of the ship, the Caribbean stretches to the horizon.

  • On the evening of the first full day at sea, the Captain--the ship's master--offers a toast.

    On the evening of the first full day at sea, the Captain--the ship's master--offers a toast.

  • The Solstice's "Solstice," a light show cum acrobatic act by way of Cirque du Soliel.

    The Solstice's "Solstice," a light show cum acrobatic act by way of Cirque du Soliel.

  • The Solstice's "Solstice."

    The Solstice's "Solstice."

  • The Solstice's "Solstice."

    The Solstice's "Solstice."

  • The Solstice's "Solstice."

    The Solstice's "Solstice."

  • The Solstice's "Solstice."

    The Solstice's "Solstice."

  • The Solstice's "Solstice."

    The Solstice's "Solstice."

  • The Solstice's "Solstice."

    The Solstice's "Solstice."

  • The Solstice's "Solstice."

    The Solstice's "Solstice."

  • The Solstice's "Solstice."

    The Solstice's "Solstice."

  • The Solstice's "Solstice."

    The Solstice's "Solstice."

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