27/02/2010 Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe) 28/02/2010 Philipsburg (Sint Maarten - Netherlands Antilles) 28/02/2010 Philipsburg (Collectivity of Saint-Martin - French Antilles) 01/03/2010 Casa De Campo/La Romana (Dominican Republic) 02/03/2010 Catalina Island (Dominican Republic) 03/03/2010 Road Harbour (Tortola - British Virgin Islands) 04/03/2010 St.John's (Antigua - Antigua & Barbuda) 05/03/2010 St. Lucia Castries (Saint Lucia) 06/03/2010 Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe)
Foreword: We set off a bit sceptical, because of the cruise (old folks' stuff?), the village life and the fact that we don't much like the sea. We changed our minds about everything, to the point that next year we'd like to do it again (perhaps changing route and islands). We were also very happy and satisfied with the reaction of Matteo (3 years old), who literally "went crazy" with joy in the ship's pools and on the Caribbean beaches.
Excursions: we booked the Costa excursions online before leaving. With hindsight, it's better to book them on board (if you want) or take a taxi at the arrival port and go where you like (you save quite a bit and see the same things).
Air Italy: as for Air Italy (the airline we flew with to Guadeloupe) here's what we can tell you. The aircraft (a Boeing 767-300) is quite obsolete (not to say dilapidated) but the on-board service is of a good standard, and the food too (it's still catering). Don't believe the rumours that say the plane was bought by Costa Cruises, and then stripped to increase the number of seats. The plane is to all intents and purposes Air Italy's, which works with Costa Cruises and makes its fleet available. if you look on the website, Air Italy doesn't cover the Italy-Guadeloupe route. In economy class the seats aren't cramped, but it's also true that 10:30 hours of flight aren't few, so a bit of patience and you'll see the time passes anyway..!
THANKS to Caterina and Matteo simply for this fantastic trip lived intensely together. THANKS to Valerio, Mathias and Renato for the feasts, the dives and the snacks shared with Matteo. THANKS to Adriano, Angela, Nadia, Dario and Sonia for the most pleasant and welcome company.
Day 127 Feb 2010
Pointe-à-Pitre: outbound
We leave from Rome FCO with a two-hour delay caused by a combination of events. The first due to the plane's delay, the second to a fuel leak from the refueling truck. If the day starts this way..! Once off the plane (8:30 pm local time) they take us directly onto the ship for boarding. That's fine, given that after 10:30 of flight the only fixed thought is a relaxing shower..! A shame only about the view of Pointe-à-Pitre that we would have liked to see from above.
Open-air market under colorful umbrellas, bananas, pineapples and melons in plastic crates
Day 26 Mar 2010
Pointe-à-Pitre: return
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATTEO:-) Not everyone can say they celebrated their birthday in the Caribbean; good old TEO, at just three years old, can add this too to his short but already rich travel résumé..! Costa excursion: NO. Before the return flight we have a bit of time on our hands, so we take the opportunity to go and visit the spice market, the fruit market and finally the fish market. All unmissable for the variety of smells, colors and music that leap to the eyes and ears at every corner of the street.
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