Departing for the Caribbean from San Juan, Puerto Rico

Do you agree that airline seats are getting smaller and smaller both sideways and lengthwise? Are they jamming more and more customers into economy seating? And... please don't say it's me or that I'm getting bigger 'cuz I just lost about 25 pounds!! And finally, why do the aisle and window seated passengers hog both of the arm rests? They have two and I have NONE. Can't they see that I'm so squished I can barely breathe? Plus I have literally nowhere to put my arms. Jeez.... Glorious airline travel in the United States.

So the dead goldfish (ick) floating in a mini aquarium at the check-in counter of the Caribe Hilton in San Juan, Puerto Rico did not detract us from having a lovely evening before we embarked on our Caribbean cruise. The Caribe Hilton was a short ride from the airport with the friendliest of taxi drivers in all of San Juan. Our room was smallish, but newer than the rest of the hotel. I should say that our bathroom was almost larger than our bedroom with seating for five or so in the shower. Seriously. The room was comfortable with a nice balcony overlooking the city of San Juan and the local Subway. (Yep, Subway as in Jason and sandwiches.) Our pre-dinner cocktails in the hotel lounge were pretty weak, but dinner outdoors at Lemongrasss Pan Asian-Latino was mighty tasty. The frogs were croaking and the birds were chirping as the sun set in this lush tropical locale. The duck and foie gras croquettes were a very nice appetizer, followed by sushi, sea bass, and green-tea salmon. Yumm. Our servers were young and inexperienced but portions were generous, and the food was divine.

Saturday morning got me up fresh and quick to join a yoga class on the beach. What a wonderful way to start the day stretching to the sound of the ocean on a blisfully breezy beach. Honestly, I could do this every single day of my life without one complaint.

Breakfast was my usual oatmeal and hot cocoa at Starbucks - I can't seem to pass it up. Their oatmeal is perfect with brown sugar, nut mixture, and dried fruit. Delicious and predictable actually.

Check out Caribe Hilton for yourself at www.hilton.com and search their listings for hotels in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

By noon, we are packed and waiting on our transportation. Our driver is a prankster and makes some pretty sarcastic jokes as we drive through the streets of San Juan. It is an older city with a very busy infrastructure. We know that tourism is a big factor in their economy, as is rum, and pharmaceuticals. Who knew? Apparently U.S. manufacturers are located here making medication on the cheap for the citizens of our great country. It is not a lengthy drive and we do pass through some areas of beauty and poverty.

We finally arrive to the dock and the deliriously gorgeous Celebrity Summit. This beauty just came out of dry-dock two weeks ago and is spankin' pretty. New paint, new carpet, new public rooms, new cabins, and new balconies. Wow!! We cannot wait to get started on this cruise to the ports of Barbados, Antigua, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, and St. Thomas. Whew.

Celebrity Summit

We are traveling with two other couples who are also seasoned travelers. Celebrity is new to them though, and they are in for some delightful surprises!!

The view from our balcony cabin as we depart San Juan.

First port of call will be Barbados!!

Until then - enjoy yourself.

Deb :)