Private Tour Puerto Plata

click images to enlarge

We booked a private excursion in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic with our friends. The ship docked around 9 AM and we were cleared to go ashore around 9:30 AM.  We met our guide, Erwin, outside the port gates (since only organized tour buses are allowed in the port area).

Awesome Day!  Approx. 6 hours (10:00 am - 4:00 pm) 

 

     INCLUDED:  Coke, Water & Beer...and, entry into the Fort

 

Rum Factory Tour, Chocolate Factory Tour, Walking Tour around Downtown (Central Park, Umbrella Street, Cigar Shop - rolled own Cigars, Church, etc.), Ride down the Beach & stopped for Pictures, Tour of the Fort - and, more!

FaceBook ~
Edwin Taxi Transfers Tours
@EdwinTaxiTransfersTours · Taxi Service

We highly recommend Edwin Taxi Transfers Tours for your day in Puerto Plata.  Edwin showed us all the sights and provided excellent service from booking through the tour completion.  We had a great day.

For more pictures and details of each stop on our tour, see our Shutterfly albums.

Puerto Plata Pier
Macorix House of Rum
Walking Tour Puerto Plata
Paseo de Dona Blanca
Umbrella Street
St. Philip the Apostle Cathedral
Driving Around Puerto Plata
The Chocolate Store
Puerto Plata Beach
Fortress of San Felipe
Taino Bay Puerto Plata

Click the image (left) to read more about this cruise.

Bookmark this page and come back to read all about this award-winning new ship.

See our  Ports of Call album for more pictures.

Visit our Shutterfly Page to view photo albums.

 

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Allure of the Seas Neighborhoods

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Oasis and Allure Family Offers

ALLURE of the Seas & OASIS of the Seas

Great for Families

Royal Caribbean's two newest ships, Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas offer great food, fun packed activities, and first-class entertainment options.  There is something for everyone to enjoy while on board the ship.  Plus, you travel to several of the Caribbean's top destinations during your week-long cruise vacation.   

This summer Royal Caribbean is taking family entertainment to a whole new level with DreamWorks Animation®'s Kung Fu Panda 2™ onboard - see the movie on us! Plus, check out all these other experiences included in the price of your cruise:

• Exclusive DreamWorks® Experience, featuring complimentary character breakfasts, 3D movies, parades, photo opportunities with Shrek, Po from Kung Fu Panda® and more
• Award-winning, complimentary Adventure Ocean® Youth Program
• Broadway shows, ice shows, thrilling nightlife venues
• Fine dining in multiple restaurants, plus room service – included!
• Pool & Sports Zone with signature FlowRider® surf simulator, full basketball courts, table tennis, rock-climbing walls and world-class fitness center

ROYAL CARIBBEAN'S BEST 

SUMMER VACATION OFFER YET!

Sail with your family on Oasis of the Seas® or Allure of the Seas^SM this summer,
and enjoy hundreds to spend on the world’s most innovative class of ships.

• Reserve two neighborhood balconies* and get $400 credit
• Reserve three neighborhood balconies* and get $600 credit
• Good for any Oasis of the Seas® or Allure of the Seas^SM sailing departing in June, July, and August 2011

Enjoy the complimentary Adventure Ocean® Youth Program, more than two dozen dining options, Broadway entertainment, thrilling nightlife and plenty more across seven amazing neighborhoods.

*BOOK BETWEEN APRIL 6TH - 13TH, 2011
TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OFFER

TWO WORDS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY:
“IT’S INCLUDED.”

$100 ONBOARD CREDIT
Receive $100 to spend onboard when you book a balcony** in
Central Park® or Boardwalk® neighborhoods on the Oasis class.
APPLICABLE FOR SAILINGS IN JUNE, JULY AND AUGUST 2011.

**BOOK BY APRIL 30, 2011 TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OFFER

Both of these offers must be booked through a Travel Agent

Contact Us Today for Details

Park Cafe Allure of the Seas

Park Cafe Central Park

Welcome to Central Park, a neighborhood where you can enjoy nature or indulge your cravings for something tasty from one of the quaint shops along the path.


PARK CAFE


Strolling through Central Park, we decided to have some more lunch. Unlike other cruises, we had decided not to have a sit down meal in the buffet, but rather to try one or more of the dining venues.

One of the best kept secrets is Park Cafe's Signature sandwich. It is slow roasted beef on a bun with au jus.

If you wanted, you could order a panini sandwich or even have a salad made to order.  As the name suggests, service is buffet style.   There are several counters to chose from, so take your time and select one or more of your favorites.

We highly recommend the English Toffee cookies and other pastries to complete your meal.

As you know, several of the dining options on the Allure have an extra charge, but Park Cafe isn't one of them

For more pictures, see our Fan Page on Facebook.

There is much to tell about the Allure of the Seas.   Central Park is just one of the locations where you can find a quick bite to eat or have a relaxing meal.

We will continue our coverage of Allure of the Seas on our blog and Facebook page, so be sure to check back to see what else we've added.

Creating Central Park on Allure of the Seas

Construction of Allure of the Seas Central Park

How Do You Plant a Garden on a Cruise Ship?

That may sound like a silly question, but for Royal Caribbean International, that was just one of the final preparation processes that had to be solved while the Allure of the Seas is in its homeport of Port Everglades. The answer of course, is by crane.

Oasis of the Seas - Central Park

Creating  Central Park

Pictured here is the Oasis of the Seas finished version of Central Park.  The Allure will once again benefit from the experience of its sister ship as Central Park is recreated one more time onboard a cruise ship.

Just like one would plan their own garden in the back yard, Royal Caribbean's designers drew up plans for the finished garden, ordered the various trees, flowers, and shrubs, and waited for the assembly day to arrive.    On the assembly day, the plants and trees were organized and "airlifted" by crane from the pier to the ship.   Crews quickly  unloaded the crates and the planting began.   It didn't take long before Central Park took shape.

In this video, you'll see first-hand hour Central Park was assembled by a talented team of gardeners.

Video: Creating an Ocean Garden: Planting Allure’s Central Park

Thousands of plants, flower gardens and green thumbs go into making Allure of the Seas' expansive Central Park come to life! Watch as crews finish the final details on this luscious, serene and vibrant neighborhood onboard.

Oasis of the Seas - Central Park

Final Preparations

Growing Central Park

Do you like taking a walk in the park after dinner or even sometime during the day? Did you ever think you'd be able to do so onboard a cruise ship? Onboard Royal Caribbean's newest ship, Oasis of the Seas, it is definitely possible to stroll through Central Park.

Central Park is one of seven neighborhoods introduced on the Oasis class ships. It is the ship's town square. This open-air venue consists of winding paths, quiet reading corners, specimen gardens and other hidden surprises to make your stroll very enjoyable. During the day you'll find passengers enjoying the peace and tranquility of the gardens while at night, Central Park comes alive with dining, entertainment, and street performances.

You can get a bird's-eye view of Central Park from one of the 300 balcony staterooms which span six decks and surround the park. This is a first, among many others onboard Oasis of the Seas, for the cruise industry.

Now that Oasis has arrived in Fort Lauderdale, it's time to bring Central Park to life. In this video, you'll see how the plants were lowered with huge cranes and how workers assembled this unique garden.

Final Preparations Video: Gardens at Sea (click here)

Related Blog posts:

GMA Live from Oasis of the Seas

Welcome Home Oasis of the Seas, Welcome Home
Oasis of the Seas - Almost Home

Oasis of the Seas - Entertainment

Oasis of the Seas vs North Atlantic
Oasis of the Seas Continues Journey
Oasis OTS Ducks Under Great Belt Bridge
Oasis of the Seas - Crossing the Atlantic
Oasis of the Seas Heads for Home
Oasis of the Seas Takes to Water

In the following, you'll go behind the scenes as the Oasis of the Seas is built

Watch Additional Oasis of the Seas Videos Here!

See More Oasis of the Seas PHOTOS on my FACEBOOK PAGE - BECOME a FAN

Stay Tuned for Continuing Coverage of the Oasis of the Seas

GMA Live from Oasis of the Seas

GMA Broadcasting from Oasis of the Seas - photo courtesy Royal Caribbean and ABC

Good Morning America

Live From

Oasis of the Seas

The Oasis of the Seas completed its first pre-inagurual sailing with travel partners, Royal Caribbean executives, the cast and crew of ABC's Good Morning America, and others onboard.

The cruise culminated with a live broadcast Friday morning from various venues around the Oasis of the Seas, giving us a first-hand look at the now finalized ship.

Good Morning America Broadcast - Behind the Scenes

In the following video, Captain Bill introduces us to the GMA crew and we then get a sneak peek behind the scenes of their live broadcast from aboard the ship. They show us their view of this amazing ship. You'll see the carrousel in Central Park, synchronized swimming in the AquaTheater, high-diving, zip-lining, and as much of the ship as the GMA crew could bring us in two hours.

If you missed the Good Morning America show ... start here, and then continue with the remaining videos, photos, and stories.

Preview Sailings Video - Lights, Camera, Action (click here)

Here are additional videos and photo galleries from the Good Morning America live broadcast from Oasis of the Seas as well as the arrival into Fort Lauderdale. Some items are GMA web exclusives.

GMA REPORTS

The Debut of the World's Largest Cruise Ship

WATCH: Web Extra: Cruising to the Max

WATCH: Web Extra: Central Park at Sea?

WATCH: Wipe Out, Rycroft Surfs Aboard Oasis

WATCH: Supersize Fun on Oasis of the Seas

WATCH: Rycroft Boogie Boards

WATCH: Rycroft Zips Through Oasis

WATCH: Oasis of the Sea's Aqua Theater

WATCH: Take a Walk Around the Oasis

WATCH: Find Your Favorite Neighborhood on the Oasis

What's On Board the Oasis of the Seas?

Luxury on the High Seas, for a Price

PHOTOS: 'GMA' Onboard Oasis of the Seas

PHOTOS: Suite Life on Oasis of the Seas

WATCH: 'GMA' The Show You Missed (11.20.09)

Can't get enough of the Oasis of the Seas?

Here are some more links for you to explore.

View Video from Arrival of Oasis of the Seas

See More Oasis of the Seas PHOTOS on my FACEBOOK PAGE - BECOME a FAN

Related Blog posts:

Welcome Home Oasis of the Seas, Welcome Home

Oasis of the Seas - Almost Home
Oasis of the Seas - Entertainment
Oasis of the Seas vs North Atlantic

Oasis of the Seas Continues Journey

Oasis OTS Ducks Under Great Belt Bridge

Oasis of the Seas - Crossing the Atlantic

Oasis of the Seas Heads for Home

Oasis of the Seas Takes to Water

In the following, you'll go behind the scenes as the Oasis of the Seas is built

Watch Additional Oasis of the Seas Videos Here!

Stay Tuned for Continuing Coverage of the Oasis of the Seas

Oasis of the Seas Takes to Water

Photos Courtesy STX Europe

Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas

Begins Sea Trials

Like a "duck to water" Royal Caribbean International's latest ship, Oasis of the Seas, took to the water in Turku, Finland last week as she began the first of her sea trials. Weighing in at 225,000 GT she becomes the largest cruise ship in the world. In fact, when Oasis of the Seas leaves Turku for Miami, Fl. this autumn, it will be the biggest export product of Finland ever.It is quite an accomplishment for shipbuilder STX Europe ASA. Formely known as Aker Yards ASA, the group changed its name to STX Europe in November, 2008.

Oasis of the Seas is 47 metres wide and 360 metres long, i.e. 40 m longer than the height of the Eiffel tower! Height over the water line is 65 m. Building the vessel has been compared to a huge 3-dimensional puzzle. The vessel consists of 180 grand blocks, the biggest with a size of length 22 m, width 30 m and weight 600 tons! The vessel´s weight is 12 times the weight of the Eiffel tower.

It's hard to believe that it was just on November 21, 2008, that the launching ceremony of the Oasis of the Seas took place at STX Europe's shipyard in Turku. Martin Landtman, President of STX Finland Cruise Oy was joined by Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and other executives of the yard and owners to turn the valves releasing water into the drydock and letting the vessel float out to its own element.

According to Royal Caribbean's Chairman & CEO, Richard Fain, who was onhand for the event, "Most of the trials were a terrific success. The ship performed her various tests very well and everyone is very excited." The ship is now back in her construction berth.

There was one surprise, however. They were thinking of adding an aerostat to the ship and were doing a test to see if it was practical/desirable. You can see the blimp in the picture above. However, if you had been there, you would have noticed that it was missing later. In fact, they had to fetch it out of the water. So, I guess it's back to the drawing board for this new innovation. Fain took it light-heartedly saying "This is precisely why we do such tests (and why I don’t take credit until we know whether or not they are successful)".

Oasis of the Seas will be like a floating resort with seven neighbourhoods - themed areas offering experiences for passengers of all ages: the Promenade, a shopping mall with boutiques and restaurants, Boardwalk with the first amfi theatre at sea, Vitality Spa, Pool & Sports Zone with water park activities, Youth Zone with playing possibilities from babies to teens, Entertainment Place with casino and dance hall. And the Central Park with a revolutionary design in which the centre of the ship opens to the sky. With the length of a soccer field, some 110 metres and a width of 19 metres the park will have growing lawn, trees and other vegetation. Sun will be shining to this unique open outdoor space surrounded with restaurants, shops and cafés. Learn more about all the neighbourhoods.

See the Video: Oasis of the Seas Sea Trial

STX Europe is not just building the Oasis of the Seas, but it has also laid the keel for it's sister ship, Allure of the Seas which is due out in 2010.

Perhaps this summarizes it best: "We are not building just ships, we are building experiences" says Martin Landtman, President of STX Finland Cruise Oy. "The world's largest cruise vessels are innovations themselves, and have several innovations inside. Cruise passengers are expecting new unparalleled experiences, and that is what the owners and the yard continuously are creating in good cooperation".