Cruise

Odyssey of the Seas Live Blog – Day 4 – La Romana, Dominican Republic

November 27, 2022

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Today we visited the Dominican Republic for the primary time, which makes it a pleasant change of tempo.

I’ve had many cruises with scheduled stops to a port within the Dominican Republic, however they all the time ended up being cancelled.

Today, we’re visiting La Romana, which is on the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic.

Odyssey of the Seas wasn’t due in till about 10am, so we took our time within the morning and grabbed breakfast at Cafe @ Two70.

As the ship pulled into La Romana, the mountainous countryside stood out instantly.

Prior to the cruise, I booked a personal boat constitution by means of an internet site referred to as GetMyBoat. It’s a third-party itemizing of boats you’ll be able to constitution, and this one seemed like an ideal match. It was 3 hours of getting the boat to ourselves, and it comes with a crew, lunch, and some stops alongside the best way.

The boat left from Punta Cana, which is a few 45 minute automotive trip away. The firm that chartered the boat organized for an extra value transportation to and from the port. Carlos was ready once we disembarked and met us within the taxi lot.

I imagine we docked just a little early, so we had been in a position to stroll off the ship sooner than I anticipated. There is a small port space with a number of retailers you’ll be able to browse as you stroll out (or again in as you come back).

We met Carlos who had a big passenger van and he bought us on our approach. The youngsters beloved when he attached his cellphone to the Bluetooth and performed their favourite songs.

I did not notice Punta Cana was as shut as it’s to La Romana, primarily by way of freeway.

Once we bought to the seaside, Carlos dropped us off on the most important constructing for the corporate that owns the boats they constitution. We signed the mandatory paperwork and had been taken straight away to the seaside to board our boat.

We had booked a 60 foot lengthy boat that has 2 ranges, 2 loos, and even a water slide off the again of the boat.

Our go to would take us to a snorkeling spot and a swimming spot to get pleasure from. Along the best way we’d additionally go to a dolphin park. All the stops are at varied areas simply off the coast, so there isn’t any lengthy commute instances on the water.

Since it was reserved only for us, the boat felt very massive with tons of area. And because it was our personal constitution, as quickly as we had been able to go, the captain pulled up anchor and we had been on our approach.

Our first cease was a snorkeling space, the place the boat supplied all of the gear. You may optionally simply hop within the water for a swim with out snorkel gear in case you most well-liked to only be within the water.

One of the crew members escorted us across the water and helped the youngsters. There was a robust present, so there was plenty of swimming required.

After we bought again onboard, it was time for lunch. I paid further to get an upgraded lunch choice for the youngsters, so we had burgers, rooster kabobs, and fruit. Later we had been served chips and salsa.

Also included had been tender drinks and rum punch and rum and cokes. We had the choice to BYOB as effectively, with a cease at a liquor stand earlier than boarding the boat.

We handed by a dolphin park, which meant we may see dolphins swimming round of their enclosure from our boat. We did not go in or something, so it is merely a fast minute lengthy cease to look.

Next up was our swimming cease, the place we may get within the water that was about 4 or 5 ft deep.

This proved to be finest time of the day, as a result of the youngsters beloved taking place the water slide time and again and all of us bought time to calm down within the water.

After the swim, we began heading again to shore.

I beloved our time as a result of it delivered precisely what was promised. We bought again to La Romana with 2 and a half hours to spare, which is all the time my major concern when doing a tour by myself removed from the port.

The crew had been nice, and having the boat to ourselves was unbelievable. It felt particular and I solely want we had extra time in the course of the tour. In case you are questioning, the boat value $688, after which it was an extra $300 for the roundtrip transportation and upgraded lunch.

Carlos drove us again and we browsed a couple of retailers on the port earlier than getting again on the ship.

After showering, it was dinner time at Wonderland.

My youngsters needed to eat at Wonderland as a result of they’ve by no means dined there and thought the whimsical nature of the restaurant sounded enjoyable. I’ve to confess I might have most well-liked eating elsewhere.

As it turned out, the youngsters beloved the expertise. The youngsters menu was a homerun, and the primary menu objects ended up being actually good. Plus, the youngsters beloved the schtick greater than I believed they might.