In December 2023 (after being denied boarding to Mexico in Zurich) I quickly reconfigured the route and searched for a last-minute deal. What I found was a 3-week cruise to the Caribbean, departing from Savona, Italy on December 8th and arriving in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on December 29th. We had stops at the following ports:

1. Marseille, France

2. Cadiz, Spain

3. Tenerife, Spain

4. Santa Lucia

5. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (twice)

6. Ocho Rios, Jamaica

7. Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos

8. Amber Cove, Dominican Republic

9. Samana, Dominican Republic

10. Catalina Island, Dominican Republic

We booked the Costa Cruises cruise 4 days before departure, it was a vessel repositioning, and the price was accordingly.

COST:

-1150€ for the cruise / 2 adults and a 2-year-old

-462€ port taxes / 2 adults

-200€ on board for drinks

-360€/person

-100€ tips for the waiter and the housekeeping

We chose an interior cabin but received an upgrade to an exterior cabin. Alcoholic beverages and dinner drinks were not included in this price. It was one of the most relaxing vacations, with an unbeatable quality-price ratio. The Atlantic crossing was very smooth, we hardly felt anything, and time flew by; it’s impossible to get bored on board.

Board Journal – Day 1

📍Savona, Italy

We embarked on the rainy morning of December 8th on the ship, in the port of Savona, Italy. After settling into our room (and rejoicing like kids that we got an upgrade to an exterior cabin), we went to the DM store in the city center for some shopping: diapers, snacks for Thea, shampoo, soap, laundry detergent, hairspray, and many other things. We made it back just in time for lunch and were super prepared for the journey ahead.

A few days before departure, when we selected the time and dinner restaurant on the Costa website, we also chose how many people would be at our table. Since we were going to spend 3 weeks alone on the ship, we decided we wanted a larger table for dinner, hoping to make friends and have more fun evenings. It turned out to be an excellent choice, as we befriended those we had dinner with for 3 weeks.

Board Journal – Day 2

📍Marseille, France

The first stop was in Marseille but it was cold and rainy, and the ship stopped at the industrial port… so we decided not to disembark 🙂

COST: 0

Board Journal – Day 4

📍Cadiz, Spain

Our second stop was in Cadiz which is a very small port city that we really liked. You can walk everywhere and don’t need more than half a day. For lunch, we returned to eat on the ship, then went out again to buy a pair of high-heeled shoes (yes, I needed them for dinner 😜).

COST:

–5€ coffee

–30€ high heels

Board Journal – Day 7

📍Tenerife, Spain

Another day at sea, and on day 7 we arrived in Tenerife. We had already changed the time zone by one hour.

The ship stopped in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and we had a whole day there. Since it was our third time in Tenerife, we decided to stay in Santa Cruz and meet up with our friends and visit Palmetum (a botanical garden) and Parque Maritim Cesar Manrique.

COST:

-8€ Maritim Park (4€/person)

-40€ lunch

Board Journal – Days 7 to 12

📍 Atlantic Ocean

Time aboard flew swiftly.

We successfully traversed the North Atlantic Ocean in just 6 days. The water remained remarkably calm as we covered around 2600 nautical miles at an average speed of 20 knots per hour.

Nearly every night, we adjusted our watches, setting them one hour behind. The only hiccup came with Thea’s struggle to adapt to a new timezone every morning—she persistently woke up at 5 or 6 am 😴🥱

Our days unfolded with a mix of work, delectable meals, baby disco evenings, and a lot of amazing shows in the theater. The passage of time became a mystery as we couldn’t fathom where these days disappeared. 🛳️

Board Journal – Day 13

📍St. Lucia

We did it! Successfully crossing the Atlantic, we have now arrived in St. Lucia.

This marks our second visit to the island this year, and our sole desire was to relax on the beach. One particular spot caught our eye back in March: Marigot Bay.

Marigot Bay, a small historic landmark, served both the French and British navies in various battles. Additionally, it gained fame through Hollywood films like Dr. Doolittle and the presence of opulent superyachts. The scenery was classic but amazing: clear water, tall palm trees, and the unbeatable Caribbean vibes.

COST:

-50$ roundtrip taxi to Marigot Bay from the port (negotiated in the port)

-5$ one beach chair

-9$ coffee

-10$ coconut rum drink

-25$ food & water

-5$ taxi tip

-10$ sun hat

Board Journal – Day 15

📍Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Once again, we found ourselves in a familiar country but exploring a new city. Our plan for the day was to take it easy and savor the offerings of this vibrant place.

Our first stop was Los Tres Ojos, and despite having modest expectations, the experience exceeded them, captivating us for a couple of delightful hours. With an entrance fee of just 3 euros, it proved to be a budget-friendly adventure, and the Uber ride from the port was similarly economical.

Following our cave exploration, we headed to Ciudad Colonial, where we had a fantastic lunch at El Buho, a restaurant we wholeheartedly recommend.

Post-lunch, we strolled through the charming streets of the old city, soaking in its positive vibes. Ciudad Colonial is the historic central neighborhood of the Dominican Republic’s capital Santo Domingo. It is the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the Americas. The area has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO

COST:

-6.5€ lost tres ojos entrance fee

-13.5€ Uber taxi

-60€ food El Buho

-11€ supermarket

-2$ coconut

Board Journal – Day 17

📍Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Choosing this cruise was influenced by destinations like Ocho Rios, where my dream of experiencing the rhythm of Jamaica through Bob Marley’s music would come alive.

However, our journey took an unexpected turn when a “misunderstanding” redirected us to the White River instead of Martha Brae for river rafting. Despite initial disappointment, we embraced a spontaneous bamboo boat ride. Our next adventure led us to Dunn’s River Falls, a bustling spot where tourists ascend the falls under guidance. We could not do the same, but we enjoyed a good bath in the falls.

Though the day was overcast, the magnificence of the falls and the adjacent beach shone through.

The day concluded with the unforgettable beat of reggae at a shopping center near our cruise terminal, where we hunted for last-minute Christmas gifts.

Jamaica’s lush greenery left a lasting impression, despite the unexpected expenses that left us feeling a bit taken advantage of. Yet, the enchantment of this island beckons us to return.

Is this love, is this love, is this love? 🇯🇲

COST:

-75$ taxi (for 2 adults and a kid)

-50$ Dunn’s River entrance (25/adult)

-50$ rafting white river

-50$ gifts

Board Journal – Day 18 (Christmas Day)

📍 Grand Turks, Turks & Caicos

Picture-perfect day in Grand Turks: crystal blue waters, tall palm trees, and white sand—a true paradise on Earth. Nothing eventful to report, just a perfect day capped off with a stunning sunset. Christmas here was pure bliss 🌴.

Turks & Caicos deserves a spot on your bucket list; it’s a place that almost demands a return visit.

COST:

-30€ gifts

Board Journal – Day 19

📍 Amber Cove, Dominican Republic

Today, we explored the delights of Ocean’s World, a captivating aquatic-themed park. Our visit was brief but packed with enjoyment, featuring entertaining animal shows and a delightful lunch. As the day unfolded, we sipped on refreshing cocktails before it was time to head back to the ship. While there are additional attractions in the area, unfortunately, they weren’t quite suitable for a visit with our 2-year-old.

COST:

-$138 Ocean World entrance fee

-$40 taxi roundtrip

-$20 printed picture

-$10 drinks

Board Journal – Day 20

📍 Samana, Dominican Republic

Old habits die hard, and it seems it was about time to step out of the comfort zone.

After some internet research, we decided to go horseback riding and visit El Limon Waterfalls. Easier said than done :). We arrived there by car (booked it through WhatsApp with a local company that same morning; their phone number is +1 809 608 2438 and I highly recommend it), had lunch, and then eagerly awaited our horses.

Little did we know 😅

The first 2 minutes were fine, but things quickly took a turn for the worse. The terrain was up and downhill, very muddy, rocky, and very narrow. It was not a walk in the park, and having Thea on the horse with me didn’t look safe.

After 15 to 20 minutes of painful and extremely anxious horseback riding (with moments when Thea was carried by our guide because I could not hold her), we reached the point where we left the horses and started to hike (completely unequipped for that). I think Thea sensed it and decided she was safer with Juan, our guide than with us, so she kept insisting non-stop to give her to Juan and daddy to take the backpack 🤦🏼‍♀️.

The landscape was impressive, the best we’ve seen in any other location. Not an easy journey, but TOTALLY worth it. The waterfall also left a lasting impression. After a refreshing bath, we headed back.

The return journey involved more walking, and discovering a shorter, less challenging path for the horses.

My advice? Opt for walking!! And bring rubber boots and a baby carrier for an easier adventure 😁

COST:

-$120 (60pp/ el limon tour)

-$6 drinks

-$30 tip for our guide

-$30 ice cream and coffee

Board Journal – Day 21

📍 Isla Catalina, Dominican Republic

The final stop before the end of our cruise – bittersweet.

Costa Cruises has a private beach on the island. The ship anchors offshore, transporting passengers to the shore via boats, and also provides lunch.

The beach is stunning, with crystal clear waters and white sand. Additionally, this marks our first stop when Thea falls asleep on the beach.

The only drawback of coming here by cruise ship is that it gets super crowded.

COST:

-$10 beach umbrella

Day 22 – END OF THE CRUISE

📍 Santo Domingo

Our delightful 3-week transatlantic cruise has come to an end, leaving us feeling thoroughly spoiled and in love with the experience. We thought we would get bored being on a ship for so long, but no, we could have spent even more time there.

The onboard dining, especially the fine dining dinners, surpassed expectations. Evening entertainment in the Theatre was consistently enjoyable, and the clean, comfortable rooms ensured a good night’s sleep.

While navigating there were some challenges, such as adapting to a new timezone every couple of days and not having a well-equipped playground. But these things are def not a deal-breaker. The ship’s internet, albeit pricey, served its purpose adequately.

All in all, the quality-to-price ratio exceeded our expectations. We’re even contemplating a repeat experience next year, exploring a new destination (blink-blink).

TOTAL COST = 3170€

Cruise – 2272€

Cadiz – 35€

Tenerife – 48€

St Lucia – $114

Santo Domingo – 93€

Jamaica – $225

Turks & Caicos – 30€

Amber Cove – $208

Samana – $186

Isla Catalina – $10

$743 & 2478€

On top of that, we had to pay for our flights back to Europe… but that is another story.