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Tezels on the Road

Tag: Cruise Travel

  • Southern Caribbean Cruise 2026 – Day 10

    Southern Caribbean Cruise 2026 – Day 10

    San Juan, Puerto Rico: History, Mofongo, and a Relaxed Farewell

    Our Southern Caribbean Cruise 2026 officially came to an end this morning as we woke up once again in San Juan, Puerto Rico. While the cruise itself was over, our Caribbean adventure wasn’t quite finished yet.

    After saying goodbye to the wonderful crew aboard the Grand Princess, we disembarked and headed to the airport to pick up a rental car. From there, we drove to the Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort, where we dropped off our luggage and prepared to spend our final night in paradise.

    Exploring Old San Juan

    With the logistics out of the way, we made our way into Old San Juan, one of the most atmospheric and historic cities in the Caribbean. After parking, we spent the morning wandering the narrow, colorful streets of the old city, popping into shops and soaking in the sights and sounds of this vibrant port.

    Uphill cobblestone street in Old San Juan lined with pastel colonial buildings, balconies, and parked cars under a blue sky

    Hunger eventually led us to Los Yeyo’s, a restaurant proudly known as “The House of Mofongo.” That alone made it an easy decision.

    We shared a crab mofongo along with a side of sweet plantains, and it did not disappoint. The mofongo arrived on a sizzling skillet, filling the air with an irresistible aroma. For those unfamiliar, mofongo is a traditional Puerto Rican dish made from fried plantains mashed with garlic and other ingredients. Los Yeyo’s crab mofongo was absolutely outstanding and easily one of our favorite meals of the trip.

    Castillo San Felipe del Morro (El Morro)

    After lunch, we continued exploring Old San Juan until we reached Castillo San Felipe del Morro, part of San Juan National Historic Site. Perched high on a promontory overlooking the entrance to San Juan Bay, El Morro is one of the most impressive fortifications in the Caribbean.

    Constructed over more than 250 years by Spanish engineers, El Morro reflects Spain’s determination to protect San Juan as a critical hub in the trans‑Atlantic trade routes. Walking along its massive walls and gazing out from its strategic vantage point, it’s easy to understand why such effort and resources were invested here. The fortress feels immense—an imposing, nearly impenetrable stronghold guarding the city.

    San Juan’s Defensive Network & Castillo San Cristóbal

    El Morro was only one element of San Juan’s elaborate defensive system. San Juan National Historic Site also preserves large sections of the original city walls, which completely encircled the city by 1783, as well as Fort San Juan de la Cruz (El Cañuelo) on the opposite side of the harbor.

    Our next stop was Castillo San Cristóbal, the largest fortification built by Spain in the New World. Unlike El Morro, San Cristóbal was designed primarily to defend the city from land-based attacks. Its sheer scale and layered defenses are just as impressive, showcasing remarkable military engineering and ingenuity.

    Together, these fortifications tell stories of ambition, empire, and conflict. For centuries, nations fought for control of this small but strategically vital island. Generations of soldiers lived and worked within these walls, and today visitors are inspired not only by the history, but also by the beauty and brilliance of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    A Relaxed Caribbean Evening

    After spending the afternoon immersed in over 500 years of history, we returned to the Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort. Our room wasn’t quite ready, but that was hardly a problem. We found seats by the beach, ordered some sangria, and simply relaxed—reflecting on an unforgettable week in the Caribbean.

    Tomorrow brings a calm, easy morning before our late‑afternoon flight home to San Antonio. There’s no sign of winter weather here in San Juan, so we’re hoping that the weather on the mainland doesn’t affect our trip home.

  • Day 4 Southern Caribbean Cruise: St. Thomas & St. John

    Day 4 Southern Caribbean Cruise: St. Thomas & St. John

    We woke up on Day 4 of our Southern Caribbean cruise to find St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands waiting just outside our balcony. The Grand Princess was pulling into Charlotte Amalie Harbor, marking our first port of call of the voyage.

    Ferry to St. John and Virgin Islands National Park

    We took a short taxi ride to the marine terminal to catch the ferry to St. John and Virgin Islands National Park. We arrived early enough to enjoy a relaxing breakfast at the Petite Pump Room, located just above the ferry terminal. The omelet was excellent, and the sweeping views of the harbor were just as satisfying.

    Soon, it was time to board the ferry for the scenic 45-minute ride to St. John. The route skirts the southern shoreline of St. Thomas before turning northeast and crossing the narrow channel separating the two islands. Before long, we entered Cruz Bay, where we disembarked and began our exploration.

    Exploring Virgin Islands National Park

    A short walk from the ferry terminal brought us to the Cruz Bay Visitor Center for Virgin Islands National Park. This was our first visit to this national park, even though our time here would be relatively brief. The National Park Service manages nearly two-thirds of St. John, along with the adjacent Virgin Islands Coral Reefs National Monument, preserving both land and sea ecosystems.

    After checking in at the visitor center, we decided to hike the Lind Point Trail, heading toward Honeymoon Beach and Salmon Beach.

    Virgin Islands National Park entrance sign on St. John with a playground, palm trees, and green hills under a blue sky.
    Entrance sign for Virgin Islands National Park in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, with tropical hills, palm trees, and a community playground in the background.
    Cruz Bay Visitor Center on the waterfront in Virgin Islands National Park, St. John USVI, with colorful shutters, red roof, boats docked in the harbor, and a bright blue sky.
    The Cruz Bay Visitor Center in Virgin Islands National Park sits along the waterfront of Cruz Bay, St. John, welcoming visitors arriving by boat to explore the island’s protected beaches, trails, and history.

    Hiking the Lind Point Trail

    The Lind Point Trail conveniently splits into upper and lower paths, creating a pleasant loop hike. Along the way, we passed through one of the Caribbean’s most diverse dry tropical forests, where cactus and agave line the trail alongside tropical trees like gumbo limbo, known for its peeling red bark.

    The vegetation is dense in places, but every so often the trail opens up to reveal glimpses of the turquoise Caribbean waters below. Taking the upper trail, we soon reached Lind Point, where expansive views stretch across Cruz Bay to the south and the Caribbean Sea to the north.

    The trail continued along the ridge before beginning its descent—just over a mile from the trailhead—toward Honeymoon Beach.

    Honeymoon Beach and Salmon Beach

    The Virgin Islands are famous for their beaches, and Honeymoon Beach lives up to the reputation. Soft white sand meets crystal-clear blue water, making it an irresistible spot to linger. We hadn’t brought our swimsuits on this excursion—saving beach time for later in the cruise—but the water was incredibly inviting.

    On our return, we took the lower Lind Point Trail and soon came to the cutoff for Salmon Beach. Just as beautiful as Honeymoon Beach, Salmon Beach felt more secluded and noticeably less crowded, adding to its charm.

    Lunch with Unexpected Company

    Back at the Cruz Bay Visitor Center, we stopped for lunch. Our meal came with unexpected company—a hen and several chicks that appear to have claimed the visitor center as home. They seemed mildly offended that we didn’t share our lunch with them.

    Back to St. Thomas

    Before long, it was time to catch the ferry back to St. Thomas. Once there, we did a bit of shopping near the cruise pier before reboarding the Grand Princess. The rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing by the pool, enjoying a well-earned break after a full morning of exploring.

    As the sun set over St. Thomas, we sailed onward toward our next destination—St. Maarten—bringing a perfect close to an unforgettable day in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

  • Southern Caribbean Cruise – Day 2

    Southern Caribbean Cruise – Day 2

    El Yunque National Forest & Isla Verde

    Day 2 of our Southern Caribbean Cruise gave us a chance to slow down and enjoy Puerto Rico before boarding the ship.

    We started the morning with coffee with an open balcony, taking in views of the Atlantic Ocean from the Courtyard Isla Verde Beach Resort. It was a peaceful way to begin the day and a perfect reminder of just how close we were to the beach.

    After breakfast, we drove east toward El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest system. Our first stop was the El Portal Visitor Center, where we watched the introductory video and explored the exhibits that highlight the forest’s natural and cultural history. We also walked the Discovery Trail, an easy path that offered a nice introduction to the rainforest environment.

    From there, we drove deeper into El Yunque, enjoying the lush scenery, towering trees, and winding mountain roads before eventually heading back toward San Juan.

    The afternoon was all about relaxation. Back at the Courtyard Isla Verde Beach Resort, we spent the rest of the day enjoying the beach, listening to the waves, and soaking in the Caribbean atmosphere. It was a perfect balance of exploration and rest before our cruise departure.

    Tomorrow, we’ll board the Grand Princess and officially begin our Southern Caribbean Cruise.

    🎥 Day 2 Video

  • Southern Caribbean Cruise – Day 1

    Southern Caribbean Cruise – Day 1

    San Antonio to San Juan

    Our Southern Caribbean Cruise marks our first trip of 2026, and Day 1 was all about getting from Texas to the tropics.
    We left San Antonio in the early morning hours and flew to Charlotte, where we had a five‑and‑a‑half‑hour layover. Thankfully, access to the Admirals Club made the wait far more comfortable and relaxing. From there, we continued on to San Juan, Puerto Rico, arriving around 9:00 p.m.
    Fortunately, we were able to upgrade all of our flights to first class using points, which made a long travel day much more enjoyable. The extra space and quieter cabin were especially appreciated after hours in the air.
    All of the travel was worth it the moment we stepped out onto the balcony of our room at the Courtyard Isla Verde Beach Resort. Even at night, the view and sounds of the Atlantic Ocean were the perfect introduction to Puerto Rico and a welcome reminder that vacation had officially begun.
    Tomorrow we’ll have a full day to explore Puerto Rico before boarding the Grand Princess on Sunday, when our Southern Caribbean Cruise adventure truly begins.

    🎥 Day 1 Video

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