LaCastillo

LaCastillo
Second Mate

Hometown: San Antonio TX
Joined: 05/25/2017
12
Cruises
3
Reviews
9
Helpful Votes
624

About LaCastillo

Howdy! Married with 2 furry babies, my husband and I are native San Antonians. We took our first cruise in 2010 and are 3-star mariners with Holland America. I'm in college admissions and spend most of my free time planning our next vacation!

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Cruise Lines: Holland America Line

Ships: Eurodam / Koningsdam / Nieuw Amsterdam

Destinations: Caribbean

Ports: Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Private Island)

Following

Ship: Eurodam

Ship: Nieuw Amsterdam

Ship: Koningsdam

LaCastillo's Upcoming Cruises

LaCastillo's Past Cruises

Veendam

December 2017 - 14 Night Southern Caribbean (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip) Cruise on Veendam

Fabulous cruise to the Southern Caribbean

bay view from the fort Paseo princesa Gala night menu SpiceMill beach area waiting for the show to start

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I've been planning this cruise for months, and it didn't disappoint. These were the best ports we've visited on any of our cruises. The food was great. Service was great. We loved everything about this cruise. It was a wonderful two weeks. I can't wait to sail again!

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Koningsdam

December 2016 - 9 Night Eastern Caribbean (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip) Cruise on Koningsdam

Different Experience but still a beautiful ship

New York pizza & deli Vista Suite

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New ship. We were prepared for it to NOT be like we have experienced with HAL before. It is indeed different. While we prefer the style of Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam over the Koningsdam, we would still sail Koningsdam again because the level and quality of service from HAL is consistent and worth every penny.

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Nieuw Amsterdam

December 2015 - 7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip) Cruise on Nieuw Amsterdam

ship at port

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Zuiderdam

December 2014 - 11 Night Panama Canal Sunfarer (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip) Cruise on Zuiderdam

Wonderful time doing a partial Canal transit

Gatun locks Sailing into port Historical section, Cartegena, Columbia Gatun locks fort

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As it turned out we were there for the 100 anniversay of the canal, which was kind of cool. We thoroughly enjoyed the Zuiderdam and all of ports. Quite a memorable time.

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Navigator of the Seas

December 2013 - 7 Night Western Caribbean (Galveston roundtrip) Cruise on Navigator of the Seas

Eurodam

December 2012 - 7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Ft. Lauderdale roundtrip) Cruise on Eurodam

leaving port

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Allure of the Seas

December 2011 - 7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Ft. Lauderdale roundtrip) Cruise on Allure of the Seas

coastline leaving port Marigold, French side

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Veendam

July 2011 - 7 Night Bermuda (New York roundtrip) Cruise on Veendam

Nieuw Amsterdam

December 2010 - 7 Night Western Caribbean (Ft. Lauderdale roundtrip) Cruise on Nieuw Amsterdam

Ryndam

April 2010 - 14 Night Western Caribbean Collector (Tampa roundtrip) Cruise on Ryndam

beach beach by the beach port area

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LaCastillo's Tips

Castries, St. Lucia - The immediate are around the port is not much to look at. The taxi drivers that hang around the terminal are very agressive--and I mean very. We finally found someone to take us to Vigi (vee-gee) beach. It is not far from the terminal, but it is on the other side of the airport, so walking is not ideal. We paid $15 each way for the taxi (we probably should have haggled for a better price) and then paid $20 for 2 loungers in the shade. There were bathing facilities and a cafe near. The beach is very clean and the view gorgeous. Unfortunately the water that day was really rough and not ideal for swimming. The people working there were very attentive and made sure we had everything we needed. They told us that some days the water is just rough like that.
Basseterre, St. Kitts - What a beautiful island! We booked an excursion for a beach break. We drove about 30 minutes to Spice Mill beach resort. It was a gorgeous drive to the beach and the beach/bay area was beautiful. Worth the money for sure.
Bridgetown, Barbados - Very nice port but the ship was a distance from the terminal. The ship did have shuttles to take us back and forth. The terminal is nice and has plenty of shopping but there is a larger shopping center a short walk away. We booked a beach excursion and when to Harbor Lights beach club, about a 10 minute drive from the port. This was the best beach of all that we visited on this trip. Beautiful, clear water that was very calm. You can swim our for a bit and the water doesn't get past 6 ft. We loved this beach and would return to this beach club on our own if we visit again.
St. George's, Grenada - What a delightful little port! We decided to take the hop-on-hop-off trolley for $19 pp. It takes you all around the port area and makes stops at different places. Entrance to the fort is included as is entrance to the local museum. We saw some great things and took some great pics. We even visited the Grenada Chocolate factory, which was very cool.
Pointe-A-Pitre, Guadeloupe - I wasn't sure what we would do at this port. The excursions were limited but my research also indicated that there wasn't much to do at the port area. So, we booked an excursion that took us to Pigeon island for snorkeling. The drive was about 45 minutes and went through the national park/rain forest. The drive was very nice. We went from Basseterre to the island next to it, gran terre. The beach area was apparently a preserve founded by Jacques Cousteau. Losts of family out enjoying the water. We took a boal and circled Pigeon Island several times, finally stopping to snorkel. On the way back, we stopped at Ecrevisses falls in the national park and it was beautiful. Wonderful photo stop. This was my least favorite port as I felt the excursion was over priced. But without the excursion, I am not sure what we would have done.
San Juan, Puerto Rico - Having visited San Juan before, we decided to just walk around the Old Town. We walked the entire length of the Paseo de la Princesa, which takes you along the perimter of El Moro fort. It also takes your right to the door of San Juan. It is very nice. The old town itself looks to be back to normal. There is some damage here and there but you can't tell if it is from the hurricane or not. Several of the business right on the water front (across from the ship's pier) are not operating.
St. John's, Antigua - This was a busy port with lots shops right next to the terminal. We booked a snorkeling excursion that also took us to a beach. Great excursion. Water was really chopping which really freaked out some folks, but the crew of the catamaran were super nice.
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas - We went to Coki beach on our own. What a great day! It was a 15-20 minute ride by taxi--about $20 each way for 2. We paid $20 for 2 loungers and am umbrella. Would definately visit here again if we visit St. Thomas.
Veendam Veendam - This is a nice ship but it is a small ship. If you are used to sailing on Royal or Carnival, you will be shocked by the size. Even if you are used to sailing the bigger ships of HAL--like Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, etc. you will still be surprised. But after a few days we got used to the smallnees. It made it a very intimate experience and it was nice that all the crew remembered your names. We very much felt at home.
Oranjestad, Aruba - We did a DIY beach break. It was very easy as the public bus stop is righ across from where we docked. It think it cost us $2 round trip to get to the beach. The beaches are very clean and there are chairs and palapas on some of them. If you do use them, however, someone (I think from the nearest hotel/park) will collect $5 a person for their use. The water was very rough the day we went and I took a major swan dive. It scared the heck out of me!!
Puerto Limon, Costa Rica - The port itself is not much, nor is the surrounding area. We booked an excursion to do white water river rafting and it was awesome! Probably the best exursion we've done.
Enter Panama Canal At Cristobal - Amazing! I recommend anyone get up early to see the approach because all the good viewing spots are taken up quickly. From our balcony we could actually touch the sides of the locks. Incredible experience.
Willemstad, Curacao - What a beautiful port! So picturesque! HAL docks in the downtown area and even passes through the "floating bridge". We enjoyed sitting on the promedade deck as we watched the bridge open and close. We hired a taxi/van driver and he took us all around the island for 3 hours--$15 each, I think. We made several stops, including one to the Curacao distillerary.
Exit Panama Canal At Cristobal - We left the ship for an excursion. Rather than returning to the ship and exiting the locks, most exursions will end in Colon and the ship picks you up there.
Cartagena, Colombia - The ship docks in a very "industrial" port but you do get nice views of the bay. We booked an excursion to the fort and also had a city tour. It was very nice. Lots of begging, which is hard to stomach. But still, we had a wonderful time.
Willemstad, Curacao - If your ship is small enough (like those of Holland America), it docks in downtown Willemstad--not the big mega pier. To do this it will pass through the Queen Emma bridge. This floating pontoon bridge swings open about every 30 minutes. It is a delight to watch it open and close from the ship.
Willemstad, Curacao - Don't miss the Curacao Liquor Distillery, where the Senor family created and now produces their world-famous Curacao blue liquor! Mini museum, taste testing, gift shop--all for free!
New York, New York - If you sail out of Manhattan, secure a spot on deck on the starboard side...you will pass right by the Statue of Liberty while sailing down the Hudson. Awesome photo opp!
Willemstad, Curacao - If your ship docks by the swinging bridge, don't forget to get out on deck to see the floating bridge "open" and "close" for your ship. It is quite a sight!
St. George's, Bermuda - A stop at the Lily Bermuda perfumery is a must! This perfume can only be purchased in Bermuda (or on their website). But if you see something you like, buy it because the stores on the island are limited and they don't always have the same fragrances as the perfumery.
Grand Turk Island - This may be my second favorite port because of how close the ship is to the beach. Also, Margaritaville has a huge pool in the port that cruise passengers are free to use.
Philipsburg, St. Maarten - We also enjoy St. Maarten. This time we made a point of going to Marigold to try something tasty at Sarafinas. Yumm!
San Juan, Puerto Rico - We enjoy San Juan very much but decided to visit the Barcardi Factory on our own. We winded up spending less than $10 a person to get there and back. Great visit.
Koningsdam Koningsdam - Don't get hung up on how things look or are arranged on their other ships. Koningsdam is nothing like the other ships--enjoy it for what it is.
George Town, Grand Cayman - Take tour (or DIY) of the the Cayman Islands Brewery and the Cayman Spirits Distillery. The distillery makes Seven Fathoms Rum, THE BEST rum I have ever had--I've had rum from Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Bermuda, etc. & this is by far the best. Get a behind the scenes look and samples of the rum & beer

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