January Cruise Vacation 2014

This is one picture in a series about the colours I saw in Half Moon Cay, Bahamas, 200_P1010039 Geotagging provides incorrect naming as Cat Island is the adjacent island

This is one picture in a series about the colours I saw in Half Moon Cay, Bahamas, 200_P1010041 Geotagging provides incorrect naming as Cat Island is the adjacent island

This is one picture in a series about the colours I saw in Half Moon Cay, Bahamas, 200_P1010042 Geotagging provides incorrect naming as Cat Island is the adjacent island

A look back at the very beautiful Half Moon Cay (Little San Salvador) from Holland America Eurodam. TZ30_P1010658

For a member of the public, one of the few ways to get into a port is to be legitimately on a ship. That is part of what makes preparation for a cruise exciting. There is so much to see from the deck of ones ship although some creativity is needed with shots taken in a crowded environment. Wonderful though the previous days viewing had been, it was equally wonderful to be amongst this day's six ships including our own Holland America Eurodam. The berth occupied on Saturday by Oasis of the Seas was filled on Sunday by sister Oasis Class vessel Allure of the Seas as she prepared for departure to Labadee (Haiti). 200_P1000570C

The container ship Pavo J at Port Everglades. 200_P1000573C

For a member of the public, one of the few ways to get into a port is to be legitimately on a ship. That is part of what makes preparation for a cruise exciting. There is so much to see from the deck of ones ship although some creativity is needed with shots taken in a crowded environment. Wonderful though the previous days viewing had been, it was equally wonderful to be amongst this day's six ships including our own Holland America Eurodam. This intentionally busy shot shows RCCL Independence of the Seas very much in a port context before departure for Georgetown. 200_P1000577

For a member of the public, one of the few ways to get into a port is to be legitimately on a ship. That is part of what makes preparation for a cruise exciting. There is so much to see from the deck of ones ship although some creativity is needed with shots taken in a crowded environment. Wonderful though the previous days viewing had been, it was equally wonderful to be amongst this day's six ships including our own Holland America Eurodam. The life of a port, though, is as much about the many merchant vessels which come and go as the luxury market. One diversion for me before the Eurodam sailed, was the arrival from Aruba of the oil/chemical tanker Prisco Elizaveta with tugs to assist her into a tight berth. In the background, Royal Princess, named last year in Southampton, is prepared for departure to, coincidentally, Aruba. 200_P1000578C

For a member of the public, one of the few ways to get into a port is to be legitimately on a ship. That is part of what makes preparation for a cruise exciting. There is so much to see from the deck of ones ship although some creativity is needed with shots taken in a crowded environment. Wonderful though the previous days viewing had been, it was equally wonderful to be amongst this day's six ships including our own Holland America Eurodam. Celebrity Silhouette is another ship on which I have sailed and was awaiting departure to Cozumel. 200_P1000579

View along the west coast of Grand Turk from the Cruise Center towards Cockburn Town. 200_P1000647

This size of bus by various manufacturers is not uncommon in the Caribbean. This Toyota Coaster is seen at the Cruise Center, Grand Turk. 200_P1000736

An attractive tourist train pauses near the Historic Downtown district of Cockburn Town, Grand Turk. 200_P1000738

View towards Cockburn Town from the east side of the island. Grand Turk is only about two miles wide so it is not difficult to see from coast to coast from some vantage points. 200_P1000740

An American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus Ruber), also West Indian Flamingo or Caribbean Flamingo, seen on Town Salina, Grand Turk. 200_P1000743C

While boarding was under way at Port Everglades, the decks of Holland America Eurodam were quieter than they would be at any time in the following week. On this cruise, The Jazz Cruise, the ship visited Grand Turk, San Juan, St. Maarten and Half Moon Cay. 200_P1000581

To be in the heart of a busy port is to be in a crowded environment which can restrict conventional compositions. That creates a chance to be a bit more imaginative with shots which depicts ships in their port environment. This picture of Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam, preparing for departure to Half Moon Cay, makes the most of an obstructed view. 200_P1000582

The strange emptiness of seating on board Holland America Eurodam at Port Everglades before departure for Grand Turk. 200_P1000584

A bench locker on board Holland America Eurodam. 200_P1000587