A Week of Sailing in the Western Caribbean

It’s been at least a decade since my last cruise with Dinogo, and wow, how things have evolved! Last month, my friend Suzie and I enjoyed a girls' getaway to relax and recharge before the busy new year began.

We’re both meticulously organized (Suzie is a professional organizer), and we aimed to disconnect from the hustle and bustle to find time to read, bask in the sun, and rediscover what it feels like to be entertained without screens. Having both cruised with Dinogo before, we were eager to see if it had evolved alongside us and were absolutely blown away by the upgrades.

Honestly, I intentionally chose a newer ship. I wanted to experience how cruising has transformed and what innovations today’s designers and engineers have envisioned. For starters, there are restaurants — an abundance of them! As a foodie, this caught my attention immediately. We dined at a different place each day. There’s a cozy coffee shop, a fantastic steakhouse, and even a tranquil sushi bar for when we craved something light and casual instead of a buffet.

Sushi Lounge

Steakhouse

The rest of the ship showcased equally impressive upgrades. The pool deck still offers refreshing rum cocktails and a DJ spinning lively tunes to help you embrace that Caribbean vibe, but now there’s also a spa-like serenity deck featuring hammocks and lounging pods, perfect for getting lost in a great book or dozing off to the sound of calming music.

Tranquility Deck

Securing my hammock

As for entertainment, I must admit, I can only speak about the comedy club. The professional performers were straight out of HBO or Comedy Central, delivering such side-splitting humor that we made it a point to attend every show. There was also a charming little pub and a Library Bar equipped with a wine dispenser machine that would satisfy even the most discerning wine enthusiasts (check out my tips for navigating the wine selections on the cruise here).

Stand-Up Comedy Venue

Elegant Wine Dispenser

Here’s a visual essay capturing the essence of our week together.

DAY 1 – SETTING SAIL INTO THE NIGHT

We kicked off our cruise at the coffee bar, enjoying a little extra something special in our cappuccinos. While some opt for fruity drinks adorned with umbrellas to celebrate their departure, we chose Caribbean coffee blended with Tia Maria and Appleton Rum, topped with a dash of nutmeg.

Rachelle expressing her love for caffeine

Celebrating our departure

If you’re a coffee enthusiast like I am, make sure to grab this card as soon as you board:

Coffee Lover’s Reward Card

Afterward, we headed to the Taste Bar. This is a new feature where you can sample dishes from various restaurants before deciding where to make a reservation. Unable to choose, we ended up dining at EVERY restaurant.

The Sampling Bar

The Sampling Bar Delights

On our first night, we opted for the classic experience with our assigned dining table. What’s fresh and exciting is that the setup resembles more of a restaurant layout, giving us our own table instead of sharing a large one with strangers.

The Dining Area

DAY 2 – NASSAU

Our first stop: the Bahamas. And believe it or not, this is my first visit. (I know, you’re rolling your eyes at me. I live in Florida, travel the globe, and yet I’ve never been to the Bahamas!)

Feeling adventurous, we decided to stroll around and seek out some local cuisine. I highly recommend it! Just a short walk from the port is Western Esplanade Beach (definitely walkable), where we discovered a plethora of food trucks and small stalls serving local curry, fried conch, chicken and rice, fresh seafood, and a fantastic selection of beers. It’s the perfect little spot to relax and unwind.

Esplanade Beach

Dining with a view

The ideal spot we discovered to relax in Nassau

That evening, we enjoyed a steak dinner and then brought our cheese platter to the Library Bar for a self-guided wine tasting. They were incredibly accommodating, allowing us to take the cheese plate with us, and we were delighted to find chocolates waiting in our stateroom as a thank you for dining at the steakhouse. Such a nice touch!

Dining on a cruise has transformed from what it used to be!

Our exquisite steak dinner

A wine tasting experience in the Library Bar

DAY 3 – SPA DAY AT SEA

Our first full day at sea — spa day! We kicked off the morning with a wholesome room-service breakfast on our balcony, attended a detox seminar, practiced some yoga, enjoyed a massage, and essentially lounged around the spa all day long.

Relaxing in the spa

Getting ready for yoga

Since we had been concentrating on wellness, we chose the sushi restaurant for dinner to keep it light.

A soothing bowl of miso soup

Bento box brimming with delicious treats

DAY 4 – ST. THOMAS

Our second port and another new destination for me — St. Thomas. A stunning blend of verdant rolling hills and beaches so idyllic they could grace a postcard. I would genuinely contemplate relocating here.

St. Thomas

For this stop, we opted for the sunset sailing shore excursion, and if I could offer one piece of advice — make sure to be at the front of the line for disembarkation. For some reason, it took an eternity to get off the ship here, and we nearly missed our tour. It seemed like we easily walked off the boat at all the other ports without any wait, but this one had a line. Each dock has a gangway of varying sizes, I suppose. Anyway…

Exploring the waters of St. Thomas

After locating our guide, we climbed aboard an open-air safari truck and enjoyed a scenic ride across the island to a marina. There, we relinquished our shoes to the captain of a catamaran and boarded for a barefoot sunset cruise.

A quaint, hidden beach where we stopped for a swim and snorkeling

This experience truly embodied what vacations should be about — snorkeling amidst vibrant coral reefs, strolling along stunning beaches, and then enjoying fantastic music while sailing into the sunset. Pure enchantment.

Photographing the sunset from our catamaran

DAY 5 – SAN JUAN

I received countless tweets and recommendations for dining options in this destination, so I was grateful we had a whole day to explore. It’s also the port where I captured the most photos, so prepare for a little visual journey. We opted to wander independently, downloading a self-guided walking tour to our phones to navigate all the must-see attractions in Old San Juan. But first, coffee…

Cappuccino paired with sweet guava sticks

A fellow writer recommended Cuatro Sombras for coffee on Facebook, emphasizing that it was a "must-do!" They roast their own beans right in the café and serve up some amazing espresso drinks.

A glimpse inside Cuatro Sombras

Afterward, we followed the guide and leisurely walked along the wall at Paseo del Morro, taking the time to admire the various artworks and monuments we encountered along the way.

Paseo del Morro

The route took us to the historic city gate and led us through Caleta de San Juan, a charming neighborhood filled with local artists' studios and shops.

Caleta de San Juan

One of the studios we explored, Tres Mujeres, is run by three talented women, each showcasing their unique skills in painting, quilting, and ceramics. (I have a soft spot for handmade souvenirs!)

Enid, a quilting artist at Tres Mujeres

Naturally, we had to indulge in some delicious Puerto Rican cuisine, so for lunch, we headed to Barrachina, renowned for inventing the piña colada. Their amarillos and other local specialties are equally delightful.

Savoring some fried plantains while tweeting

The iconic Barrachina!

A selection of local delicacies

We spent the remainder of the afternoon exploring the fort, capturing the vibrant architecture of Old San Juan, and browsing through various local craft shops.

Vibrant architecture

Classic tile work on a vintage soda shop

One delightful surprise I didn't see coming that was ideal for a hot day was "piragua." It's shaved ice drizzled with a variety of sweet syrups. I opted for guanabana, as it's not a flavor we often encounter back home.

DAY 6 – GRAND TURK

Grand Turk offered us a wonderfully relaxing beach day. We picked up a sandwich and some fruit from the buffet to create a picnic, then settled down in a peaceful spot with a lovely view.

Strolling along the beach in Grand Turk

Heaven beneath the palm trees

Beach picnic delight

As the afternoon rolled in, we started feeling a bit warm and thought it would be the perfect opportunity to check out the waterslides on the ship. We practically had them all to ourselves since it seemed like everyone else was on a shore excursion! I have to admit, though, next time I think I'll let the kids have their fun on the slides — I was absolutely terrified!

Sunset on the waterslides

DAY 7 – DAY AT SEA

On our final day at sea, we focused on trying out all the activities we hadn’t yet experienced, making the most of our relaxation time, and preparing for our journey home the following morning.

Our final sunrise at sea

We sampled the Bitter & Blanc Bread Pudding, which tasted just like the one I had prepared at home. I must say, I feel pretty proud of my culinary skills because I believe my version was equally sweet and scrumptious.

Bitter & Blanc Bread Pudding

We also participated in the Chef’s Table experience. This is an absolute MUST-DO! I strongly suggest signing up on your very first day to secure your spot, as it accommodates only about 10 guests.

Appetizers in the galley

The experience featured a tour of the kitchen led by the ship’s executive chef, a live cooking demonstration, a multi-course dinner complemented by wine pairings, surprise entertainment, and a memorable keepsake photo.