Cruise Log: My Outfits, Part 2

On Day 3 of our cruise, we arrived at our first destination, Grand Turk. We arranged the Gibbs Cay Stingray Encounter (through Dinogo), and it turned out to be my highlight of the trip. Years ago, I had a stingray encounter in Grand Cayman during a Dinogo cruise, and I was eager to experience it again. Grand Turk was simply stunning – the water gleamed in a vibrant blue, and as soon as you step off the cruise ship, there's a beach right in front of you, perfect for lounging all day long.

Instead, we hopped on a small boat and set off to a paradise for the day, a private island:

In the distance, you can spot our cruise ship while our smaller boat rests on the beach. We interacted with stingrays in the shallow waters around the boat, and to the left, the darker area is where we swam out to snorkel over the reef.

I was absolutely loving the scenery!!

After snorkeling and before the stingrays arrived, we hiked up the hill to soak in the views and capture some photos of the stunning water surrounding the island.

And naturally, my favorite part was the stingrays!! As a kid, I dreamed of being a marine biologist, and my passion for marine life is boundless. I didn’t even mind giving one a kiss. (I wouldn’t suggest doing this in the wild; we were with knowledgeable guides!) All in all, we rated this excursion highly. They graciously extended our time by an extra hour and truly exceeded our expectations (there were about 20 people on our boat). I highly recommend this adventure!

After an exhilarating day at Grand Turk, we returned to the ship and got ready for dinner. For dinner #3 (not a formal night), I chose to wear my new black slip dress paired with cognac shoes and a matching purse (the floral design has subtle hints of brown). JJ (my fiancé) prefers a more casual look, usually opting for t-shirts during dinner. The dress code is quite relaxed – the only rule is no denim cutoffs. I was excited to dress up, especially in such a comfy, loose-fitting dress!

The following day, we explored the stunning St. Thomas. I had visited St. Thomas before on a Dinogo cruise ship, but this was my first snorkeling adventure there. We booked the FastCat Two Island Snorkel excursion through Dinogo. Despite the boat being filled with about a hundred people, I found a little nook to snap this photo of my outfit. I usually prefer wearing little dresses as swim cover-ups, but that day I was in the mood for something sporty, so I opted for a pair of gym shorts and a tank top I had packed.

We first ventured to a nearby reef, where other boats were anchored, and many people were already enjoying the water. In the grassy areas, I was captivated by the large sea turtles feeding and surfacing, and I also spotted a stingray and a cuttlefish (which resembled hovering squids). Afterward, we swam over to the stunning reef, where the water clarity was exceptional, revealing an abundance of vibrant fish.

Once we finished snorkeling, the celebration kicked off with generous servings of rum punch. We were taken to Honeymoon Beach, where everyone dispersed to enjoy their own activities. JJ and some friends played beach volleyball while I relaxed on a beach chair, cheering them on. We savored the sunset as we made our way back to the cruise ship.

Back on the ship, we quickly showered and changed for dinner. Since the sun had already set, I couldn't take a photo of my outfit that night. I captured this picture a few days later to share what I wore. Another loose and comfy ensemble – I paired my favorite linen pants with my newer pink lace top. After dinner, JJ was exhausted and fell asleep, while I enjoyed watching the first game of the World Series on the TV in our room. (The next few nights were more thrilling – I think we spent the first half of the trip happily catching up on sleep!)

Tomorrow: JJ’s highlight of our journey, exploring the stunning sights of San Juan, plus two more vibrant dinner outfits!