Discover Island Adventures with Dinogo Cruises

One of the most exciting aspects of cruising is arriving at each destination and exploring new sights in each country. Most cruises visit two or three ports, but our Dinogo Breeze journey stopped at four. These were all new ports for me in the Southern Caribbean, and I was eager to explore these islands and experience something unique at each one.

Before we embarked, we planned one excursion, but we decided on the others as we sailed. You can browse excursion packages directly from your room on the TV, reviewing the details of each option to find the most enjoyable activities. With just a click, you can purchase tickets that will be charged to your room and promptly delivered to your stateroom mailbox. It’s a convenient and modern way to arrange excursions on cruise ships these days.

Cruise lines collaborate with each port to arrange excursions for passengers, a practice that has evolved significantly since my first cruise in 1980. Today, there are numerous excursion options at various price points, allowing you to choose what fits your budget. Excursions typically range from about $50 to over $100 per person, depending on the specifics of each experience. These excursions come with additional costs not included in the cruise fare, and you can partake in as many or as few as you like. Most ports feature shopping areas or downtown attractions nearby, so even if you opt out of a longer excursion, you can still enjoy some shopping at the port. Our port stops lasted between 6 to 8 hours, giving us ample time to enjoy excursions and return to the ship. We chose not to dine out during our excursions and ensured we returned to the ship for meals since all meals are included on board.

We didn’t embark on any particularly adventurous excursions, but if you’re seeking thrills, there are plenty of exciting activities to enjoy.

There’s nothing quite like the excitement of arriving at a new port and seeing the islands for the first time. Our initial stop was Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos islands. Having visited many Caribbean islands over the years, I can attest that they all share a delightful blend of lush tropical landscapes, crystal-clear blue-green waters, and stunning natural beauty.

When disembarking the ship, it's essential to prepare for your day and the excursion you’ve chosen. We were going snorkeling for a couple of hours in Grand Turk, so we dressed appropriately in our swimsuits and packed a beach bag with our essentials. As you leave the ship, your card is scanned to track who is coming and going. While there can be a bit of a wait to board or disembark, the process generally runs quite smoothly.

It’s fascinating to learn snippets of history about each island, and we were fortunate to experience some of that at every stop on this journey. The Grand Turk sign was a perfect spot for photos, so we took advantage of that opportunity.

We strolled through the charming village before gathering for our snorkeling excursion nearby, where we boarded the boat. The two hours spent snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters were a blast, allowing us to witness some stunning fish and marine life. I've always loved snorkeling, and the vibrant underwater scenery is simply incredible!

The ship is a breathtaking sight when it’s docked at the ports. Its sheer size is incredible, and witnessing it firsthand is an amazing experience.

Our next destination was the Dominican Republic, specifically La Romana. This was the view we were greeted with upon arriving at the island. It’s fascinating to see how close these enormous ships can approach the ports and docks.

We had a dolphin excursion lined up, and this was one we were particularly thrilled about. We took a bus ride lasting about an hour to Punta Cana, DR, and arrived at the stunning Dolphin Explorer.

It was one of the most beautiful, naturally tropical beaches I’ve ever experienced, and I can’t wait to share more about it. Swimming with (and yes, even kissing!) dolphins was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, complete with pictures to prove it!

Our third stop brought us to Aruba, an island I’ve heard so much about. As a Dutch-owned territory, we thoroughly enjoyed our time exploring this lovely island.

We took a bus tour around the island, during which our guide shared fascinating insights into the island's history and trade.

The downtown area was bustling with visitors during this time of year. We noticed many large condominiums and upscale hotels, making Aruba a vibrant Caribbean getaway for those looking to escape the winter chill.

During our bus tour, we stopped by an aloe factory where we learned about the harvesting and production of aloe products.

At the end of the day, we had some time to wander around the downtown area. With plenty of shops and restaurants, we wished we had more time to explore further. We enjoyed sitting on the dock by the beach, feeling the ocean breeze. Take note of the pallet furniture we relaxed on! While there, we chatted with a young couple who had escaped the snow at home for a week in the Caribbean and shared how much they loved their time on the island. The nearby beaches looked stunning!

Our final destination was Curacao, another island I had heard about but had never visited.

Curacao was the most vibrant island we explored, filled with beautiful colors adorning the homes and architecture.

The downtown area is conveniently within walking distance from the ship ports, and we took a leisurely stroll through the area after our bus tour around the island. Every building in downtown and its surroundings was bursting with color, creating a picturesque setting perfect for photography.

The vibrant colors of the island were everywhere, providing a stunning visual treat of architecture against a clear blue sky.

Once again, our ship awaited us at each port, inviting us back on board—our home away from home!

I’m eager to share every detail of our port visits with you, so I’ll return soon to do just that. The excursions were a fantastic part of the cruise, and we cherished each stop we made. We spent four consecutive days exploring ports, followed by a couple of relaxing days at sea, which were lovely as well.

Days spent at sea are much more relaxed, and when you’re onboard all day, there are plenty of activities available if you wish to participate. You can choose to keep busy or take it easy on a cruise.

You can also shop duty-free while in port. I purchased some cologne during our last stop in Curacao and, after comparing prices at my local department store back home, I realized I saved some money. A bottle of Coco Mademoiselle cost $65 in Curacao, while it was $92 at my local store for the same size. I’m thrilled I decided to buy it while we were in the city!

I’ll return with more from the cruise soon, including details about the food and more on the excursions!