Highlights from Our Cruise: Part 2

I’m thrilled to share my excitement about the second segment of our Dinogo cruise.

In my previous recap, I shared how this journey was a true emotional ride for me. I began on a low note, but that’s what makes the highs so exhilarating. You can't have dawn without the dark, can you? The second half of the week felt like a breathtaking sunrise…absolutely enchanting for all of us. To begin with, we had several more ports to explore, including some we had never been to before. Our next destination was San Juan, and it was everything I dreamed it would be.

During the planning stages, I paid close attention to every single detail. Our plan for San Juan was to delve into its historical landmarks, indulge in gelato, and immerse ourselves in the local culture as much as possible. I’m pleased to report that we absolutely ACHIEVED our San Juan goals.

Upon disembarking from the ship, we hopped on the complimentary shuttle bus headed to our first destination: Castillo de Cristobal. We fondly referred to it as the Crystal Ball Fort. It’s massive and situated right by the coast, offering breathtaking views.

After arriving, we paid for entry and climbed the stairs to find a spacious grassy area enclosed by sturdy rock walls and a fence. My boys seemed to long for their backyard, as their joyous shrieks prompted my dad to join in a game of freeze tag—now that's saying something!

The weather was warm and becoming increasingly hot, making it hard to believe it was November; back home, we would have been bundled up in coats, hats, and scarves.

I had my parents pose for a few photos. In this particular one, my dad is still chuckling at himself after he tripped while playing tag and took a tumble. Being the loving and supportive family we are, we all pointed and laughed. He found it amusing too and, thankfully, could still walk while holding a baby 🙂

Speaking of the baby…LJ conked out in the warm air. I had to carry him in a sling while in San Juan, and I wished I had brought my wrap. If you're taking a cruise with little ones, I can't emphasize enough how helpful a stroller and a wrap are. We actually bought a second umbrella stroller, only to discover at the airport that it was missing a wheel…so we ended up with just one, and the boys fought over it.

Within the fort, we explored the tunnels and open spaces to our heart's content. It appeared as if we were the only ones there, but in reality, everyone was gathered behind me watching the reenactment parade. 

Inside some tunnels, we discovered various rooms…areas designated for soldiers to eat, sleep, and even a dungeon. This is one of the drawings preserved on the walls. Isn't it incredible?

I have a keen interest in doors, and I captured quite a few during this trip. This one is incredibly cool—it was small, about Will's size.

Here we are in downtown San Juan. I adore how it’s completely normal to see buildings in shades of pink, purple, or yellow.

Once we reached the top of the fort, the views were absolutely breathtaking. On one side, you can see the entire downtown area, and on the other, it’s nothing but ocean and surf.

There wasn't a true beach area, just the crashing waves, which added to the overall spectacle.

This is likely the most iconic part of the castillo. It appeared on all the postcards. The small tower overlooked the ocean and was situated at the very edge of the fort. The walkway was so narrow that you had to wait for people to exit before you could enter, as there wasn’t enough space to pass by each other.

After we got a quick snack for the kids, I laid out our plan: catch the shuttle again, find a place to eat, and then visit the other castillo on the opposite end of the island.

We paused for lunch at a cozy local spot (it seemed like a hidden gem since there was only one other family inside, and they were locals). We enjoyed all the recommendations from our server. Let me tell you…when in San Juan, the mango mojitos are absolutely divine!

Following that, we strolled a few blocks to our next stop…Cementerio Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis.

Naturally…another door.

It may seem a bit odd to explore a cemetery while sightseeing, but this one was truly unique. For starters, 99% of the markers were made of marble. And not just any ordinary marble headstone…these were stunning works of art.

Additionally…the plots were packed tightly together. There was barely any space to walk, and the ocean served as the magnificent backdrop. THE OCEAN.

We discovered a small door that opened up toward the water, and a few of us peeked outside to take in the view.

Alright…this might sound a bit strange, but I have to share this story. When Jeremy and I got married, we visited Tulum. There’s a cliff that overlooks the water, similar to this spot. Jeremy walked straight to the edge and gazed out at the sea. Later, I asked him why he went out there, and he replied, “I just wanted to see the best view possible.” While editing these photos, I stumbled upon the one below. He took Will to the edge and showed him how to look over the water. What really touches me is that Jeremy isn’t focusing on the view; he’s watching our firstborn. I bet he’s still finding the best view there is. It truly makes me emotional 🙂

After visiting the cemetery, we treated ourselves to some gelato from a street vendor (the coconut flavor was pure bliss in a little cup) and made our way to the final castillo. Between the cemetery and the fort, there was a vast field filled with people flying kites.

As the trip planner, I encouraged everyone to visit the historic site. However, the boys were really eager to fly kites. That’s when we decided to switch things up and go kite flying instead. Jeremy dashed off to buy a couple of kites while we strolled to the far side of the field to enjoy the scenery.

Will was feeling "as big as a giant fort!"

I’m typically pretty set in my ways regarding plans, so this time I was grateful to embrace a bit of flexibility. Kite flying turned out to be an absolute blast and surprisingly simple.

The boys were thrilled to hold the kite, and it took almost no effort for the plastic pieces to soar into the sky and fly exceptionally high.

Additionally, there was more running involved, which gave my mom, dad, and me a chance to take a little breather 🙂

The following day, we made a stop at Grand Turk. I have to say…this place deserves the title of “THE BLUEST WATER EVER.”

As soon as we disembarked, we found a charming little beach area that was absolutely PERFECT for our little ones. Traveling with babies can be quite the challenge, so knowing we could easily dash back to the ship was a huge relief.

Allow me to introduce you to the ocean. Come and revel in its beauty with me.

And let's take a moment to appreciate this guy. OMG. He is amazing.

If you plan to visit Grand Turk, I recommend disembarking early, strolling past the restaurants, and investing in some umbrellas. We rented two right by the water, which gave us quick access to the kids. Also, when we were there, the vendors ran out of Cokes, so grab one early if you want it. We found a local vendor cooking up some delicious jerk chicken and pork on a small grill just beyond the cruise area. I still crave that chicken; I can almost taste its spiciness with my eyes closed.

Looking back, these past few days have been by far my absolute favorites. We savored local cuisine, enjoyed a mini date at the ship's steakhouse (surf & turf was a winner!), and took the whole family to the Italian restaurant called Cucina del Capitano, which quickly became everyone's favorite! We experienced breathtaking views and created memories that we will cherish forever.

Some folks thought we were out of our minds to take the kids on a cruise, and they were right... but we'd do it all over again in a heartbeat because it was filled with priceless moments. Next time, we’ll try to convince our friends to join in on the craziness because the more, the merrier! 🙂

This article was produced as part of my partnership with Dinogos. As always, the views, thoughts, and ideas expressed in this article are solely my own.