St. John’s Antigua

caribbean islands
St. John’s, Antigua port and skyline at twilight

All the Caribbean Islands we visited on the trip so far were great, but I think we enjoyed St. John’s Antigua, St. Kitts, and Philipsburg St. Maarten the most. On day six of our 10 day Eastern Caribbean cruise we found ourselves on the beautiful white beaches of St. John’s.  St. John’s is the capital city of Antigua and Barbuda, a small Caribbean island nation located in the eastern part of the Caribbean Sea. It is situated on the northwest coast of Antigua and is known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant culture, and historical landmarks. One of the most popular attractions in St. John’s is its stunning white sand beaches, such as Dickenson Bay and Runaway Bay. These beaches offer crystal-clear waters, perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports. St. John’s is also home to several historical landmarks, including St. John’s Cathedral, which was built in the 19th century and is one of the largest churches in the Caribbean. The city’s other notable landmarks include the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, which showcases the history and culture of the island nation, and the colorful Redcliffe Quay, which is lined with colonial-era buildings that now house restaurants, bars, and shops. For those interested in shopping, St. John’s offers a variety of markets and shopping districts, including the Heritage Quay Shopping Complex and the Public Market, where visitors can find local crafts, spices, and souvenirs. We found St. John’s to be a beautiful and vibrant city with a rich history and culture. It offers something for everyone, from stunning beaches and outdoor activities to historical landmarks and cultural attractions.

St. Kitts

We then took a journey on day seven on a 96 foot boat from Port Zante along the beautiful St. Kitts coastline. We were delighted to listen to the steel drum music aboard ship as well as the pristine beach we arrived at later in the day.  We got a great day in while basking under the Caribbean sun and drinking Ting to our hearts delight. Ting is a carbonated grapefruit-flavored soft drink that is popular in the Caribbean. It is made with real grapefruit juice and has a slightly tart and sweet taste. Add a little Caribbean Rum, and its a perfect beach drink. Ting originated in Jamaica and is now available in many parts of the world, often found in Caribbean restaurants.

On day eight our Island tour ended with a much anticipated trip to Philipsburg St. Maarten. St. Maarten, also known as St. Martin, is a small island nation located in the northeastern Caribbean Sea. The island is divided into two parts, with the northern portion belonging to the French and the southern portion belonging to the Dutch. One of the most popular attractions in St. Maarten is its beautiful beaches. The island boasts more than 37 beaches, each with its own unique features, from secluded coves to bustling beach bars. Popular beaches on the Dutch side include Mullet Bay Beach, Maho Beach, and Great Bay Beach, while popular French-side beaches include Orient Bay Beach, Grand Case Beach, and Anse Marcel Beach. St. Maarten is also known for its duty-free shopping, with numerous shops and boutiques offering a wide range of items, including jewelry, electronics, and souvenirs. Popular shopping areas on the island include Front Street in Philipsburg, the capital of the Dutch side, and Marigot Market on the French side. Other popular activities on the island include water sports, such as snorkeling, scuba diving, and jet skiing, as well as exploring the island’s historical and cultural landmarks, such as the 18th-century Fort Amsterdam on the Dutch side and the historic district of Marigot on the French side. 

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

For this trip we just had to visit the famous Maho Beach due to our love of everything aviation.  Maho Beach is a popular beach located on the Dutch side of the Caribbean island of St. Maarten. What makes Maho Beach so unique and famous is its location at the end of the runway of the nearby Princess Juliana International Airport. The beach is situated just a few meters away from the airport fence, making it a popular spot for tourists to watch airplanes land and take off overhead. Due to the beach’s proximity to the runway, planes can be seen flying low overhead and are often close enough to touch, which makes for a truly exhilarating experience. Some visitors even enjoy the thrill of being blasted by the jet blast as planes take off, although it is important to note that this can be dangerous and has resulted in injuries in the past so you need to be somewhat careful. Luckily there are several restaurants and bars nearby, where you can grab a bite to eat and an adult beverage while watching the planes overhead at a safer distance. For us it was a one-of-a-kind experience and a must-visit for aviation enthusiasts. Overall, anyone looking for a unique beach experience on St. Maarten, Maho Beach is the place to go.

Well we still have a couple of more days at sea, and some great dining ahead of us. When we get back we will have more to post as we have been limiting our Social Media and disconnecting as much as possible.

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puerto plataTomorrow is our first stop on our 10-day Eastern Caribbean cruise, the beautiful city of Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. Located on the northern coast of the island, Puerto Plata is known for its stunning beaches, vibrant culture, and rich history. When we arrive at port, we will be greeted by the warm sun, crystal-clear waters, and the lively rhythms of merengue music. I’m sure it will be an unforgettable experience. One of the highlights of our visit will be to explore the historic Fort San Felipe, which was built in the 16th century to protect the city from pirates and foreign invaders. The fort is now a museum, where we will learn about the history of the island and its many battles.

The next stop will be the Cathedral of San Felipe, a historic Roman Catholic cathedral located in the city of Puerto Plata. It is one of the oldest and most important religious buildings in the country. The construction of the cathedral began in 1502, shortly after the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas. It was completed in 1552, making it one of the oldest cathedrals in the New World. The cathedral has undergone several renovations and restorations over the centuries, but it still retains much of its original colonial-era architecture. The interior of the cathedral is decorated with beautiful stained glass windows, ornate woodwork, and intricate carvings. The cathedral also houses several important religious relics, including a statue of the Virgin Mary that is believed to have miraculous powers. 

Then it will be on to the Aurora Cigar Museum, also known as the Museo del Tabaco, which s located in Santiago de los Caballeros, which is the second-largest city in the Dominican Republic and is considered the heart of the country’s cigar industry. The museum is dedicated to showcasing the history and craftsmanship of cigar-making, which is an important part of Dominican culture. We will take a guided tour of the facility, which includes a walk through the museum’s exhibits that feature artifacts, tools, and photographs that highlight the history of the cigar industry in the Dominican Republic. The museum also features a replica of a traditional Dominican cigar factory, where we will observe the different stages of the cigar-making process, from tobacco leaf selection and sorting to rolling and packaging. In addition to the exhibits, the Aurora Cigar Museum also offers cigar-making workshops and tasting sessions, where visitors can learn about the different types of cigars and how to properly enjoy them. These workshops are led by expert cigar-makers who share their knowledge and expertise with visitors. At the end of the tour, we can purchase cigars from the on-site gift shop, which offers a variety of premium cigars from the Aurora brand, as well as other popular Dominican brands for our home humidor. 

Our next stop is the Del Oro Chocolate Factory, a popular tourist attraction also located in Puerto Plata. The factory is dedicated to producing high-quality, organic chocolate using traditional methods and locally sourced ingredients. We will be taking a guided tour of the facility including a walk through the chocolate-making process. The tour begins with an introduction to the history of chocolate and the origins of cocoa beans. We will observe the various stages of chocolate production, from the roasting and grinding of the cocoa beans to the molding and packaging of the finished product. One of the highlights of the tour is the opportunity to taste the chocolate at different stages of the production process, from raw cocoa beans to finished chocolate bars – yum!. We can also sample a variety of chocolate products made on-site, including chocolate bars, truffles, and other chocolate-based treats. In addition to the tour, the Del Oro Chocolate Factory also offers workshops where visitors can learn to make their own chocolate creations, under the guidance of experienced chocolatiers. The Del Oro Chocolate Factory is a must-visit destination for chocolate lovers like us and anyone interested in learning about the traditional methods of chocolate production. We also like the factory’s commitment to organic and locally sourced ingredients, as well as its dedication to preserving the cultural heritage of cocoa production in the Dominican Republic, making it a unique and worthwhile experience. 

puerto plataThe final stop will be  the Ron Macorix Factory just in case we need something to go along with the Cigars and the Chocolate. The factory is dedicated to producing high-quality, premium rum using traditional methods and locally sourced ingredients. We will take a guided tour of the facility, which includes a walk through the rum-making process. The tour begins with an introduction to the history of rum and the origins of sugar cane, the key ingredient used in rum production. We can then observe the various stages of rum production, from the fermentation and distillation of the sugar cane juice to the aging and blending of the finished product. We will get the chance to taste the different types of rum produced at the factory, including dark and light rum, as well as flavored varieties. I think you can also sample a variety of rum-based cocktails made on-site, using the factory’s premium rum as a base. The Ron Macorix Factory also offers workshops where visitors can learn to make their own rum cocktails and traditional Dominican dishes, under the guidance of experienced chefs and bartenders. 

Well that’s the game plan for tomorrow and we cant wait, so exited.

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strategic retreatPlanning a Strategic Retreat in today’s fast-paced business world means taking a break from the daily grind to recharge and refocus. Many successful entrepreneurs and business owners find that stepping away from their work for a short period of time can actually increase their productivity and creativity. In fact, taking a vacation or planning a strategic retreat can be a smart business move. In this case, Katie and I have decided to take a 10-day Eastern Caribbean cruise to not only relax and recharge, but also to do some strategic business planning for our next ventures. Of course, the rest of the Emptylegs team will be available for any air charter needs or request while we travel. At first we considered an Eastern Caribbean island hopping yacht charter, but we sailed last year on the Celebrity Summit, and we remembered what a great trip we had during my birthday celebration. We searched and found a great cruise on the only Cruise Line we will sail, Celebrity Cruises, and decided to add more points to our Captains Club balance booking the trip. We chose the 10 day Eastern Caribbean Cruise aboard the Celebrity Silhouette because it includes some of our favorite private jet travel islands, which will allow us to mix business with pleasure. 

As we look forward to embarkation day for our cruise, we couldn’t help but feel excited about sailing with Celebrity Cruises once again. When we had previously sailed with them we had incredible experiences, and we knew that this time would be no different. Here are a few reasons why we decided to sail with Celebrity again, and why we chose the Celebrity Silhouette for this trip:

Firstly, we were impressed by the exceptional service that we received on our previous Celebrity cruise. The staff were friendly, attentive, and went above and beyond to ensure that our trip was unforgettable. From the moment we boarded the ship to the day we disembarked, we were treated like VIPs. 

Secondly, we loved the amenities and activities that Celebrity offers on their ships. The Celebrity Silhouette, chosen for this trip, has a variety of dining options, including a main dining room, a buffet, and several specialty restaurants. The ship also features several bars and lounges, a theater, a casino, a spa, and a fitness center. We know that we will never run out of things to do on this ship. 

Thirdly, we chose the Celebrity Silhouette this time because of its itinerary and the ports of call that it will visit. We are excited to visit Puerto Plata Dominican Republic, as well as several other stunning destinations in the Eastern Caribbean, including San Juan Puerto Rico,  St. Croix USVI, St. Johns Antigua, Basseterre, St. Kitts, Nevis, and Philipsburg St. Maarten We know that each stop on our itinerary will offer unique experiences and opportunities to explore the local culture and make future travel plans. We are also very confident that Celebrity Cruises and the Celebrity Silhouette will provide us with an unforgettable vacation experience, and as we plan our journey, we know that we have made the right choice.

Finally, we also follow the CEO of Celebrity Cruises, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo. She has held this position since December 2014 and was the first woman to serve as CEO of a major cruise line. Lisa has been with Celebrity Cruises for over 30 years and has held various leadership positions within the company. Under her leadership, the company has introduced several new ships and embarked on a multi-year initiative to modernize its fleet. She has overseen the implementation of a number of initiatives to reduce the company’s environmental impact, such as using more energy-efficient technologies and reducing waste and emissions. She has also championed initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion within the company and the cruise industry as a whole. As I’ve written before that my wife Katherine Koch shares these values as do I. Most of you know that Katie Chairs the Florida Gold Coast Chapter of the 99s. The Ninety-Nines, Inc., also known as the 99s, is an international organization of women pilots. It was founded in 1929 by 99 women pilots, including Amelia Earhart, to promote aviation and provide networking and support for women in the field. The organization is open to women pilots from all over the world and currently has over 5,000 members in 44 countries. The 99s provide scholarships, flight training opportunities, and support for women pursuing careers in aviation. They also promote aviation education and encourage young women to become interested in aviation and aerospace careers. In addition to their work in promoting aviation, the 99s also participate in air races, aviation competitions, and other aviation-related events. They have a long history of supporting women in aviation and have been instrumental in breaking down barriers and increasing opportunities for women in the field. 

Lisa Lutoff-Perlo’s leadership of Celebrity Cruises is aligned with our core values and those of our company, and that’s why we choose to sail with them exclusively.

For us, Celebrity Cruises is the Premium cruise line in the industry. It was founded in 1988 as part of the Royal Caribbean Group. The company’s fleet consists of 14 modern ships that sail to destinations all around the world, including the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska (our next family cruise), Asia, and South America. Celebrity Cruises is known for its sophisticated and contemporary design, exceptional dining experiences, and personalized service. Each ship features a range of staterooms and suites, from cozy interior rooms to spacious and luxurious suites with private verandas. The ships also offer a variety of amenities, including multiple restaurants, bars and lounges, theaters, spas, fitness centers, and pools. One of the signature features of Celebrity Cruises is its commitment to culinary excellence, and being foodies it’s another reason we love this cruise line. The company partners with world-renowned chefs to offer an array of dining options, from casual eateries to fine dining restaurants. The ships also offer culinary demonstrations and wine tastings, as well as cooking classes and workshops led by expert chefs. Celebrity Cruises offers a luxurious and immersive cruise experience that appeals to travelers who value sophistication, personalized service, and culinary excellence.

We will be posting more about this trip in the coming week as we sail aboard the beautiful Celebrity Silhouette, so stay tuned for much more. 

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