Made an extra week of it by staying in a timeshare exchange on the Florida Coast - the Driftwood Inn at Vero Beach (literally made out of driftwood from the ocean). A night at a Miami Beach hotel followed by a week up there allowed us to get over our jet lag and drive around a bit including a great day for the kids at Cape Canaveral.
Then down to Fort Lauderdale and leaving our nice hire car in the returns parking lot before being whisked to the arrivals hall on the quayside. The whole process was so efficient - our luggage was removed from the car park shuttle bus only to reappear later in our cabin while we were whisked upstairs in a lift for coffee etc while checking in and waiting for boarding. Then along a series of corridors which ended on Deck 6 of the Coasta Atlantica and so to a welcome drink in the theatre while our cabin was being prepared - we had arrived early.
The ship was splendid, with the main atrium 10 stories high with glass lifts running up and down like ants, and a clear glass walkway spanning the hall at the very top. When we were allowed into our cabin, it being Easter Day, there were four huge Easter eggs on the dressing table and a little gift for each of us on the beds. While Judith and I enjoyed the bustle of the quayside from the veranda chairs, the kids were off exploring the huge ship. Their joy in discovering a pizza bar which remained open 24 hours a day throughout the entire trip was unbounded, though how they managed that and the vast meals served in the restaurant is still a mystery. All the food was free, including a magnificent midnight buffet, and despite being advised that we might want to consider drinks vouchers - especially for the children - this was not necessary. All the teas, coffees, freshly squeezed juices, etc. were free day and night and only alcoholic drinks and cokes had to be paid for - and they were relatively cheap.
Dining was supposed to be fairly formal, but the Americans largely ignored this and dinner jackets were only worn on Gala Night. On the last night, after packing, we were all issued sheets and safety pins for "toga night" - dinner with a Roman theme. Our waiter was devoted to Oliver - knew his special likes and made sure there was a good selection on his place every night when we entered the Restaurant - he even brought a second whole lobster when he saw that Oliver had quickly despatched the first. The food was varied and excellent - there was absolutely no need to eat (and pay!) at the special intimate a la Carte thing on the unpteenth floor.
Our problem - I guess it is a special Eastburn one given our love of the sea and ships - was that it was hardly seemed to be at sea at all. The boat never seemed to have any motion even in a force 8 gale, with rollers rushing past that would have presented a deal of excitement on board El Animado; most of the sailing was done during the hours of darkness so that in our seven days we hardly were aware of being at sea at all. In port, we could have stayed on board, but of course never did. What chance would we ever have of visiting these places again? After leaving Fort Lauderdale, our itinerary was:
Key West
Cozumel
Grand Cayman
Jamaica
Ft Lauderdale
We had never been to any of them, so we had to do them all!
Excursions:
We couldn't afford much in the way of excursions, which were extra, but we booked three: one in Jamaica where we couldn't land because of bad weather, so Costa Atlantica moved from her original spot round to Montego Bay where we set up our own excursion by negotiating with a local taxi driver - he was a great character, and the trip was a fantastic experience! The second was in Cozumel, where we visited an Inca city - a good day with our Aztec guide. The other was most interesting and I recommend anyone visiting Grand Cayman should do it just once. You are taken about five miles offshore in a local pleasure boat ,and anchor up on a reef known as "Sting Ray City" The giant rays know the drill and come swimming in from miles away to play with the tourists (and get tasty squid from the boatmen). One jumps into the water and pandles around on the sandy bottom just inshore of the reef - the more adventurous could snorkel on the reef itself - the only time I've ever tried snorkelling (I hated it!). The rays don't like being walked on, but provided you are careful bnot to do that, they are quite harmless.
In conclusion, I'd like to say we had the most amazing time - possibly the best holiday we have ever had. I don't suppose we shall ever be able to do it again, at, not as a family. If we did, being Eastburns, we would want more sea-time. An Atlantic crossing would suit admirably. I really hope, Vonny and Jo that you have as good a time. If you get to Grand Cayman, please bring back for me a bottle of Tortuga Rum at 151% proof - it is very cheap and I will refund you anyway. Here are just a few of our vast collection of pics
The Driftwood Inn
The Costa Atlantica in Key West
Stern view
Looking down on the Atrium (10 stories high)
The glass stairway (not for the faint hearted - it is VERY high!)
Our cabin (Oliver's bed - Jonathan's was let down from the roof every evening while we were at dinner on the late sitting)
Another view of our cabin (Jonathan's bed and ladder in place)
Our cabin - our bed, Jonathan on the verandah, Montego Bay outside)
Formal dinner in the Titian restaurant (a young looking Jonathan and his dad!)
Toga night and Oliver gets a birthday cake from the Maitre d'
Breakfast in the Titian restaurant
The 24/7 Pizza bar
The peaceful Florian's Cafe - lovely spot for morning cafe with live Mozart on the piano
Relaxing in the theatre
The theatre
Part of the onboard shopping Mall
Just one of the five on-board pools
Footie on the upper deck - Oliver in goal
Ice sculpture at the midnight buffet (every night)
And the extras
Oliver in the Apollo space capsule at CapeCanaveral
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Roadside restaurants - Montego Bay
Swimming with stingrays (the darker blobs - Grand Cayman
. We also went to Cozumel - Chris did a Mayan city but I did a submarine trip that day, and a Mayan city in Belize instead. My favourite trip was a glass-bottomed boat in Grand Cayman, where you could see all the fish swimming around. It was actually much better than the submarine as that was very cramped, whereas with the boat you could move around a lot.
