AIDA Caribbean 2015 · Page 3

The following two sea days were pure relaxation: calm seas and always over 30 degrees. On 24 March the Vita arrived in the port of San Juan punctually at 9 a.m.

We had actually wanted to do a bike tour here, but changed our minds because of the heat. So we left the ship on our own at 10 a.m. It's only a few metres' walk from the pier to the town.

Our first stop was the Tommy Hilfiger outlet on Calle del Cristo. Some of the clothes are reduced by up to 50%, so it's a must for every bargain hunter.

With full bags, we then continued through the old town. There are little shops to discover everywhere, inviting you to browse. Past the university we reached our next destination, the fortress. Admission for adults is five dollars per person. The visit to this fortress was really worth it, if only for the wonderful view over the city. From the upper level we watched one of the largest passenger ships in the world arrive.

The Quantum of the Seas moored right next to our AIDAvita, and we always had the feeling that the Vita was just the Quantum of the Seas' tender. As it was now over 30 degrees and the humidity very high, we went back to the ship to recover. The pool deck was almost empty at this time – a rare sight. As we weren't leaving Puerto Rico until 9 p.m., we went ashore again at 5 p.m. for another nice cocktail. Our first stop was the Barrachina restaurant, the birthplace of the piña colada.

But the restaurant seemed too upmarket for us, so we quickly took a few pictures and looked for another cocktail bar. We found the bar Greengos – and at happy hour too: five dollars per cocktail.

At 8.30 p.m. it was all aboard, and less than 30 minutes later it was cast off and weigh anchor again. One last look at the Quantum of the Seas, and we headed for Tortola.