Vacation

Postcard Vacation Setting

Sometimes you just want a photo that screams “vacation.” That photo that’s like your own postcard. In a single image says where you went, what you did. You just have to keep your eye out for that moment. Some vacations it’s pretty easy, like when you are on a cruise.

Recently I took an amazing cruise aboard Carnival’s Mardis Gras. Seven wonderful nights in the Caribbean. It was an excellent vacation over the Thanksgiving holiday. Throughout the trip I took multiple photos of our ship. I did get a few good ones, but one of them stood out as a postcard moment that just seemed to say “vacation.” It’s a very simple photo. The Ship at dock framed with the beach and a palm tree. I took it with my iPhone 14 Pro Max pretty early in the morning, so the sun was low in the sky.

What do you think? Below are two other ship photos I like, but I don’t think say “vacation.”

Snorkeling The Grand Turk Wall

Our final excursion was today. We ventured not too far from the cruise ship off the coast of Grand Turk to the Grand Turk Wall. The water was in amazingly clear. So clear you could easily see to the bottom which was about 30 feet. Well, 30 feet before the wall which is a 7,000 foot drop. That’s right over a 1 mile straight down. The dark area you see in the video, is that drop! I would return to snorkel here in a heart beat!! I had so much fun. Too many people snorkeling in the exact same spot, but the views were breathtaking.

Shot this video using a DJI Osmo Action 3 and edited using the iOS app, LightCut.

Crazy Ride Back from Snorkeling

Our two part excursion turned into a three part excursion. The ride back should have just been a nice ride with amazing views. It turned into an amusement park ride with the boat going through very choppy waters. I got seriously soaked on the ride, as wet as I did snorkeling. Truth be told it was fun, it was a little scary, but also fun. The two teenagers in our group had a blast. The adults, not so much.

Shot this video using a DJI Osmo Action 3 and edited using the iOS app, LightCut.

Snorkeling in Dominican Republic

Today we made port in Amber Cove, Dominican Republic. We had another two part excursion today, shallow water snorkeling off a sand bar and then lunch at Fricolandia. The snorkeling was fun, but even the shallow water was pretty rough. The views under the crystal clear water were amazing. So many beautiful fish and a beautiful coral reef. Snorkeling was one of the primary reasons for going on the cruise, and while it was a very long trip to get there; I definitely had fun. I got some pretty cool under water video as well.

Shot this video using a DJI Osmo Action 3 and edited using the iOS app, LightCut. The Action 3 did a great job and I didn’t even use a waterproof housing. First time using it underwater, so I’m definitely not proficient yet. Probably won’t be before the end of the cruise.

San Juan: Historic Fort Tour 2

After visiting Castillo San Cristóbal we got back on the tour bus and headed to our second and last historic fort, Castillo San Felipe Del Morro. The first fort was pretty amazing and gave an amazing view into the lives of the soldiers that would have been stationed there so many years ago. That fort has some pretty amazing views; but nothing compared to the grandeur of this fort. The size of the fort and the views from all over the fort of the coast and ocean were incredible. There was also an old cemetery on the grounds just outside the gates of the fort.

There was a great deal of walking today!! I wish I had more time to take photos and videos of both ports, but we are on our way to our next port of call, Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic.

Shot this video using a DJI Osmo Action 3 and edited using the iOS app, LightCut.

San Juan: Historic Fort Tour 1

Today was our first excursion. We were in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The excursion was visiting two historic forts founded by the Spanish. The first fort was Castillo San Cristóbal. It’s actually in the heart of San Juan. I could see the fort easily from the top deck of the Mardis Gras.

Shot this video using a DJI Osmo Action 3 and edited using the iOS app, LightCut.

Vacation: Seattle / Victoria