So, after a little over a year of waiting and anticipating, our big Caribbean Cruise was last week. It was so fun!
We flew to Ft. Lauderdale on Friday, the 14th, spent the night and took a shuttle to the cruise terminal on Saturday. We met up with all our friends who had flown in on various days, boarded the ship and we were off!
Sunday and Monday were both days at sea, so we spent most of our time by the pool and exploring the ship.
We went to a few shows during the week. One was a comedy/juggling show, one was a regular comedian, and one was a dinner show with a singing group.
Tuesday we were in St. Thomas.
We went on a snorkeling excursion. We rode on a catamaran to St. John, to a place called Honeymoon Beach. We snorkeled for an hour or so and then rode back. They were serving rum punch and champagne, but I didn't have either because I forgot to take my Dramamine and was feeling a little seasick. Plus, I don't like rum or champagne. I prefer vodka and wine, or margaritas. Although, I did have a Bahama Mama one day poolside and that became my drink of choice for the rest of the cruise.
Wednesday we were in Tortola. We went on an excursion to a place called the Baths, on the island of Virgin Gourda. Absolutely stunning. You hike though all these caves and rock formations and it's really beautiful.
Thursday was another day at sea, and then Friday we were in Nassau, Bahamas. The girls got their hair braided, then we went on an excursion to swim with dolphins. So fun. They don't let you take pictures, and since we had just done it in Mexico last year we didn't buy any of the photos so I have nothing to post of that adventure.
Saturday morning we arrived back in Miami and went on an excursion to the Everglades. We rode around in an airboat but didn't see much, then they have a little show with some alligators and some reptiles on display. The girls got to hold Snappy, a baby alligator. So cute.
That tour included transportation to the airport, but we were about 5 hours early for our flight, because Alaska only has one flight per day out of Ft. Lauderdale and it was at 6:50 or something. But we just read and the girls had their iPads and we had an early dinner and it was finally time to board and head home.
There were 19 people in our group all total, including Paul's parents and sisters and a bunch of friends. It was so fun. We all did our own thing during the day but we did do a lot of the same excursions, and we were usually with at least a few other people from our group most of the time, and then we would all met up for dinner most nights. It was great and I'm dying to go on another one.
We flew to Ft. Lauderdale on Friday, the 14th, spent the night and took a shuttle to the cruise terminal on Saturday. We met up with all our friends who had flown in on various days, boarded the ship and we were off!
A view from the ship before leaving Miami
One of the two pools
The H20 deck, with movie screen, bar, 2 hot tubs and a cool cave-like water feature
One of the water slides
A giant chess board
Ropes course
Cave-like water feature
We went to a few shows during the week. One was a comedy/juggling show, one was a regular comedian, and one was a dinner show with a singing group.
The girls and friends at the juggling show
Meeting the juggler, Scott Cavanaugh or something like that, after the show
Tuesday we were in St. Thomas.
The girls' friend, Lindsay, in the middle
We went on a snorkeling excursion. We rode on a catamaran to St. John, to a place called Honeymoon Beach. We snorkeled for an hour or so and then rode back. They were serving rum punch and champagne, but I didn't have either because I forgot to take my Dramamine and was feeling a little seasick. Plus, I don't like rum or champagne. I prefer vodka and wine, or margaritas. Although, I did have a Bahama Mama one day poolside and that became my drink of choice for the rest of the cruise.
Wednesday we were in Tortola. We went on an excursion to a place called the Baths, on the island of Virgin Gourda. Absolutely stunning. You hike though all these caves and rock formations and it's really beautiful.
L-R: Family friend Calvin, Paul's sister Cheryl, Olivia, Me and friend Lindsay
I took this with my water-proof camera and all of them turned out blurry but I thought it was cute anyway
Blurry again
Thursday was another day at sea, and then Friday we were in Nassau, Bahamas. The girls got their hair braided, then we went on an excursion to swim with dolphins. So fun. They don't let you take pictures, and since we had just done it in Mexico last year we didn't buy any of the photos so I have nothing to post of that adventure.
That tour included transportation to the airport, but we were about 5 hours early for our flight, because Alaska only has one flight per day out of Ft. Lauderdale and it was at 6:50 or something. But we just read and the girls had their iPads and we had an early dinner and it was finally time to board and head home.
Long wait at the airport
There were 19 people in our group all total, including Paul's parents and sisters and a bunch of friends. It was so fun. We all did our own thing during the day but we did do a lot of the same excursions, and we were usually with at least a few other people from our group most of the time, and then we would all met up for dinner most nights. It was great and I'm dying to go on another one.
Trying out the mojito bar
Wine Tasting
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