We thought it would be fun to go on a cruise with the family, and we were right. We went on a 6 day cruise out of port everglades, left on Sunday the 25th and just got back on Saturday the 31st. I think it may have been one day too long for most of us, but we really had a great time.
We sailed with Carnival, on the Carnival Freedom. It was a 12 story boat, our room of course was on level 2, Main deck. Each time the elevator opened the girls would announce which floor we were on. It was too cute. Our rooms were rather small, Dan, myself, Sarah and Emily shared one room while my parents and Matt shared another. As you can see from the pictures, the rooms are pretty much meant for sleeping and showering, not for spending too much time. Each night we had a new towel animal left on the bed, I think my favorite was the turtle.
On Monday we were docked at Key West. Can I just tell you what a beuatiful place that is. It was hard to believe it was actully January when you were there, the weather was great. 78 degrees, sunny. We walked to a local beach. The water itself was a little cold, but the sand was great for digging. Emily even got a little sun burn on her face while we were at the beach. I found some nice homes I think I could spend the winter living in down there, too bad they probably cost approx 1 mill dollars or more. And the yards there aren't much to speak of.
Tuesday was a day at sea. These were not the most enjoyable days for Sarah and Emily. The boat had a program called camp carnival, which was basically like daycare for your kids. We took Sarah and Emily there because they had all kinds of toys. It was like our play room at home, only 10 times the size of it with a ton more toys. When we got there the counselers gave me a phone and explained in front of the kids how I would leave and come back later. Of course this did not sit well with Sarah, and after that there were no more visits to camp carnival. It's kind of a shame, I think the girls would have had so much more fun playing with the toys, but alas, they had a great time playing with me.
Wenesday we were in Grand Cayman. This meant another trip to the beach. The water was at least warm enough to swim in. The girls weren't in the mood for the water this time because of the waves. They did like the sand though, and just a little ways down the beach was a play area with swings and slides. The weater was great, mostly sunny, about 82 degrees, and of course it was my birthday. Never thought I would get to say I speant my birthday on a beach in a bathing suit in January. That night my parents took the girls to the buffet for dinner and Dan, Matt and I went to the fancy dining room. Afterwards we went to the Havana bar and smoked cigars and then headed to the casino. It was a nice evening out, I even won $100 playing 3 card poker.
Thurday we were in Jamacia. My parents took the girls to a beach while Dan, Matt and I went river tubing. Dan and I went river tubing once in Belize and I have to say this was ten times better. There were actual rapids with this one. Dan and Matt both flipped out of their tubes at one point. Too fun!! The ride up to the river and back, though, was none too fun. There were pot holes everywhere and the twists and turns were enough to make even the best of us nauseated. Which brings us back to the ship. Although every day was a rough ride, that night was the worst. The boat was really moving. I stayed in with the girls that night, while Dan went to the casino with everyone else and managed to win the $500 black jack tournament. I think we probably donated all that money back to the casino over the course of the trip. Dan also won a gold ship on a stick, a tshirt, a bracelet, a hat, and a wallet. And of course he now takes over the title from my mom as black jack champion.
Friday we sailed home, nothing too evenetful. Played some games we found in the library, played some cards, ate some food. I have to say the food was pretty good. I was content eating hamburgers most days.
We flew home on Saturday, the girls did great on the plane both down and back. It was kind of funny to leave 70 degree weather and fly in to see snow on the ground. Glad we missed the snow/ice storm that week.
Unfortunately it is off to work tomorrow, back to reality. I haven't caught up on my lack of sleep yet, and the ground still feels like it is moving beneath me. Dan says he will never go on a cruise again, but he said that last time, I think when everyone is older we will do it again. Us girls can talk him into anything!
