Cruisin'

Okay, so I know this is way overdue, but better late than never. Here are some pictures from our Western Caribbean cruise we took in January.

Day 1 - Sunday - We checked out the boat and our rooms, had the mandatory safety drill, went to the dinning room and watched a magic show in the kids area.

Ready for inspection

Sweet Pea checking out her "awesome" bunk bed

Ready to see the volcano erupt

Day 2 - Monday - We slept in this morning and had a late breakfast. We tried to go ice skating (no pictures of this...BOO!!!), which proved to be quite difficult on a moving boat, with a three year old and a pregnant mommy. We then had lunch and napped. That evening we got dressed up for formal night and at dinner in the main dinning room. Later, we went to the Broadway show, which Sweet Pea LOVED.

Day 3 - Tuesday - We ate breakfast and went to explore the outside of the ship. It had been too windy and cold to see much outside before today. We tried to play putt-putt, which was also difficult because of the moving boat and the very strong winds, but was fun, nonetheless. That afternoon we went to an ice skating show. It was very entertaining. Sweet Pea was amazed as the skaters twirled around. Later that night we went to a magic show that was pretty neat as well.

FOUR!!!!-ty mile an hour winds

Day 4 - Wednesday - Today we made port in Jamaica. We took a tour called the Real Jamaica. It started with a 1 1/2 or 2 hour van drive into the mountains. The driver had to stop and ask directions a couple of times, but at least he asked. The greenery, mountains, roads and driving (except for being on the wrong side) was very reminiscent of Honduras. Our first stop was at a plantation where we had an authentic Jamaican lunch. We had roasted pig and a huge spread of local vegetables and fruit. Sweet Pea preferred her peanut butter crackers. There were several vendors at the plantation selling gifts, but one caught my eye. They had a big barn full of different fabrics that you could choose from to have a custom made outfit. They took our measurements and in no time had made Sweet Pea and I dresses and Daddy-O a matching shirt. It has definitely been my favorite souvenir. After lunch we drove up to a local basic school where we were greeted by some school children. Sweet Pea went straight up to them and started introducing herself. You would have thought she had frequented there. I think they must have reminded her of her Uncle J.T. The children sang their national anthem and quoted some things about the country for us. Sweet Pea had a mob around her that was fascinated with her blond pony tail. I know the school has visitors from this tour often, but I don't know that they had ever had any her age. It was very neat to see them interact. We left the school and went to a farm that grew pineapple, coconut and sugar cane. We got to sample all of the goods. The pineapple was delicious. Sweet Pea thoroughly enjoyed the sugar cane because you got to spit it when you were done. After a scary drive back down the mountain (with a little rain) we made it back to the ship. I am a little surprised that the excursion was okay for pregnant women, as the drive was a bit rough! That night, Daddy-O went to bed early with a tummy ache, Sweet Pea went to the kids area and I sat out on a totally empty balcony and read for a few hours. There was a big, bright full moon, a cool breeze and no one around. It was very relaxing.

Sweet Pea swinging at the plantation

Our seamstress
MMMM....pineapple!

In the van, hoping it's not our last photo

Day 5 - Thursday - Today we made port in Grand Cayman. None of the excursions looked to interesting so we opted to take a van to Seven Mile beach. Mammy and Pops opted for shopping near the ship. We got to the beach and it was gorgeous. Sweet Pea LOVES the beach and this was a big step up from Galveston. The sand was soft and light colored, the water was a crystal blue and the ocean was very calm. We swam and played for several hours and then headed back to the shopping district for some ice cream. While we were eating our ice cream, we met up with Mammy and Pops and shopped at a few more stores. Daddy-O even found a Harley store to get a hat at. We then headed back to the ship to get cleaned up. We decided to wear our new dresses and shirts tonight and get pictures made in them. Tonight's show was an impersonator. He did all sorts of stars and famous singers. It was pretty fun.

Loving this!

Daddy-O and our mermaid

Washing off the ice cream in a fountain

(boy, won't she love this in 10 years)


Catching a piggy back ride with Mammy

Dancing with Pops

Dancing with Daddy

Day 6 - Friday - Today's port - Cozumel. Today we had an excursion lined up to got to Xcaret. If you ever get the opportunity, take it. We had to take a ferry from Cozumel to Cancun and then a bus to Playa del Carmen where the park was. The ferry was, well, scary. We weren't on the water 30 seconds when women came up and down the isles with vomit bags. Let's just say there were a LOT of them being used. People were sick everywhere. It was a very rough 30 -40 minute ride and the excursion details didn't give any forewarning. After we got off the ferry the day got much better. It is just hard to know you have to get back on that thing to get home. Anyway, enough about that. Xcaret is a natural water park that is AWESOME. I could have spent several days there alone. We had a wonderful tour guide and started the day floating down an underground river. Mammy and Pops went shopping while we braved the cold water. They have life jackets (which are required, but you will want) and waterproof bags for all of your belongings. You bag up your stuff and they let you padlock it and you keep the key with you. They then transport your belongings to the end of the river where you will be getting out. You hop in the freezing cold water and float in the most crystal clear water, through caves and wildlife. It is beautiful. There are some spots that the current is strong so they have ropes tethered to the cave that you can pull yourself through with. It is about a 45 minute float, but there are exits (and photographers) all along the way. When you get out, all of your belongings are waiting there for you. We all, especially Sweet Pea, loved it, even though it was tiring. We then went to a buffet lunch that was pretty good. After lunch we just roamed the park looking at all the many things to do. We didn't have a whole lot of time, but we did get to see pumas, jaguar, a butterfly exhibit, sea turtles (from babies up to huge ones), iguanas, parrots and dolphins. They have all sorts of cultural exhibits and shows and I'm sure there is a lot of stuff we didn't even know about. You could seriously spend several days there. The trip back was not as bad as the trip there. The sea was a little calmer and the boat was not as full, but I still would recommend flying into Cancun if possible. When we got back to the ship there was an amazing sunset. We ate dinner, went to an Argentinian show called Los Pampas Gaucho and then took it easy the rest of the night.

Yeah, I could spend a few days here

Swimming the underground river

My beautiful babies in God's beauty

Orange you glad they smiled?

Day 7 - Saturday - Today was our last day at sea. We slept in a little and then went out on the deck to hit the pools before it got too cold. The pools were way too cold for me, so Sweet Pea and I played in the hot tub for a few minutes while Daddy-O read a book. It was a beautiful day and Sweet Pea loved being able to swim in the winter. We took it easy the rest of the day and went to a Farewell Variety show that night. There was a really neat show called The Artistry of Fluorescence that involved fluorescent puppets. It was really well done. Also, our Captain sang and played his guitar for a few songs, which was neat. That night we got all packed up and ready for an early morning.

Me and my little fish

Day 8 - Sunday - This morning we were to port in Galveston at 8:00 am. We had to be completely out of our rooms by 8:00 am. For anyone that knows me, you know this is quite a feat. For anyone that knows my daughter, you know this is impossible. We did pack everything the night before and opted to skip the showers that morning. After all, we had showered the night before AND we would be home in a few hours. Our directions were to be out of the room and sit in the main theater until our color was called for departure. Since we didn't have a connecting flight to catch, we knew we would be near last to exit. At about 8:15 there was an announcement that the fog was bad in the Port of Galveston and the whole port had been closed. We would continue on as soon as the fog lifted. Daddy-O, Sweet Pea and I went on up to the dinning room for breakfast, while Mammy and Pops went to the theater. Apparently, they got separated. We finished eating and began the search for Mammy. We found her and all found seats in the theater. For the next SEVEN and A HALF hours we sat in the theater. There was nothing to do, they never announced if there was food or where it would be........NOTHING. There was a coffee shop up one level from the theater that had a line of a at least a hundred people at any given time, trying to get something to eat. For a 3 year old, Sweet Pea did awesome. I couldn't have asked her to be any better. We did go walk around the boat a few times, but for the most part, she just played and entertained herself and everyone else in the theater. She put on a musical, which I might add, she wrote on the spot. She introduced the next acts. She sung. And she even quoted cheesy lines from the cruise director. It was quite entertaining to watch her little mind work. I love her imagination. We finally got off the boat and made it home at about 6:45 that night. What a day!

Such drama

Cruise director Sweet Pea

Sorry this post is so overdue and sorry it is so long. I knew if I broke it down into multiple posts, I would be tempted to finish it later and decided to just knock it all out. Overall we had a good trip. Thanks Mammy and Pops!

Here are our family pictures.