9 posts tagged “cruise”
Many people consider Memorial Day Weekend to be the kickoff of summer. Show us what you're most looking forward to this summer!
Duh.
Before I try to remember our last cruise day, which was a sea day, here are a few of the underwater photos we took (yes, I finally got them developed) when we did the sting ray and snorkel excursion in Grand Cayman.
I am not sure why I am smiling in an underwater photo...
And so, back to Day 7, our final day of the cruise. We were both pretty crispy sun-exposure-wise from our snorkeling the day before, so we spent the day just wandering the ship, watching movies in our room, and checking out the cruise sales (I found a cute top and a lovely sterling silver cross necklace). As the evening came upon us, we hurried aft in hopes of finally catching an amazing sunset.
This time, we were not disappointed.
Our final port was Grand Cayman. This was another replacement port, so once again we found ourselves lacking in information, save the fact that we wanted to snorkel at some point on the trip. We signed up for the Sting Ray and Snorkel excursion. Upon arriving at the island, we boarded a tender to shore, waited a bit, boarded a bus, and were taken a few miles out to a large motor boat.
We'd purchased an underwater camera for this excursion, and I have neglected to get those photos developed to-date (Bad Nicole!), so at this point you will just have to use your imagination. We donned snorkel vests and masks, jumped into the water, and proceeded to be mauled and molested by dozens upon dozens of sting rays. The waters were choppy and crowded with both the sea creatures and screaming, squealing tourists. I tried my hand at feeding the buggers a few times, but I didn't care for how they bumped and brushed against me in search of the calamari even after it had been sucked away by one of their own.
After we'd all been groped sufficiently by the creepy sea animals, we climbed back on the boat and were motored out to the edge of a reef. After a brief yet informative orientation, we were snorkeling.
And I loved it! Once I understood the physics involved - the choppy waters were not kind, and I swallowed my share of salt water - I loved gazing upon the reef, watching the colorful fish dart here and there, seemingly oblivious to our presence in their world.
I can't wait to go again on our cruise at the end of the summer!
We returned to the cruise port after the excursion and went back to the ship to shower, change, and grab a bite (ha, who am I kidding - more than a bite - we are on a cruise, people!) of lunch. Then we returned to the town and wandered about, doing a bit of souvenir shopping.
This was also the long-awaited lobster and Baked Alaska night. We dressed for dinner and headed to the dining room with anticipation.
That night was also "Champagne Waterfall" night. I couldn't convince Rob to go down to the Piazza with me (he is not a champagne fan), so I wandered down on my own.
The bubbly was blah, but the display was beautiful. The highlight was when a 60-years-young man proposed to his equally young girlfriend.
I returned to our cabin with bittersweet thoughts that our lovely vacation would soon end - just one more day left.
I was trying to be playful, but I am thinking I probably just look silly.
Ocho Rios, Jamaica was our first "substitute port". I felt a little apprehensive about it since I'd done zero research (obviously).
The first thing I noticed about Jamaica was how green and hilly it was compared to the Bahamas and Grand Turk. It looked very lush and tropical as opposed to the open, flat landscape of our first two ports.
We decided on a catamaran excursion to the popular Dunns Falls. The crew was upbeat and accommodating, as we sailed slowly along the shoreline to our destination.
As we tracked back toward the port, they cranked the music up and encouraged us to dance. One person in our duo was a bit of a party pooper, but the other one...
We headed back to the ship, showered, and had some lunch, then made our way down to the many shops. I wasn't that impressed with most of them, and the staff didn't seem as happy to have tourists as the folks in Grand Turk were. We eventually found a little hole-in-the-wall store with a jovial storekeeper, so we purchased most of our souvenirs from him.
Suffice to say, I am glad we got to visit this verdant country, but it's not a port I'd really be interested in visiting again.
Once we'd bid Ocho Rios adieu, we made our way to the most forward part of the ship in yet another attempt to catch a breathtaking Caribbean sunset.
If I remember correctly, this was lobster night, but I didn't take a single photo of anything at dinner except my dessert. It is the closest I will ever get to such a thing*...
So I have this annoying little habit when it comes to vacation planning.
I like to plan in advance - especially "big" trips, like our drive to the Grand Canyon and West Coast in 2002. Planning is good, but this means that I spend the next week or two reading and studying and researching every spare minute, until my eyes glass over from staring at a computer screen too long.
And the trips are still a good 6 months away!
I am such a dork.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Since we didn't have a port call, this was the perfect day to sleep in. I wish I could say that I did...for some reason, I did not sleep well the entire cruise, though this was probably the best night's sleep of all since I wasn't worried we'd oversleep and miss a scheduled excursion.
We awoke to a lovely, albeit rough day at sea. We took our time making our way up to the breakfast buffet, then proceeded to try and find a spot on deck to catch some rays.
It was during this time that I experienced my first negative of the trip: how folks act concerning the deck chairs and loungers. There are signs posted every where that say that you can not reserve the loungers. Of course, these go totally unheeded.
Rob and I made our way to the back of the ship first, the Horizon Terrace. This is an adult-only sunning and pool area. Of course there were no loungers so we grabbed a seat in the sun with a small bistro-style table between us. It didn't take long for me to be reminded of that scene in Finding Nemo where the gulls are perched and waiting for a bite of something - anything - and at the first hint of chow....MINEMINEMINEMINEMINE!
Now imagine a couple dozen scantily clad adults perched on seats and benches, just waiting for someone - anyone - to need the rest room....
You get the picture.
We didn't stay in that area long, eventually making our way to one of the main deck areas and finding decent seating rather quickly.
During this time I didn't take a single photo. Suffice to say we enjoyed just lolling about in the sun, bringing fresh fruit and yummy drinks to our seats and playing "Real/Not Real" as we watched many a youth-enhanced woman strut about the deck.
(Yes, we can be very mature that way.)
At about 2 PM, the captain came over the PA and announced that due to a hurricane making it's way toward Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, we would be having a change of itinerary. You could almost hear folks holding their breath as he announced that we'd be bumping up our stop to Grand Turk to the following day, with new stops in Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Grand Cayman the following two days.
There were some grumbles and groans, but a whoop of glee from Rob who'd wanted to go to Grand Cayman all along (but the cruise for the same week with GC as a stop was several hundred more per person, so we'd nixed that one).
I remarked that he must be living right because he was getting what he wanted after all. He just grinned.
Once we'd had enough fun in the sun, we made our way back to our cabin, showered, and changed into comfy clothes. We head out to the deck and once again tried to catch the sunset.
We reluctantly made our way back to the room so that we could get all dolled up for the first formal night. We had our photo taken professionally, but didn't end up buying any because I knew I'd want one from the second formal night when I'd be wearing my new black gown.
Our tablemates skipped out that night, so we had a quiet dinner for two.
After dinner we went up to the Explorer's Lounge. I think I said that we saw Phil Tag on Monday night; I was wrong. We actually saw Tony Laffan, a magician/comedian on Monday night in the same lounge - he was much funnier/entertaining than I expected. Tonight (Tuesday) was Phil Tag, and he was hysterical. As I mentioned before, it was standing room only, which was no small feet (pun intended) for me since I had on my favorite heels.
Since our tablemates went AWOL, we didn't have anyone to take a nice photo of the two of us with our camera. A polite crew member obliged as we were heading back to our room after the show.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
At this point in our trip, I realized that for the first time in I don't know how long, my dear hubby was finally able to totally and absolutely relax...
Just a quick note to all my vox-y neighbors that I am back - have been for almost a week - but it's been slamming crazy around here and I haven't had a moment to stop in, let alone breathe.
What is it about taking a vacation, only to come back and have 50 thousand things to do?
Anyway, I don't think I will be able to go back and read 2 weeks worth of blogs, so if there is something I missed that you think I should see, please send me the link in my comments.
I am going to try to start uploading photos from our cruise today. It may take me a while to chronicle that week, so bear with me.
How was it? Let me put it this way, we already have our travel agent searching for our next cruise (this time, it will be the whole family).
I miss you all - well, this week I do. Last week while looking at Caribbean blue seas? No so much (grin).
Leaving the house in about a half hour to drive to the airport and fly down to FL.
"See" you in about a week!
My Groups
-
Life and Photos Updated: 2 hours ago
-
Super-Woman Moms Updated: 13 hours ago
-
RIS Updated: 2 days ago
Neighborhood
Explore friends, family, friends & family, or entire neighborhood.
