Caribbean Cruise: March 3-10, 2012
Joe and I were so lucky to be able to go on a cruise to celebrate our 10th anniversary. The girls were safe at home being watched by Nonna, Grandpa, Grama Mary, and Rick and Jaclyn. It sounds like they had a great week as well – spoiled by grandparents and playing with friends!
Joe and I were so lucky to be able to go on a cruise to celebrate our 10th anniversary. The girls were safe at home being watched by Nonna, Grandpa, Grama Mary, and Rick and Jaclyn. It sounds like they had a great week as well – spoiled by grandparents and playing with friends!
Joe and I had the most amazing vacation. We truly had a dream vacations. We had some much needed time together, we made new friends, and we went on some great adventures. The ship we cruised on – Oasis of the Seas (Royal Caribbean) is the world’s largest cruise ship. When we pulled up to the port and saw the size, we were amazed, Joe said, “Well, I guess it’s go big or go home!” We were on the ship for 7 days and still were not able to do all the activities available, guess that is just another reason to cruise again! I took about 500 pictures. We visited 3 countries (Haiti, Jamaica, and Mexico – Cozumel), and saw 3 bodies of water (Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and Atlantic Ocean)
Some highlights from the week:
Cruise, Day 1 – at sea· We board the ship about Noon, deport about 5pm
· We wander the ship for a few hours just to get acquainted with what is available
· Joe and I started out our vacation with couple hot stone massages. Wow was that wonderful and oh so relaxing
· We saw” Oasis of Dreams” Aqua Show – diving, acrobats, dancing
Cruise, Day 2 – At sea· I check out the running track – yup, a running track!
· We go to a shopping class to learn how to shop in the ports – get some great coupons and Joe even gets a free bag from Del Sol
· Time on the deck enjoying sun and Margarita’s
· Joe plays Bingo to try to win us an executive suite (misses out by one number)
· I get my hair done for Formal night
· We get all dress up for Formal Dinner (Joe was in a suit and tie for the first time in about 10 years)
· Quote from the captain during his welcome: “I know 4 languages, Norwegian, English, American and Canadian. I am working on Australian, but I haven’t quite got the accent.”
· We try to see “Hairspray” – It ended up being postponed after they had to stop the show 3 times due to technical difficulties!
Cruise, Day 3 – Labardee, Haiti· We got up early this day to see the sunrise which was beautiful! It was very windy, but still very nice. We were surprised by how fast the sun moved. We also got to see the boat dock which was quite amazing as well.
· We got to talk to the girls. We had some technical difficulties with the phones- we couldn’t call out, but we could text, and we were able to receive calls- so, my mom called us, so we could chat with the girls!
· Royal Caribbean owns the peninsula of Haiti that we were visiting, so everything is catered to us. It had a beautiful beach area, along with some fun activities.
· We went on the roller coaster – we were able to see some great views, but it wasn’t as exciting as we thought it would be
· We went Jet Skiing- this was very fun, and much different than jet skiing on the lake!
· Sandbar Island: Took a small boat to a “sand” island. We had a fabulous time here. Met some great new friends who we continued to spend more time with throughout the week. We both drank too much (we were drinking native beer – 5.65 proof), and we got sunburned here as well – even with 50 proof sunscreen).
· We wander the ship for a few hours just to get acquainted with what is available
· Joe and I started out our vacation with couple hot stone massages. Wow was that wonderful and oh so relaxing
· We saw” Oasis of Dreams” Aqua Show – diving, acrobats, dancing
Cruise, Day 2 – At sea· I check out the running track – yup, a running track!
· We go to a shopping class to learn how to shop in the ports – get some great coupons and Joe even gets a free bag from Del Sol
· Time on the deck enjoying sun and Margarita’s
· Joe plays Bingo to try to win us an executive suite (misses out by one number)
· I get my hair done for Formal night
· We get all dress up for Formal Dinner (Joe was in a suit and tie for the first time in about 10 years)
· Quote from the captain during his welcome: “I know 4 languages, Norwegian, English, American and Canadian. I am working on Australian, but I haven’t quite got the accent.”
· We try to see “Hairspray” – It ended up being postponed after they had to stop the show 3 times due to technical difficulties!
Cruise, Day 3 – Labardee, Haiti· We got up early this day to see the sunrise which was beautiful! It was very windy, but still very nice. We were surprised by how fast the sun moved. We also got to see the boat dock which was quite amazing as well.
· We got to talk to the girls. We had some technical difficulties with the phones- we couldn’t call out, but we could text, and we were able to receive calls- so, my mom called us, so we could chat with the girls!
· Royal Caribbean owns the peninsula of Haiti that we were visiting, so everything is catered to us. It had a beautiful beach area, along with some fun activities.
· We went on the roller coaster – we were able to see some great views, but it wasn’t as exciting as we thought it would be
· We went Jet Skiing- this was very fun, and much different than jet skiing on the lake!
· Sandbar Island: Took a small boat to a “sand” island. We had a fabulous time here. Met some great new friends who we continued to spend more time with throughout the week. We both drank too much (we were drinking native beer – 5.65 proof), and we got sunburned here as well – even with 50 proof sunscreen).
Cruise, Day 4 – Falmouth, Jamaica· Our excursion leaves first thing after we port - We went to Ocho Rios, Jamaica for Snorkeling and climbing Dunn River Falls (no pictures yet since I have to get these developed as they are on the waterproof cameras). Some quotes for the day: the bus driver: “ the only snow I’ve seen is in my refrigerator,” the tour guide: “ (in Jamaica) we don’t have problems, we only have situations”
· Back on the boat- after dinner we go to “Quest – an adult scavenger hunt. “ What a fun time we had. It started out with 3 games based on “minute to win it.” I volunteered to participate, and I won! I had to swing my balls to knock over water bottles, sorry – I don’t have pictures of this one! Then, the scavenger hunt begins – the room is divided into 9 teams, and our team wins! We had a great time.
Cruise, Day 5 – At sea· Joe entered a belly flop contest with 2 other guys we had been hanging out with – Chase and Klaus. Only 7 guys enter. Joe is last, and, well, he didn’t really belly flop – oops. Too bad they didn’t get a practice run, cuz for the finale he did an awesome flop! Chase, however, the smallest guy by far, takes the trophy!
· Pool time
· Mini golf – yup there was mini golf on the boat!
· Formal Night
Cruise, Day 6- Cozumel, Mexico
· ATV : Mayan Ruins, we get very sandy!
· SHOPPING!! Joe bought me a beautiful pair of diamond earrings which we got an AWESOME deal on!
· We try to talk to the girls, but the phones don’t work, have to settle for a few text messages! At least we know all is going well!
Cruise Day 7 – At sea· Breakfast in bed!
· Pool time
· Joe went to the “Captains Corner” to learn more about how the ship works while Andrea spent more time by the pool!
· Zip line – yup there was a zip line on the boat!
· “Frozen in Time” – Ice Show
· Comedy show, Line of the night, “wasn’t it nice of Royal Caribbean to take us to 3 of the top 10 most dangerous countries in the world, and 2 of them are in the top 5”
We had so much fun! The food was great, the night life was fun (especially with the help of our new and younger friends) – thanks Jenny, Chase, Jay, Angela, Zach, MattJo, Klaus, and Darling for letting us hang out with your group! It was also fun to meet Kim, Russ, Karen and Boone. We initially dined with 2 gentlemen from Israel who were very difficult to communicate with, however, they stopped coming and we invited that 2 gentlemen at the table next to us to join us. They were from Miami and were fun to dine with! Thanks to all for such great memories. This is one vacation that we will never forgot!!! We hope to be able to cruise again soon.
· Back on the boat- after dinner we go to “Quest – an adult scavenger hunt. “ What a fun time we had. It started out with 3 games based on “minute to win it.” I volunteered to participate, and I won! I had to swing my balls to knock over water bottles, sorry – I don’t have pictures of this one! Then, the scavenger hunt begins – the room is divided into 9 teams, and our team wins! We had a great time.
Cruise, Day 5 – At sea· Joe entered a belly flop contest with 2 other guys we had been hanging out with – Chase and Klaus. Only 7 guys enter. Joe is last, and, well, he didn’t really belly flop – oops. Too bad they didn’t get a practice run, cuz for the finale he did an awesome flop! Chase, however, the smallest guy by far, takes the trophy!
· Pool time
· Mini golf – yup there was mini golf on the boat!
· Formal Night
Cruise, Day 6- Cozumel, Mexico
· ATV : Mayan Ruins, we get very sandy!
· SHOPPING!! Joe bought me a beautiful pair of diamond earrings which we got an AWESOME deal on!
· We try to talk to the girls, but the phones don’t work, have to settle for a few text messages! At least we know all is going well!
Cruise Day 7 – At sea· Breakfast in bed!
· Pool time
· Joe went to the “Captains Corner” to learn more about how the ship works while Andrea spent more time by the pool!
· Zip line – yup there was a zip line on the boat!
· “Frozen in Time” – Ice Show
· Comedy show, Line of the night, “wasn’t it nice of Royal Caribbean to take us to 3 of the top 10 most dangerous countries in the world, and 2 of them are in the top 5”
We had so much fun! The food was great, the night life was fun (especially with the help of our new and younger friends) – thanks Jenny, Chase, Jay, Angela, Zach, MattJo, Klaus, and Darling for letting us hang out with your group! It was also fun to meet Kim, Russ, Karen and Boone. We initially dined with 2 gentlemen from Israel who were very difficult to communicate with, however, they stopped coming and we invited that 2 gentlemen at the table next to us to join us. They were from Miami and were fun to dine with! Thanks to all for such great memories. This is one vacation that we will never forgot!!! We hope to be able to cruise again soon.
