Our 16th Anniversary Caribbean Cruise

Who knew it was more work to leave your kids home from a vacation than to take them with? But once you're gone the only person you have to worry about is you so it's SOOO worth it. By Sat. morning I still had freezer meals to cook, a 5 page note to the babysitter I was still typing, a pig costume to make and I still hadn't even packed yet. So I only cooked one freezer meal. The kids would survive on Top Ramen and macaroni right? I made the costume but left the babysitter to finish tea staining it, and finished packing. I found out that packing just for yourself takes no time at all.

I worried about leaving the little kids. I reminded Jenna that I would be gone and with a reassuring pat on the back she reminded me, "Mom, I'll be fine." This coming from a 3 year old who was obviously excited about having a babysitter. Not a sibling babysitter but a "real" babysitter who didn't know any of her tricks (except those I typed up in the note) and who would pay attention to her. A week of fun in her mind I'm sure. Eric was a different story. He's my baby. But I was hoping that once he had his blanket, juice, cereal bar and let outside he'd be good.

We flew into Ft. Lauder dale where my old college roommate and her husband Ben picked us up. I hadn't seen her in what, 16 years and because of Facebook we were once again Face to Face. Love it. She and her husband Ben gave us the Miami tour by night and took us out for some Cuban Food-YUM! It was great seeing her again! Thanks Eliza!Sunday Morning-Cruise Day. We woke up and walked around Downtown Miami, peeking at our Ginormous Ship we would board later that day. Biggest ship on the ocean and we would be living that fabulous life for a week. Pinch me!!Best part of the week was doing anything I wanted or Nothing at all. But I'm not one to sit so I was usually doing something. Didn't want to miss anything.

LIFE ABOARD SHIP

First things first-Muster Drill. Important to know where your life jacket is and how to get off a ship when it starts sinking.

It took a whole day to explore every nook and cranny of a 15 deck ship. This is the Royal Promenade. We crossed this about 20 times a day. It was the only deck besides the pool deck where you could walk from one end of the ship to the other. Upper DeckGoing for a dip in the ship's pool is boring without kids jumping in and splashing you. We only got in once then spent the rest of our time rock climbing, riding the flow rider, miniature golfing, playing dodge ball, etc.
With over 3000 people on board no one cares what you look like or what you're wearing and if you forget your cuff links, a hair band and bobby pin will work just fine.Need a book don't worry there is a ships library. Clothes dirty? Don't worry the ship has a laundry and you don't have to do it. Hungry? Free food everywhere and there's no dishes or clean-up.

MY bed has never been made so many times in just 1 day. We could go in mess it up, leave and be back within an hour and it was made again. It must have been the elves that live inside the towels shaped like various animals hanging from our ceiling each night. 80's music 24/7. Much better than elevator music.

Every night the same-3 course dinner at 6 pm and a show at 9 pm. The monotony of it all-Awful!

At dinner I could ask the waiter for anything, anything at all and his response was always the same, "My pleasure." I looked forward to those words every night. I knew it would be the only time I would ever hear them again. . .that is without them being accompanied by laughter.Because of this and this and this we did this every morning. FYI-4 1/2 times around the track is a mile. But with the ocean breeze, a rising sun and spectacular views, it's a lot less painful!

You have to play shuffleboard once aboard ship. It's in the contract.
The ear patch works. I didn't get seasick once. IN fact, when the ship rolled and pitched I laughed and oohed and aahed in unison with the rest of them.

We washed our hands before we ate, after we ate and just for fun. Hand Sanitizer dispensers were everywhere. I felt so clean and germ-free! It worked because once I got home I forgot to wash my hands and yep, I got strep throat.This is the spot that if we were on Titanic Jason would put his arms around me and I'd yell, "I'm flying, I'm flying!" and then we'd kiss. We didn't find this spot until the last day. I have to admit it's not really that romantic because it is windier than windy.

PORTS OF CALL

1st Port-Labadee, Haiti (Royal Caribbean's private island)I hate Haggling! Too much pressure. We only shopped the markets once in Haiti and I hated every minute of it.This WOULD have been a picture of me if the wind hadn't picked up and cancelled my ride on the zip line in Labadee, Haiti This is the lifeguard. At first I thought he was sleeping but then realized he's texting. 2nd Port Ochos Rios, Jamaica

Dunns River Falls in Jamaica is Beautiful and Fun to climb.
Once you live on a island a lot of other islands look the same. Jamaica so reminded me of Guam-well, except for the drugs and fearing for my life. Ya Mon! If you hadn't heard Jamaica is not exactly the safest place to visit. Luckily, we had Phil. With Phil No Problem!3rd Port-Georgetown, Grand Cayman

So what that I hadn't dived, dove in 5 years. Its like riding a bike, except for the being really nervous part. I reminded myself just breath in and out S L O W LY. Once they got enough weight on me to actually sink I was good to go. We saw a shark, eel, but not very many fish. Wonder if the shark and the eel had anything to do with that? (Jason said he took a picture of me diving but no, not one of them turned out.) I admit it. My husband wasn't the only one I kissed on the cruise. I kissed a Sting Ray! Yes, I know all about the Crocodile Hunter who was killed by one. But everyone else was doing it and it looked like so much fun. Jason got jealous so then he had to do it too.

This is what was happening beneath our feet. About a dozen stingrays just swimming around.
We bought a underwater casing for our camera so we can take pictures and video-fun. Unfortunately, it didn't always take. (Eg. scuba) but I thought this video was great.

4th Port-Swine Flu stinks! We missed our port in Cozumel, Mexico to see the Mayan Ruins because of it. And on our anniversary day too. Oh well, we figured out other ways to celebrate.

Last port-Back in Miami. We took an Everglades Excursion on an Air Boat and saw a few alligators or are they crocodiles??

About day 6 I started missing the kids. I missed their hugs and smiles. By the time we docked on day 7 I was ready to go home.

Bye Freedom of the Seas. I'll miss you and your terrific staff who catered to my every whim. Don't worry I'll definitely be back!

And thanks to my wonderful husband who saw that I really needed this!