After leaving Georgia on the 29th, we headed south and drove to Florida. We got most of the way to our destination, stopped for the night in a hotel, and then got up the next morning and completed our drive.
Yes, we went on a cruise. Our first, in fact. Since we weren’t sure what to expect, we went on a short one to the Bahamas, just to get our feet wet, so to speak. Only four days, from December 30 to January 3.
On that first day, it was pretty chilly, so we had to bundle up when we were outside.
The girls were really looking forward to warmer weather because of this:
Luckily, when we docked in Freeport the next morning (the 31st), things were a bit warmer. We decided to head to the beach.
Stunning blue skies, turquoise water, and white sand beaches — what’s not to love? We spent a few hours just lazing about, occasionally dipping a toe into the water (brrrrrr…), and searching for shells.
After we got back to the ship, it was warm enough to hit that water park.
And drink some fruity beverages.
Lots and lots and LOTS of fruity, rummy, oh-so-tasty drinks.
That evening was New Year’s Eve, so we dressed up and rang in the new year.
Balloons about to be dropped in the ship's multi-story atrium.
After the 11 p.m. balloon drop.
Counting down to midnight on the Lido Deck. It was madness and mayhem -- people cheering and the ship's horn blowing -- but it was great fun.
On the 1st, we docked in Nassau. We hopped on a catamaran and sailed to a nearby reef for a bit of snorkeling. Having learned our lesson in the Great Barrier Reef last August, Grace and I decided to go along for the ride, but to skip the actual snorkeling in favor of lounging on the boat.
It was a great outing and I’m pleased to announce that our sunburns were minimal, no one got eaten by a toothy fish, and no one was seasick.
On the 2nd, the ship was headed back to Florida, so we had a day at sea. My peeps and I lounged by the water park on the ship for most of the day. This lounging included a variety of fruity beverages, as waiters kept offering them to Pete and me and we felt it would be rude to refuse. Our diligent research has proven that fruit + alcohol keep cold and flu germs at bay, so as a result, we are quite healthy.
Teenagers can get really tired of moms pointing cameras at them.
And on the 3rd, we docked bright and early in Port Canaveral.
What did we think of our cruising experience? We liked it … for me, more than I thought I would. We met some very nice people and we had a really good time. I think we’ll go on another cruise again.
So that was the big part of our vacation. Once we got off the boat and reclaimed our car, we headed toward Orlando for our final adventure.
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I have never been on a cruise. Combine the facts that I’m terrified of sharks (what if the ship has a problem and you have to bail?) and I get horribly seasick (who wants to be on Dramamine for an entire vacation?), and I’m not sure I really want to go on one, but I know many people who love them and the girls are asking to go on a cruise, so who knows? Maybe someday.
What fun to spend New Year’s Eve on a cruise!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Looks very relaxing.
So glad you guys had a great time. I admit to being *eh* on cruises. I did one on one of the major lines (7 days, Mexican Riviera, Girls trip). I was bored of the same “stuff” all the time and not really having enough time to explore the ports. I did totally enjoy the zip line we did…
My only other experience I have is a work trip sailing on the ships my company owns (sailing yachts – the “big” one accomodates 312 guests. Total.) around the Caribbean. THAT I would do again…but not in the Caribbean. I want to do one of our Mediterranean cruises. I highly recommend them, although the price tag will probably knock you out if you’re accustomed to the big cruise lines. You definitely get what you pay for in this case.
OH! And yea to fruity rummy drinks and lovely girls (and rockin’ Pete) on vacation! What a great idea planning it over New Year’s Eve!
I’ve never been on a cruise either, partly because the idea of all those people in one place makes me feel faint. But in your photos it only looked crowded on NYE. Was that the case? Was it fairly easy to keep space between people and still enjoy things like the pool?
Rob has been on a very small Alaskan cruise, with the kind of ship that can call at much smaller ports. He loved that, and I know he’d love to do it again.
A few years ago, we took a cruise to Alaska. It was awesome! That’s the only cruise I’ve been on in the past 40+ years.
I’ve never been cruising, unless you count spending 3 days and nights on the Alaska Marine Highway with the ferry system (which I can’t count, despite having a stateroom).
I’m thinking a Derf Cruise would be fabulous!
Your descriptions make it sound quite lovely. My husband would be all concerned about the abundant food and beverage and reminding me constantly about calories. Clearly, I should go with you… I haven’t had any yummy fruity drinks and I now have my husband’s cold.
Wow, what a wonderful way to spend the holidays! I love that beautiful beach with the white sand! Fruity beverages are a must – did you have paper umbrellas to go with them?
My kids wnat to go on a vacation during Chrtistmas oneof these years – welike the idea of a cruise with the exception of my husband…So glad you had a great time.
I was going to ask about the seasickness thing. I’ve always wanted to go on a cruise but been too afraid I’d be spending my time leaning over the railing
I have never been on a cruise – I find it hard to understand what there is to do most of the time. Also, all those people in an enclosed space is a little too close to my daily living experience on the underground in London. I know a cruise ship is a place of fun and holiday rather than drudge and work, but still, I guess I like my holidays to be about either getting away from people (the beach in Fiji, the jungle in Borneo) or having a mindblowing cultural experience (Delhi) and a cruise ship doesn’t tick the boxes.
I’m glad you had fun on it though! Several of my family members have been on cruises and raved about them. And I can imagine NYE on a giant ship would be very special.