Day Eight | Sunday, February 8th | Back to Reality | Travel Day

Sunday morning we got up early for disembarkation. My Dad woke up sick as a dog. That was fun. I’m sure the last thing he wanted to do was stand in line with hundreds of people for an hour to go through customs and get off of the ship.

But I don't wanna go home :( 

It was rough for him so when we finally got in the van to head home he laid down in the back seat while Captain David took us home.

Sleepy heads.

We entertained ourselves with more Helium Booth App, singing, sleeping and reliving the awesome trip. Oh, and several burping contests. Kali has some work to do. I on the other hand, am the master burper. The video below showcases our sweet dance moves. 

The worst part of the whole trip was after we got back. There were several of us that came down with the flu within 24 hours upon returning home. BLECK. I'm just glad it waited until after the trip ended!

Nothing like feeling like death and having a hundred pounds of laundry to do. Guess you have to pay to play!

Hope you enjoyed reading about THE BEST VACATION EVER! You know, thus far in my life anyway!

I absolutely cannot wait until our next cruise!!

I hope you enjoyed this series. I hate that I waited this long to get it posted but it worked out because I loved getting to relive it almost a year later! 

Day Seven | Saturday, February 7th | Last Day at Sea

Day seven, our last full day on the ship. Of course we started the day with breakfast with a view.

The weather changed today for the worse so it was cold and windy on deck, then sunny, then torrential downpours intermittently throughout the day.

Rain rain go away but I forgive you for saving it 'til the last day!

...and then the sun came out. 

I love this picture. Ha!

We made the best of the weird weather and squeezed every bit that we could out of our final day.

I think that the excitement of the week was starting to catch up with us so we just relaxed.

Maranda {sleeping}, GMa [reading}, Me {sleeping}, Kali {sleeping}.

We enjoyed our last night in the casino and said goodbye to Vincent at dinner. But we’re Facebook friends now so it’s all good!

David, Mom and Cole trying their hand at roulette.

Bye Vincent, thank you for being so good to us!

Last sunset.

Almost back to reality, the last post of this series is up next!

Day Six | Friday, February 6th | Cozumel, Mexico

On the last port stop of the trip we went to Cozumel, Mexico. David and I also had been here on our honeymoon so it was fun to return six years later. Mom and my aunts and Grandma went shopping on their own while David, Cole, Kali and I did the same. Peter and my Dad went on a scooter adventure that could have ended in a Mexican prison but luckily they made it back on the ship later in the day. That’s another story in itself…while bar hopping around Cozumel and riding their scooters to sight see, they got pulled over by the policia. I don’t remember the nitty gritty details but long story short they happened to be pulled over with a few other scooter goers who offered the police money and they let the whole group go. Who knows what would have happened if that person didn’t offer them money! I shudder at the thought.

Momma and I ready for the day!

These ships are so massive!

James Party of Two

Hello Cozumel!

We did a good bit of walking around and shopping. No excursions planned for this stop! The four of us went off on our own and at this port. 

Tee hee hee.

Kali getting her first pair of Costas!

 After we were done shopping we spent some time at a little bar right next to the boat. AND IT HAD SWINGS.

I drank two margaritas (I've had better) and before I knew it I was doing the Macarena in my own little world for everyone else at the bar to enjoy. Tequila!

We had lots of fun in Mexico!

Once we got back on the ship we found some of our crew and hung out on the deck before it was time to get ready for dinner. 

Recovering from margaritas. Derrrr.

Mom and Aunt Barbara

Love this pic of some of my favorite ladies while they were out exploring!

Feeling tropical that night for dinner. 

We stumbled across a ping pong table while burning time before dinner so we spent a little while playing with an awesome view of the sunset.

 Then it was off to the casino!

Big $15.12 win! Ohhh yeahhh. Not bad for penny slots!

Early birds to the table. 

They were impressed by something but I can't remember what!

I think Vincent was showing us a magic trick!

Night night, day Seven is up next!

Day Five | Thursday, February 5th | Cayman Islands

Oh man, the Cayman Islands. This had to be my favorite stop of the entire trip. Way back in 2009 when David and I went on our honeymoon cruise, we went to the Cayman Islands. We booked an excursion to Stingray City but the weather was so bad the excursion got cancelled. Rain was pummeling in sideways and the lightning and thunder was really bad. We ended up walking around in and out of the shops for a short time in the pouring rain before heading back to the ship. It was such a sad port stop last go around. 

However this time was a totally different experience. Ahh SO MUCH FUN!

Ready to head to the islands! What's up with my eyes? I don't know what's happening here. Guess it was too early. 

The weather, as it had been our whole trip thus far was gorgeous again. This time there were several other ships anchored up and it was so cool seeing the fleet of them together on our boat up to the dock.

Shuttling to the port.

She was such a beaut!

Lots of ships and a wonky panoramic.

This go around we decided to try Stingray City again and it was perfect. We waited around the port for a long time until our excursion. It was kind of a madhouse around there but we had a little bit of time to shop while waiting and get away from the crowds.

The guy on the far right looks like he totally wanted to be a part of our crew.

Out and about exploring before departure. 

Momma dukes!

Hi handsome hubby!

Peter and Fred solving the world's problems. I'm photobombing, obviously. So is that dude in the back.

They're so cute.

When it was time to load up for the excursion, we hopped on the bus that took us a few miles away to our “private boat”. I say private because although we shared it with maybe 25 other people, we had the whole top deck to ourselves. Well us and the captain! Everyone else rode below in the stuffy crowded undercarriage. Wise choice we made making a bee line to the top!

Look Ma, no driver!

No idea where Maranda and Robin were. 

Lessgo!

Best seat in the house.

My handsome Daddy and a gorgeous backdrop!

The boat ride out to Stingray City was straight out of the movies. The prettiest blue waters you could ever imagine, a light breeze, with sounds of the Caribbean coming from the boat speakers. Oh my gosh just close your eyes and imagine paradise and that was Grand Cayman! 

“Don’t worry, ‘bout a thing…cuz every little thing, is gonna be alright”!

Maranda, Fred, the Captain and Pops.

David, why the pouty face? You're in paradise!

Crazy kids.

This is the life, no?

How gorgeous is this sliver of the ocean known as Stingray City? 

When we made it to our destination, I was nervous but really excited! I’d always heard about what a cool experience it was. 

After receiving some instructions from our captain and crew, it was time to jump in. Cole had his go pro so we got some cool underwater pictures too.

Check out the cute fella swimming at the bottom of the frame.

I got to frontal hug a ray and then exchange a smooch on the nose so I guess you could say things were getting pretty serious.

Cole and I feelin' the love!

It was definitely a wonderful experience. I would love to do it again someday!

After a long fun day we made our way back to the boat where you guessed it, dinner and the casino were on the agenda.

Curls by my flat iron. WAHHH I MISS MY LONG HAIR!

Winner winner chicken dinner!

Handsome fellas!

Another handsome fella.

I had to spend the twenty bucks on this PRO-fessional one!

This night was extra special because not only was it formal night but lobster was on the menu! HECK YES. Our server for the week was Vincent and he was extraordinary. We became friends and when he’d see us at breakfast or lunch he’d always make an effort to be our waiter and of course remembered all of our names and what we preferred to drink at every meal. So awesome. On this particular night he’d told us earlier in the day to get to dinner early to make sure we got our fill of lobster. Always looking out for us!

Everybody was tearin' up the bread. Nom nom nom.

Yeahhhh buddy!

After dinner David went back to the casino  and Mom, Dad and I went exploring. This time we ended back at the stern of the ship. This was really cool and again we had the place to ourselves. We watched the sea and the big gorgeous moon as the boat forged ahead. Getting to see the massive propellers do their thing sure made me feel small. Way cool, I really enjoyed that.

Soaking in the view with Pops.

Day Six is up next!