That's how it has been with our family cruise. We have been looking forward to this for almost 3 years. Ronnie told the kids we would take them on a Caribbean cruise when we both retired. I retired in June, 2008, and Ronnie retired in March, 2009. We were ready to schedule the cruise but then...life intervened. First one thing and then another reared its head to postpone our trip yet again. Kristin got pregnant. Ryan switched jobs. Kristin lost her job. Ryan couldn't go during his busy season. Kristin got a new job. Ryan switched jobs again. Kristin didn't have any vacation time. etc. etc. etc.
Finally, we scheduled the cruise and said, "Hope you can make it on this date. If not, we'll take lots of pictures for you to see." Amazingly, everybody was able to make it on that date. The anticipation began. It seems like we waited an eternity for the date to get here and then all at once I needed to get busy packing! I blinked and now I am back at home with the luggage unpacked and the dirty laundry in piles waiting to be washed, dried and put away.::sigh::
Let's backtrack and see if we can piece this together. Step one: Reservations were made. Our traveling party consisted of Ronnie and me, our daughter and son-in-law, Kristin and Scott, our son and son-in-law, Ryan and Richard and our grandsons, Trenton and Carter. Traveling with us were my brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Virgil and Carlene, their grandson, Garrett, her daughter Dovie, Dovie's friend, Lisa, and family friends Alan and Tina. Count them. That's 15! Yeah for big groups!!
Our Family Caribbean Cruise was scheduled to set sail from Galveston on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012, and we would visit Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel before returning to Galveston on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012. Being somewhat eager, and also being retired, we were able to get away a little bit sooner than most. Ronnie, Ryan, Richard and I headed to Galveston on Friday, Jan. 20th around 1:00 p.m. Richard has a very generous friend, Jim, who owns a condo on Seawall Blvd. in Galveston and he graciously loaned us the use of the condo for the weekend so we took advantage of that and headed down on Friday. Scott, Kristin and the boys joined us on Saturday. The rest of the crew was staying just a couple of blocks away at the Hilton. Our accomodations were great! Such a nice condo I could have been happy living there. All the amenities needed for a life of contentment. Our only problem...which turned into a HUGE problem...was the thick, thick, thick fog. You literally could not see the water if you were standing in the middle of Seawall Blvd.::more on that later::
Pics of the condo
On Saturday morning we took a drive around Galveston, had breakfast and just basically hung out waiting for the Durbins to arrive. Finally they came rolling in between 2p and 3p. After they got settled in we needed to eat. None of us had eaten since breakfast. The other part of our group was still on the road and had eaten lunch so we set out for Mario's Italian Cuisine where we stuffed ourselves. Back at the condo, we snacked, read, worked puzzles, watched television, etc. until we all gave up and went to bed.
Sunday morning arrived with heavy fog and a text message that our ship, the Carnival Magic, was delayed because the port was closed. Indications were that the fog would clear around 9a...it didn't. Neither the Magic nor the Royal Caribbean ship was cleared to enter the port until almost noon. At that time we were allowed to enter the building. Before that, Ron and I had been sitting on the sidewalk reading and holding our place in line while the kids went for lunch. Once we could enter the terminal we quickly went through the check in procedure and then it was hurry up and wait. And wait. And wait. We weren't cleared to board the ship until almost 4:30p. During our delay in the terminal we noticed that Carter was coughing quite a bit and you could literally watch his condition deteriorate. Once onboard the ship we ate, walked around the ship a bit, and participated in the muster drill. After that, Kristin and Scott headed down to Deck 0 where Carter was seen by the ship doctor. Asthma. Some breathing treatments and medication and he was packed off to bed. We were told the ship would sail around 8:30...then 11:30. Because the ship had to refuel we were trapped in port when the fog rolled back in. Our ship finally set said nearly 12 hours late...at 3:15 a.m. I had no idea until around 4:30 when I woke up because Ronnie was up looking out the window. Finally, we were on our way.
Monday was a day at sea. We passed the day sitting in the hot tub, reading, playing Bingo, eating, going to the shops, etc. At this point I have to say that the ship doctor is awesome because by Monday morning you couldn't tell Carter had ever been sick.
Tuesday was a day at sea as well. We did many of the same things as Monday...just generally relaxed and hung out doing the things we wanted to do.
Wednesday was our first day in a port...Jamaica. Our delayed start leaving Galveston put us late arriving in Jamaica so our stay there was extended until 7p. Unfortunately for some of our party, our excursion started almost immediately upon arrival and we had to hustle off the ship. Ron and I chose to ride the Jamaican Bobsled Team training track and climb Dunns River Falls. We had a blast. First, we climbed the falls. I thought I might have a heart attack when I stepped in the water. It was icy!! It was a ton of fun...but it was cold. During our trek up the falls I stepped in a hole and felt the crack in my left foot...which immediately went numb. I was certain it was broken. Ronnie fell in a hole and twisted his ankle. But...we made it to the top in one piece. It was an incredible time and I'm glad we did it. (My foot hurt the remainder of the day but was fine the next day. Ronnie's ankle is still swollen...probably sprained). From there we boarded a bus and headed up to Mystic Mountain to ride the bobsled. Awesome!! You get in a bobsled car by yourself and race down the side of the mountain through the thick forest of greenery. Absolutely breathtaking! We were supposed to be able to eat at the restaurant at the top of the mountain, but the excursion was running late. Our guide, Salvia, got the food boxed up and we ate it on the 90 minute bus ride back to the ship. We arrived back at the ship with 4 minutes to spare so we weren't able to do any shopping in Jamaica.
Following a shower we ate, attended the shows, made donations in the casino and hung out. A tiring but incredible day! My daughter and her family had a catamaran adventure. Unfortunately, the minute he got in the water my son-in-law's wedding ring came off his finger and fell to the bottom about 40 feet below. He was VERY upset. Several people tried to dive down for it but the water was just too deep. I will say this for Scott, when I tried to console him by telling him, "It's a ring...a symbol. It can be replaced." his reaction was, "Kind of." He cherished the significance of the ring that was presented to him at their wedding ceremony. How many men do you find these days who get that?
Thursday put us in Grand Cayman, British West Indies. Cayman is beautiful. The water is such a crystal blue color. Our excursion for the 8 of us was a trek out to Stingray Island Sandbar to swim and snorkel with the stingrays. The water there is so shallow you can stand up in it and watch the stingrays swimming around your feet. Of course we each got to hold and kiss a stingray (for 7 years good luck) and play in the water. Ronnie spotted a barracuda swimming around while I got a "stingray blanket." This is where you hold the stingray and lay on your back in the water. The stingray is laying on top of you covering you. My stingray was right in my face and lifted its front lip(?) for a kiss. I gave it a kiss. Must have made it mad because it flapped its fins(?) and splashed me right in the face! What fun! We returned to the ship...but not without incident. Ronnie was putting a window down on the boat when it slipped from his hand. Unfortunately, Carter chose just that moment to put his fingers in the window sill. The window smashed down on his fingers and cut them on both the top and the bottom.
Back in port we did a quick tour of the shopping village. Ronnie and I went to the Green Parrot, a beach side bar, for a quick drink before getting back on the ship. Once aboard, another shower and a night of entertainment. Dinner, a show, a trip to the casino, reading on our balcony, poker in the Red Frog Pub aboard the ship and falling into bed exhausted.
Friday morning found us in Cozumel. This is the one port where we did not book an excursion. We got off the ship with Ryan and Richard around 10:30 and headed into town for lunch. Senor Frogs was a blast. Our waiter, Reuben, really got into the act. He picked on us the whole time we were there. We laughed and ate and drank and laughed some more. Reuben was awesome. A 20 minute taxi ride from there put us at Paradise Beach and Resort where we lay around on the beach, swam, read, napped, baked in the hot sun...etc. Kristin, Scott and the boys joined us after their swim with the dolphins and we all had a great time. About 4:00 we headed back to town and got back on the ship. Another night of shows, casino, etc. and the realization that something we had so long awaited was nearly gone.
Saturday was another sea day as we sailed for home. Kristin and I went up to the Serenity Deck (adults only) and were joined by Ronnie as we sat and read. We had lunch...then a nap...and at 3p Kristin and I, along with Ryan and Richard, went to play bingo. I won!!! It was a $100 game and I had to split it with 2 others, but I still won. I was thrilled. Back in the room to dress for dinner, we packed and got ready for our early morning departure.
Sunday morning arrived, we got off the ship quickly and headed home. A quick stop for donuts and then lunch, we still arrived home by 3p. I have a ton of pictures and great memories of this trip. I love spending time with my family and we were able to be together and enjoy each other's company with no problems. The kids loved cruising and I think they are all hoping to do it again soon.
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