Cruise

So we have a lot to celebrate this year. Not only is Ken finally getting a real job but we have been married for 10 years! This is a momentous year so we felt it only fitting to do something new and adventurous, so we decided to go on a cruise!

Leaving our kids behind with friends, we left from a port in Miami, Florida to the Bahamas! It was a four night cruise and it was wonderful! It was the most relaxing vacation I have ever been on. We got a really good deal (the plane tickets were more expensive than the cruise) because we went in the off-season, but we were lucky and had gorgeous weather, ie, home weather 12 degrees Fahrenheit, Bahamas 78 degrees Fahrenheit. (we took this trip in January)

Practicing my swing on board.

I lived in my flip flops. I love wearing flip flops. (Especially since back in Ohio they were wearing winter coats.)

The happy couple.

They had these delicious crepes. I had one every single night. Yum!!

Leaving Florida.

Our room was really small, but we didn't care cause we were hardly ever in it. We spent all our time on the islands, in the ship's pools or hot tubs or just chilling on the deck.

In front of our cruise ship.

The first place we stopped was an island called Freeport. We spent our time doing some window shopping and then swimming in the ocean. It was fun but the water was a little chilly.

The crashing waves.

The sand was wonderful. So soft.

Every night they had turn down service and would leave a towel creature. Here is our little dog.

An elephant from one of the nights.

I think the thing I liked the very most is that Ken had NO contact with the main land--no one calling with chief problems for Ken to fix, no emails with schedule problems that need attention. He was all mine and it was divine.

The second day we went to Nasseu, the capital of the Bahamas. We signed up for a water snorkeling excursion.

Snorkeling was a lot of fun. We were able to see a lot of fish up close.

Sporting the backpack we used to carry everything when we went off the boat and eating yummy ice cream.

Every night they had great entertainment. There was a comedian (totally clean and family friendly) that totally brought me to tears with laughter, the newlywed game, a mash of musicals, and grand finale night (a little of everything along with a great show put on by our cruise director).

The musical.

The food was great. They had a few dining options. The buffet style, a couple of sit down restaurants, and a couple with a minimal cover charge--like all-you-can-eat fillet Mignon for $25 (we only did the free ones cause they were great, so why pay?).

Every night we got to order appetizers, main course and dessert.

Breakfast

The final day we spent on a private island. There was a huge BBQ on the island. We spent the day swimming. The water was warmer here and because of those 2 big rocks you see in the above picture, it wasn't very windy.

They had a huge BBQ on the island for everyone on the ship.

The water was absolutely gorgeous! It had the most amazing blue color.

So relaxing to just sit and read.

There was a guy decked out in a tux that came out into the water. He wasn't really serving drinks but was there for those that wanted pictures.

Final thoughts...this trip was amazing. Being able to reconnect with my husband after years of him being so busy was priceless.