What a Great Cruise

As many of you may know, we went on a cruise with some friends last week.  It was SO fun!!  I finally have all my pictures, so I am going to start my review.  You excited?  You should be!!  It will probably take me a day or two to write the whole thing, but it will be full of pictures.  Ok, here it goes....

Day 1 - Driving down to St. George from Salt Lake

When Tom got home from work, we sent the kids off with his mom.  Then Tom showered and we headed down to St. George.  Evidently I didn't take pictures but we stopped off at Cove Fort on the way.  We are always in too big of a hurry, so I had never been there before.  When we got to St. George we wandered around and played for a bit.  Here are some pictures from that.

Tom on the Sugar Loaf

the Dixie D

St George Temple

DIXIE painted on the Sugar Loaf

Then we took a nap, got up and ready and put out balloons and cake to surprise Scott for his birthday when he got into town.  By the time he and Mandy got in, it was almost midnight and we were scheduled to leave for Las Vegas at 2:30am.

Day 2 - Flying into Fort Lauderdale

We had some difficulties with the schedule, feeling like we had tons of time at first and getting bit by it later.  We had to rush through the airport and ended up arriving at our gate just as our boarding zone was being called.  Yikes!  But at least we didn't miss the flight.  We had a layover in Atlanta and Tom and I split off from the group to get Popeye's (which was yummy).  When we finally landed in Fort Lauderdale, I had emails saying we had missing bags, so we were all feeling panicky on our way to baggage claim, but they actually had our bags in their office.  I think they got on an earlier flight than us.  Anyhow, then we got a shuttle to our hotel, Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale Airport North.  It was a pretty nice hotel.  Check in was a breeze.  We just had to scan our card at a kiosk and it printed a receipt and room keys.  We had a room with 2 double beds and a pullout sofa.  It was only $111 for all 6 of us.  You can hardly beat that.  Tom and I swam that afternoon and then we all went to Outback for dinner.  After that we were all tired and went to bed early.  Anyhow, here are our pictures.

The View from our room (that greenish building near the upper left was the Outback)

Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale Airport North

The pool

Breakfast Area

You can see the cruise ships based out of Fort Lauderdale from the hotel

2 double beds

Vanity area

Pull out couch

Wet bar area

Desk Area

Day 3 - Embarkation (Officially Cruising!!)

We woke up in the morning and had breakfast.  Then Mandy, Tom and I walked to CVS to buy drugs for Andy as well as more motion sickness pills.  It was a fun little outing and the shuttle was waiting for us (20 minutes early) when we got back.  So we ran up and got everyone else ready to head out.  Within 45 minutes we were in line at the port.  Embarkation was smoother than it has ever been for me, but it had been 3 years since my last cruise.  We waited in a short line, scanned our passports, then our credit card and it printed us a receipt.  Then we waited in a slightly longer line and got our room keys.  The only hitch there was that Mandy and Andy got pulled out to see the doctor because he had been having sniffles and stuff.  They actually got privately escorted onto the boat though, so it wasn't that bad.  The whole process took maybe 15-20 minutes.  We were able to explore the boat, take pictures and eat food right away.  That day we just hung out until dinner.  Then we changed into pants for dinner and had our first exciting yummy dinner.  After dinner we went and got good seats for the Welcome Aboard show.  It was pretty good and made us want to see the comedians later on.

Us on the top deck

Top Deck

Adults only Serenity Area

Carnival Destiny in port with us

Carnival Waterworks

Miami

Leaving Port

Our Inside Stateroom with a fake window and all done up for bedtime by our steward

Our first towel animal -  a seal

The TV was hanging in the corner

The vanity area

The art in the halls

Our room

Spinach and artichoke dip (from the everyday menu)

Escargot

Smoked duck

Caesar salad

Flat Iron Steak (from the everyday menu)

Chicken a la greque

This was some sort of vegetarian dish -  a pot pie with pumpkin and squash and other things - it was quite cinnamony

The famous warm chocolate melting cake 

Day 4 - Key West, Florida

We woke up early and had breakfast in the dining room alone.  The plan was to eat in the dining room as a group, but everyone else overslept.  After breakfast we finally got Andy and Mandy to wake up.  Then everyone else needed to eat and get ready.  It took quite a while, but the port authority cleared us and hour and a half behind schedule so it ended up not being a big deal.  When we finally got into port we split up because we wanted to save money and walk, but the rest of our group wanted to rent scooters.  The furthest we had to walk was to the southernomst point of the USA and it took about 20 minutes.

We saw chickens all over the island.  These ones have a funny story....  As we approached the hen jumped up some steps ahead to the left (you can kind of see them in the top left corner) and her chicks followed but one couldn't make the jump.  It just ran back and forth chirping.  It was cute....

Here we are at the southernomst point.  We had to wait in line about 5-10 minutes to have our picture taken.

On our way back we passed mile marker 0.  We weren't sure where it was so that was some nice luck.

After our visit to the southernmost point we headed East to visit the famous Kermit's for all things Key Lime.  When we got there Kermit was outside with a pie.  As Tom approached he got hit in the chest with the pie and had the best look ever on his face.  It turned out to be a fake pie though..... a very good fake pie.  After that we shared a slice of pie and a Key Lime soda.  We also bought a key lime sugar cookie (I ended up wishing we got more of those) and frozen key lime pie on a stick dipped in chocolate.  It has won some award and everyone on the island has the sign saying so, which makes me wonder if they all have the exact same pie or if it differs from shop to shop.  It was REALLY good, but I think my favorite was the cookie.  We also bought key lime taffy to bring home to the grandmas (and a bag for ourselves) and a key lime BBQ rub for a friend of ours.

Our reenactment of the prank since I didn't know to be armed with my camera as we approached

The sign everyone had

My turn to pose with Kermit (look what the humidity did to my hair!!!!!)

We also visited Diamonds International (to collect the cheap charm for my cheap bracelet, but it is still fun to collect).  Oh, but let me back up.....while we were eating outside Kermit's it started raining... HARD. We ended up ducking inside for cover.  But then we decided we were running out of time in port and would just face the rain.  It slowed down a bit, but then got crazy again, so we just braved it and got soaked.  We were two of a few people out and about.  We hit DI and Kino's Sandals.  I bought a cute pair of lace up sandals for $13.  I LOVE them!  They make me feel dainty.  We also visited the famous Toy Factory, which was WAY cool.  We bought the kids a wooden Noah's Ark puzzle there.  Then we walked around a bit and headed back to the boat.

Tom outside the Toy Factory.  The whole store is like a sunken ship.

Outside the toy store Tom got to pose with a parrot named Jack.  We were told he bites but we didn't have any problems.

We took this picture of our ship from outside some shops at Mallory Square.

It ended up hidden, but the ship is in the background.  This one shows you how wet we got.

When we got back on the ship, we ate lunch (hamburgers) and played on the slide.  We ended up sailing through the storm and were at the top of the metal slide tower when we reached the lightning.  I went down first.  I got claustrophobic about halfway, but I survived.  Then Mandy went and got stuck.  The guys (Tom and Nick) were yelling because they wanted to get their turn and get down before the storm had a chance to do anything.  Haha.  when they finally got down Andy (who didn't slide because he had been sick and didn't want to climb the stairs) was the only one left on the deck because of the rain.  Then we went down to the serenity deck to relax in the hot tub.  After that we showered and got dressed up for elegant night.  We took a few pictures (which we never purchased) and ate dinner.  There was more yummy food, including the much loved lobster tails (Andy ordered two) and strawberry bisque.

Strawberry bisque before

Strawberry bisque after

Alligator fritters

Lobster and shrimp

Veal parmesana (I think)

Prime rib (it was SOOOOOO yummy)

Black forest cake - I didn't order it but after tasting Tom's I wished I had and plan to order it if it is on our menu in December

Fun in the dining room

Our second towel animal

Tom hates for me to take his picture

I finally caught him!!

And here is a random shot proving that the window is fake

It was a good day.  The only thing we wanted to do but didn't get to do was that we wanted to buy a fresh coconut to have cut open for us to drink from, but we never saw anyone selling them.

Day 5 - Cozumel, Mexico

This day got off to a weird start.  Cozumel is an afternoon port so we ordered late morning (like 9:15) room service for breakfast.  That was going to be our wake up call.  Unfortunately there was a bomb threat and room service never came since the ship was being searched.  We finally woke up at 9:45 when they made us aware of the search and told us our rooms would soon be entered.  So we headed off to the buffet to grab some food.  We took the food to the Xanadu lounge for the shopping talk.  At the talk we got a bunch of coupons and advice and won a free set of pearls.  The pearls barely latch around my neck though, so I guess they will be Belle's.

After the shopping talk we went up to play bean bag toss, hoping to finally win a coveted ship on a stick.  Unfortunately, we got eliminated in the first round with a score of 8 to 1.  Pooie!!  After that we headed down to change into swimsuits and the like and gather our stuff for Cozumel.  We ordered BLTs for lunch since we weren't supposed to go into port until 2pm.  Just as we were finishing getting ready, they announced that we could already get off the boat (over an hour ahead of schedule).  Once everyone was ready we headed off the boat and snapped a few pictures on our way.  The port is owned by Carnival and had recently been destroyed by a hurricane and rebuilt.  It has lots of shops and some replica ruins and other fun stuff.  It is a nice port.  After leaving the port we caught a cab to Dzul-ha, also known as the money bar.  We did some slight negotiating despite the claim that the prices are set by the government and can't be changed, and got a cab for all 6 of us for $16.

 Our ship in port next to the Carnival Inspiration

Us in front of our ship

the beach at Dzul-ha

At the money bar we first toured a condo in a complex being built just behind the bar.  It was BEAUTIFUL, but they wanted 700k for a 3 bedroom.  That is just crazy!!  After that we rented snorkel gear and headed out.  To do this efficiently, you walk along some sharp rocks to the right as far as you are comfortable and then get in.  I suggest wearing water shoes or bringing someone with you to take your shoes back after you change into flippers.  And this beach isn't a typical beach.  There are sandy areas to lounge in, but you don't enter the water from the sand.  There is a staircase and a pier and a bunch of sharp rocks.  Anyhow, we snorkeled for a couple hours and went out twice.  You walk way out there and the tide brings you back towards the money bar.  The reef is no longer very exciting, but they have bait pots out there to keep the fish around while the reef grows back.  It was really pretty out there.  Oh, they also rent lockers for $4 and it fit 2 big bags and a bunch of other stuff.

The expensive condo complex

Tom and Nick

Tom and Nick obscured by bubbles that I'm guessing I blew on my way down

One of the bait pots (but very few fish at the moment)

Nick

A pretty striped fish

Scott or Nick or Tom, haha...I'm not sure

Another pot and a few boring fish

Some more fish

A pot with pretty fish

Nick underwater (I think)

More pots and fish

Scott

Tom and I (and our locker key by my head)

Mandy and Andy

scenery

There is a fish hiding top middle here

I thought this was a fun shot with the waterline in it

Some growing coral

Some sort of mound thing

I can't figure out if there is anything interesting here

Me

Tom

Not sure who is hiding behind all the bubbles

Tom and Nick exploring

More random stuff

This one has a fish

Nick's legs.... I love how this picture turned out...

After that we took another cab to the Forum shops at the far end of the shopping district.  That cab was $18 for all of us.  We didn't take any pictures of shopping, but at Tanzanite International, Tom and I did some negotiating and got me a ring for $223 and a free necklace with a value of $500.  Then we all went down a few blocks to a cantina called TikiTok.  It was really cheap and tasty and had a great view.  they also had a section with sand on the floor like a beach.  The time we spent in the shopping district felt like the twilight zone.  We were like the only people there.  We kept worrying that our watches had all broken and we missed the ship.  I guess everyone just did their shopping first.  Oh well....I think it got us better prices.  After we ate we got a cab back to the port for $13.  Unfortunately, they shut down the main road for some festival, so we had to take back roads.  then we ran into an accident and did some more wandering.  It was fun to see the backstreets of Cozumel.  Our driver gave us a great tour and we talked about religion a bit.  it was an interesting chat.  When we got back to the port, we bought the kids shirts at Del Sol and got a free bag, then raced back to the ship.  

Here is my new ring... I love it!! We hope to buy earrings next cruise and then with the free necklace I'd have a full set

Our group (minus Mandy) at TikiToks

The view of the ocean looking across the sandy section of the restaurant

The fake ruins at the port

A lovely view of our ship in the sunset

We got back just in time to stuff random crap in my bag and head to the reverse scavenger hunt.  We had to dump our bag out on stage and the guy would describe an item.  then I would find it, hand it to Tom and Tom had to race around the room and fight the right employee who was hiding) to give it to.  We ended up tying for first, but only because Tom was willing to wear lipstick and high heels for one clue, haha.  We finally got our ships on sticks!!  Yay...  I will come back later and add a picture of them because I haven't taken one yet.  After winning we met up with our friends and went to our special place on the back of the boat just above the Serenity Area.  Tom and I finally got our coconut monkey head drink.  We had it filled with a virgin peach drink.  It was really yummy!  After that we ended up getting split up, girls and guys, and it took well over half an hour to meet up because, simply put, men can't listen.  We both told our husband's to stay put because we were getting them motion sickness medicine, but they left while we were gone and then there was a lot of wandering aorund before we gave up and sat in my room until Tom found us.

Our ships on sticks - wheeheehee!!!

The towel animal of the night

Me and our coconut drink

Both of us with our special drink (that cost $13 but yes we got to keep the coconut)

Once we were reunited Tom and I ordered BLTs for dinner because we only shared a meal at the cantina in Cozumel.

Day 6 - Sea Day

We got up just before breakfast ended and went to the dining room.  When we got back, the rest of the group was up and ready to eat.  They headed up to the buffet, so we went with them to hang out.  We saved a table and sat down to enjoy the sea air and read.  They came back with tons of chocolate and desserts, so we went to check out the chocolate buffet.  It definitely was not listed in the FunTimes.  The most exciting item was an ice cream and pastry turkey.  After that, we checked out the ice carving demonstration, but got there after it was carved.  It was pretty cool, but melting SO fast. 

Turkey made of ice cream and pastry

Indian head ice carving

Maybe you can't see, but water was just streaming down the sides....

After that, we went to our room to take various medications and a nap because my back was really hurting.  We woke up just in time to go to tea time.  I really enjoyed tea time, but didn't think to take any pictures.  Each person got a little tea pot of hot water then they came around with a box of tea packets to choose from. We picked a spiced orange tea.  I think Tom used about 6 packets of sugar in his, haha.  Then they came around with the cart.  I had a cucumber sandwich and some tasty custard.  Tom got a chocolate fruit tart.  Everything was tasty.  After that we did some shopping and some drawings then went to dinner with our group.  It was tasty as usual.

Wild mushroom soup -  a new personal favorite

French onion soup

Sushi sampler - real sushi

crab cake

seafood pasta - watch for this to come up again later

Dinner was tasty, but we had ordered a cake for our anniversary so it had an embarrassing end.  They brought out our cake and made us kiss while they sang Happy Anniversary to the tune of Happy Birthday in their funny foreign accents.  We laughed the whole time.  That cakes is the best cake I have eaten in my life!!  I think we will always make up a reason to order one now!!

And the singing begins

Awkward smiles

I guess we can kiss, right?

Before doing this he said, "Zay a wanta some pryvissy"

But all we did was laugh

How awkward to be caught mid-candle-blowing while Tom has an awkward sheepish look on his face

yummiest and prettiest cake ever

towel animal of the night

 One of those rare pictures of Tom

and a close up

Day 7 - Back to Utah

I didn't take any pictures on this day, but it consisted of sneaking up to the dining room the back way because our rooms had us trapped in the flow of people getting off the boat.  then we waited our turn, got off and grabbed our bags.  Then we caught our shuttle to the airport and checked in.  We ate lunch there and hung out until our flight.  We ate on our layover and then flew in to Vegas.  The whole day I had the runs so bad that on our 4 hour layover I went to the bathroom about 10 times.  It was miserable and after some discussion we attributed it to the seafood pasta because nobody else was sick and nobody else ate it.  PSA - don't eat the seafood pasta!!  We got in to Vegas late and drove to St. George.  Then Tom and Scott and I slept before I drive back to Salt Lake.  

All in all, a very fun trip!!!