Caribbean Cruising!

For those of you who don't know, of all the vacations both Jared and I enjoy equally are the cruises we get to take together.  We both get to do the things we want to do, on our own timetable and someone else who gets to do all the cooking and cleaning.  It's a win-win!

I believe this is our 4th or 5th cruise and we are really starting to get the hang of it!  Originally, we were supposed to take this cruise with Jared's mom and family - his mom really loved the Alaskan cruise she took last August and thought she'd try the Caribbean this time.  However, with her cancer progressing and treatments she was undergoing, she had to pull out of the cruise but that just meant that Jared and I HAD to go on the cruise since we were past the refund deadline - OH DARN!

We are so very lucky that we have family who comes to our rescue to take our children while we get a week of a little R&R - don't worry Sarah, I owe you like 4 weeks of vacation when you need it!

And because we don't like to go alone on cruises, we convinced some of our adopted New York family to join us - the Jacobsens!  We were so lucky we got to meet back up with them - and the bonus, we met a few more friends along the way!

Our first stop was in Jamaica.

The port in Jamaica is very pretty and very safe, guarded by a huge fence around the premises.  On the other side, not so safe.  Anyway, we ended taking a taxi to the other side of the island and climbing up Dunn's Rivers Falls - a 1,000 foot water fall.  It was pretty impressive - but due to the fact that I did not have water proof camera, and did not want to pay the $60 for their DVD, the memory is just going to have to do for now!

After climbing the falls, you walk through this little flea market, where Paul was the winner of the purchase of the trip - they looked like little Jamaican heads carved out of wood that were paper weights with their names carved into the side.  Bonus was, my parents, who came and did the same excursion just a few years earlier, bought the same ones!  I about died laughing!!!

Then we headed back to the Port and did some shopping and enjoyed some delicious Jerky Jamaican chicken - which nearly burned my mouth, but Jared completely enjoyed and bought himself a little bottle of seasoning.  That is ALL his.

Us in front of Margaritaville - who knew there was one in Jamaica!

 Looking at our ship from Jamaica

 Jared, Wendy, Brandy, and Paul at the port of Jamaica

Between ports, there was no shortage of activities to enjoy. 

Of course during the day, we exercised (not at 5:30 a.m. - much to Wendy's enjoyment), layed by the pool, attempted the Flow Rider - which is quite a skill to feat! And of course, we ate, and ate, and ate. And by night, there was dinner to get dressed up for, ice skating shows, comedians, and dancing shows to enjoy and of course, Karaoke!  No one joined in with me this year, so I just let it be.

But that didn't stop me on the dance floor!  I tried my best to get Jared to join me, but instead Brandy was my partner most of the night, Paul would join in when he could, and the rest of the time we just tried to get the crowd moving!

 This picture was taken for Paul's sake.  Not sure the inside joke, but it's a good one of Jared don't you think?

 And yes, we both attempted the flow rider.  You should see the videos, they are quite entertaining!

 I just love Brandy!  Such a kick!

 

 Our next stop was in St. Thomas.  It was absolutely beautiful and I would definitely go back in a heartbeat!  We booked an excursion to go to Sting Ray Bay.  This is where there is a reef where you can stand and the Sting Rays, with stingers, come up to you and let you pet them and hold them.  Of course, they teach you what to do and not to do to be safe.  As we headed out to the reef, we quickly realized that the weather was not cooperating with us that day.   Because the wind had picked up and the boat ride was so choppy, someone on our boat almost got stuck under the boat due to the choppy weather, and we barely got to experience the Sting Rays, they gave us our money back.

 So after making it back to shore safely, we found a restaurant right on the beach and ate some delicious seafood, and Brandy and I grabbed some snorkeling gear and headed out.  Jared and Paul enjoyed just sitting and chatting watching us in the water.  We were out there for a few hours playing and swimming in the water, jumping on the water trampoline when we realized it was time to head back to the ship.  Another day, St. Thomas!

 Of course, on the ship there are some formal nights and we were lucky enough to have a GREAT dinner table that we loved to be with.  The Graftons and the Browns are amazing people from Boston who we quickly became friends with.  They have been life long friends, the Browns surprised the Graftons by showing up on this cruise by knocking on their door the first day.  The Graftons had come on the cruise to see their son be one of the Ice Skaters on the ship.  These people make me laugh!  So after the first few dinners with them we found that we all were just peas in a pod and enjoyed every night getting together for dinner.

 I think we clean up pretty well, don't you?

Us and the Jacobsens

 

 Our third stop was in Cozumel.  We booked an excursion through the ship to go Ziplining and have a jeep ride through the jungle.  At least, that's what the brochure said!  We were mislead and shocked to see that they were taking us to more of an amusement park where they had all these activities provided for you to do on your own.  Not quite what we were looking for but that didn't stop us from having fun!

Getting ready to zipline - Safety first!

 

 And after a day of playing and shopping in Cozumel, we headed back to the ship one last time.  I must say, it was a beautiful ship!  Royal Caribbean, Navigator treated us right.

 

 And I must say, I am always impressed with their towel creations - I thought Kate would love this one!

It was hard to say good-bye after a week of making friends with our dinner crew.

 These people went dancing with us and hung out poolside and made our cruise completely enjoyable!  We couldn't have picked better people to spend our time with this week!

Randy and his wife - this was their 40-somthing cruise! They live in Galveston and come on a cruise every 2 weeks on Royal Caribbean.  They even have business cards with their profession being Professional Cruisers!  Oh what a life! They were quite entertaining to have and a great resource of the ins and outs of cruising!

 So, on our last night of dinner, it was jokes and smiles all around and exchanging of facebook information to keep in touch.  I will miss this crazy group!

But the thing I think I love the most, is the fact that I get to spend a whole week with the man that I love and I get him all to myself!  He is the love of my life and I love this crazy adventure that we get together and wouldn't want to spend my time with anyone other than him!