Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Bahamas Cruise
Well this is going to be a one time post covers it all. Whole week without Internet or cell phone. I kept pen and paper close at hand so I could write about each day so here goes.
Day 1 - cannot believe this day has finally arrived. Bags were packed for 3 days. Kids were up to help us with the last minute packing which turned a 2 hour job into 4 hours but I would't have it any other way.
Picked Bernie and Shirley up at 9 AM and headed to the Cracker Barrel for breakfast and then to the ship. Checked the bags and worked our way through the terminal and through the security gates. Alarms started going off as I walked through and realizing it was the pins on my jacket and my belt buckle was a quick fix. Then Bernie started through and again the alarms. Assuming it was also his belt buckle I turned around to see him taking his Gerber tool out of his shoe! I thought for sure they were going to take it at the very least and at the worst we would have to leave without him. But to our surprise they let him keep it - guess he doesn't look like a trouble maker. Boarded the ship, found our cabin and then off to dinner. I had ordered an anniversary cake for dinner as a surprise to Don. After 45 years he deserves something. I had been told the waters in the Chesapeake Bay were pretty rough but we had taken motion sickness pills and nothing was too bad until around mid-night when I woke up to hearing some banging and could feel the ship rocking. The banging turned out to be the drawers on the night stand sliding in and out but after a few minutes everything was fine. Probably was exiting the bay and entering the ocean at that time.
First and second day were spent at sea so visited a few bars, went to a few shows and as the temps warmed even got to lay in the sun.
First stop was Port Canaveral Florida where we did an airboat and alligator hunting.
Had a great time. Back on ship for dinner and Shirley was impressed with the dancing and singing the waiters did to entertain us. I think she fell in love with Feland our waiter.
Next day was Nassau - what a beautiful island and great weather. It was amazing to stand on deck and watch our captain gently guide this massive ship into the harbor, turn it 180 degrees and then back into the dock. I think all 2600 guests exited the ship. Oh forgot to mention - this was spring break for the college kids and who would have guessed college kids could afford a cruise. After taking a tour of the island, visiting a beach for an hour or so Don and I headed out walking to find the straw market about 5 blocks from the ship. What a huge straw market on Nassau and I managed to purchase a few good bargins.
Freeport we took the glass-bottom boat tour and enjoyed the beautiful sea and warm sun. Another straw market and then back to the ship. Today's special drink is in a coconut carved like a monkey's head which is also a bank. Todd is going to love it.
Pulling out of port at 2 PM and heading for another day at sea before reaching Baltimore on Sunday morning. According to the ship's fact sheet which Bernie was so intent on getting, the ship's top speed is 25 knots which is about 30 mph. Heading back we were cruising at 25 knots just about all the time but never hit rough seas.
I love to cruise but I probably will not depart from Baltimore again. You do save the cost of airfare but by flying to Florida or Puerto Rico you get to the warm islands much faster.
Day 1 - cannot believe this day has finally arrived. Bags were packed for 3 days. Kids were up to help us with the last minute packing which turned a 2 hour job into 4 hours but I would't have it any other way.
Picked Bernie and Shirley up at 9 AM and headed to the Cracker Barrel for breakfast and then to the ship. Checked the bags and worked our way through the terminal and through the security gates. Alarms started going off as I walked through and realizing it was the pins on my jacket and my belt buckle was a quick fix. Then Bernie started through and again the alarms. Assuming it was also his belt buckle I turned around to see him taking his Gerber tool out of his shoe! I thought for sure they were going to take it at the very least and at the worst we would have to leave without him. But to our surprise they let him keep it - guess he doesn't look like a trouble maker. Boarded the ship, found our cabin and then off to dinner. I had ordered an anniversary cake for dinner as a surprise to Don. After 45 years he deserves something. I had been told the waters in the Chesapeake Bay were pretty rough but we had taken motion sickness pills and nothing was too bad until around mid-night when I woke up to hearing some banging and could feel the ship rocking. The banging turned out to be the drawers on the night stand sliding in and out but after a few minutes everything was fine. Probably was exiting the bay and entering the ocean at that time.
First and second day were spent at sea so visited a few bars, went to a few shows and as the temps warmed even got to lay in the sun.
First stop was Port Canaveral Florida where we did an airboat and alligator hunting.
Had a great time. Back on ship for dinner and Shirley was impressed with the dancing and singing the waiters did to entertain us. I think she fell in love with Feland our waiter.
Next day was Nassau - what a beautiful island and great weather. It was amazing to stand on deck and watch our captain gently guide this massive ship into the harbor, turn it 180 degrees and then back into the dock. I think all 2600 guests exited the ship. Oh forgot to mention - this was spring break for the college kids and who would have guessed college kids could afford a cruise. After taking a tour of the island, visiting a beach for an hour or so Don and I headed out walking to find the straw market about 5 blocks from the ship. What a huge straw market on Nassau and I managed to purchase a few good bargins.
Freeport we took the glass-bottom boat tour and enjoyed the beautiful sea and warm sun. Another straw market and then back to the ship. Today's special drink is in a coconut carved like a monkey's head which is also a bank. Todd is going to love it.
Pulling out of port at 2 PM and heading for another day at sea before reaching Baltimore on Sunday morning. According to the ship's fact sheet which Bernie was so intent on getting, the ship's top speed is 25 knots which is about 30 mph. Heading back we were cruising at 25 knots just about all the time but never hit rough seas.
I love to cruise but I probably will not depart from Baltimore again. You do save the cost of airfare but by flying to Florida or Puerto Rico you get to the warm islands much faster.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Travel to the Bahamas
Well the 2011 travel season is just about to begin. Wow it has been a long cold winter! One more thing being marked off the bucket list - another cruise. We will head for the Bahamas tomorrow. Bernie and Shirley will again be our traveling buddies. Suitcases are all packed. Oh it is also our 45th wedding anniversary. I will not have Internet access so I'm going to handle this the old fashion way and take pencil and paper and then post when I return. See ya then.
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