Cruisin' Together

Its been a while since we got back from our amazing Carribean adventure but I wanted to share it all with you! I'm going to break it down by day to make it a little easier to get but of course I can't post all the pictures we took...So enjoy!

Getting there!
Grandma, Ben, Matt, Leah and I left Toronto early Saturday morning and flew to Miami. Matt and I were so excited that we made sure that our lips were good and protected and the wouldn't get sun burnt before we even left the plane! By the time we got to the boat terminal, checked in, and got to our rooms it was early evening. The sunset over Miami was so pretty!

Day One - At Sea!

Our first day on the boat we were at sea heading to Mexico. Because we are stuck on a huge ship there was ALWAYS something going on, like the Hairiest Chest competition. The cruise was all-you-can-eat, all the time but we had to buy our own drinks. Luckily they weren't as expensive as we had thought. This is Matt and I enjoying the cocktail of the day...I totally forget what it was called but it was surprisingly yummy! Every night we would all meet for dinner and go to the Dinning room (the Paris Dinning Room to be exact) and eat. We always sat at the same two tables and had the same two waiters. The first full day and second last day on the boat were 'formal' nights where we all got dressed up and looked pretty. That's Matt, Ben, and Leah looking really hot. After dinner every night we would go back to our rooms to find our beds turned down, a chocolate on our pillow and a list of the next days events. And the best part was that they would make an animal out of a towel. So cute! This is Matt's and mine elephant kissing Ben and Leah's.

Day Two - Cozumel, Mexico

Our first port was in Cozumel. We decided not to do any of the tours because there just wasn't anything that really sounded amazing. Instead Ben, Matt, Leah and I went and did a little shopping and had the best food I have ever eaten in my life! It was so interesting to see Christmas decorations all over the place and be walking around sweating! I LOVED it! The place that we went for lunch was so good. They made the Guacamole right in front of us and we drank good Mexican beer (Corona is not what they drink...just the tourists...apparently much like Foster's, Corona is the joke they played on the world!). After eating we sat at the bar on the hysterical bar stools that were really saddles. After lunch we went and did a little shopping. Leah and I bought some new shoes and some souvenirs. Benny got some Cuban Cigars and Matt bought some Tequila. We weren't allowed to bring bottles of alcohol on the boat, we were supposed to check them and then we would get them back when we got off in Miami. Unfortunately Matt wanted to drink his so he put it in a water bottle, but the customs people were too smart for that and caught him. They took it away...so sad...but at least he has this funny picture with a donkey! That night Dad, Ben, Leah,and Matt went into Cozumel for dinner (the boat didn't leave until 10pm) and I stayed on board and went for dinner with Mum, Grandma, and Aunt Gail. So nice to spend time with them!

Day Three - Out to Sea

Our third day on the boat was at sea heading from Mexico to Grand Cayman. It was a pretty typical day of sleeping in, tanning, swimming, drinking, napping, and reading. That night at dinner the waiters threw on some frilly tops and did a little dance for us. Our waiter Julian really got us all into it and you can see Grandma just givin'er in the purple.

Day Four - No Grand Cayman

Unfortunately when we arrived at Grand Cayman the waters were too choppy so the Port Authority closed the ports and we weren't able to get off the boat. Instead all our excursion money was refunded and the crew gave us an extra $25. Not bad considering it was the weather's fault. Instead we spent the day hanging out on the boat, playing Bingo, Trivia Games, and getting burnt on the deck. That night Dad, me, Leah, and the boys decided to check out the cigar bar on the boat. It was a really fun night. It turns out that one of the musicians in the Jazz band that plays in the bar was from Sudbury...such a small world! Matt was so mad at me for jumping in this picture of him and Ben...look at his face...its like he already knew! But then he saw it and thought it was pretty funny so I got to sleep in the room and not in the hall!

Day Five - Ocho Rios, Jamaica

The day that we were all most excited about had to be our stop in Jamaica. Mum, Dad, Leah, the boys, Aunt Denise, Uncle Jim, Kelsey, and I all decided to start the day off with a climb up Dunn's River Falls. Before we were allowed to climb we had to change our sandals to water shoes. The woman laughed at Matt when he asked for a pink pair...she even questioned his manhood....so funny! The falls were amazing! There were probably about 40 of us in our group and with 2 guides and two people taking pictures and video. Everyone helped each other to climb up, but you'll just have to take my word for it. Unfortunately all of our pictures were taken on film so none of them are digital so can't be put online but do a google search and you'll see lots of random pictures! After the falls we went to Dolphin Cove. Here we could swim with dolphins, sharks or stingrays, or we could snorkel. Leah, Kelsey, Ben, Matt, and I decided to just be cheap and did the Rain forest Walk. It was pretty cool. We all took a picture with a parrot that liked to make out (for serious! The Keeper asked if Ben and I wanted a kiss and the thing tried to jam his tongue in my mouth! It reminded me of a few dates I have had!), then everyone except Kelsey took a picture with Elvis the Iguana. Matt and Leah HATE snakes so Ben and I were the only ones who were brave enough to take a picture with it.

After our adventures with the animals we did a little shopping then got back on the boat for our second formal dinner. Here's a picture of the whole family looking all dressed up in our snazzy outfits. Unfortunately with 12 people it took a few minutes to get us all organized enough to look at the camera at the same time. Kathy brought some fake teeth so a bunch of people put them in for two pictures and then took them out for one. No one told Grandma because we thought it would be funny for her to see them. Unfortunately she didn't find it to funny...but the rest of us loved it! Here are my two VERY handsome brothers in their suits. I still can't believe how grown up they are! After dinner Kelsey, me, Leah, Ben & Matt decided to check out some more of the night life on the boat. We got a few buckets of beer, danced, laughed, and had a great time...Kelsey and I even looked up a few kilts to see if there was anything underneath...unfortunately we weren't steady enough to tell.

Day Six - Last Day on the Ship!

Our last day on the ship was a pretty relaxed one. Most of us were done with the sun (or were too burnt to lay out anymore!) so did a little shopping on the boat. In the afternoon we all (except Gail who we forgot to tell) got together and played a round of mini-putt. It was so fun! The oldest from each room teamed up with the youngest from another room...and the oldest team won! Grandma was really on fire with 2 or 3 holes in one. After the game Kelsey, Aunt Denise, Leah, and I went for a steam in the Spa and then we all met again for our last dinner in the Dinning Room.

So that was our Cruise adventure! There is so much that I left out because there just isn't enough room to include it all but I'll be sure to share the pictures whenever I see any of you!