31- Cruise (March 2-7)
March 2
Cruise Day. We are all packed up and ready to go from our cabin when we get the alert the cruise is delayed by about three hours because of fog (bummer).
We drive to the coast to hit up some gardens and an art museum in Ormond Beach. The paintings were actually really good and I loved that they entailed a description of what it meant. The gardens were small and beautiful. We found some baby turtles that were about the size of a half dollar. They were cute as could be. Then we went to a different little pond and saw about 50 turtles in a tight area. They were literally on top of each other. But they were free turtles and not caged in or anything, just very crowded.
While we had planned on getting lunch on the boat, that wouldn’t be until 2:30 or 3:00 now, so we stop by a circle K for a quick gas station lunch. As we drive away, I idiotically leave my drink on top of the van. It spills all over the top of the van (bummer).
We arrive in Jacksonville and get our car parked, then are shuttled over to the port where the check-in process went pretty smoothly. After getting on the boat, we check out our room, which is tight and cozy, before we walk around the ship. The girls are stunned at the size of the ship.
It was a little windy, but we still tried out the slides. The water being cold and the wind whipping around made it a quick trip to the pool.
Today is our first day of fine dining. The girls and I got all dressed up and went to their first three course meal served by our waiter Hari (who is a great guy). Everyone got some different food and I enjoyed a crawfish spring roll, Cornish hen and cheesecake. The girls got up and danced with our waiter to some music after the song which made the meal even better.
March 3
First full day at sea. I wake up earlier and go check out the ship in the morning. It was quiet and nice.
Woke the girls up, which was tough because lots of cruise activities happen at night.
The cruise hosts a party for Dr. Suess’ birthday and they have a little balloon drop and some dessert. We attend this event and then go to lunch at guy’s burger joint. The burgers and fries were surprisingly good. One of the best burgers I’ve had in I can’t even remember.
It’s fun for a short while, but a large portion of cruise life is eating. With so many options and such big portions, food waste is apparent and inevitable to a certain point, but also really sad.
Explored to boat, swam, did the water slides (plenty of times), went to a comedy show (that was not very funny), did some people watching, listened to some motown tunes, dropped Katie (and then Grace) off at the kids area. They made some crafts and did some dancing. That was about the gist of our day.
The girls keep commenting on how this not what they thought the cruise would be like (in a good way). They thought it wouldn’t have that much stuff and we’d be just looking out at the water most of the time.
Come back to the room and watched school of rock together until midnight.
March 4
Celebration Key day! Had a nice breakfast that included a veggie omelet that was made by the omelet man (an impressive match of efficiency and politeness).
After a nice breakfast, we disembark the boat to hang out on carnival’s own island. We started by swimming in the lagoon, but it was a little chilly still early enough in the morning, so Katie and I stay in the water while the other’s retreat to their chairs and read.
Katie makes a friend at the pool and plays with her for a while.
After a bit, we walk around to explore the area. Not much to it really. They do have some “food trucks” which are just areas where you can get one free entree if you’re a carnival guest (which was nice). Bex and I got some Mediterranean that was real good.
Next, we head for the beach. Katie quickly makes another friend: Carmelo. Bex and I talk to his parents for a bit, then go on a beach walk and step in for a quick swim. Grace gets out some zoomies by herself and Annie chills and reads. One really nice thing about the cruise has been the lack of wifi, which leads the girls to reading a lot more.
We head back on the boat and hit up the water slides, then ice cream, and then chill for a while before dinner.
March 5
Bahama mama day. We get into Nassau and hit up the town. Before we get off the ship we have a nice breakfast. I think the best thing was the biscuits and gravy.
I actually woke up today feeling really dizzy and it did not go away. It felt like my vision was spinning. It has to do with the rocking of the boat and it gradually went away through the day, but it was a weird feeling (not sure if it was vertigo or not).
When we departed the boat it was a long walk to the town. Went to the straw market and the girls got to experience the haggling and sales pressure of a marketplace in the Bahamas. It was a little overwhelming for them I think, but I enjoyed it.
We strolled around town, found the presidential house, a famous cigar factory and saw the people rolling cigars, some candy shops and lots of gift shops. Annie commented on how crazy they drive here in the Bahamas. I don't think the girls were ready for the sales pressure that you get in the parts of the world so heavily dependent on tourism. It was a good experience for them as their eyes were opened a little more as they've never even seen someone barter.
After a bit we went to the beach where people continued to try and sell us anything from seats, umbrellas, beer, drugs, magnets and all sorts of things. Katie and I were the only ones to go swimming. Grace got her zoomies on in the shallows while Bex and Annie just chilled.
Came back to the boat for lunch, then chilled.
Went to a comedy show after the sunset.
Fine dining with Hari (our waiter) was just okay tonight, not the best menu.
March 6
Last cruise day. Woke up and had an amazing breakfast sandwich. The girls didn’t eat too much for breakfast, which surprised me a bit.
Watched Elio in the room; cute movie.
Katie went to the Sharks kids program while Annie, Grace, Bex and I went to the water slides, pool and hot tub.
Picked up Katie from her shark club to watch some ice sculpting and have some lunch.
Chilled on the deck and watched the sea. Our boat had to go into shore to drop off someone who was having a medical emergency, so we got to see a little more land, boats and animals which was neat (hopefully the person was okay).
March 7
Travel day! Heading to Pigeon Forge, TN.
Start off waking up on the boat in Jacksonville and try to get as much food from the cruise as we can for breakfast. We have eaten so much this week, it’s crazy.
The disembarkation process went really smoothly and we were on the road by 9:00. Stopped at Congaree National Park which was about half way point for us. It was a quick tour of the park, but definitely worth the stop. We did the boardwalk hike after the visitors center. Saw a dead boar, an alligator, several turtles and plenty of birds (missed the sound of birds on the cruise).
Got some McD’s before completing the drive. It’s crazy to see the change in landscape as we get to the Appalachian Mountains. We’ve been in Florida so long, I almost forgot what mountains looked like.
Even though we had a really relaxing cruise, Bex and I are drained for some reason, so we’re looking forward to a chill Sunday.
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