Wow! It’s been a long time since I’ve updated this. Cruises have been flying by- I only have 4 more cruises left after this. Hard to believe.
Last cruise was my favorite of the contract and was the one I had been waiting for since I signed on, because my parents were finally here! If you are a reader of this and know my parents and see them on a regular basis I trust that they have already done a sufficient job of making you jealous- that was the mission I sent them off on. If they had a fraction of the fun I did last cruise, it was a vacation of a lifetime. Despite what they thought was a rocky start, they had a good time. I’m just glad they’re not on this cruise, because we have experienced far rougher seas than last week.
My first port with them was San Juan, Puerto Rico. I didn’t really know where to take them here because I usually talk on the phone with them most of the time I’m there. One time I was able to do the Old San Juan walking tour and I still remember bits of the information we were given so I took them on a personal walking tour of my favorite places. And did we ever walk! I wasn’t sure how they would do- I walk everywhere in the islands. It’s pretty rare for me to take a cab, even in the heat of midday. I love to walk and everything is so beautiful that walking lets me see more. Despite the fact that I’m used to this, I think they could have out walked me that day- the excitement of the warmth in March must have taken over! We walked through the City Gate, to the Cathedral, past one of the US’s oldest churches and out to Castillo San Felipe del Morro- the fort that we sail right past as we enter the port. This was the first time I had ever been in the fort and I’m glad I got the chance to see it and share that experience with them. We then headed downtown to do a little shopping before getting back onboard to make a buffet stop before I had to go back to work.
The next day was St. Thomas- the shopping capital of the world. Guess what we did? If you only know me, you wouldn’t guess correctly. If you know my mom, you know the right answer is SHOP! Thankfully I’m very good friends with the Port and Shopping Guide onboard so that makes shopping fun to me. Plus he gave my parents the hookup for some great deals and free gifts. Ask my mom to see her blue and white diamond ring. The blue diamond represents the clear waters of the Caribbean. It’s beautiful- both the diamond and the water. While the ring was being sized we took a trip up the Paradise Point Sky Ride. I had been up there before and showed Mom and Dad my pictures so they wanted to see it for themselves. We didn’t have a lot of time, but it was enough to see all the way to Puerto Rico.
We were in Samana in the Dominican Republic on the next day. Previously this had been my least favorite port. I have sometimes not even gotten off the ship here- there’s really nothing to do. Since Mom and Dad were here we booked an excursion to the beach of Cayo Levantado. We got the deluxe package which included snorkeling and kayaking. I have snorkeled several times since taking this job and I love it. I didn’t expect Mom and Dad to even want to try, but they both said they did. After they got the hang of it, they really enjoyed it. Cayo Levantado had the most and biggest starfish I have ever seen. I saw my first spotted eel- it scared me a little bit, but it was really neat to see. Unfortunately I didn’t have my camera on me at the time. Getting Mom and Dad into the kayak was a little rough, but once they got in they were fine. I told them we didn’t have to be back to the ship early and we could leave whenever they wanted. Dad said he wanted to leave next Christmas. Unfortunately that wasn’t possible because we still had to call on Labadee.
Labadee was the site of my parent’s birthday presents- a snorkel trip to coral gardens. The snorkeling was more difficult here as we were further from the shore. The variety of coral was amazing and since the water was really shallow, enough light could reach the coral to display the amazing colors. We only had an hour to snorkel, but it was so much work with all the waves that I don’t think I could have done more than an hour. We headed back to Labadee for lunch and a walk around before we were due back on board.
I loved having my parents on board and getting them the VIP treatment. They got to meet skaters, dancers, and singers. I even got to introduce them to an entertainer they really enjoyed and he gave them an autographed CD. An unexpected perk was that I got to take my parents up to the bridge for waffle day. I wanted to get them a bridge tour, but I don’t know anyone on the bridge team that well to ask for it. Thankfully I got a call about waffle day and brought my parents along. They didn’t get much of a tour up there, but I was able to tell them what I know about the bridge…which probably isn’t much.
My parents weren’t the only ones who had the VIP treatment. Since I had guest on board, I was able to eat all of my meals in guest areas. I had dinner in the dining room all but 2 nights, and I had lunch in either the dinning room or the buffet every day. I wasn’t in the mess all cruise, it was great! What isn’t great is that I gained 10 pounds…but it was worth it! Steak and ice cream nearly everyday! I also had escargot and lobster for the first time. Escargot is phenomenal….I’m not as crazy about the lobster.
I was sad to see my parents go, but knowing that I will be home very soon made it easier. It was also nice to see my friends again this cruise. A lot of people thought I had signed off because they didn’t see me for a whole cruise! I spent a lot of time at the beginning of this cruise with the ice cast because they signed off in St. Thomas. That was a rough goodbye. The ice cast were some of the first people I met when I signed on and many of them were among my closest friends on board. I’m used to 1 or 2 friends leaving at a time, but 9 left together yesterday morning and it tore me a part. I wish them all nothing but the best and I welcome the new ice cast into our onboard family.
I took the time in St. Thomas yesterday to walk up to Blackbeard’s Castle yesterday. It was a nice walk a beautiful scenery. I’ll try to post some pictures soon. Today I’m in St. Maarten and most everything is closed so I’ve just enjoyed some internet and food time with some of the theater boys. It’s almost time to get back on board. I’m excited to visit a new post tomorrow- St Lucia.
Happy Easter everyone! He is risen…
