The Trip Home - Day 8

As soon as I opened my eyes this morning, I knew we were in port... I was sad to know our trip was coming to an end but so excited to be heading home to our sweet darlings.

We had to vacate our room by 8:00 am, so we said goodbye to Dario, our room steward (who is about to retire after 20-some years on the cruise ship) and headed to breakfast with our carry-ons.  We finished just in time to go to our designated meeting space for departure.  We were the first of our group to deboard the ship and easily found our luggage waiting in the Welcome Center.

We were through customs and boarding our bus by 9:45 am.  It was hard to imagine that in just two hours time, they would begin boarding the NEXT group of passengers.  All those rooms to clean and luggage to move.  Crazy!

We arrived at the Houston airport a little before 11:00 am.  We did our best to switch our planes but had no luck.  We would have to wait around for 4 hours for our flight.  But the time went pretty quickly and we were soon on board our flight to Detroit.  We hit some bad weather in a few spots so it was a little bumpy but we did arrive in time.


However, a storm was over the Detroit area and the plane we were supposed to take to Grand Rapids was delayed.  We settled in again and looked for something for supper.  I was very excited that the McDonalds in DTW still had Shamrock Shakes - Yay!

When it was finally time to board, I was just so excited to finally be heading home.

We boarded 30 minutes late and were still on the runway when we should have been landing in GR.  But the pilots did a great job of speeding up our trip and we landed soon after takeoff.

Grabbed our bags, jumped in the car and were pulling into Canterbury Ln sometime around 10:00 pm.  It was so great to see the kids... lots of hugs, a few tears.  But since it was so late, we snuggled them into bed and gave our last hugs and kids.

Its so good to be home!

Day at Sea - Day 7

We found out late last night that we were drawn for the lottery to take the Behind the Scenes tour of the ship.  So we had to be up early to get breakfast and meet with the other guests.  There were 14 of us in total and we toured the crew areas of the ship for 3 3/4 hours.  It was incredible!  I wasn't allowed to take my own pictures... but got a few from the photographer that accompanied us!

Above is the group in the bridge with the Captain.  Below we are in the front of the boat, where they house the chains for the anchors.

We saw the medical center, morgue, laundry, anchor room, galley, provisions, photo lab, print shop, engine control room and then got time with the captain in the bridge.  It was so worth the time and very neat to see what it takes to keep the boat underway and running so smoothly for guests.

Afterwards we grabbed a quick lunch and hurried to the spa for another treatment.  Scott had a bamboo massage and I did a skin treatment and body massage.  We met in the thermal spa and relaxed a while more.

Then we decided to get a spot in the Sanctuary for the remainder of the afternoon.  But as we got to the top deck, we heard thunder.  Very soon after, the captain announced that we would meet a decent storm in the next 5 minutes... and like clockwork, it hit.

We went into a restaurant for a quick snack and felt the ship roll hard to the starboard side.  The captain came on the overhead speakers again to reassure everyone that we were ok... that we had run into a squall and had just experienced a gust of 40 knots.

We headed back to our stateroom to watch a movie and relax before getting ready for dinner.  We went to the onboard steak house instead of our dining room and absolutely LOVED it.  The weather cleared for a short time, so we grabbed a coffee and hot chocolate and took one last walk on the deck.  It was a beautiful evening!

We headed back to our suite and got packed up.  Bags needed to be in the hall by 11:00 pm.  Sadly, this is the latest we've stayed up all week! :)

The captain announced that the storms would last most of the remainder of our trip getting worse as we approached Texas overnight.  Expecting gusts up to 50 knots... glad we slept through that portion of the storm!

Dolphins in Cozumel, Mexico - Day 6

Again we were up early.  We ordered room service for breakfast so that we would be ready for our excursion at 8:00 am.  Then we deboarded the boat and headed for our meeting place on the pier.

We met our tour guide and then followed the group to the taxi stand where we all found a mini van to take us to the Chankanaab Park.

Once we arrived, we changed our clothes and got assigned to groups.  Next we headed out to the dolphin habitat and got in the water.  We spent about 45 minutes with the dolphins… doing tricks and playing.  It was incredible!

After the dolphins, we moved to the manatees and got to feed them in the water.  What an incredible animal they are.

After the dolphin / manatee experiences, we went to get an early lunch.  Then boarded the cab back to the ship.

We took a short rest and got cleaned up from all of the salt water and then headed out to the Sanctuary again for a quiet afternoon.  

We took advantage of our proximity to land and called home to talk to the kids.  The ship left Cozumel around 4:15 pm.  It was very neat to watch from the top deck.  We had a great view for everything!

Then it was time to prepare for dinner.  It was another formal evening but I wasn’t feeling well so I headed back to our stateroom after the salad.  I was in bed by 6:30 pm.  Watched some TV for the evening and then fell asleep early.  

Today was another great day!

Weather:  81* sunny, Slight Seas

Snorkelling, Belize City - Day 5

I was up  at the crack of dawn this morning.  I went out on the balcony to read and watch the boat drop the anchor.  Today we arrived just off the coast of Belize city and used tenders to go ashore.  Scott woke up around 8:00 and we headed to breakfast.

We took advantage of a quiet morning on board since so many guests had went ashore and found a quiet shady spot to rest in the Sanctuary.  I read while Scott napped.  It was wonderful!

After we grabbed a quick bite to eat, we headed to the bar to meet up with our excursion team.  We left the boat to immediate board a smaller pontoon style boat.  We took a 20 minute ride to a nearby island where we were outfitted with snorkeling gear, followed by another 15 minute ride to Sergeant’s Cay.   This was once a 5 acre island that was destroyed by a hurricane… now its not more than a sandbar surrounded by coral reef.  

We jumped in to 2-4 ft seas and attempted to float / snorkel.  Several people on our tour gave up and headed back to the boat.  But I’m so glad we stuck with it.  We saw some amazing things… Our guide found a conche shell and we regularly saw bright little fish swimming in and out of the various types of coral.  I found Dori and saw a very unique tiger-colored fish.

After that, we tied up along a little beach and enjoyed a little down time.  Scott found this little dock that went out in the waterway… at the end were some lounge chairs… very secluded and a fabulous view of all the other guests attempting to kayak.  Seriously, it was hilarious.  One couple sat back to back and didn’t seem to understand WHY it would go.  Another couple sat too close together… the husband almost straddling his wife and kept smacking oars.  It was so funny!  Eventually we decided to take a spin and had a great (and smooth) ride up and down the waterway.

We enjoyed the 15 minute ride back to the ship and got aboard in no time.

I spend some time on our balcony reading my book and then quickly got ready for dinner.  After a great Italian themed meal, we walked the decks and each got our favorite drinks (Jen  - Chocobanana; Scott – Salted Caramel Sorento)

Then we spent the rest of the evening on our balcony… Scott checking his emails, me reading my book.

A very fun day for sure!  

Weather:  81*   Seas: Slight (1-4 ft)

Roatan, Honduras - Day 4

It was a big day today!  We arrived in the island of Roatan just north of Honduras a little after sunrise.  I woke up to see us docking in port.  Then back to bed for a few hours more sleep. 

 The excursion we signed up for was completely at our leisure so we grabbed a big breakfast on the ship and then packed a bag for our trip ashore.

We took a chair lift from the pier over to the private beach nearby.  When I say private, don’t misunderstand to think I mean few people… it is privately owned by the cruise ship but with two ships in port, there were a ton of people at the beach.

So we spent some time floating on rafts in the 81* ocean water, then had a mocktail (that’s an alcohol-free cocktail) in our cabana. 

Next we took a ride on a kayak and headed out down this quiet channel to a small strip of sand.  It was so beautiful to see the rocks and vegetation growing in the channel.  The power of the waves undercutting the rocks.  I so wish we could have brought our camera. 

After the kayak ride, we went out on our rafts to float  for a while again.  Then it was up to the bar for a late lunch.

We took the chairlift back to the pier area and did some window shopping for jewelry and local crafts.  We reboarded the ship and headed inside to get cleaned up and take a nap. 

Scott then realized he had forgotten his medicines this morning and began the downward spiral to a migraine.  We did get out at 5:30 pm to see the ship untie, push off and leave the port.  We took advantage of the time close to shore to make a quick call home to talk to Tyler and Sammy.  It was wonderful to hear their voices... but makes missing them even more!

We got ready for dinner… reservations at a fancy steakhouse at 8:00 pm.  By 7:55 pm though Scott was loosing steam and I suggested we do room service instead.  So that’s what we did…  Room service arrived and now Scott is sleeping.

Tonight marks the halfway mark of our trip.  We are really enjoying the time together but are missing our kiddos… so much of what we see and do reminds us of them.

Good Night from the northern Honduras coast!

Weather:  86* (Felt much warmer)  Water temps 81*

Rest & Relaxation - Day 3

It was another amazingly relaxing day at sea.  We slept in again and as we awoke we looked out the slider only to see land… we were just passing around the northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula and were approaching Cancun.  We followed the coast all morning til the land pulled back to the west and we continued on toward Honduras.

After breakfast we wanted to check out the adult only pool and the reserved deck area called “The Sanctuary”.  It is a beautiful section on the top deck at the front of the ship.  Windows across the front leave an amazing panoramic view.  We reserved chairs for the day and relaxed in the cushioned loungers sipping our cucumber infused water.

It was exquisite!   We had a light lunch delivered and continued relaxing into the afternoon listening to music and reading a book. 

At 2:00 we headed back down to the Thermal Spa where we relaxed in preparation for our spa treatment.  Today was something new… a seaweed wrap, reflexology and massage.  Since I know some are gonna ask… here’s how it went.  (Scott and I were scheduled for the same treatment but were in different rooms and had slightly different experiences.)  The massage table was covered in plastic, I laid on top with a blanket on.  Chix my masseuse smeared this green seaweed muck all over my back as I sat up and then the rest of my body as I lay down.  Then she wrapped me in the plastic.  At this point, Scott was lowered into a hot bath of water… I stayed on the table and received a very long and much appreciated scalp massage.  After this step, we were both unwrapped and given some privacy to take a shower and wash off the seaweed.  Then back on the table and wrapped in plastic again.  This time we received a reflexology treatment…  this is like an amazingly in depth foot massage.  After this step, it was a full massage.  Scott and I both RAVED about the experience.  It was different than anything we’d done before but very soothing.

After the treatment, we headed back to our suite to get cleaned up for dinner.  It was another fabulous meal! 

On our walk tonight, we stopped on the deck to watch a few minutes of the Movie Under the Stars.  It was a beautiful night!

And now its time for bed.  We will arrive in Honduras around 8:00 am and then have the day at our leisure on a local beach.  Will take lots of pictures tomorrow.

Today’s Weather:  81* sunny with what the captain calls “moderate” seas  (you can definitely feel the movement of the waves.  We laugh as we try and are unable to walk a straight line down the hallways.)

Comfort and Relaxation - Day 2

We must have been sleepy cause we slept in until 9:30 am.  After watching a little TV in bed (I can’t remember the last time we did that!), we enjoyed the view from our balcony.  The pic shows looking forward... you can see the Captains bridge sticking out.

After we got ready and headed for breakfast.  Scott was in heaven!  A huge buffet with plates at least 16” across.  It took him so long to decide which selections should make the cut. 

After breakfast we took a walk around the decks of the ship.  It was fun to lean over the edge at the very front of the ship and watch the waves.   The sun was starting to come out so we headed back to our room to get our suits on and found a quiet spot on the deck to enjoy.

After an hour and a half of reading and resting, we headed back to our room to prep for the spa.  We had a 2:00 pm appointment for a couples massage.  It was fabulous.  Set on the top deck of the front of the ship…. In the privacy of our own cabana… so relaxing to listen to the wind and waves.  When we were finished, we decided to go spend some time in the thermal spa, which is a series of various steam rooms.  When finished I sat on a heated lounger and read my book.  So comfortable!  Actually, we lost track of time and happened to check when we were only 45 minutes from our dinner reservation.

Tonight was a formal meal so we had to get changed and dressed to the nines and get to our dining room by 5:45… we made it just in time. 

The menu offered a special meal tonight to celebrate 50 years of Princess cruises.  There were two options for each course of the meal… so Scott and I each ordered something different.  We even had mushroom soup and duck... it was so fun to try new things.

After dinner we walked the deck and enjoyed the fresh air… We walked to the front of the ship again and struggled against the force of the wind.  When we finished, my hair was a mess, so we decided to head back to our room and relax a bit.

It was a fabulous day!  Super relaxing.  Cannot wait for tomorrow.

Weather:  high 77*, mostly cloudy