We just returned yesterday from the most wonderful way to celebrate a 40th birthday! We went on a 5 day cruise out of Miami to Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas. It was amazing to spend this week together, since we have opposite work schedules most of the time.
Our vacation started out with a triple birthday party for Robert, Clint and Addison Sunday night complete with great food, great family and great friends! Dana, Clint and Ryan took us to the boat Monday, at which time Ryan informed us that he was pretty sure that the boat had a bunk bed room (hint, hint.) It was rainy and cool when we left, but there was NO WAY to dampen our excitement!! Miami is stunning from the water!! We even saw surfers at Miami beach!! I thought they were pelicans!!
We had the most wonderful dining room service from Imade, Gusti, and Samita! They sang Happy Birthday to Robert on our first night. The food was purely delectable every meal! The hot melty cake is an all time favorite!!
Wednesday we went to Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos. It was a beautiful little island with AMAZING coral reefs and snorkeling. Despite the fact that it was in the upper 80's the water was cool. It was only a few minutes before I adjusted though. Several cruisers had "overindulged" in drinks and sun on Tuesday, our "Fun Day at Sea." There were lots of half white/half red people hobbling around Grand Turk. Our snorkeling guides were so kind and wonderful. We went to 2 reefs. The last one had 2 friendly stingrays and one friendly barracuda.
We had some very rough seas due to a storm over Half Moon Cay, which caused us to skip that port. I was prepared with my Scopalamine patch and Phenergan, but it didn't help much Thursday night. I'm sure I was one of several people who were kneeling at the porcelain alter Thursday night.
Friday was SO much better. Nassau was beautiful!! There is so much more we want to do there. I hope another trip there is in our near future! We were one of 5 ships at port that day. Atlantis is breathtaking. We only wish we had more time to walk around town and go to the beach.
Now, it is back to the real world! No more naps, having my bed made twice a day, having every meal prepared for me, dishes washed, fresh towels delivered, heavenly soft bed turned down, and worst of all NO MORE HOT MELTY CAKE!! This is going to be difficult. Reality is cruel! I must say that Carnival has been such a great experience for us. Even though we had to miss a port, they are masters at making people happy. It only took us 15 minutes to get downstairs, off the boat and through customs! (It took 1 1/2 hours in Tampa!) We had the best time people watching while we waited for our wonderful chauffeurs Dana, Clint and Ryan EARLY Saturday morning. We played "What band or music artist would this person listen to?" Try it! We laughed so hard, we cried. Thanks so much Dana, Clint and Ryan for your hospitality!! It is always 4 star!! Love, Shannon and Robert
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2 comments:
I'm so glad that y'all had such a good time. I love cruising so much! I look at the Carnival web site at least once a week to look at possible dates for the next adventure. I am DESPERATE to get to the new port at Roatan. There is an honest-to-God ski lift that takes you from the port, over the trees and some water, and delivers you to a gorgeous beach! $5/person for an all-day lift ticket! I just want to ride all day!
Please be sure to post a quick review, with the names of your favorite Carnival crew members, on John Heald's blog. They get great brownie points from that. His blog is linked from my favorites.
Finally, I have the recipe for the Warm Chocolate Melting Cake. I don't have a good excuse for why I haven't made it yet. It's on my recipe blog. I'll email it to you as well. Oh, and I bought the drink recipes booklet, so if you need to know how to make a Yellow Bird or any of the other specialities, I've got them!
Love you!
Hey Marcus,
I was going to make Shannon one of the Melting cakes for Valentines (Gordon Ramsay recipe) but we decided to tear them up on the ship. I also picked up a signed, 2001 first edition Bahamian cookbook you would love. For Shannon's 40th I am planning to do a lower Caribbean (St. Kitts, St. Marteen, etc.). You all are welcome to join us on that one. Check out Alton Brown's Feasting on Waves before you go to down there. Talk to you soon.
Robert
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