All of us had been looking forward to taking this trip since Jordan's mom first told us to start saving our money, oh about, 3 years ago. Jordan and I were only freshmen in college, and at the time the only people who had jumped on the cruise bandwagon along with Ms. Dees. As the embarkation date got closer, it was a little hard to believe we were actually going, seeing as we had been talking about it for a good 36 months. My little siblings, Randy and Barbara, joined in on the group about 6 months prior to the day we were to set sail. Finally, after passport photo shoots, many checks written, and numerous booking and sail and sign applications were filled out, we were ready to go. Excitement didn't really hit me until the night before we left, and then even more as we drove into the port and saw this:
It looks small, but when you're on it, it's huge. There were about 3400 passengers and 1100 crew members on board and it never really felt that crowded until it was time to get off the boat...but we aren't at that part yet.
Me, Jordan, and his mom stood out at the front of the boat as we embarked (and as I pee'd my pants in fright when the ship blew its really REALLY loud horn) and I never felt the ship move. Ok, I did a little on the third day but that's just because we were going really fast and it was only if I stood really still and tried to feel the ship moving. After about an hour, it was goodbye to the brown and murky waters of Galveston and hello to the deep blue ocean waters of the Gulf of Mexico!
We spent 3 "fun days at sea" since we were not going to Cozumel (due to the swine flu) before we reached our first port of call. The first few days were an experience, mainly learning that I had no idea I could be so hungry and eat so much food. Could you really blame me though, since they serve you delectable dishes and desserts such as this?
and the Carnival crew, let me tell you, these people must really love their job. The hosts (the ones who interact with the guests the most and put on all the fun games and activities throughout the day) did some crazy things. Plus, to live on a ship for a minimum of 6 months, working 7 days a week, 10 hours a day takes dedication if you ask me. Not one of the crew members was American. Well, actually I think there was one, but I am pretty sure that person was like chief engineer or something like that.
Another thing I learned while sailing amidst the waters of the Gulf is that, the next time I plan on cruising on a ship, take plenty of money, expendable money too, cause there wasn't nothing that was cheap on that boat. One, and again I said ONE, 12oz. beer was $3.75 plus a gratuity tax on top of a regular tax made that $3.75 Corona come to about $5.46 per beer, and that was the cheapest drink they offered (well water, lemonade, and tea were free but who wants to drink that stuff anyway?). Oh well, I bought my fair share of Corona con lima anyway. I was on vacation to say the least. I slept like a baby at night, every night (except that one night where Jordan, Ms. Dees and I drank his wine of choice that he brought aboard and felt a little ill early the next morning. Cheap church wine hangovers are NOT cool), and early Wednesday morning we awoke to this scene
Montego Bay, Jamaica. It was cloudy and rained some, but not before we spent a fair amount of time on the beach and drank the beer of Jamaica.
Then we did a little shopping and chased down a Jamaican lady carrying fruit on her head
just to get a picture, cause we're dorks and thought it was cool.
Of course, what trip to Jamaican isn't complete without shots!
Jamaica was fun, a great experience, and kind of scary to drive around in (scratch that, it was VERY VERY SCARY), but nothing compared to where we went next.
The Grand Cayman's.
Where we swam with sting rays (scariest thing I've ever done besides riding in a car with a native Jamaican behind the wheel), went snorkeling, and laid out and ate lunch on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
and drank Corona of course.
However, all this beauty had to come to an end at some time. we spent 2 more days at sea as we slowly inched our way across the gulf back to Texas. Depression set in when we woke up Sunday morning to refineries and brown murky water. Nonetheless, I had the time of my life. So many more pictures were taken and so many more memories were created that I just can't share here with all of you, or else I might bore you to death. Plus, it would take forever to talk about every detail of our trip. The most important thing, and most memorable, I will remember and cherish about this vacation, was being able to spend time with those whom I care most about.
I am completely spoiled.
Happy trails,
- Shirley
