Scott, Damien, and I spent most of May on vacation. We went to North Dakota to visit my family and then Scott and I left on a 7-day Royal Caribbean Cruise to the Caribbean. We all had a great time.
Damien super excited while I catch some Zzzzs on the way to ND.Enjoying a yogurt treatRelaxing with Grandpa HanksSpace Alien’s Restaurant in Bismarck, ND.
Day 1 – Flying down to Port Canaveral, Florida.
Scott and I flew down to FL to get on the Freedom of the Seas ship. Once on the ship, it was rather chaotic with all the people everywhere, but that was only the first day. We participated in a Mystery Dinner Theater and afterwards Scott and I learned how to play craps at the casino with their complimentary lessons.
Port Canaveral, FL. View of the ship from the bus.Our stateroom on Deck 2. Comfy bed.Our window viewStateroom also had a closet, couch/coffee table, and desk.Our bathroom. Shower was a little small, but nice water pressure.Ready to explore the ship!Mystery Dinner Theater…before we knew it was lame lol
Day 2 – Day at Sea
The second day we spent at sea getting to our first destination. We walked all over the ship and spent some time in the arcade, casino (playing craps), bingo, and watched an in-room movie and played card games. Just a relaxing day.
Outside, I think Deck 12?Deck 4Bingo! No, not really… We didn’t win anything 🙁Sweet towel dog. I love it!
Day 3 – Labadee, Haiti
We finally get to see a Caribbean island! We didn’t know until we arrived, but Labadee is actually Royal Caribbean leased land in Haiti. This means that the Haitians that work in Labadee come in from the surrounding villages by boat to work only when the cruise ships are there. Since we didn’t know that, we had already picked a historic walking tour as our shore excursion. With not much history to see in Labadee, our tour guide spoke mostly about Christopher Columbus, pirates vs buccaneers, and how awesome Haiti is. After our walking tour, we took pictures of our beautiful surroundings and changed into our swimsuits to enjoy the beach.
Morning view of Labadee from the shipMeeting up for the walking tourLamy, our tour guide200-year old trading postNeem tree with healing propertiesThe structures on the hills in the distance are where the Haitians actually live.Pretty flowersScott on the beachScenic viewRocky roadsScott 🙂Me 🙂Break time! Coconut water and rum, so good!Using a machete to open the coconuts for the drinksThe area near the pierThe Freedom of the Seas!Photo opportunityView of Labadee from the pierTime to go to the beach!This is nice 🙂Scott cooling down with a cold beerAnd then taking a napDinner in the dining room
After dinner we napped and read until it was time to see Illusionist Phillip Kaiser perform. We’ve both never seen an illusionist before and I loved some of the tricks. How do they do it?!
Day 4 – Falmouth and Montego Bay, Jamaica
In Jamaica we opted for a bus tour that took us to Montego Bay for shopping. I love hearing how other cultures/countries live.
Falmouth, JamaicaAt portShopping area around the shipWith entertainmentLeaving the tourist area–Falmouth street viewMore Falmouth. They drive on the left-side of the road here.Pictures from busThe Falmouth Parish Church of St. Peter the Apostle, built 1794. It’s the oldest public building in Falmouth.And still used to this daySite where a James Bond movie was shotThere are LOTS of homes under construction here.Street viewWater viewRose Hall. It’s said to be haunted!Random roadside donkeySuper old windmillFancy Jamaica homeStreet view in the nicer areas.The Wal-Mart of JamaicaWater view from the hillside on the way to Montego BayHeading into Montego BayDowntown Montego BaySam Sharpe MonumentQuick stop at Pier One. The sign says “No Bad Vibes” 🙂Coffee break with banana breadTrying jerk chicken. Was okay.Photo opportunity outside of Pier OneScenic View outside Pier OneMargaritavilleMontego Bay shopping area with the most aggressive sales peoples I’ve ever encountered in my life. Awful!School children. Our tour guide said they wear uniforms so you can’t tell what class they come from.What I expected to see in JamaicaBreaktime. Too bad this restaurant had TERRIBLE serviceLeaving Montego Bay and heading back to FalmouthLots of billboards/advertisementsLimestoneHomes in the hillsMaxine, our tour guide said there’s no welfare/gov assistance so there are lots of squatters who earn squatters’ rights.Flee marketsBack in FalmouthI saw a lot of these stores. Seems popularEntertainment on the way back to the ship
After a day immersed in Jamaica, we saw a musical/comedy act with Tony Tillman (opened for Bill Cosby for 10 years) and saw the Love/Marriage Game Show. Both were very entertaining!
Day 5 – George Town, Grand Cayman
This was Scott’s favorite stop. We picked a SeaTrek Helmet Dive as our shore excursion which allowed us to go underwater and see some ocean life. It was also the nicest-looking location outside of the pier area AND is home of Tortuga Rum to which Scott bought six flavors. We ate dinner at one of the specialty restaurants on the ship called Chops Grille Steak House. Hands-down it was the best meal of the entire vacation.
Ready for the dayAt this port, we have to take smaller boats between the cruise ship and the pier.The shopping area at the pierAll the tents are meeting places for the shore excursionsScott got his Tortuga Banana Rum–Rrrrrr!Chillin’ with a pirateTown from the boatWalking to the shore excursion. Fresh fish!The SeaTrek helmet. It weighs 75 pounds! It weighs that much to keep you on the bottom. We went about 28 feet down. Oxygen is pumped into it through a hose, but you still have to stay upright.Sailing out on a little boat so we can go underwater and see some fish!Next is walking around townScott and I. The National Museum is in the background across the street. They drive on the left-side here too.Walking around makes us hungry and thirstyScott with an Arnold PalmerTime to head back to the cruise shipSweet water bus!!!More pictures of the areaBack at the cruise shipAppetizer: Scott with his bacon steak. I had a mushroom soup and we shared the scallops.Main Course: Fillet Mignon with shared sidesDessert: Chocolate pie and cheesecake topped with huckleberriesTowel elephant 🙂
Day 6 – Cozumel, Mexico
This was my favorite stop. I liked the atmosphere. It was the hottest day of our trip and we picked horseback riding at Rancho Buenavista and beach visit as our shore excursion. On the horseback riding venture, we were able to see both original and replicas of Mayan ruins. The horses walked in a group as opposed to a straight line on a trail like I’ve done before. The horses also had their own distinct personalities. Mine was so bossy! He didn’t want any of the horses behind me to pass and if they tried he’d cut in front of them or start galloping. He’d also bite/nudge the other horses when we stopped to discuss some of the ruins and I’m pretty sure he got kicked. Oh well, it made for an adventure! After horseback riding the bus stopped by two different scenic beach locations. I was pretty disappointed that the beach stops were both only 25 min long. I’d have rather just gone to the second beach for longer so we could have at least enjoyed the water on such a hot day.
Ship view of Cozumel after breakfast.ScottHeading to shoreShopping area around the shipScott wanted a Mexican Coke because it’s made with sugar.More of the shopping areaOne moreTaking the bus to the ranch for horseback ridingAbout to receive a horse riding lesson from MartinGetting ready to ride!All setReady to go!Riding alongJaguar statue (right) as part of the Mayan calendarMayan ruinsMore Mayan ruinsMoreRandom archwayLiving quarters (underground)More living quarters. Something is down there…You’d never know my horse was mean from this pic lolMayan fertility houseRiding alongThese structures where for harvest-time and storage.Burial groundsHeading back to the ranchArriving backHappy horsesA lizard friendMexican hairless dog?First beach locationGuys with a parrot and lizard for photo opportunities with the touristsMexico!Admiring the viewIt’s not safe to go in the water due to the rocky shore and waves, but it sure does look nice.Second beach stop, Punta MorenaWith a salt water poolBut we needed to eat so we didn’t go in the water. Everything was great, but I have to make a special note in saying that the salsa was AMAZING! That’s a strawberry margarita btw. When in Mexico!Street views on the way back to the pierMore street viewsIntersectionStreet view
After a late dinner, we watched the movie Guardians of the Galaxy in 3D at the ship’s theater. Great movie.
Day 7 – Day at Sea
Our last full day on the ship was spent sailing back to Florida. Scott and I partook in another first–spa treatments! We had a couples massage which included a facial. Very lovely experience. The rest of the day was spent relaxing and packing.
Front of the ship with the strong winds
Day 8 – Heading back to ND
Bright and early we started our trip back to North Dakota.
The shopping area of the ship where Scott and I are waiting for our number to be called.Waiting to leave. Great vacation 🙂
Back in ND
I would have loved to have stayed longer in North Dakota. The time went by way too quickly. Thanks to my parents and brother for taking care of our precious Damien. He had an amazing time and is still telling me how much he wants to go back to Grandpa’s house.
Damien playing Super Nintendo with his Uncle David. So happy 😀The men playing more video games lolHeading back to Virginia. Side story: Damien forgot Kawzi (stuffed cat) on this flight. Scott ended up running 20 min total back to go get it. What a great dad 😀Entertaining himself before the last flight home.
