Again, we made our cruise reservations online at vacationstogo.com -- this is a terrific site because you choose the time of year you'd like to travel and the place you want to go -- they'll put up a list of various cruise lines and a list of prices for each type of cabin, special perks that might be available, etc. It saves a lot of searching the internet for the best cruise prices. Place a call (we ask for Esley Malone -- he's our "go-to" guy) and let them handle the rest,.
We sailed from Miami on August 16 and Lincoln couldn't believe the size of the ship. He'd read all the info. and memorized the deck plans on the Carnival web-site (he knew exactly how to find pizza 24 hours a day from his stateroom) but the size of the ship still amazed him.
Our first destination was Key West the next day and we spent time at Mel Fisher's Museum. A short walk from the cruise dock, it was filled with lots of gold and silver coins, bars and jewelry and there were interesting maps and stories about sunken ships. Most of the ships sunk off the Treasure Coast of Florida -- and that's where Dick and I live.
After doing a little shoppiing (Nicki and I loved the Key West Aloe Shop -- especially the shampoo and conditioner). we met up with Grandpa Dick at the Hog Breath Saloon.
Back to the ship -- and it as "lobster night" in the dining room - Yay! Linc had lobster AND prime rib -- the food was some of the best we've ever had on a cruise ship. Loved the chocolate melting cake -- it's great with double vanillla ice cream.
Next day we were in Cozumel and Grandpa did a good job conversing in Spanish with he cabdriver -- in other words, the guy was nice and Dick's a good tipper so the driver put up with him.,
We stopped at a beautiful shop right on the water with a lovely open-air restaurant. That's where Nicki and I had our first margaritas of the trip and Lincoln had the largest pina colada (minus alcoholl of course) he'd ever seen. I think this was actually the highlight of his trip.
Our 3rd day was "at sea" so we spent lots of interesting time exploring the ship. Grandpa and Linc played mini-golf and it was also pool time -- Lincoln was ready to try out the giant slide. He also had a laser tag game scheduled with the other kids aboard.
At dinner that night, the waiter brought a birthday cake to our table and asked Dick to sign for it. (My birthday was just a coiple of days away.) When the waiter opened the lid on the cake box, the inscription was "Happy Birthday Richard". We all laughted at the mistake but still wished Grandpa a happy March birthday!
After dinner, Nicki and Lincoln need to pack -- we'd be arriving back in Miami in the morning -- so Dick and I went to the casino (no luck -- surprised?) When we got back to our cabin, Nicki and Lincoln were already there and had decorated our cabin with a Happy Birthday banner and balloons -- and another birthday cake!! This time, it said "Happy Birthday Grandma". I love dessert and now there were two cakes -- I was in heaven. Evidently the cruise line had a little mix-up -- Nicki had ordered my cake on-line and double checked it when we boarded the ship -- how we got the "Richard" cake we'll never know but it's something none of us will ever forget. Thanks, Nicki and Lincoln for a really great birthday surprise!
The next morning we were back in Miami where Mike picked us up after spending some time on business for the Sweetwater Organic Coffee Roasters and at our house. They brought Steve - Lincoln's little dog -- with them and Aunt Mary K dog-sat Stevie while Mike was working. Don't know who was happier to see each other -- Stevie or Lincoln!
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