We just returned from a 7 day cruise with my mom and step dad. We were celebrating my 40th birthday and Glen's 65th Bday. We all were so excited!! We left March 22nd and got home March 29th. We had a wonderful time. All of us and we all got along!! 
I wanted to write a little bit about the trip and I edited some of the 711 pictures I took. We left from New York. When we got there we got through check in rather quickly . When you check in you have to supply a credit card because there is no cash used on board the ship. Everyone gets their pic taken to be electronically attached to your room card. Each person has a room card. After we went through check in we sat in the terminal for a little while. They had light drinks and snacks waiting for us. All of us were so excited when we finally boarded. When we got up to the gate our room card is swiped showing we boarded the ship. There are many smiling staff welcoming us. Adults are given a glass of champagne. We went to eat in the buffet. Then at 2 we were allowed to go to the rooms. Then before the ship leaves port we have to have a mandatory safety drill. 
Everyone has to participate and wear their life vest. Then we went to the cabins to unpack. John locked himself in the cabin bathroom within minutes of us getting into the cabin. There was a captain walking down the hall that I stopped and asked him to let John out of the bathroom.
Everyone has to participate and wear their life vest. Then we went to the cabins to unpack. John locked himself in the cabin bathroom within minutes of us getting into the cabin. There was a captain walking down the hall that I stopped and asked him to let John out of the bathroom. Pip, Cody, John and I watched our departure from NY on the top deck relaxing on a big lounge chair.
They have groups for the kids with lots of activities. John did go for two days but then he didn't want to miss out on anything so he stayed with us. Some of the activities we enjoyed were bowling, bingo, rock wall climbing, shuffle board, Nintendo WII on the big screen TV and the kids loved playing sports with the other kids. On Sunday Johnny participated in a Easter Egg hunt.
We were always eating. Why not there was so many choices of food. Food always tastes better when someone else is cooking it and cleaning up for me. You had to sanitize your hands every time you board the ship or went to eat in any of the restaurants. Mom and Glen ate in the dinning room but I often choose the buffet so Johnny would not have to wait for the food. The buffet also had a kids section with little chairs and everything was at their level. I really enjoyed eating my meals while looking out at the ocean. 
It did not take long for Katie and Ryan to make friends so they were not around us often. I did make sure they hung out a little bit with us. We all liked the hot tub.
Johnny liked the water slide. Ryan tried karaoke. 
Pip and Katie tried rock climbing.
Pip and Katie tried rock climbing. 
The first port on Monday was Florida. We did not get off since we have been there. We hung out on board and had a blast. Tuesday was Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, the cruise company's private island. We were looking forward to this stop. It is a private beach, free food and fun. We would be the only ship there. I was excited because we were going to do para sailing and had to ride a tender to get to the island. It is a smaller ship that only holds about 400 people. There were about 2600 guests on the ship. It pulls up on the beach and opens then we walk right onto the beach. Tuesday was Glen's birthday so mom and Glen spent the day doing what the birthday boy wanted to do. He turned 65!Tuesday morning I made the kids get up early 8am and get ready for the beach. We were to arrive about 9am about 8:45am we were told that the tender company said the water was too rough for them to come out to get us so we could not stop. We continued onto Nassau. We arrived about 1:30pm. Since we were a day early we decided to try to find a public beach.
We got off and walked through the straw market to the beach. 
Mom and Glen walked around Nassau a bit but did not come to the beach.Once we got to the beach while we were setting up Johnny ran into the water so excited to be there. Within 5 minutes he came screaming out, I mean screaming that it burns and started ripping off his bathing suit. The only thing we could think of is a jelly fish. He kept screaming so we ran to find a shower but it was broke so lady gave us a bucket of water to pour on him. It helped a little so we decided to head back to the ship. Ryan carried Johnny in a towel on his shoulders.
When we got back to the boat and looked at his legs they were still red on the inside thighs so we think something swam between his legs and he got stung. He started feeling better and Ryan took him to the water slide on the boat. Every night there was a show each night was something different, comedy, magic show and musical.
When we got back to the boat and looked at his legs they were still red on the inside thighs so we think something swam between his legs and he got stung. He started feeling better and Ryan took him to the water slide on the boat. Every night there was a show each night was something different, comedy, magic show and musical.
On Tuesday Pip got a stomach virus. So he slept most of the day after we got back from the beach. Then on Wed Cody, Johnny and I went into Nassau to get some 
gifts at the straw market.
gifts at the straw market. Then we went back to the ship to eat and get ready for our tour of the Atlantis. There is a large casino with a beach water park and aquarium. 
There is a room that connects the two hotel buildings that is called the Michael Jackson suite. It is named after him because he is the first person to stay in it.
There is a room that connects the two hotel buildings that is called the Michael Jackson suite. It is named after him because he is the first person to stay in it. The room cost $25,000 a night with a 4 night minimum.
We rode a water ferry over to paradise island and had a wonderful tour. One of the things I really enjoyed was the four hand blown glass sculptures. They are stunning and valued at a million each. 
Mom and Glen walked around the island a bit and found us on our tour. 
Mom and Glen walked around the island a bit and found us on our tour. 
After we were finished we went back to the ship for dinner and to rest. Ryan and Katie did not go to bed before 2am often so we didn't see them til at least lunch time.Then on Thursday we arrived in Free Port, Bahamas. There is excursions in every port but we decided to walk around a little bit. Then we got back on board. Katie stayed on board she felt sick. The staff takes many many pics and then displays them for you to buy. For a few nights they were doing portraits in the main reception area so on Thursday I told the kids and my dear husband I wanted to try to get one done. We did and it looks awesome. I choose the sunset background because 
I love the ocean and sun sets. Before we got our pic taken Johnny said his belly hurt. I figured he was tired and ate too much. We went down for pics and got about four taken then they wanted to take some on the stairs. We got one taken then John looked at me and said" my belly hurts." I told the guy we should stop and was going to take John to the room but that fast John threw up all over me and the floor. So then we took Johnny to the room and cleaned him up and he went to bed. The chocolate buffet was tonight so Pip went to the comedy show with everyone. When he returned I ran to the chocolate buffet. Johnny was sick through the night. He laid in bed on Friday so Pip and I took turns being in the room with Johnny. It still wasn't a bad trip because while we were in the cabin with Johnny we napped. So we still were having a good time. Then on Friday everyone was exhausted and sad to be going home. We spent the day at sea. It was a little rough. I loved feeling the movement. I truly love the ocean. In the Bahamas the color of the ocean was so beautiful. I ate often and alot. It was so nice having someone do all my cooking and cleaning for me. Eveyrday our room was cleaned for us. Every night our bed was turned down for us. They would leave chocolate on our pillows and a a towel folded like an animal with a newsletter on our bed. There are
I love the ocean and sun sets. Before we got our pic taken Johnny said his belly hurt. I figured he was tired and ate too much. We went down for pics and got about four taken then they wanted to take some on the stairs. We got one taken then John looked at me and said" my belly hurts." I told the guy we should stop and was going to take John to the room but that fast John threw up all over me and the floor. So then we took Johnny to the room and cleaned him up and he went to bed. The chocolate buffet was tonight so Pip went to the comedy show with everyone. When he returned I ran to the chocolate buffet. Johnny was sick through the night. He laid in bed on Friday so Pip and I took turns being in the room with Johnny. It still wasn't a bad trip because while we were in the cabin with Johnny we napped. So we still were having a good time. Then on Friday everyone was exhausted and sad to be going home. We spent the day at sea. It was a little rough. I loved feeling the movement. I truly love the ocean. In the Bahamas the color of the ocean was so beautiful. I ate often and alot. It was so nice having someone do all my cooking and cleaning for me. Eveyrday our room was cleaned for us. Every night our bed was turned down for us. They would leave chocolate on our pillows and a a towel folded like an animal with a newsletter on our bed. There are
1100 staff on the ship from various countries. Their name tag had listed below their name what country they were from. Pip enjoyed talking to them and seeing where they were from. The staff works 10 months 7 days a week. Then they get 2 months off.
We docked in NY about 9am on saturday and I cried. I really enjoyed being away on the ocean.
I have posted different pics I tried to put them in order of my description.
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