Time For A Bit Of Cruising

November 1 - 9, 2014

We were up real early on Saturday so we could be on the road toward Ft. Lauderdale with our luggage by 7:30 a.m.  It was time for a little more cruising and relaxing and the Princess ships were awaiting.

Originally we had signed up for just the 3 day inaugural sailing of the brand new Regal Princess but then decided it was silly to drive all the way to Ft. Lauderdale for only a 3 day trip so we added a 5 day trip on the Caribbean Princess that would come in the same day the Regal went out.  Now we could get in lots of wonderful relaxing days out on the water.

So it was that by a little after noon we were boarding the Caribbean Princess and setting sail for their private island and Grand Turk.  After checking out our balcony room that we'd been upgraded to,

we enjoyed lunch on the pool deck and did a bit of people watching.  Then it was off to the library to get some good reading material and a return to our balcony to relax, read, and watch all of the goings on in the harbor including other ships setting sail before we headed off.

We enjoyed several wonderful shows in the evenings after dinner as well as a captain's party honoring the top three Princess travelers on the ship.  The top travelers have traveled close to 2000 days!!!!

While we didn't bother to get off at Princess Cay, we did spend a little time off the ship in Grand Turk enjoying views of the ship, the beach, and shops.  The flowers were absolutely gorgeous.

The winds were so strong it took the captain three tries and an extra hour plus to pull into the dock but he finally accomplished it.  Pulling away the winds were still quite strong so it was intriguing watching our ship pull away from the island and that same dock.  It took quite awhile and we were graced with the beauty of a sunset while out on the balcony.

Another wonderful day at sea followed the two stops giving us more time to just enjoy the ride. There were plenty of activities available but mostly we chose to enjoy our deck and read.  Ken did enjoy several movies up on the pool deck on the huge screen.  After dark, they put special cushions and blankets on the chaises for the viewers and pop corn for those who would like to have it while watching.  Great theater experience!!!!

We were awake early so we watched our ship coming into the harbor as the sun began to rise.  It was especially neat to see the new Regal Princess sitting there just waiting for the arrival of all the 3500 passengers including us for their inaugural sail.   We learned later there had been a huge ceremony the previous night that included the breaking of 50 huge bottles of champagne (for the 50th anniversary of the company) and fireworks.

After breakfast we relaxed in the lounge set aside for passengers who have at least 6 times with Princess and earned the title of platinum passengers.  Coffee, tea, and sweet rolls were there for our enjoyment as well as lots of comfortable chairs and sofas for relaxing, reading and chatting or watching the news if we were interested.

By 11:00 we were off and on a shuttle bus that took us over to the new ship.  There we entered the preferred passenger area (again because of our status) and in quick order we had completed all the paperwork, had the usual picture as you reach the ramp and then were greeted on the new ship. WOW!!  It was beautiful!!!

We dropped off our luggage in our room and started roaming taking time for lunch up by the pools where there was a raised deck with fountains giving a "dancing waters" show set to music.  

A couple in the wedding finery were getting their pictures taken in the piazza area at the center of the ship adding to the fun for those of us checking out our surroundings.

And a string quartet was providing lovely music for us all to enjoy.

On board was the cast of the Love Boat tv series of long ago and several other well known people including Charo who entertained us for an hour the second evening with her singing and fabulous guitar playing. 

The other evening shows were equally as fabulous with two new song and dance type shows being introduced.

One day, two well traveled travel writers chose to hold their wedding in the piazza and invite the passengers along with their 60 seated guests to enjoy the affair.  Gavin McLeod aka Captain Steubing from Love Boat did a reading and an opera singer (favorite of the royalty in England) provided a solo. The string quartet provided all of the other music for the processional and recessional.  The captain of the ship performed the service and hundreds of balloons were dropped when it ended.  Everyone in the area was served champagne.

  One of the innovations was the addition of a circular walk on the sixteenth floor of the ship that had a glass block floor that would allow you to "walk" over the water below with beautiful lighting in the evening.

 From many points in the same area you could watch the "dancing waters" and listen to the special music.

There was something going on every minute we were on the ship - more than anyone could possibly all take in but it was fun trying.  This gal entertained us in the piazza after dinner

Chocalatier Norman Love did a demonstration in the theater

But most of all we simply just enjoyed the surroundings and, yes, the moments of relaxation that come with reading and watching movies on the huge screen. AND taking advantage of the beautiful circuit training walking/jogging track.

And of course enjoying meals in the beautiful dining room

Needless to say, the days of cruising really flew by.  So now it is just a memory that has us looking for yet another opportunity to board a ship and once again enjoy the luxury of beautiful surroundings, relaxation, and superb service.

More Family Fun at Disney

October 27 and 28
Monday and Tuesday were Epcot days.  And what fun we had!!!  The GM Test track proved to be such a hit that the kids did it both days.  One of the new aspects is designing your car before going on the ride.  Jack was positively thrilled that his was rated as the second best for the day.

I had the fun of watching Karsten while the rest of the family did the ride since he was too little to go on it.  He and I had fun checking out the cars on display.  His brother joined us the first day.

The whole family joined us and had fun looking too.

Soarin was the other big favorite.  The new method of ordering fast passes ahead of time made it quicker to get in to some of these more popular rides.

The International Wine and Food Festival was going on so it was especially fun walking around in the international area seeing all the little decorated food booths and checking out what they had to offer.  On the second day that was our mode for getting a meal.  A taste of this and a taste of that.  Janet LOVED the Greek spinach pie 

While Anders tried the Irish lobster pie

Ken and I enjoyed the fish and chips from England

We checked out the lumber jack show in Canada

And the acrobats in China

Plus the drummers in Japan

Both of the kids had fun solving one of Mr. P's Secret Adventures: Anders searched Germany and Dagny searched throughout France.  

Meanwhile Karsten was "dancing" in his stroller, keeping the beat to the music as these dancers did their thing

And Janet and Jack found some baklava!

We enjoyed the boat ride through Mexico

But one of the best adventures was dinner in Japan with the chef cooking at our table.  Everyone had fun watching all of his knife twirling, slicing and dicing and special affects like an onion volcano.

The waitress made oragami swans with wings that moved for each of the kids, as well as an Olaf that Dagny had fun inflating.  Plus the kids menu supplied lots of games and coloring opportunities to keep the kids busy when they weren't watching or eating.

Meanwhile Karsten just ate and ate and ate some more - he ate an entire order of edamome beans, most of his mom's rice, several pieces of chicken, an entire banana, etc etc etc.

 When he wasn't chewing, he was giving us lots of his classic smiles

And at the very end of the day we got a snap of all of us still looking pretty chipper considering all the walking and adventures we'd had.

But sadly all good things must come to an end, and that is what our adventure did - we had to wave goodbye and send the kids off to the airport to fly back home to Dallas.  And while they were doing that we drove "home" via our favorite restaurant bd Mongolian for a great stir fry meal and then to Camping World to pick up a couple of items we needed.

So we are left with lots of wonderful memories of a terrific week with our Texas family.