Cruise Time!

This Christmas I surprised Kim with a cruise over her Spring Break and we just got back. We headed down to Ft Lauderdale on Saturday morning so we wouldn't have to rush around and hope for on time flights on Sunday. It was a good thing too, there were some people that had cruises leaving Saturday that didn't check in in time and couldn't get on a plane. Since it was Spring Break there weren't anymore leaving until Monday. Oops.

We got to Florida and got to the hotel, Kim took a nap and I went for a run. We got a call that Kim's brother forgot some clothes so we went to Bass Pro Shop. There was this awesome shark that we had to take a picture of.

Later on my parents and friends got in and we went down to a nice seafood restaurant. A nice dinner and it was time for bed. I woke up early the next morning and went for a nice 5 mile run and then we headed down to the big boat. The Emerald Princess is a huge boat, a lot bigger than the first one we went on. As the sun was setting we headed out to sea.



The first day of the cruise was supposed to be a stop at Princess Cays but the sea was a little too rough to do the tender boats in so we had to skip it and it was just a day at sea. It was a nice day for sitting by the pool and reading a book so that is exactly what we did. The second day we were at sea again so there was more time laying out and reading. It was also formal night in the dining room so we got all dressed up in suits and dresses (well Kim...) and had a nice night.



Day 3 was a stop in St Maarten.



Kim and I went on a kyaking excursion with my mom and her brother. We started on the french side and took a boat over to one of the beaches (I need one of these).





paddled through to the Dutch side and had a little talk about some of the wild life and them came back. It was pretty fun to watch Kim and I weave all over the place. We were not synced up at all but it was a fun time. I could use a couple of these boats too.



After the tour one of the guides was saying they have a triathlon just about every weekend. I think I might have a place to head back to :) The hills would be pretty fun though.




The next day was a stop in St Thomas USVI. This is yet another place I could move to in a heartbeat. We took a ride out on a boat called the Dancing Dolphin out to Turtle Cove. We did a little snorkeling and saw some really cool sea turtles and sting rays.



The water was amazing. It was clear and warm and just wonderful to be in. I wish more pictures came out but the turtles were just right in front of us. The ride back was pretty fun too. I think Kim's favorite part were the drinks that they kept shoving in her hands.





The next day was a stop at Grand Turk.



A quick stop at Margaritaville and Ron Jon for some souvenirs for everyone.




Next up, we were on yet another boat to see some sting days. The day was overcast and a little cold so it was tough to get in the water, but it wasn't bad once you got in. One of the guides corralled one of the female stingrays and had us give kisses. It was pretty fun to see everyone do that.






As soon as we got back to the dock, it started pouring down rain. We made a B-Line to the shops to wait it out. We made it back on the boat not too much later and got ready for another formal night.

The next day was our last day at sea on our way back to reality. It was tough to just sit out in the sun and read all day ;)

Before we knew it we were back in the states in the airport headed back home. It was a ton of fun to get away and be with family like that. I can't wait until the next one.