Category: Travel

Even though it was a sea day we had an 8am Character breakfast booked so we headed to the dining room. However, it was only when we were seated and eating breakfast that we realised the character breakfast was on the OTHER side of the dining room. Oh, well. We had a nice breakfast anyway.

We had a last look around the shops and the girls headed off to their activities. I went back to our room and sat outside on the deck for a bit, then worked on some packing (so sad).

At 12pm the girls came back and we went to lunch at Windjammers. We ended up sitting with Gerard, Jenny and Alannah which was very nice.

After lunch the girls headed off again (Christy to ice-skating with Allanah & Amy to the Teen Lounge). Kevin and I went to have a spa in the cantilever spa – which I had been wanting to do all cruise. It was the perfect temperature so a lovely relax.

We went back to the room via Windjammers where we got some afternoon tea. I then sat out on the deck for a short time (wish it could have been longer) before I had to shower and dressed.

The kids had a cupcake decorating class booked at 4.30pm.

While we waited Kevin enjoyed his very own cupcake.

Then it was time for the Dreamworks parade, which was pretty fun.

Then time for dinner – which we enjoyed with Gerard, Jenny & Alannah. We’ve really enjoyed their company.  Alannah & Christy are just two peas in a  pod and get on so well.  Amy & Alex were having a teen dinner later. It seemed odd not having her at dinner but I’m sure she had lots of fun.

Tonight I had the best dinner by far – Sweet & Sour “chicken” and Key Lime Pie

After dinner we said our farewells and headed back to the room to finish our packing. Always the saddest part of the cruise. We ended up having to stay up late in order to collect our

We were able to have a bit of sleep in this morning – except I was up at 5am and Kevin about 6am. Oh, well. We went out just after 7am to get some tea and coffee. We also picked up some treats – mine I enjoyed on our deck while watching the sunrise. It was the perfect way to start the day.

At 8.30am I went to wake up the girls (who had just awoken). Christy wasn’t feeling the best so was going to hang in her room. But we had only been in Windjammers for 10mins when she showed up. I love the breakfast potatoes but try to get a balanced meal – I add skim milk for my protein.

After breakfast we headed to the flow rider for the girls and Kevin to have a go. Amy had done it with teen club (or whatever they call it). Everyone enjoyed it, though Kevin complained of a sore knee after a few spectacular wipe outs. One day I’d like to give it a go. More sore knee gave me a good excuse not to make a fool of myself on this occasion :-).

The kids and Kevin had a quick swim/spa.

Then we went back to our rooms so they could get changed and so I could organised to send away some laundry – as we’re all pretty much out of underwear.

Then it was time to ahead ashore for our Historical Island Tour of Cozumel (an island off mainland Mexico)l. It was so hot waiting for everyone to arrive (even in the shade) but once out in the open there was a breeze which kept things a nice temperature.

We boarded our bus and began our island tour. Our guide, Alex (I remember his name because we all were stickers with his name on it – which I thought was a clever idea), pointed out places of interest and told us lots of interesting facts. He had a great sense of humour too. Our first stop was a replica Mayan village.

Here were saw how traditional Mayan tortillas are made, and got a sample which was delicious.

We learnt about the Mayan people and the Mayan calendar (and how NASA scientists have studied it and it’s almost 100% accurate – but Kevin has his doubts so please don’t quote me on that). We saw inside a house. And learned how tequila is made from the blue agave plant before getting a sample.

I didn’t have any but we let Amy try it as it’s not every day you get to have tequila in Mexico. She said she liked it but I’m too sure after watching her face. Don’t worry she only got the smallest samples.

We got a drink and some Mexican chips to get as we were getting hungry.

From here we drove to the coast (on the other side of the island). Very pretty here.

Then it was on to some Mayan ruins – turned tourist trap.

The girls were given leaf grasshoppers, even when we told the young man we had no money (later we got some change, so found him to give a tip). They don’t charge, but do things for tips – not quite sure what the difference is but often they will give things, or allow photos even if you don’t pay – which I think is pretty neat. In most places if you don’t pay, you don’t get.

There were some shops here and while you are eagerly invited into each one they aren’t as pushy as expected. But pushy enough to put me off wanting to go in them.

We got a refreshing ice block here. It wasn’t the best but did the job.

Then it was back on the bus and back to the cruise terminal. Our 3 hour excursion had lasted almost 4.5 hours so we were rather hungry. We had smelt a Mexican place earlier this morning so we headed back there to get a hopefully authentic Mexican lunch.

It was sure was delicious. And rather different to what we get back home. And no Taco Bell (even though we enjoyed Taco Bell).

We then had to race back on board as Amy had a appointment at the spa for a scalp, neck and shoulder massage – which she had won playing Teen Bingo. I think she was very pleased to be the first one of us to ever use the spa services.

I spent some time working on my Smash album and Christy went to kids club, then later to the library to read!!!! We must have been too noisy.

Then it was time to have a quick shower and head to dinner. Once again we were not overly impressed with the menu but the company was good and we were amongst the last to leave the dining room – though Christy had headed off earlier to get ready for the kids club pajama party.

Amy also took off to the teen area and Kevin & I headed back to the cabin to relax as there was no show tonight. Amy popped in briefly to get ready for the Teen Prom Night – whatever that is.

Today we had an early start. It was everyone up and out of the cabins by 7.30am so we could have breakfast in Windjammers before taking a tender to shore – Georgetown, Grand Cayman. We managed to get on one of the first few tenders and arrive at Captain Marvin’s in plenty of time for our 9am tour.

After getting checked in and waiting for everyone to arrive, we were finally on our way to Hell. Yep, today we visited hell.

Hell is actually a coral formation turned into tourist trap.

 

But we got to mail some postcards from Hell, which was fun. And we can now say we’ve been hell and back :-).

 

Our next stop was the turtle farm where we got see some amazing green sea turtles. The farm is mainly for conservation and breeding but they do use some for meat.

 

 

They were so cute. We were able to hold some of the babies and their flippers were so soft.

 

 

We were then dropped off at their wharf ready for the next part of the tour. We boarded the boat and headed about 30mins off shore to Stingray City.

 

 

We have been here before but wanted to bring the girls again. This was an amazing experience. The rays were so friendly and tame. Happy to be held, and fed. We all loved our time here.

 

After hanging with the rays for about half and hour we got back on the boat and moved to another location nearby where we were able to snorkel over some of the reef. Lots of fish to see and the water is so warm it’s a pleasure to be in it.

We spent about another half and hour here then headed back to the shore. Isn’t the water an amazing colour?

Before the boat docked we got to see this awesome iguana hanging out in a tree. Such stunning colour.

There are chickens all over the island and Christy managed to capture this hen with her chicks. How cute!

Then it was back on the bus to the port. We just quickly checked out a few shops – but it’s so hard to shop when carrying around a heap of wet towels – before we caught the tender back to the ship. We still hadn’t had lunch so quickly went to our cabin to change then to Windjammers for lunch at 3pm.

In our cabin we had found a note to say our excursion tomorrow had been cancelled. We were not impressed as it’s too late to research another good option.

After our late lunch we headed to the ice skating rink. No-one was out too long though. Amy only did one lap before her feet were hurting (always my complaint when ice skating). But she’s been so adventurous this trip trying lots of new things like ice skating and the flow-rider. I’m so proud of her. She’s much braver than I am.

After our short ice skating endeavour, there was a stop at Ben & Jerry’s…

where Kevin and Amy shared this….

I had tea :-).

Christy then went to the pool and the rest of hung out in the cabin reading. I went outside on the verandah and actually feel asleep for a bit. Being awakened when Christy and friends plus Gerard who payed a visit to our room. The girls wanted to join us for dinner in Windjammers (we didn’t want to get dressed up for formal night tonight) so we got that organised and everyone went to get ready. There is an amazing gingerbread house display just as you enter Windjammers (it went up last night).

We had a nice dinner. Alexandra and Alannah are lovely girls and the four get on very well together. Amy & I found a lot more vegetarian options as well. Not sure quite why the main dining room can’t deliver them (or maybe they did tonight).

After dinner the girls all headed off and Kevin & I went to book something for tomorrow. We decided on a short 3 hour tour to some Mayan village, so at least we’ll learn some history and culture and see some of the island of Cozumel.
Then it was back to our room. The busy days are catching up with us so lighter day and then a sea day will be good before we hit Universal Studios back in Orlando.