My Florida Vacation Memories - Part 1

Welcome to October!

Linking today's post to Gillena's Sunday Smiles.  There are many smiles in the photos below.

Arriving in Miami in late August, we started our holiday off with a wonderful live concert by Earth Wind and Fire and Lionel Ritchie.  My sister who lives in Miami organized a group of 22 that night.

Earth Wind and Fire group

Lionel Ritchie

The next morning we were off on our Royal Caribbean Eastern Caribbean Cruise.  This is the balcony room I shared with one of my sisters.  You can see my sleep machine I had set up.  The other 2 were in another suite.

 Our steward would leave these cute towel animals for us every day.

It is a huge ship as pictured below.  On our first day at sea, we had participated in some activities organized by an online cruise group.  We joined the slot pull, the cabin crawl and the duck hunt.  The duck hunt is a fun activity that lasted the whole week.  The online group leaders were giving out gifts they made, I chose this 4" 3D lobster. 

   

4" 3D Lobster

It cost US$20 to join the slot pull.  It garnered 38 people.  So we gathered around a slot machine in the casino on board and each person got 2 spins.  The highest score determined the payout, we each won $6!  It was fun.  

The cabin crawl involved volunteers showing the different styles of their cabins.  We had about 22 volunteers, it was interesting to see what the different styles of cabins offered, obviously there is a price range too.  I liked the one bedroom suite with its kitchen suite, like a small home.  There was a 2 level crown suite as well.  One of the more economical cabins faced the inside of the ship, it offered a bird's eye view of all the activities taking place aboard.

The duck hunt is a fun new activity happening on the cruise ships these days.  People purchase small rubber ducks and hide them in planter pots, stairwells, anywhere you like.  Both adults and kids enjoy the hunt and post their discoveries.  This little duck was cleverly hidden on the 8th floor wall.

Our first stop was Coco Cay Island in the Bahamas.  It is Royal Caribbean's private beach.

Then we were off to St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands.  From there we took a ferry excursion to  beautiful Trunk Bay beach on St. John island where we did some snorkelling.  A sister was using this new waterproof case for her phone while snorkelling but it leaked and that was the end of her phone.  That may have happened in St John. 

Back on St. Thomas we took a taxi to the downtown area where we did some tax free shopping.  Their taxi prices are government controlled fixed fares.  This protects both parties.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship

We went on a catamaran excursion at St Maarten, one of the stops.  This is where I lost my prescription sunglasses after stupidly entering the water with them on.  I got bashed by a huge wave as I swam out to the beach.  Apparently the water is not usually so rough.  

Interestingly, a sister mentioned after the fact that our 2 excursions were both labelled strenuous!  I must have just read the basic descriptions.  Her daughter thought we were being so adventurous in a good way.  We all do enjoy snorkelling.

Back on St Maarten, a sister had a friend who lives on the island.  She kindly picked us up and drove us around the Dutch part of the island, we stopped off for lunch at a restaurant.  Oh, I had stupidly forgotten to wear my seabands (to prevent seasickness).  I did not seem to need them on the big Cruise ship, but the catamaran was rocky that day so I was feeling pretty nauseous.  Needless to say, I was not able to eat much for a few hours after getting off the boat.  But luckily I was back to normal by the time we returned to the big Cruise ship.  

Catamaran

Blue Moon on the Cruise ship

Sunrise on our balcony

Here is a flow rider surfing video I took on the ship, one of many activities available

They had a fun parade on the ship

We enjoyed this flash mob dance party on the ship, anyone is welcome to join

Stay tuned for part 2 of my Florida vacation memories tomorrow!