Caribbean Cruise!

Graham gave me a cruise as a gift for our third anniversary (thanks, honey!!), so we all got to go on our first cruise ever a couple of weeks ago. We even had to get Miss Claire a passport!

We chose a 7-day Western Caribbean cruise aboard the Carnival Legend, which sails out of Tampa, Florida. We flew in the night before, spent the night in Tampa, saw the aquarium in the morning ("It's Nemo!!'), then spent 7 very relaxing days at sea and in various ports of call. Claire had a fantastic time and still talks about the trip. (As do we...)

Leaving Tampa with Daddy - Claire even made the official cruise video that day

Our ship - and yes, we took that picture (on the tender heading to Belize) - the skies and seas really were that blue...

Some highlights and favorites for Claire:

Dancing! - There was always music playing, and every night at dinner our servers would sing or dance for us, which absolutely delighted Claire. She got up and danced with them every night, and other passengers would recognize her as we walked around the ship as, "the little girl who dances at dinner." I edited together a video of all her dancing...she loves to boogie!

Getting down with Mister José - she loved shaking her napkin & her hips (unfortunately, it was right about bedtime every night so she talked us into a pacifier most nights)

Towel Animals - On Carnival ships, the people who clean the staterooms make origami animals out of towels for the guests every night, so when you get back to your room after dinner there's a cute surprise waiting. Claire loved seeing what Mister Daniel would make for her every night, and would run in the room saying, "I wonder what it is?!?" (even if it wasn't time yet).

A bunny, a sea turtle, and a monkey (ooh, ooh!)

Napping on the Beach & Deck - Our first two stops were Grand Cayman and Cozumel, and Claire took nice, lengthy naps on the beach at both places, letting Mommy & Daddy relax, read, swim, and enjoy the warm weather. (Thanks, Bunny!) She did the same on deck a couple of times, which worked out great for all three of us.

Snoozing on a comfy deck chair

The Food - We had a buffet for breakfast and lunch every day (the blueberry pancakes were her favorite) and then a sit-down dinner every night. She became a big fan of hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, and strawberry frozen yogurt, and got pretty good at ordering for herself.

Mmm, mmm, mac & cheese...

Monkeys and Birds! - On Isla Roatan (off the coast of Honduras) we did a shore excursion called "Pirates, Monkeys, and Birds of the Caribbean." We took a bus to Gumbalimba Park and got to hike around a beautiful nature preserve and see parrots, monkeys, and a pirate's cave. She also saw some funky Caribbean bunnies that look like chipmunks, and includes them on her list if you ask her what she saw in the jungle. There's a quick movie here if you're interested.

"Polly want a cracker?"

Daddy with a monkey on his back

Big Girl Bed - We took a little cot for her, but the couch in our room converted to a small bed, which they set up for Claire. She LOVED her big girl bed... She sleeps on the little cot at home now, but once we get moved we'll have to get her a bigger bed.

Passed out cold

Spending Time with Daddy & Mommy - Claire did everything with us on the cruise except for about three hours one day when Graham and I went snorkeling on the Belize Barrier Reef and she stayed on the ship and played with other kids and had a bit of much-needed down time. We loved all the family time, and several times she told us (unprompted): "I am happy." Awwwww...!

With Mommy on Grand Cayman

With Daddy in Cozumel, Mexico

We brought Maisy and Fancy Nancy books with us on the trip, and Daddy valiantly read them over and over again. "Fancy Nasty," as Claire calls her (tee hee), is a new favorite of hers and ours...

We all had a marvelous time and would definitely do a cruise again - it's a very easy way to travel with young children. Claire had tons of adoring fans in both the crew and other passengers - mainly grandparents and parents away from their little ones. Such a nice break from the cold cold KC winter!

Now it's back to snow and showing our house, which so far has gone quite well. Once the weather warms up it should get even busier. Come on, spring!!

More pictures from our trip are available in this album for anyone who wants to see more of our adventures...