Editor’s note: This was scheduled to post this morning at 6:30. I just received notice that it “miss schedule” – huh? I’ve no idea what that means except that there was no post this morning. It is a wonder that I have any readers left at all. I do apologize and really do hope all is “on schedule” from here on out. Onward and forward…..
Happy Monday friends! I don’t know if it is as hot where you are as it is on the east coast in the states, but if so, I hope you have been able to stay cool and beat the heat. For me that means staying inside. The weekend was warm but not unbearable. We were able to enjoy the patio on Friday and Saturday evenings. But Sunday. Did it ever get hot? And the week ahead looks just as toasty. Time to get some inside chores done. But first, a bit of recap of my cruise. I don’t think I will edit my photos so overlook the amateur shots. I just want to have a few here on the blog for history’s sake:)
We sailed on Celebrity cruise line. The ship was beautiful. Beautifully clean and updated. The food was delicious. I would say the quality and selection of food was probably the number one compliment of this ship and vacation for me. The food on the last cruise I took (which, granted, was quite a few years ago) was underwhelming, to the say the least, and is one of the reason I was rather “done” with cruising. (I’m glad my friend convinced me to go again!) But I enjoyed so many delicious meals on this cruise. The service throughtout the ship was also impeccable. Nothing but compliments there either. If there was anything that was a bit disppointing, it would be the entertainment. We were not really “wowed” any evening and one night we even got up and left. Sigh. It certainly did not ruin our trip but I do look forward to the shows and/or other entertainment after dinner. I have heard that Royal Carribean has the top-notch entertainment. I think that might be a true statement.
Enough about the ship. Can I mention the weather? It rained. Every day except one. And by rain I mean poured. Of course, there is so much to do on the ship and, when it rains, they go out of their way to have even more activities to do inside. I was fine. My friend (the sun lover!) was a bit disappointed to say the least. I felt bad for her. Her idea of a perfect vacation includes plenty of roasting in the sun. But the sun totally alluded her. That was a bit of a bummer but we really did have fun – despite the weather. The one day that the sun was out all day was beach day. Hooray. One of our ports was a private island. The island included a (huge!) water park, a lagoon, a beach, and a double pool section. The pools were gorgeous. My friend was in heaven. I’m not exactly a sun – or a pool! – kind of a gal but even I had a nice day there. Spent the day chasing the shade and reading my books. Sounds boring but it was fun:) Oh yeah…there were iguanas on the island. Careful where you step!
Our other port of call (we only had two as it was not a super long cruise but perfect for a girlfriend getaway) was in Key West. It rained on and off but we still had a great time. We used an on/off trolley tour to travel around the island and to learn about highlights throughout. It was both interesting and very informative. We asked a local where to have lunch and found a small seafood stand that we would have otherwise completely missed. The front looked like a walk-up only type place but the seating was outback. The seafood was amazing!! We also tried the chocolate dipped key lime pie bars. Supposedly an island favorite. I’m not a huge fan of key lime but this was delicious.
After lunch and while we still had time on the island, the rain stopped and the sun was out. That was nice. The roosters – brought over from Cuba and originally for fighting – are now protected on the island and, well, they are seen everywhere. I thought it was kind of cool but not sure I would want them in my backyard. And my frontyard. And, well, everywhere else. Just sayin. Of course, when in Key West, you are supposed to have your picture taken at the southern most point. The line was about 60 people deep and I was quite content with a drive-by photo! Hence all the random strangers in my picture:)
Everyone has asked me if I will cruise again? I’m not sure. There were a few things about a cruise vacation (or maybe it was just the cruise line, I’m not sure) that I did not enjoy and really did impact the week. But there a lot of things about cruising that are fun. I am undecided; however, I am glad to have had this vacation. We had a good time. And I even let my friend take a picture (or two) of me. I must have really been in a Caribbean state of mind!!
Thanks for stopping by. Here’s to a good week ahead. And for staying cool. It’s warmer here than the Caribbean! What!?!
What a delightful post! I have been on one cruise via Princess to the Alaska Inside Passage in about 2006. I loved it, but my husband had to visit the ship’s doctor 2 or 3 times, came home with double pneumonia and went straight to the hospital when we got back home. Haven’t cruised since.
I was in Key West a couple of months ago and enjoyed it. Our visit was too short and the crowds were thick!!! My snapshot of the southernmost point was similar to yours! LOL
Thanks for sharing your experience!
I am so happy to see a picture of YOU! Beautiful, my friend. Thank you for sharing your cruising adventure. I appreciate it when people share thoughts on a vacation because it may be beneficial in the future. And for the record, I am right there with you in the shade with my books! Stay cool!
We had a graduation party outside Sunday and it was so darn HOT but I have definitely been hiding inside in the a/c this week. I loved this recap! So sorry the weather didn’t want to cooperate but I am so glad it didn’t ruin your enjoyment. Our first cruise was with Royal Caribbean (20+ years ago!) and I still remember enjoying our nightly entertainment a lot but our second cruise (just last year) was with Celebrity and we thought their entertainment was great too but ours was a longer 7 day cruise. I didn’t enjoy the Celebrity shows nearly as much as the hired entertainers (I’m not sure I’m describing that right but a few nights they had their own dancers and choreographed shows while other nights they had singers, comedians, etc. that they referred to as being performance guests of the cruise line and I preferred the guests more). It’s nice to see you on the blog too. We definitely aren’t opposed to another cruise but we don’t love them so much that we can’t wait to go on another one either. I think I’d like to try an Alaskan cruise… just because I’m not sure I’d ever make it to that state otherwise.
What a wonderful cruise and lovely pictures….You are adorable, you need to take more pictures of you. Never been on a cruise. Hubby doens’t like ocean or boats…he always tells me I can take the “Widow Cruise” when he gone…I don’t care for his sense of humor!! But who knows????haha
Oh I love crusing, Jennifer! There’s something about being out on the seas heading to a special destination, unpacking once, and enjoying every bit of it. We are heading to Alaska in August for a cruise to celebrate my 70th. I can not wait!
Hooray for cruise plans, Linda! I’m excited for you. Sounds like a great way to celebrate 70!!:)
I’m not a cruise fan myself. Hubby and I like to plan our own travel stops. But your adventures look like fun.
Our weather has been hot like yours–we’re a bit west of you. Looking forward to the end of the week when it is supposed to cool down. (Summer just wanted to let us know she’s here)
I so totally missed this when I stopped by earlier in the week…and today, well, I’m just late getting around to blog reading.
I’m so glad that you had this time away with your friend. Loved the picture of the two of you. I also enjoyed all of your pictures. I loved seeing all of the colors. What fun!
Oh my goodness, how could it possibly be true that it was sunnier in the UK than it was on your cruise – that has to be a first! I’m pleased you had a good time with your friend, I’m sure it was lovely spending time and making memories together.
We will take some of that British rain, Deb! No worries. Hope there is only blue skies when you take your holiday!
I enjoyed all your stories and the photos and loved seeing you in one of them. We have been to Key West a few times and I remember the roosters roaming around. I have my own drive-by photo of the southern most point when road tripping. We went on a cruise with family in 2018. Enjoyed it very much but we both found ourselves preferring our road tripping at our own pace. Enjoyed reading about yours very much. Thanks Jennifer!
Glad that you enjoyed lots of the things on your cruise and especially spending time with your friend. Shame that the weather was not good but it sounds like you made the best of the time. I love cruising and have a week away cruising with my lovely daughter in August.
Sorry about the rain! Glad you had a great time regardless! I love pools, beaches, oceans, etc 🙂 I like being outside when I can cool off with a water source; otherwise, not as much during the summer. I never edit my pictures, too much work, and I would probably make them worse, LOL! I think chasing the shade and reading books sounds perfect.