Cruise Vacation 2015
Oh how I love some time off away from the busyness of life. It was such a blessing to go on this Western Caribbean Cruise. This was our second time cruising but the third attempt, let me explain. When we were pregnant with our fourth (2011), the Mr. had been asking for years for us to go on a cruise. Life was about to get a whole lot busier and though I was petrified to go, the time away with just the two of was needed. As we were registering before boarding the cruise, I filled in how far along I was and can you believe it, I was 3 days overdue the limit to cruise and we could not go on the cruise.
It was such a blessing to have no service or internet access for a week. A time to unplug from the everyday things and really enjoy the children and our time together as a family. We stopped at Grand Cayman, Labadee, Haiti, Jamaica and our favorite Cozumel, Mexico. The weather was absolutely perfect!
The beautiful ship.
Some of the food we enjoyed; Lobster, shrimp, lamb, duck and a variety of delicious desserts.
Kids loved the beaches. The boys went snorkeling and jet-skiing with daddy. Mom was a lazy bum and did nothing, and when I say nothing, I mean it!
Lastly, we hadn’t taken our Christmas pictures for greeting cards yet, so I thought it would be a great idea to take them on the beautiful beach. When my hubby and I cruised the first time, the ship just docked at an island and we got off, so I thought this was the case with all the cruises oh how I was wrong. We get off of the ship to find out we have to get a taxi and drive about 10 minutes to get to the beach in a van with no air conditioning. There was another ship docked and it was packed with people. Long story short, by the time we got into the taxi, hair was a mess, kids were exhausted, sweaty and not at all excited for pictures. Everyone decided to assume since we were all dressed so nice, we were getting married, OH MY!
So here are a few pictures that actually did happen. We did get a few that will be okay for Christmas cards messy hair, sweaty, stinky and all!
Tis all folks. I’d love to hear your favorite vacation spots or stories of Christmas cards pictures taking gone not so well, like ours!
I cannot wait for the Christmas greeting cards with beautiful family pictures to start arriving. My favorite time of year for mail.
Do you keep your card from previous years? We keep them up all year round and then I make little booklets out of them guests can look at when over our place.
Awesome you so lucky!!! Such a beautiful ship😍 Very pretty pictures and Lovely kiddos. I would love to go on a cruise with my family but I get sea sick, bummer. So did you did not go on the cruise since you were 3 days overdue the limit? Gosh that would be such a downer. Glad you had an awesome vacation!
Thank you so much Yelena. You are so sweet. Nope, they would not let us get on. Thankfully, we booked through an agency and the agent knew I was pregnant and failed to ask how far along I was so they gave us a voucher to go within a year. There was more excitement. We decided to take my sister and older boys with us the next time. While we went on the cruise for a few days, we paid for their stay and activities they would do. The following day as we board the ship from the island we were on, they tell us there is an emergency phone call for us from my sister. My heart is pounding out of my chest. Turns out the gentleman that was in the front desk at the resort they stayed at calls them at 11 pm telling them they cannot find they payment and they must leave the premises, he was so rude she said. Sister has no money, no where to go, and it’s 11. Let’s just say I think I got a few grey hairs that day. Poor girl and kids, she has the responsibility of the boys and can do nothing about it. They had to sleep in our van that night until someone can forward them money. Once we get off of the ship, I went to the resort, he pulled up our payment in seconds. Turns out the guy wasn’t spelling our last name right. Thankfully I was a Christian and prayed for wisdom because I didn’t feel like being nice at all! Our agent told us to sue, but being Christians, we just didn’t feel that necessary, we ended up getting a free weeks stay with the resort which we took the next year. How’s that for a story.
How beautiful. So with your previous post, how do u go about budgeting for vacations? I’d love to hear some tips. Thank u for sharing your family with us, I LOVE seeing the pictures.
P.S. our picture take to remembered. We get kids ready and drive out with a friend to take the pictures. Little problem, we left the camera at home, lol.. 😉
Such a beautiful family. So happy for you, you deserve it. I was thinking maybe you have an extra card. I would be so so happy to get one from you. 🙂
Mila, I would love to get one out to you.
I really enjoy your writing. You come across so genuine. We didn’t go on summer vacation so in November we finally decided to go somewhere. Got the whole trip set up for Mexico, but didn’t pay yet. Then as an afterthought the agent asks “do the kids have passports?” Um, no. So this Thursday we are flying to Disney World. With a 3 and 1 year old. Good or bad it will be quite an experience, can’t wait!
Natasha, thank you so much for your sweetness. How great that you didn’t book yet, that would not have been fun, ouch.
Oh how exciting about Disney World! It’s on our “bucket list” of travels but not in our budget with 5 kiddos yet. Have safe travels and make lots of memories with the ones dearest to you. I’d love to hear about it once you’re back.
Beautiful family! By the way, we went on the same exact cruise line and route 😉 Royal Caribbean . Stopped at all the same places. We loved it too, expect we want years ago- when we didn’t have children. What a great way to vacation though with kids- don’t have to worry about fussing over breakfast lunch and dinner for solid week!!! 🙂
Margarita. How wonderful that you got to before kiddos arrive, good for you two.
Yes, you are right, it was such a blessing not to have to cook, clean, do laundry and iron! It went by so fast and here we are back to everyday life. Thank you for sharing.
Oh my goodness 😳 🙉That must have been so nerve wracking!! I’m so glad the story has a happy ending!:)
OH MY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You have some stories I tell you……. God Bless Your Heart!!! It’s not that easy to go through those kind of situations… P.s I would love to send a Christmas card to you if u don’t mind?:)
Irochka, My stories, haha. What would I write about if it wasn’t for them, you know just want to make sure to keep you entertained, teasing! Life brings you all kinds of situations!
You have such a beautiful children!!! The little one is so adorable! Just want to squish those chubby cheeks! How old is she? Valechka you need to get a POBox for all that fan mail, so you won’t have to give out your home address! (just a little suggestion 🙂 ) God bless your family!
Olga, thank you! She’s 18 months going on 36 months, lol. She’s so smart and independent. You are such a genius, I will actually do that, THANK YOU for the idea.
Wow girl! You are a one brave mama. I never went on vacation with kids. Beautiful pictures! You make me wanna book a cruise 😉
Thank you!
What a beautiful, blessed family you have, Valentina! Thank you for sharing with us!
Tatyanochka. Thank you for your kind words! We surely are blessed.
Valechka… Wow so beautiful family!! Love all your pictures! How can you be so organaized?!
And quite the story you have about your experience!!
Good job on being brave and going with your whole family!! Those things will be remembered forever by you and your kiddos! And you sure make the memories beautiful!! I like to go on vacations with my kiddos too, that way I’m relaxed not worried about them while away…
God bless your family!!!