The cruise was absolutely amazing! I had planned and researched and dreamed of how the cruise would be for months…and it was everything I’d hoped for and so much more! We left that Thursday around 4pm and drove to Gainesville and spent the night. Had planned to stay in Lake City but decided to go a little farther and make the drive time the next morning even less. Drove to Kennedy Space Center the next morning and spent about 5 or 6 hours there. It was a great day and we learned so much. The add-on special tour we bought was great and we got to go to the launch pads and things so the kids took a lot away from the experience. I don’t really have much interest in the space program, but I even enjoyed the day. We checked into our hotel after that, did a little running around, and spent the afternoon/evening chilling out and relaxing by the pool. Jess also got to work more on her homework. Saturday we boarded the shuttle at noon for the ½ mile ride to the Carnival Glory. We’d already driven down earlier and seen the ship while we were out for breakfast. =D Embarkation process went quite smoothly and we were on the ship in about 30 minutes or so. Headed up to the Lido deck for some lunch and then spent some time walking around the ship and checking things out. The Disney Magic was next to our ship in port so we got some neat views of it as well. Not as big as our ship but still impressive. Around 1:30 we finally got to head to our stateroom and while small, it was quite cozy and well laid out. We headed up to the Lido deck for the sail away party, went to the meet-and-greet for Circle C (the kids activity group), then went to our first dinner at 6pm. Our wait staff was amazing and the food was delicious! The Circle C activities started around 8pm and we didn’t see the girls until around 1am when Circle C ended for the evening. Gary and I went to the show that evening which was fun. Sunday was our first Day at Sea. Gary and I were up early and went up on deck to take a walk and enjoy the sights. We saw the kids off and on during the day but they were busy with Circle C and new friends. That evening was our first Elegant Dinner so we got all dressed up and had pictures made before we ate. It was shrimp and lobster night and it was delicious! Monday was our day in Cozumel and we had a blast. We did the Twister boat ride to Passion Island. Twister is a high speed boat that does fast turns and twists and 360’s in the water. You get soaked but it was a blast. Once we got to the Island we had a wonderful meal and then spent the day playing in the water, jumping off the water trampoline, kayaking, paddle boats, etc. Went back to the ship, cleaned up, and headed into Cozumel for some shopping. Tuesday we were in Belize. Went snorkeling at Goff’s Caye and had an amazing time and learned so much at the same time! We were snorkeling the 2nd largest coral reef in the world so that was a pretty awesome experience! Back to the ship to clean up and then grabbed a tender to Belize City for shopping. Also hate lunch at a restaurant called Mamasita’s. The food was tasty but a little more bland than I expected. Wednesday we were in Costa Maya where we did a Mayan Culture Experience tour. We rode a bus to Limones where we went to a Mayan ruin, spent some time touring the area, and then went to the home of a Mayan couple. There we had a traditional Mayan lunch prepared by them and learned a lot of things about their lifestyles. Again, we learned so much and the food was absolutely amazing! When we got back to the port city of Mahamaul we did some shopping before going back to the ship. The girls had a blast with the “game” of bartering for the things they wanted. Thursday was another sea day so we had time to relax a bit. It was also another elegant evening as well as our 16th anniversary. Gary had set it up with the room steward for our nightly towel animal to be a monkey which was a nice surprise. He also bought me a sapphire necklace/bracelet/earring set for our anniversary and it is beautiful. I wore them to dinner that night and loved them! Friday was our day in Nassau and the weather was quite nasty when we arrived. Thankfully it rained and thundered for about 30 minutes and then cleared up. We spent the day at Blackbeard’s Caye swimming/snorkeling/feeding/petting the stingrays and had a great time. What an experience! Afterwards we did a little shopping and then headed back to the ship. We decided to skip dinner in the dining room and instead ate the buffet. Saturday came and it was time for debarkation. Went smoothly again and we were off the ship by 9:30 and on our way home by 10am. Got to the house around 5pm that afternoon. I was afraid the week would fly by but was surprised that it didn’t. I think it was probably the best vacation we’ve ever had and definitely a 2nd honeymoon to remember! Now we’re already in the planning stages of a cruise next August and Gary said he’d liked to find a 3 day to do before that. We’re hooked now! Lol The kids program is excellent on Carnival! The girls stayed busy with dance parties, movie nights, scavenger hunts, sports activites, game parties, pizza making things, ice cream eating contests, etc. The Circle C activities went until 12:30 or 1am every night! Gary and I had time with them, but also had plenty of time alone as well. Definitely recommend!! Now the countdown has begun to Cruise #2 already being planned for next summer!
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