A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER
For Christmas 2018, we celebrated Christmas in an "untraditional way." Instead of giving each other tangible gifts, we wanted to give each other memories and experiences together. So, we decided to go on a cruise to the Caribbean. We had an incredible time and created many wonderful memories together.
THE CRUISE
Our cruise was a 7 Day Western Caribbean Cruise on the Carnival Dream. We left from New Orleans Port on Sunday, December 16. after spending a day at sea, we stopped in Costa Maya, Mexico on Tuesday and went to the Lost Mayan Kingdom Adventure Park. On Wednesday, we stopped at Mahogany Bay, in Isla Roatan for some zip-lining through the jungle and some family fun on the beach. The adventure continued on Thursday when when we docked in Belize to snorkel with sharks and sting rays. Then, on Friday, we spent a very special day swimming with dolphins and touring beautiful, Cozumel, Mexico. Saturday was a lazy day at sea. We rested and enjoyed the last day of our cruise together. We debarked on Sunday morning and spent Christmas in Gulf Shores with Don's parents.
This Christmas, we got the most wonderful present of all, making memories with our family. We also checked off another accomplishment on our bucket list. Years from now, I know that we will reminisce with our kids about our experiences on this trip, and we will feel an overwhelming sense of joy as they share their stories about this trip with their own children.
INTERACTIVE MAP OF OUR CRUISE
You can click on the red pins to learn about each location. I have not finished writing the map descriptions or uploading pictures to it, but it will give you the basic idea.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2018
Day 1:
Embarkation ~ Port of New Orleans
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Embarkation Day
On Sunday, December 16, 2018 we drove to the Port of New Orleans, Louisiana. Boarding a cruise ship is much like boarding a plane. We went through security, checked our bags, and boarded the ship. After boarding the ship, it took about an hour for us to to be able to go to our cabin. They had a lot of activities in the Atrium that kept us busy until then. Unfortunately, they lost my luggage and Hannah's luggage, but by the end of dinner they found it and we were able to unpack. Dinner was very good! After dinner, we spent the night exploring the ship. On night one we traveled from the Port of New Orleans, down the Mississippi River and into the the Gulf of Mexico.
Embarkation Day Photo Gallery
You can use the arrows in the upper right corner of this slideshow or click on the icons below the slideshow to see the next picture. Captions are on the bottom left.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2018
Day 2:
Gulf of Mexico to Costa Maya, Mexico
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A Day at Sea
The first day at Sea was a day of fun and exploration. We had breakfast, explored the ship, spent time in the hot tub, laid by the pool, saw some acts, and relaxed by the pool. Then, we got ready for dinner. It was one of the two elegant nights on the cruise. My Christmas Present was to get to see my children all dressed up. We took some family photos and enjoyed our first truly elegant dinner together as a family. Afterwards, the kids all went to their "teen" and "preteen" clubs and the adults enjoyed time listening to music, having a few drinks, and gambling in the casino.
A Day at Sea Photo Gallery
You can use the arrows in the upper right corner of this slideshow or click on the icons below the slideshow to see the next picture. Captions are on the bottom left.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2018
Day 3:
Costa Maya, Mexico to Mahogany Bay, Isla Roatan, Honduras
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A Day in Costa Maya at the Lost Mayan Kingdom Adventure Park
Our first stop was Costa Maya, Mexico. It was a beautiful, sunny day in the mid 70s. After we stepped off the ship and onto land, a brigade of people with camera ushered people off to take pictures. Then we walked into the town of Costa Maya. A transportation vehicle that looked like a hut, picked us up and took us to the Lost Mayan Kingdom Adventure Park. This park was so much fun! There was a little restaurant to get food and drinks. There were tons of Mayan themed slides and rides. There were high activity areas for kids and relaxation areas for adults. We were able to put our things in a locker and really enjoy the day. One thing that really shocked us were the number of iguanas that roamed the area. The people at the park told us that they were harmless. We even sat down by one guy, who we thought might have actually been a gal after we found a baby iguana in a hole in the rock stair case. After a fun day at the park, we did a little shopping in the town of Costa Maya and boarded the boat. We ate dinner with the whole family and spent some time talking and reminiscing about our day.
Costa Maya Photo Galley
You can use the arrows in the upper right corner of this slideshow or click on the icons below the slideshow to see the next picture. Captions are on the bottom left.
Costa Maya Videos
Click on the video to play it.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2018
Day 4:
Mahogany Bay, Isla Roatan, Honduras to Belize
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A Day Zip Lining and Beach Fun at Mahogany Bay on Isle Roatan, Honduras
For our second stop, we docked in Mahogany Bay on the Isle Roatan in Honduras. It was a beautiful, sunny day in the low 80s. This was my favorite place on our cruise. Not only was it warm and beautiful, it had lush jungle forests, beautiful aqua waters, the people there were so incredibly nice, and our experience was enjoyed by everyone in the family. It was hard to leave!
After we docked, we went into town, got our passports stamped, and explored the town. After about an hour, we went on an Extreme Jungle Zip Lining Adventure. I loved these zip lines for several reasons. First of all, most zip lines have towers where you have to climb a mountain of winding stairs to get to the top. For me, zip lining is not the scary part. It is the fun part. The scary part is climbing all those stairs and knowing you can fall through the openings between the stairs. There is just something about climbing stairs were you can see below you that really creeps me out! This was not the case here. The natural rise and fall of the hills and mountains eliminated the need for high rise towers. The jump stations were all like tree houses. You only had to climb about a house staircase amount of stairs, if that many, and you waited on a large wooden or cement platform that was stable.
Another thing I loved was the zip line crew. These guys were awesome. They demonstrated how the lines worked and went before us to show that it was safe. On long distance lines, a guide rode with Connor to ensure he had enough weight to make it to the next station. They were a fun loving crew who made the trip enjoyable for every person zip lining. This wasn't a 10 minute zip line experience either. We zip lined for about an hour through the jungle and over water. The line ended on top of the beach restaurant and bar.
After zip lining, we feasted on fresh, authentic food and then enjoyed time on the beach. The kids got to experience drinking coconut milk straight from the coconut. When they were finished, a man chopped the coconut in two and served it back to the kids after sprinkling sugar over the inside. The kids hollowed the inside of the coconuts completely clean! We played on the beach together. Connor collected a few shells. Hannah won an arm wrestling match against her dad. Jackson and I explored the island. After a day on the beach, we did a little shopping in town, listened to music in the square and boarded the boat.
After we docked, we went into town, got our passports stamped, and explored the town. After about an hour, we went on an Extreme Jungle Zip Lining Adventure. I loved these zip lines for several reasons. First of all, most zip lines have towers where you have to climb a mountain of winding stairs to get to the top. For me, zip lining is not the scary part. It is the fun part. The scary part is climbing all those stairs and knowing you can fall through the openings between the stairs. There is just something about climbing stairs were you can see below you that really creeps me out! This was not the case here. The natural rise and fall of the hills and mountains eliminated the need for high rise towers. The jump stations were all like tree houses. You only had to climb about a house staircase amount of stairs, if that many, and you waited on a large wooden or cement platform that was stable.
Another thing I loved was the zip line crew. These guys were awesome. They demonstrated how the lines worked and went before us to show that it was safe. On long distance lines, a guide rode with Connor to ensure he had enough weight to make it to the next station. They were a fun loving crew who made the trip enjoyable for every person zip lining. This wasn't a 10 minute zip line experience either. We zip lined for about an hour through the jungle and over water. The line ended on top of the beach restaurant and bar.
After zip lining, we feasted on fresh, authentic food and then enjoyed time on the beach. The kids got to experience drinking coconut milk straight from the coconut. When they were finished, a man chopped the coconut in two and served it back to the kids after sprinkling sugar over the inside. The kids hollowed the inside of the coconuts completely clean! We played on the beach together. Connor collected a few shells. Hannah won an arm wrestling match against her dad. Jackson and I explored the island. After a day on the beach, we did a little shopping in town, listened to music in the square and boarded the boat.
Mahogany Bay Photo Gallery
You can use the arrows in the upper right corner of this slideshow or click on the icons below the slideshow to see the next picture. Captions are on the bottom left.
Mahogany Bay Videos
Click on the video to play it.
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2018
Day 5:
Belize to Cozumel, Mexico
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A Day Swimming With Sharks and Snorkeling at the Coral Reef in Belize
Description of Belize - Sharks, Rays, Barrier Reef Snorkel And Island Escape
For the third stop, we anchored in the water off the shore of Belize. The cruise ship could not pull into a port there because it would damage the reef and many places were too shallow for the ship. A transport boat took us from the cruise ship to the shore. On shore, we got our passports stamped and got in line for our excursion. A boat picked us up and the excursion guides told us about what to expect and explained some of the local history to us. They took us to a small island where we picked up our snorkeling gear and saw where we would have lunch. Then, we sailed to the first snorkeling location. At the first location, the water was a beautiful aqua color. It was a perfect temperature. Here we got to snorkel with Nurse Sharks and Sting Rays. At first I was a little nervous. All I could think about was Steve Irwin! After seeing the sharks and rays swim around without bothering anyone in the water, I felt more comfortable and it became a magical experience.
The second snorkeling spot was for seeing the reef. The Barrier Reef in Belize is the second largest coral reef in the world. I would have liked to explored this a little more, but our time was short here. We did see the beautiful coral, swarms of colorful fish, a barracuda, and an eel. When the guide went down and brought the eel back up to the surface, I started swimming for the boat! But not Connor! He got up close and personal with it. This is the only thing that brought me back.
After we snorkeled, we went back to a small island and lunch was catered for us there. Don of course found a crew playing volleyball on the beach and he and Connor became local celebrities with their mad volleyball skills. After lunch we sailed back to town and had literally minutes to shop for T-Shirts before we had to be back on the boat.
When we got back to the ship, the kids decided that they did not want to go to a formal dinner in the dining room. They went to a sushi restaurant on board ordered, ate, tipped, and left all by theirselves! Don and I were able to finally enjoy a date night. We listened to the string trio in the atrium and had some adult beverages. Then we went to dinner in the formal dining room and ate a nice dinner together. We enjoyed a little gambling in the casino and then went back to the room and changed for an outdoor movie with Connor. The older kids went to the kids club, the arcade, and saw some shows. It was an incredible day!
For the third stop, we anchored in the water off the shore of Belize. The cruise ship could not pull into a port there because it would damage the reef and many places were too shallow for the ship. A transport boat took us from the cruise ship to the shore. On shore, we got our passports stamped and got in line for our excursion. A boat picked us up and the excursion guides told us about what to expect and explained some of the local history to us. They took us to a small island where we picked up our snorkeling gear and saw where we would have lunch. Then, we sailed to the first snorkeling location. At the first location, the water was a beautiful aqua color. It was a perfect temperature. Here we got to snorkel with Nurse Sharks and Sting Rays. At first I was a little nervous. All I could think about was Steve Irwin! After seeing the sharks and rays swim around without bothering anyone in the water, I felt more comfortable and it became a magical experience.
The second snorkeling spot was for seeing the reef. The Barrier Reef in Belize is the second largest coral reef in the world. I would have liked to explored this a little more, but our time was short here. We did see the beautiful coral, swarms of colorful fish, a barracuda, and an eel. When the guide went down and brought the eel back up to the surface, I started swimming for the boat! But not Connor! He got up close and personal with it. This is the only thing that brought me back.
After we snorkeled, we went back to a small island and lunch was catered for us there. Don of course found a crew playing volleyball on the beach and he and Connor became local celebrities with their mad volleyball skills. After lunch we sailed back to town and had literally minutes to shop for T-Shirts before we had to be back on the boat.
When we got back to the ship, the kids decided that they did not want to go to a formal dinner in the dining room. They went to a sushi restaurant on board ordered, ate, tipped, and left all by theirselves! Don and I were able to finally enjoy a date night. We listened to the string trio in the atrium and had some adult beverages. Then we went to dinner in the formal dining room and ate a nice dinner together. We enjoyed a little gambling in the casino and then went back to the room and changed for an outdoor movie with Connor. The older kids went to the kids club, the arcade, and saw some shows. It was an incredible day!
Belize Photo Gallery
You can use the arrows in the upper right corner of this slideshow or click on the icons below the slideshow to see the next picture. Captions are on the bottom left.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018
Day 6:
Cozumel, Mexico to the Gulf of Mexico
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A Day Playing with Dolphins in Cozumel, Mexico
Our fourth stop was Cozumel, Mexico where we spent a day with Dolphins at Dolphinaris. When we entered town, a tidal wave of memories flooded in for Don and I. Don and I came to Cozumel for our 10th wedding anniversary. After getting our passports stamped, we took the kids to the Three Amigos restaurant where Don and I ate when we came 10 years ago. We showed them the random bathtub in the restaurant, took pictures at the Three Amigos Stand, and told stories about when we came to Cozumel.
When it was time for the excursion, we loaded a bus that took us to Dolphinaris. When we arrived, we were shown to our area with a private pool for swimming, tables, couches, a restaurant, a bar, and lockers for our things. They served us virgin Mojitos. Then we put on our life jackets and entered the extremely cold water. Even though the water was so cold, we had the most wonderful time. The kids we so excited. We pet the dolphins, played games with them, swam with them, and watched them perform. The kids were smiling and laughing the whole time!
After spending time with the dolphins, we ate lunch and warmed ourselves in the sun. A cold front had made it very windy so we were not allowed to snorkel, kayak, or take a glass bottom boat. It didn't matter though. We had a blast. My only complaint was that we were not allowed to take pictures from the side during the experience. The pictures they took were beautiful but cost a small fortune! To purchase the pictures that they emailed to you it was almost $300!!! Yikes.
When it was time for the excursion, we loaded a bus that took us to Dolphinaris. When we arrived, we were shown to our area with a private pool for swimming, tables, couches, a restaurant, a bar, and lockers for our things. They served us virgin Mojitos. Then we put on our life jackets and entered the extremely cold water. Even though the water was so cold, we had the most wonderful time. The kids we so excited. We pet the dolphins, played games with them, swam with them, and watched them perform. The kids were smiling and laughing the whole time!
After spending time with the dolphins, we ate lunch and warmed ourselves in the sun. A cold front had made it very windy so we were not allowed to snorkel, kayak, or take a glass bottom boat. It didn't matter though. We had a blast. My only complaint was that we were not allowed to take pictures from the side during the experience. The pictures they took were beautiful but cost a small fortune! To purchase the pictures that they emailed to you it was almost $300!!! Yikes.
Cozumel Photo Gallery
You can use the arrows in the upper right corner of this slideshow or click on the icons below the slideshow to see the next picture. Captions are on the bottom left.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2018
Day 7:
The Gulf of Mexico to the Port of New Orleans
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A Day at Sea
This day was another day at sea and we took full advantage of it! The wind had kicked up some and it gently rocked the boat making you super sleepy! On the top deck, I found these giant basket beds. I curled up in one of these with my towel. The sun was warm even though the wind was cool. I fell asleep for four hours in this thing! Best sleep ever!!! When I finally woke up, we spent time playing cards and playing games at the arcade. We had chocolatey goodness at the Chocolate extravaganza. I got a massage. We ate our last dinner in the dining room and said goodbye to the wait staff.
A Day at Sea Photo Gallery
You can use the arrows in the upper right corner of this slideshow or click on the icons below the slideshow to see the next picture. Captions are on the bottom left.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2018
Day 8:
Debark at the Port of New Orleans
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The End of Our Journey
Our journey ended when we docked in New Orleans Port. I had packed us up the night before but in the chaos I forgot to check the safe before we left. I left my license and credit cards in the safe and did not realize it until we got to Gulf Shores. At first, I was so upset. It was such a wonderful trip and then this had to happen. Then I realized, the things in that safe were just things and these things could be replaced. I made memories on this trip more valuable to me than 100 credit cards. I know that we will think back on this trip in many years to come. I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful family. I feel blessed that we can do these things together. We have a wonderful life and I thank God for it!
Sunrise at the Port of New Orleans
We had a wonderful time on our Christmas Cruise to the Caribbean!