The Cruise Chronicles - Part One

Day One – January 24, 2009

Well, we were up and left EARLY. Worried about cold and ice but the weather forecast is clear and for that we are extremely grateful. Flights route through Chicago on our way to San Juan. Perfect flights. Both of us were able to sleep a little, played Phase 10 a little, ate a little, no air turbulence and even early arrivals. It was awesome. Still long. But, this girl is trying to focus on only the positives. We arrived in San Juan in the evening but with beautiful balmy temperatures. Hotel was perfect. We are on vacation baby!!

Day Two – January 25, 2009

Today is a little cuckoo. We have decided, with friends that are in San Juan with us, that we will have a leisurely morning, check out of the hotel and drop our bags off on the ship and tour San Juan a little bit and then had back to get on the ship to get this party started! Mass confusion at the docks. Saying we are not allowed on yet. We check in our luggage and set off to see the island. It is gorgeous!! We visit a fort, eat at a great restaurant, ride their trolley and see the amazing place the locals get to call home. Later we get word from other passengers that we may not get on until 10pm. Then we hear we are not getting on till the next morning and we are leaving late. The check-in/boarding process turns into a nightmare of confusion and mass crowds. We get on the boat around 6pm. Happy to be there we seek out food. It is the ultimate comfort right? We thoroughly enjoy our meal and remind ourselves that ‘come what may’ there is not reason to be grumpy….we are on vacation. The boat that was to depart at 11pm now is not pulling away from port until 6am. We are assured that since our first day on the cruise was a sea day anyway, to not fret we will reach Aruba on time.




We are cracking up by now!






GORGEOUS isn't it????

We are tired on the trolley

Day Three – January 26, 2009

Our first full day on the ship. Aaahhh…..relaxing. We are hanging out in a place called The Sanctuary. It is snootyville on the ship and we are loving every minute of it. It costs $10 to be up there and it is worth every second. The lounge chairs are really more like outdoor beds. There are MP3’s at your disposal. They bring you water (actually, they bring you whatever you want to eat)….the best part is that where it is located is far away from the bulk of the noise of the crowd on the ship and you can look out and see the horizon as you lounge. It is heaven to have a nap with the sun shining and the ocean breezes blowing. I get a pedicure. Can’t start the week without my toes being primped. It costs too much but my toes look SASSY! It is our first formal night. I didn’t go super formal this time like I did a few years ago. Still, I felt fancy and pretty and adored as my husband admired my attire. Dang he’s cute too in that sharp suit!! We take lots of photos with friends and enjoy an awesome dinner. We saw a show on the ship that was ‘dancing through the ages’. Unbelievable how they can keep their balance to do such a spectacular job on a ship that is not always steady. We did notice a bit more movement this day than on our previous trip. We attribute it to the speed we are traveling at to reach Aruba on time after our late departure. We go to bed anxious to reach Aruba and begin our onshore adventures.

Carol and I in "The Sanctuary" - Brian's toes are visible in the background - look at that view!!!!!

Brian has come over to me....the sun proves too much for his eyes...you can faintly hear him crying "my eyes, my eyes!!" (little Friends humor)

Matt and Carol.....this is a better shot of "The Sanctuary"...this became our running joke....'we must retire to the sanctuary' (well that and 'purging toxins from your systems')

I really, really love to laugh with this guy

Carol is THRILLED to have her fill of the bread

The sun is setting on our first full cruise day