I returned home yesterday from a week in the Caribbean.  It was a birthday gift from my youngest sister, Beth.  Beth had won a free cruise for two and she decided to take me on the cruise with her for my 50th birthday.  What an amazing and generous gift.  For details regarding the contest, check out my blog post “7 Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise”.   

When I returned home from the cruise on Sunday, there was a foot of snow on the ground.  This morning when I woke  up, it was raining down snow and we are expected to get another foot of snow.  Wow!  

The cruise ship we were on was called the “Freedom of the Seas” and the cruise line was RoyalCaribbean.  Our ports of call were:
  • Port Canaveral, Florida
  • CocoCay, Bahamas
  • Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
  • Philipsburg, St. Maarten
  • Port Canaveral, Florida

The Freedom of the Seas (FS) was like a small floating city.  It had restaurants, a spa, a sports center, swimming pools, hot tubs, putt putt golf, a game room, arcade (video games), theaters, a skating rink, Ben and Jerry’s ice cream shop, shopping stores, beautiful lounges, a library, an online room for internet access, a casino, a bingo room, a coffee house, night clubs and pretty lounges, art gallery, etc.. 

The FS had 14 decks and there was artwork  every where you looked.  The theme of the artwork was “The Elements” – Fire, Air/Wind, Water, Earth. The artwork pieces that were chosen to  express this theme were beautiful and unique.  I really love this theme. 

There were also quotes that were posted around the ship that expressed the Elements theme.  I should have written a few of these down, but I didn’t.  I was so caught up in the moment and enjoying myself, that the thought didn’t occur to me, until now.   

Spa Date

Beth treated me and herself to a massage at the spa.  It was my first professional massage.  It was heavenly. 

They massaged our backs, feet, hands, scalp, and face.  It felt so good and I felt so good for several days afterwards.  It was the next best thing to good _ _ _ (you can fill in the blanks). 

Beth and I left the Spa with huge smiles on our faces. 

Saint Thomas Island Tour

Beth purchased an Island tour for us.  The tour was on Saint Thomas Island.  It was an interesting ride.  They drove on the left side of the road, and the roads were pretty narrow and full of traffic, but I soon started to relax. 

We were driven up to the top of the mountain where we could take some pictures and where we could check out the tourist shops that were conveniently located at these stops.  But that was ok.  We saw some interesting stuff and some of the people were entertaining.  Like the man who had a donkey named Monica Lewinsky.  You could get your picture made with the donkey for a small donation. 

The Islands were full of lots of tours stores.  Everything from cheap trinkets and clothing to fine liquore and jewelry.   Some of the Island stores preferred only cash and the ones we visited, accepted US currency. 

Most stores were Duty Free, but remember that there is a limit on of the amount of Duty Free items you can bring back into the states, then you are hit with the duty for items over your limit. 

Exploration through Snorkeling on Saint Martin Island

Beth also purchased us a Snorkeling trip/adventure.  I have never been snorkeling.  I was really excited about the snorkeling. 

The water was pretty rough the day we went out, but I still really enjoyed myself. 

I was a little nervous about only breathing through my mouth, but I was surprised by easy this was for me and really glad. 

I got to see some fish, strange looking corral that looked like a human brain, black spiny sea urchins and white sea urchin, starfish, and ship wreck. 

I actually got to hold a white sea urchin on the palm of my hand.  It moved around and I said to our tour guide, that it moved and he said “that is what alive things do” and smiled at me. 

I also got to hold a star fish.  The star fish wrapped its self around my hand and wrist.  It felt strange, but good.  I really liked the star fish. 

Cruise Ship Events

The food was endless on the cruise ship and very good.  We had so much to choose from, and of course I ate for more than I should, but I enjoyed every bit of it.

There was also looks of beer, wine, and liquor.  It wasn’t free or cheap, but we couldn’t resist having some on our cruise.  

There was good entertainment on the ship.  We saw an ice Skating show, a Comedy show, live music – Motown style, play Bingo, Play a funny quiz game, saw a Magic show, and watched Aerial Acrobat that was performed by a couple and their show was so beautiful and graceful.  I loved it. 

Beth won at Bingo (100.00 or so) and she won at the Casino.  We played the quarters game and Beth won about 30.00 dollars.  She was lucky on the ship. 

Canon Camera Lost

My sister, Beth lost her point and shoot Canon Camera.  It had all her pictures from our  week long cruise we took.  She thinks she lost it in the Orlando, FL airport – Delta Terminal, but she isn’t sure. 

Now, she isn’t happy about loosing her camera, but what she is most sad about, is that all her pictures are gone. 

If you find a Canon Camera, if you could at least return the memory card from it with Beth’s pictures, that would be great.  How do you it is her camera.  Check out my youtube slideshow below and if you see similar pictures, that would mean you found Beth’s camera.  Just email me and we’ll from there.  I know it is a huge long shot, but no harm in trying. 

In Summary

I had an amazing and fun trip with my sister.  It was a trip of a life for me.  All the places we visited and all the things we did were great, but the best part of the trip was that I got to spend it with my sister and share many laughs with her.  She was a great traveling companion.  Not everybody travels well, but Sissy Beth does. 

It was the best birthday ever!  It help to awaken a part of me that I thought was forever a sleep.  Good to know that turning 50 is the best ever..

I’m so grateful for this wonderful and generous gift.  Thanks Beth. 

I also want to thank Judy, my other sister, Kimbo, and my son, Jeremiah for their generous gifts, that help to make this trip all it could be.  It wouldn’t of been the same with out their generous gifts. 

Thanks Danny for your understanding, love, and support. 

Love you family (ALL my family).

To see a slideshow of pictures from our cruise, check out the below youtube video:

 

Enjoy!

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