One benefit to being unmarried and childless is that you have the flexibility to go on fun trips sponsored by your parents. And that is what happened in July. My parents took Makenzie and I on a week long Royal Caribbean cruise. Some might say that I was only invited to keep Makenzie company-but hey, I'll take it.
To get to the Caribbean, one must spend the better part of a day traveling there-which might include a long lay over.
A 6 hour layover (from 1am-7am) in the Chicago airport, a summary:
-Try to find a bench worthy of sleeping on
-Find a bench, consequently where the janitor decides he will start vacuuming at 2am in the morning, as well as doubles as the employees chatty hangout
-Wish I had brought ear plugs
-Try to sleep
-Freeze
-Try to sleep
-Freeze
-Try to sleep
-Switch benches
-Try to sleep
-Freeze
-Give up on sleep
-Go to the bathroom to warm up via warm water and hand dryers
-Walk around the airport
-Wonder how no one else seems to be bothered by the sub zero temperatures
-See benches that would have been better for sleeping
-Go to my terminal
-Manage to fall asleep for half an hour
-Read until my flight boards
It was a journey.
For some reason, many of the Dreamworks characters made multiple appearances throughout the duration of this trip. There was even a parade.
The first and only night we ate in the main dining room.
We decided that the buffet style was the one for us. It was always empty, there was more variety, and we got to know the waiters because we were some of the only people there.
Our housekeepers were a little confused with the ethnicity/age of Makenzie. She received the teens itineraries in Spanish and sometimes was delivered the kid ones.
Couldn't pass up a photo opp with King Julian. We had to wait in line to get this photo.
The first day was spent "at sea", so we spent our time going to the group games, eating, and taking the opportunity to get our photos taken.
10 years and 1 day apart,
but a dynamic duo nonetheless.
We spent our day at the beach.
Which we walked to, because we didn't want to pay for a Taxi. It wasn't that far, but it wasn't that close either.
I once had a hair tie that was perfectly stretched to where it didn't squeeze my wrist, and it fit perfectly when wrapped 3 times around my hair. I lost it on this chair. I still miss it. RIP hair tie. RIP.
After our day at the beach, we went back to the boat, ate some food, and then headed out again to get a better look at the city.
After our day at the beach, we went back to the boat, ate some food, and then headed out again to get a better look at the city.
Embracing their Dutch heritage.
I just couldn't stop taking pictures.
Our second stop was Curacao.
We walked around the town in the blistering, humid heat.
7 EVEN. So close.
Anyone looking for a 5 foot nothing model? I know a girl.
We also decided to get some cornrows while we were out and about.
We were just trying to really embrace that island lifestyle.
Makenzie and my dad spent some time snorkeling, while I spent my time playing "I've Been Working on the Railroad" on a guitar to some boy who charged us money to rent beach chairs. He was trying to learn how to play, so I showed him everything I knew.
That day was so uncomfortably hot.
Stop #3: St. Marteen
Another day, spent at another perfect beach. And we got away with sitting on beach chairs that we didn't pay for. Honesty free is best policy.
Once again, walking back to the boat that wasn't too far, but definitely wasn't too close.
Makenzie and I loved our room, 1. because it didn't smell like mildew like the hallway did. 2. because it was on an opposite end and side of the boat as our parents (just kidding, mom and dad) and 3. because it provided a TV which introduce to us the late 90's/early 2000's show, 7th Heaven.
One day, our room had a special surprise waiting for us.
We had a new found appreciation for towel art after attending a riveting napkin folding class.
The final stop was St. Thomas, where, you guessed it, we went to another beach.
We spent most of our time snorkeling
Dad, channeling his inner Rachel.
Once back on the boat, Makenzie and I tried out the rock wall.
Dad tried out the flow rider.
We can't forget about Sorrentos-the pizza place that was always open.
Other things we did that were not included via pictures:
We attended so many game shows/trivia games. The cruise director staff definitely knew who we were. We won the Disney movie music trivia game and scored Royal Caribbean baseball caps as a prize.
Makenzie and I attended 2 dance parties, where it became evident that the most successful way to get people to actually dance is to do line dancing. Which I loathe. So that was unfortunate.
Outdoor movie nights on the deck. We watched the newer Jumanji and The Greatest Showman.
Nightly entertainment shows, which included a magician, an ice skating performance (yes, there was an ice skating rink on board), a Billy Joel tribute, a subpar Royal Caribbean original musical (during which Makenzie expressed "I wish we were watching 7th Heaven instead"), and a show tunes medley/performance. Some shows were definitely better than others.
We got off the boat on Saturday morning and we spent about an hour in San Juan before I had to board my plane to go back home. The rest stayed behind for an additional day.
I'm very grateful to live such a fortunately life, in a beautiful world, with such a great family. Glad I got to spend a week with some of them.
Here is a little video of our trip:
