Smile and just keep swimming...: Spring Break Cruise 2015

Annie and Jack are downstairs watching the Walking Dead finale (I don't watch it. It's too scary for me) and I was asked to go (ok, banished) upstairs and told to blog. (true story) I apologize for keeping everyone waiting on our trip in review. :-)

Navigator of the Seas

Spring Break 2015

After a leisurely morning we got on the ship around noon. As veteran cruisers we don't have to wait in the long lines. We simply drop off our luggage, go through security, stop at the inspection table - I always bring on a 12 pack of soda and they open the box and make sure I'm not trying to sneak on alcohol, then we check in and walk right on. In our experience, the Port of Galveston seems to have it down to a fine science. Smooth as long as there isn't any fog and thankfully we didn't encounter any fog this trip.

This was our first time on Navigator of the Seas. It had recently gone into dry dock and gotten a face lift. A couple new specialty restaurants were added. And a new feature called FlowRider, which is basically a wave / surf machine. We grabbed a bite to eat. Yes, we had to start off our trip stuffing our faces. It's a cruise. That's what you do! In all seriousness, we didn't gorge ourselves by any means.

After lunch we found a spot on deck and waited until we were allowed to go to our stateroom. I posted a couple pictures in my last entry of the kids and Jack waiting. It wan't long and the weather was pleasant.

Our room was the similar to one we have had previously, only on the opposite side of the ship, on Mariner of the Seas. Everything felt very familiar except for the balcony. It was a bit different. But it didn't matter, it was just what we wanted. This room is shorter and much wider than typical rooms and allowed us to bring in a roll away bed for one for the kids. Sharing a sofa bed is no longer an option.

The balcony of stateroom 1388

Deck 10 Aft / Port side in the corner

Our balcony was very large with room for two lounge chairs, a short round table, two regular chairs with a bistro size table between them. On Mariner of the Seas there was an opening in the side so you could see the out. On this ship there was no opening but it provided shade most of the time. Yes, the view is a bit obstructed with the metal but we don't mind.

Here are some other pictures of our room.

Yes, there is a support pole right in the middle.

Wide room...

we like the space...

we don't mind the pole.

We had our first Muster Drill that did not require everyone to wear their life jacket.

As you can see, the kids were less than happy

with me seeing this as a photo opportunity.

TOO BAD!

Ha ha!

Sunday night we had dinner in the dining room and met our server, Melissa and her assistant, Silvia. They were fabulous and delightful and unfortunately I never got a picture of either one. It was our first night dining with them and they got to see us in rare form. Annie was hangry. If you're not familiar with this term it's when you are so hungry you become angry. We had chosen the early dining and had to be in the dining room at 5:30 p.m. (CST) each evening so it wasn't like Annie was eating at a later time.

Hangry Annie

Jake pretending to stab her in the arm.

Yep, this really happened.

She's holding a steak knife so I'm guessing she had steak.

After dinner the kids went to the Living Room, which is where the 12-17 year olds hung out. They played games and made friends. Their curfew on the ship was 1:00 a.m., which meant Jack or I stayed up until they returned. It's what we do at home, so why would this be any different? Annie usually came back earlier than that but Jake was out every single night. They met up with their friends by 10 a.m. most morning, so I was surprised they were both generally up and moving by 9, so they could eat breakfast. The only day I woke either of them up was the morning we got back to Galveston. I have to say, I absolutely LOVED the not having to wake them up part!

While the kids went to their teen activities after dinner, Jack and I got to take advantage of our newly acquired "Diamond Status" and went to the Diamond Lounge each evening for Happy Hour. Free drinks from 5:30-7:00 p.m. every evening. And during the day it provided a quiet area to read or use the computer. The kids could use this room during the day time as well and Jake found the espresso machine very handy, although he's become quite a hot tea drinker.

Jack and I enjoying Happy Hour.

Another perk with our new status was three free pulls on a slot machine in the casino.

As you can see we were big winners.

We each won 6 cents!

Jack and I generally saw the show of the evening. One night it was the singers and dancers, another was the ice show. We saw an ex-American Idol contestant. His name was Jerome Bell and he was PHENOMENAL! He put on an amazing show! He is actually their lead vocalist and vocal coach and had to fill in for a ballroom dance couple that had a family emergency and had to get off the ship in Galveston. We also saw an a cappella group. I can't remember their name but they were very good and put on quite a show, too. There was a comedian, who looked really familiar but I think it's because he kind of looks like someone famous. Ha ha. That sounded funnier than I intended. I guess basically I'm saying he wasn't someone I'd heard of, which may not be saying much.

I realize I'm hoping around here and there but I'm only doing what when I can't remember exactly which night what happened. Does that make sense?

Monday and Tuesday we were at sea. I read most of both days. I don't remember what Jack did. Jake and Annie hung out with friends. Monday at some point they had to turn the ship back toward the mouth of the Mississippi to meet a Coast Guard helicopter. A passenger on board became very ill and had to be evacuated. The helipad area was cleared for privacy but it was kind of wild watching a helicopter circle the ship before it landed.

Tuesday night we went ate dinner at Giovanni's Table, a specialty Italian restaurant. The food was spectacular. The service however was sub-par and I don't think we will be returning. The specialty restaurants are "fine dining" and come at an extra cost. We never expected we would have to ask to have our water glasses filled. Jack had to ask several times if he could have another glass of ice tea. ? It seemed odd having to ask for water. Enough about this small bump in our trip.

Wednesday we arrived in Falmouth, Jamaica. We didn't have any excursion plans. We went into the market area and Annie got some souvenirs for her friends, took some pictures then enjoyed a quiet day on the ship.