Thursday, April 9, 2009

WON'T YOU LET ME TAKE YOU ON A SEA CRUISE

How many times has someone offered to take you on an all expense paid vacation? What? Never? Me either.

Yet, that is what I offered my family. I don't remember ever going on a family vacation with all my family before. It is something I've always wanted to do.

I know it's hard to get everyone together at the same time for even one meal together, let alone getting everyone together for a vacation together.

So, I figured if I offered to take everyone on a cruise, I may have more luck. That way, we could spend time together as a family and still have plenty of time to go off on our own.

I thought a cruise would be best because there is something for everyone on a cruise.

I did my research and found out that Freedom of the Seas is the world's largest cruise ship. She offers so much to do no one would be left behind.

This is the ship we are going to call home for a week.


The pool areas are enough to make most people jump for joy. Not the small little pools that some ships offer. Nope, this ship has water activities galore!

But, if you are not into swimming, playing in the water or even getting wet, you will find tons of lounge chairs where you can sip on a nice cool drink and read a book or just watch the fun going on around you.


They even have an ice skating rink! You can see some wonderful shows here or you can put your skates on and turn into your own skating star!



The dinning areas are way to many to list. This is the main dinning area. I think it's beautiful. I hear the food is top notch and of course you can eat as much as you want.

With all the activity on board, you will surely work off any of those calories you forgot to leave on the plate.



The rooms are larger then most ships. This one shows an outside room with a window.

There are super deals going on so we are going to have a room with a balcony. It will be my first cruise with a balcony. I'm looking forward to sitting out there and watching the world go by.


You won't see me climbing this wall! But, I'll be sure to watch others. Royal Caribbean ships are famous for their rock walls.


You can even learn to surf while being safe on the ship. If you are asking if I'll be partaking in this activity all I can say...LOL.


I'm more likely to be found enjoying the shopping, going to the shows and classes, people watching, playing games and relaxing on board.


But, who knows, maybe I'll hop in the ring for a few rounds of boxing! OK, maybe not. I never could understand why anyone would willing want to get beaten up.

Well, here is the sad part to my family vacation dream. Most people either don't want to go or can't. So, it's going to be Jason (my youngest nephew), Trinity (Jason's daughter), Jason's girlfriend and me.

My brother didn't want to go since he is still recovering from his stroke. I fully understand his not wanting to go even though I told him the ship can easily accommodate a wheelchair.

My two sisters didn't want to go. Neither of them wanted to go on a cruise. WHAT! My other nephew can't take vacation in the summer.

It won't be the family cruise I wanted but, I have no doubt it will still be a blast.

We are going to the Caribbean in the summer time as Trinity will be out of school.

It seems like all I'm doing these days is searching out the excursions on the islands. I'm so excited and want to do everything. Since we only get a day at each port, I'm trying to find out the things we don't want to miss out on yet, still leaving enough time for us to have some time to explore on our own to enjoy the beach, have some of the locals favorite food and of course...shop!

Only 3 months to plan this all out. I better get busy...is it to early to pack?
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16 comments:

Cindy said...

How exciting! I don't think I could say no to that! What are they thinking!!! I'm sure you'll have a blast!

Regarding my beverage dispenser. I bought that over a year ago at Marshalls.

Glenda said...

Well I wish I was related. What a great time to have.

Ciao

Rechelle ~Walnuthaven Cottage~ said...

So did you know I was up for adoption? LOL! You're going to have a great time. Will you be stopping in Jamaica? If so, you must climb Dunn's Falls. Sooo fun!

Debbie said...

What a great relative you are! Truly...I have never met anyone or been related to anyone (rather) that would even think of doing this for another family member! You are awesome and I can't believe some of them turned it down! I have never seen a close up inside shot of a cruise ship...I can't get over it...how huge it must be to hold all of that! Thanks for sharing...I learned something today and you will have the time of your life...good for you....you deserve it for being such a nice person!:)

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

That is FABULOUS!!! Will you adopt me? JK. It looks so fun! I have been trying to talk my husband into a cruise for so long. Oh, I can'bt wait to hear all about it!

XOXO
Jen

SharDon Exclusives said...

How wonderful! You will have memories to last you a lifetime! Have fun in the planning...sharon

Anonymous said...

I went a recent cruise and loved it, loved it, loved it! I also love reading your blog and am adding to my blog list! Thanks Casabella West

Donna @ Party Wishes said...

WOW! What a dream vacation! You are so generous! I can't believe your sisters don't want to go! Take me! I've never been on a cruise before. It seems that you would never want to leave the ship with all of those amazing activities.

Have a great time!

Tara said...

What a lucky family! I think it's great and I hope everyone you've invited will be able to get away with you. The ship looks DIVINE. I think I've seen it on the travel channel. I know there will be lots of fun to be had and memories to make!

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Hey Joanne! Can you adopt ME as your sister?? Huh? Please? I'd be glad to go with you and call you Sis the entire time!!
I'm so happy you are going on such a fabulous trip! You're going to have a ball. I mean... WE are going to have a ball! You've done really good research and the ship looks so luxurious. The food is soooo good on a cruise.
Please tell us more as you investigate. Sounds so interesting!
Big hugs, your sister Sherry

Stephanie said...

Wow! I can't imagine turning down such a wonderful offer. But I do know that life can sometimes get in the way of things we want to do. I'm sure that you will have a marvelous time!!

Sometimes It's Good said...

Wow! I wanna go! You will have so much fun!
Hugs, Susan

Charmingdesigns said...

I cant imagine not wanting to go on a cruise with you...I would love to go...that one you showed is just up my alley!! Thanks for coming over and your kind words...now I'm going to go check on this beverage dispenser you saw at Cindy's.Laurie

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

OH MY GOODNESS! What a wonderful thing for a family to do together! Um...I sorta thought we looked a lot alike..didn't you? LOL
This is just great!! Keep us posted on your plans, how you go about it...what you are taking to wear, who is going..and you know...EVERYTHING!!!
Enjoy!!
Mona

Down Comforter said...

What a great vacation! Have fun :)

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Sounds like so much fun Joanne. I hope to do this with my son and his family ans my daughter and her boyfriend someday in the future! Got to keep saving.