We surprised the kids with a trip to Florida this winter...specifically a Disney Cruise!
We started our trip in Cocoa Beach for a little beach fun at a beach front hotel. We have stayed at this hotel before and enjoy how laid back it is and how close it is to the beach. We stayed right by the Pier and enjoyed beautiful weather for 2 days before our cruise took off.
When we arrived at the hotel we realized
that somehow Marie's luggage did not make it with us to the hotel...it
was either left or stolen between the airport and the rental car
podium. Andy made phone calls, I consoled Marie, but in the end we had
to make a shopping trip to Ron Jon's Surf Shop for her...it was crazy
and a big surprise but we ended up finding great things and we felt much
better after we grabbed some dinner.
Our
biggest highlight of the Cocoa Beach stay was a complete surprise for
us - a solar orbiter was launched from the Kennedy Space Center at 11:03
pm on our final night!
We sat on the beach among many other viewers, counted down, and watched it launch!
It
was a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget. All of
our kids enjoyed it but of course Bennett was in his glory.
We spent time digging in the sand, finding shells, laying on the beach, playing football, and of course swimming in the ocean.
The next day we took off for our Cruise!
At
the ship we met Brian and Tina. Getting checked in and onto the ship
was easy and painless...except for Brooks dropping his sandal off the
ship in the first half hour! A kind Disney employee ran it back up to
us...lucky it wasn't in the water!
Disney
does everything well and nothing on this trip disappointed. We had a
amazing room that had joining balconies with Brian and Tina, endless
soft serve ice cream and movies, a hot tub on our private deck, great
food, swimming, mini golf, Pirate night, live Broadway shows including
Beauty and the Beast, and so much more.
Andy & I enjoyed a little alone time while the kids spent time in the kids club. It was a great way to grab a drink together and enjoy the beautiful view.
We got off the ship in Nassau,
Bahamas and enjoyed a horse drawn carriage ride around the island, had
some coconut drinks, and Marie got her hair-wrapped.
By far our most favorite experience was
the private beach on Castaway Cay. We splurged for a family cabana and
enjoyed a full day on our own beach with our own open water area. It
came supplied with snorkel gear, tubes to float on, hammocks, lounge
chairs, stocked fridge and snacks.
Andy
and Tina snorkeled the longest, Marie and Brian snorkeled together, and
the boys and I explored the island and snorkeled alone trying to get it
all figured out.
Later in the day the tide went out and the kids could explore even further finding shells, sand bars, and fish.
This was so relaxing and I will forever remember watching the kids play in the sun. Driving away from the cabana, Andy and I asked each other if we'd ever make it back there again...we agreed we'd love to take our grand kids there maybe someday :)
After the beach day we had one more day at sea....Andy gave me some spa time and we all enjoyed the ship one more day including an amazing fireworks show with Pirate Night.
This was a trip of a lifetime and we are so grateful for this family time together and time with Brian and Tina too.
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