We returned last week from a one-week cruise on the Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas.  We chose that ship because it sails out of the Port of Baltimore – a short 30-minute drive from Annapolis.   This was our second cruise (out of Baltimore) and I must say that it is REALLY SO NICE not having to fly somewhere to get onboard!

We arrived before noon and there were short lines for security and check-in.  The ONE BIG COMPLAINT about check-in was that we were meeting others (kids) and they were forced to wait outside in the freezing cold.  That is ridiculous – terrorist alerts or not.  So be warned if you are meeting a group – wait in your car until everyone is there.

If you carry your bags on – also be aware – there is a long winding walk where they try and sell you things like drink packages and take your photo. You will also register any kids (and get a wristband for them) along the way.  If you check your bags it will be a much easier walk but you could wait hours for your bag to be delivered to your room (they said if didn’t get it before 7, call for assistance – UGH).  We carried on once – exhausting by the end since we had a kids bag too.  Pack a light backpack with swimsuit or something to keep you occupied for first couple of hours.

 

My parents got in an hour earlier than we did – I would say get on as early as possible to avoid the crowds.

Here are the actual steps for check-in:

1.  Drive to the parking lot for the Port of Baltimore – really easy, right off I-95 and Key Hwy (right next to the ship – short walk to ship)

2.  Pull up to drop off your bags – unless your carrying on (then you will just drive by)

3.  Drive up to one of the pay station windows to pre-pay for parking – it’s $15 per cruise night

4.  You can drop people off if want then park but it’s not a large lot

5.  Walk into left or right entrance – there are 2 lines for security (sometimes really long line on one side and none on other)

6.  First show passports and boarding passes, then go through x-ray machines

7.  Complete a questionnaire (medical) then get in line (we went through quickly) to receive your cruise card photo ID – then they will take a photo (about 5 minutes) and issue a cruise photo ID (sea pass).  You will use that card for everything – room key, ID for leaving and returning to ship, purchases onboard  (acts like a credit card), gambling, etc. – so don’t lose it!

8.  Walk through the long, winding boarding area – 10 minutes?   Register any kids

9.  Show your cruise ID and go have fun!  You won’t be allowed in rooms until 1 or so.  Most people went to buffet for lunch and it took a while to find a seat.

10.  Relax and have fun – no cooking, no cleaning and no work!

Stay tuned for “part 2 – The Cruise”…

I know most people think of ‘home’ when they think of Thanksgiving.  Home can be wherever you make it.

I have a good friend who every year would pick a fabulous place like Argentina or Paris for a Thanksgiving vacation. I thought that might be a really good idea for us this year as it happens to also be my husband’s 50th birthday.  I put out feelers about 6 months in advance and we ended up with 11 guests for our cruise.  Now that we are onboard I see lots of family groups – and even a family of 30 here to celebrate Thanksgiving.

It’s Thanksgving Day (and we are in the Bahamas) – all day it didn’t really feel like Thanksgiving.  After pondering the idea of the holiday – I realize that it is probably going to be one of my favorite and most remembered actually.  I have my husband and children along with our parents and even some friends of the children.  For all those people I don’t have to drive hours in horrible traffic; fight long lines in the store; slave in the kitchen for days; clean for hours or really stress about anything for that matter.

So tonight we walked to the ship’s dining room where we had wonderful conversations, ate till our tummies were full (they even had favorites like turkey and pumpkin pie) and best of all – we were with the ones we love.  So ‘Happy Thanksgiving’ to you all – no matter where you happen to be in the world.  Next time you want a holiday to remember, consider a family vacation such as a cruise – remember ‘home is where the heart is’.

Well, here we were this afternoon, heading south right toward the brunt of Hurricane Matthew.  We are on a road trip to Fort Lauderdale – to fly from there to Cuba.  As you may know there is a major hurricane coming straight for Florida.  As we were heading south most people were driving north and west.

Upon hearing early news of the impending hurricane we changed our flight to Cuba to Saturday because we thought Cuba would get slammed.  Well, it didn’t (we are going N/NW).  As I was planning to stay in the Lauderdale area we were being warned to stay away.  I quickly got on the phone to Jet Blue and AGAIN changed my flight to tomorrow morning.  We should get out before the storm hits the area here and we will arrive in Cuba after it’s well away from there.

We are headed out in the morning to Cuba with thanks to Jet Blue and their great flexibility (big surprise with FREE changes).  You just never know what Mother Nature will do to travel plans.

Next time you travel, stay flexible and keep your fingers crossed.

We are very fortunate to be in Antigua right now.  The best part is that we are staying in a home with ‘locals’.   The first day we arrived we found out that our hosts swim team was having a bingo night at a restaurant called Putters.  It turned out to be a fantastic time with great people.  They had a big putt putt course, they had a playground with an obstacle course where the kids played for hours, they had good food (I had some yummy creole chicken) and they had bingo!  We ended up winning two of the biggest prizes – dinner for two at a nice restaurant and part of the cash earned.  Great night!

We never would have known about it if we were staying in a hotel – good thing we weren’t, we would have missed out on all the fun!