March 9 - Sunday - Disembarcation Day - Day 8

We arrived back to Ft Lauderdale about 6:45 am.  We had already moved our time ahead last week when we sailed east so we didn't have to spring ahead today with the change to Daylight Savings Time.

We had all put out luggage in the hallway last night and they picked it up.  Grandpere and GiGi got up, showered, and dressed and went to bid the Pagels farewell.  They went to their departure lounge to get off of the ship early.  Grandpere and GiGi then went for a quick breakfast and then met Chris in the atrium to get the swimmies and they bade him farewell and he went off to his departure lounge.  He'll later meet up with the Pagels for a short ride to the airport.

Grandpere and GiGi went to Fusion Lounge to await their disembarcation call.  Leaving the ship was relatively easy and they had out luggage all laid out for us to find.  The taxi queue was a big confusing but Grandpere and GiGi got a taxi and headed home to 1 Las Olas Circle.  It is always good to get home  GiGi started doing the piles of laundry generated from their trip.

The Pagels and Chris were able to get a van taxi to take them to the airport and they all left together for Washington DC Reagan Airport.  Chris got his car and headed back to Fredericksburg,  The Pagels caught their connecting flight to Indianapolis.

A FUN TRIP FOR EVERYONE. 

Grandpere is already thinking about a family trip for 2009.  How about a trip to a Mexican port?

March 8 - Saturday - At Sea - Day 7

Highlight:  Another restful day on the ship

Today we woke up early for our day at the beach on Rincess Cay in the Bahamas.  We arrived there ab out 8 am but at 8:30 the Captain announced that we couldn't go ashore due to high seas and approaching bad weather.  So we headed off for another day at sea. 

We staked out lounge chairs for everyone and we relazed in the sun after breakfast.  Lauren watched her Dora DVD while Grandpere and Lillian went swimming again.  Lillian learned how to climb out of the pool.  GiGi went to see the Astronaut Farmer at the open air theatre while everyone else had lunch at various times.

At 1:30 Lauren and Lillian came to Grandpere's room while Mommy and Daddy went for a couples treatment at the spa.  Grandpere, GiGi, chris, Lauren and Lillian played I Spy, Hide and Seek, Easter Shoe Hunt, and Simon Says.  No onne wanted to take a nap!  Mommy came about 4:30 to get the girls so Lillian could take a nap.  Grandpere and GiGi also took a nap. 

Chris, Grandpere and GiGi planned to meet in the lounge at 7 to listen to the lady playing the piano.  The Pagels joined us too after dropped Lauren by the play center.  Lillian liked watching the lady playing the piano.  Chris, Grandpere and GiGi went off to dinner about 8 in Island Dining Room while Mommy, Daddy and Lillian went to see Lauren's Talent Show.  We had a great dinner.

As we left the dining room, the Pagels were coming out of the elevator so we went to the lounge to hear the band play.  Lauren and Lillian got to dance abain.  We all had a good time and then it was time to go off to bed since we have to get off of the ship early tomorrow

Favorite Things:

Everyone:  Being together for a fun day on the Caribbean Princess

March 7 - Friday - At Sea - Day 6

Highlight:  GiGi's Birthday

We woke up at 7 am so GiGi could go get his diving suit for his scuba dive tomorrow in the Bahamas.  At 8 am Grandpere and GiGi had a special champagne breakfast on the balcony for GiGi's birthday as they watched the sun rise over the ocean.  It looks like it will be another pretty day.

GiGi has Happy Birthday balloons at his door today for his 43rd birthday celebration.  After breakfast, we went up the the Sun Deck and laid outside in the beautiful weather.  Mid morning, the Pagels and Chris joind us.  Grandpere went swimming with Lillian for a long time.  When they got out of the pool, Mommy painted Lauren and Lillian's fingernails and toenails.  They were colorful.

The Pagels and Chris went to lunch and then Lauren went to Pelican to play about 2 pm.  Grandpere and GiGi ate by the pool and watched the Sexy Legs contest and pool team games - everyone had fun.

They showered and took a nap.  We all met after 6 pm so we could all go to Sterlings Steakhouse for GiGi's birthday dinner.  Lauren was having pasta and pizza dinner during PlayTime in Pelican.  We had a great steak dinner except for Lillian who had chips, soup, and chicken fingers (but she didn't eat much of anything). 

We read Max's Chocolate Chicken several times during dinner.  The waiters came out after dinner with chocolate cake for GiGi with a candle and everyone sang the Happy Birthday song.  We had fun.

After dinner we went to the Lounge so Lillian could dance again.  The bank even sang "Lady in Red" since Lillian had on a red dress.   Lillian is a good dance.  After a while we went for a short walk to the deck and then to bed to rest for our day at the beach in the Bahamas.

Favorite Things Today:

Grandpere:  Dancing with Lillian and Mommy all dressed up

Lauren:  Yoga with Mommy

Lillian:  Holding baby

Lincoln:  Singing Happy Birthday to GiGi

Chris:  Getting within 2 numbers of Bingo

Tim:  Having everyone sing Happy Birthday!!!!

March 6 - Thursday - St Thomas, USVI - Day 5

Highlight:  Exploring St Thomas

We woke up about 7 as the ship shook as it docked in St Thomas.  Another beautiful, warm, sunny Caribbean day.  We got dressed and went to Rusion Nightclub for the mandatory immigration procedure.  We got our St Thomas landing card and then went to the breakfast buffet.  AFter breakfast we gathered our things and headed off to explore St Thomas.  We decided rather than take one of the open air taxis that are packed with people, that we would walk into town - Charlotte Amalie, the capital of St Thomas. 

It took about 30 minutes to walk in and the sights and smells were interesting.  We walked along the waterfront and then headed into the shopping district - shop after shop with jewelry, watches, sunglasses, diamonds, and T-shirts mostly.  We ran into a crazy woman on the streets - she was funny!  We looked around for about 40 minutes and decided we wanted to tak a short tour in a private air conditioned car.  We had several offers but they were either with others or in one of the open air taxis.  We finally found a man from Jerusalem who had an air conditioned van and he agreed to take us.  We went to a lookout to the north of Charlotte Amalie and took pictures.

Then we went to Mountain Top for a spectacular view of Magens Bay and for more importantly one of their world famous banana daiquiries - supposedly invented here on St Thomas.  Then to another lookout of Magens Bay for pictures.  We could see St John in the distance to the east.  Then past Castle Charlie (formerly Castle Louishoh) where Sir Charles Carpenter Batcheldor lived (a DuPont heir Grandpere had met).  To another lookout over Charlotte Amalie - beautiful.

Then our driver took us to Bluebeards Castle where we were going to have lunch by the pool but the restaurants were all closed and the hotel had all changed from when Grandpere was there years ago.  So Grandpere and GiGi decided to walk back to the ship - a long walk but good exercise.  It was hot. 

Along the way GiGi went into a Pueblo Grocery Store to get cranberry juice for his cocktails.  When Grandpere and GiGi got back to the ship, they dropped things at the room and went to the lunch buffet in Horizons (Caribe was already closed).  They changed and went to the Sun Deck to soad up the Virgin Islands sun.  It was beautiful.

The Pagels and UncleChris went shopping.  Lincoln has scheduled a Mom's Day Out for Lselie in the spa later this afternoon and Grandpere is keeping Lauren while LIllian takes a nap. Lauren, Grandpere, and GiGi had a good time talking on the balcony of Grandpere's room.  Lauren is sure a good conversationalist.  We watched the Westerdam sail out of St Thomas and then at 6 pm the pilot board escorted the Caribbean Princess out of the St Thomas Harbor.  We saw the sun setting in the west but unfortunately the sun went behind a cloud before it reached the horizon.

Lincoln and Lillian came to Grandpere's cabin and we waited for Leslie and Chris to join us for drinks.  After drinks we went to Palm for dinner so Linchon could get his banana cream pie that he missed 2 nights ago.  Our table wasn't ready so we went to a lounge for a drink before.

They had a bank playing so Grandpere took Lillian to the dance floor for a dance.  The singer sang to Lillian and announced her name on the microphone.  All of the people watched Grandpere and Lillian dancing.  Grandpere really enjoyed dancing with Lillian.

Shortly after, our buzzer went off and we went to dinner.  It was a Chef's Menu and very good.  Unfortunately, Lauren and Lillian were a challenge during dinner but we had a good time.  After dinner we took the girls back to their cabin and got them ready for bed about 9:30.  Grandpere and GiGi went to the Princess Theatre for the 10 pm show - a very funny comedian put on the show and Grandpere and GiGi laughed a lot.  After the show a brief stroll on the windy Promenade Deck and then off to bed.

Favorite Things Today:

Grandpere:  St Thomas walking adventure, banana daiquiri  and dancing with Lillian

Lauren:  Going to the bottom of the ocean - petting the starfish and sea cucumber

Lillian:  Playing with Baby - petting the starfish

Leslie:  Petting the starfish

Lincoln:  Water park at Coral World

Chris:  Petting the shark

Tim:  Banana daiquiri at Mountain Top with Grandpere

After dinner, we took the girls back to their

March 5 - Wednesday - St Martin - Day 4

Highlight:  Horseback riding - Shopping in St Martin

We woke up at 7 as the ship docked in Phillipsbury, St Martin (or Sint Maarten as they write it in Dutch).  St Martin is hald Dutch and hald French with Phillipsburg being the capital of the Dutch side and Marigot the capital of the Franch side. 

Grandpere and GiGi had a big breakfast at the buffet and then went to pick up everyone else.  The Pagels weren't ready but GiGi, Lincoln, Leslie and Chris left as they went for a horse ride through the island and on the beach.  They told us it took them forever to get there and back as the traffic on St Martin moved at a snail's pace.  GiGi selected an "active" horse but he got Ulysses and he wasn't very active except for biting Leslie's horse!  They got back to the ship about noon.

While they were gone, Grandpere got Lauren dressed for an island adventure in St Martin.  They got all of the way to the gangplank when Grandpere remembered he had forgotten the bag for the girls and his backpack so they had to go back and start all over again!

First they went to the shops along the pier - not too much to see there but they got a gold charm bracelet for each girl at Diamonds International.  As they left the store, Lauren stumbled off the sidewalk and skinned her knee.  Grandpere kissed it and it didn't hurt long - she was a big girl!  So off they went to the Water Taxi for the short ride into the main pier in Phillipsburg.  Several women approached them about having Lauren't hair braided but we didn't do that.  We walked along the streets where all of the shops wer and looked at lots of jewelry and watches and T-shirts. 

We then found a small bazaar behind the Courthouse and we got Lauren and Lillian matching sundresses (orange) and they had hair bands to match too.  Grandpere bargained for those and got a good deal.  Then they got shell necklaces to wear with their dresses - also orange.  After walking around a bit more they took the Water Taxi back to the ship and dropped things off in their room.  Lillian put on her sundress and looked so pretty, but Lauren didn't want to wear her new dress then, but later put it on.  Then we went to the Lido Deck to wait for Mommy and Daddy to return from their horse ride.  When they got back, they all went into the buffet and ate lunch together.  Then everyone went back into Phillipsburg on the Water Taxi.

Grandpere and GiGi took a brisk walk through town while the others did some more serious shopping.  On returning to the ship, Grandpere and GiGi had a snack and then went for a short nap.  A little after 5, mLauren came to Grandpere's room to take a bath in his bathtub.  It was funny because Daddy pulled the emergency cord in the shower and we got a call from the ship's administration to make sure no one was hurt!

Tonight the Pagels are planning to dine at the buffet with the girls and Grandpere and GiGi are going for a late dinner at a different restaurant on board the ship.  The ship set sail from St Martin about 6 pm - headed for St Thomas about 140 miles away to the west.  At St Martin we are at the southernmost and easternmost point of this journey.

Grandpere got to comb out Lauren's hair after her bath.  When they went back to their cabin after her bath, they all waved to Grandpere from their balcony so Grandpere could take a picture of them - they were a long way down the ship so it may be hard to see them in the picture.

Grandpere and GiGi showered and dressed and had cocktails and then went to the photo gallery to select our formal pictures.  We bought pictures for everyone.

Laurent went back to Pelican to play at 7 pm.  Grandpere and GiGi had a martini with anchovy olives in one of the bars and listened to a lady play the grand piano - she was really good.  Then they decided to try to get in the Stirling Steakhouse - only a 20 minute wait.  Delicious steak and Tim got a special bottle of wine.  After dinner, Grandpere and GiGi watched Phantom of the Opera in the Explorer Lounge and went to bed a little after midnight.  A fun day of adventure for everyone.

Favorite Things Today:

Grandpere:  Island exploring with Lauren and Lillian

Lauren:  Everything

Lillian:  Shopping adventure with Grandpere

Leslie:  Shopping in St Martin with the girls

Lincoln:  Horseback riding on St Martin and the lady throwing rocks at the dog!

Chris:  Horseback riding

Tim:  Horseback riding - Steak dinner at Sterling with Grandpere

March 4 - Tuesday - At Sea - Day 3

Highlight:  Relaxing aboard the ship - Being together as a family

Grandpere and GiGi selpt until almost 9 - a restful night at sea.  GiGi went to work out in the gym and Grandpere went to get deck chairs out by the pool in the sun.  Grandpere updated the trip journal and read until GiGi got there.  They then went to eat an early lunch. 

Uncle Chris slept late while the Pagels laid by the pool and had a late morning slice of pizza.  Grandpere, Chris, Leslie, Lauren, and Lillian went to the buffet lunch.  Everyone had to eat lunch before they could have a brownie.  Uncle Chris ate 2 pigs in a blanket in 1 bit too!  Grandpere had his favorite dessert - Isle Flottante - floating islands - meringue with vanilla sauce.  Lauren tired it and liked it oo!

We then went back to the pool until 2 pm when Lauren went to Pelican to play.  At 3, GiGi, Lincoln, and Chris went and got reservations for horseback riding in St Martin while Grandpere sat by the pool.  Later Leslie and Lillian came and got Grandpere and they went swimming - Lillian liked playing blast off in the water and jumping into the water into Grandpere's arms.

Everyone took a nap and met at Grandpere's room for a drink about 6.  At 7 Lauren went for a kids dinner at Pelican.  Everyone else had a drink in Grandpere's room and then went to Sabatini's - an Italian Restaurant - for dinner.  They brought us so much good - hot appetizers, cold appetizers and pasta, then we chose a salad and entree.  It was really good.  Our waiter, Bernardo, made a pizza just for Lillian. 

At 9, Leslie went to get Lauren at Pelican but she didn't have a photo id so she couldn't get her, so Lincoln had to go back to pick her up.  Lauren joined us back at the restaurant for dessert but instead she ate Lillian's pizza.  Our dinners were wonderful - and there was so much of it.

After dinner Grandpere took the girls back to their cabin and put them to bed while Mommy, Daddy and Uncle Chris went out (gambling?).  GiGi went to see the Bee Movie in the open air theatre up on the sun deck.  Mommy and Daddy relieved Grandpere after midnight and everyone went to bed.

Favorite Things Today:
Grandpere:  Dinner at Sabatini's with our family

Lauren:  Making a necklace and bracelet

Lillian:  Playing with baby

Leslie:  Holding hands with Lauren and Lillian at the front of the ship

Lincoln:  Going to the front of the ship with the girls

Chris:  Spinning Lillian and throwing her in the air

Tim:  Dinner at Sabatini's - Bernardo the waiter was fabulous

March 3 - Monday - At Sea - Day 2

The time changed last night since we are now past the Bahamas - so instead of getting up at 7:30, it was really 8:30.  We won't have to "jump ahead" when we get back to Ft Lauderdale since we jumped the time early!  We showered and dressed and went off to breakfast at the buffet on deck - LOTS of food always in front of us.

Then off we went to the sun deck to read and relax during our day at sea.  Lauren liked sleeping in the upper bunk bed, but she got sick to her tummy this morning.  Perhaps from all of the huge dinner she ate last night?  The girls played for 1 1/2 hours in the Princess Pelicans and then joined Grandpere and GiGi on deck.  Lincoln took Lillian in the pool and Grandpere took Lauren.  We got to dance to the steel drum band while we were in the pool and that was really fun.

We had lunch by the pool.  Almost everyone napped in the afternoon to get ready for formal night on board.  Everyone was to come to Grandpere's room for Happy Hour before dinner.  But we had to skip having cocktails since it took someone an hour longer to dress than expected (no names mentioned!).  Grandpere and GiGi wore tuxedoes.  The Pagels all word pink and Uncle Chris wore a jacket - everyone looked so nice all dressed up.  We went to the Galleria (Central Atrium) for formal portraits since we were all dressed up. 

Lauren played a game of Chutes and Ladders in Princess Pelican and won beating 2 older kids.  We ended up having pictures made in 2 locations - one with the Grand Staircase from Titanic as the backdrop.

We went to the Island Dining Room and it was a long wait, so we went to a lounge for a drink while we waited for our table.  Lauren wasn't hungry and only ate fruit.  Lillian ate very little since she was full of 3 pieces of pizza and ice cream.  Everyone had a good dinner. 
Lillian liked playing Pee-Pie during dinner with Grandpere.  Lauren fell asleep at dinner since she had had such an active day.  After dinner we took the girls back to their room.  Lauren's bunk bed was pulled down from the ceiling.  Mommy put the girls to bed while the other went exploring.  GiGi wanted to see the stars so he and Grandpere went up on deck but is was too bright with all of the ship's lights.  Also very windy.

Lincoln and Chris explored the ship more - including the casino  The 4 boys met up in Explorers Lounge at 10:30 for a comedy/magic show.  It was entertaining.  After the show, Grandpere and GiGi went to bed to get some much needed sleep:

Favorite Things Today:

Grandpere:  Wave Dancing with Lauren and Lillian

Lauren:  Everything

Lillian:  Holding her baby

Leslie:  Sitting in the Play Center watching Lauren and Lillian playing

Lincoln:  Going to the front of the ship

Chris:  Word searches with Lauren at dinner

Tim:  Seeing everyone dressed up in formal wear

March 2 - Sunday - Departure Day - Day #1

Lillian was up first and had cereal for breakfast.  Grandpere stayed with Lillian while Leslie and GiGi went to the gym for a workout.  Lillian and Grandpere went to get Grandpere's mail and then visited them in the gym. 

When they got back to the condo, Lauren was up and getting dressed and Lincoln then got up.  We can see our ship at Port Everglades now - it is the biggest one.  Grandpere fixed breakfast - pancakes for everyone.  The girls got a bath and went with Daddy to get some sandals.  We then drove to Grandpere's house in Wilton Manors to water the plants and set up the hose while Grandpere is gone so the plants that have been moved won't die.  On the way home, Grandpere stopped at Wendy's to get lunch for everyone.

When we got back to the condo, Mommy, Daddy, and Grandpere showered and dressed.  We were then ready to go to the ship.YEAH!

Boy, did we have a lot of luggage.  We filled up both of Grandpere's cars and Mommy had to squeeze in the back seat.  We got to the port pretty quickly even with all of the spring break and weekend traffic.  We drove in and unloaded all of the luggage and Chris, Leslie, Lincoln, Lauren, and Lillian went to check in and board the ship.

Grandpere and GiGi drove the cars back to the condo but it took a long time due to the traffic and draw bridges.  They had ordered a Yellow Cab but it was 25 minutes late picking them up due to the traffic.  The cab dropped Grandpere and GiGi at the ship and they checked in quickly and boarded.  Whew - now it's time to relax and have fun.  Grandpere has been stressed out getting to this point!

Everyone had their picture made as they boarded the ship.  Then we walked along an enclosed gangplank to get on board.  What a huge ship - it will take all week to learn our way around!  Once on board, Mommy and Lillian took a short nap.  Chris, Lincoln, and Lauren played putt putt golf.  Grandpere and GiGi got a "tropical drink" by the pooll where they met up with Chris, Lincoln, and Lauren.  We all walked up to see the fancy nightclub on a huge structure over the stern of the ship.  We then had to go to a mandatory life jacket drill called a "muster".  Once that was over, we went to the Sail Away Party and we were all together at last.

The party was fun.  We saw the musicians playing and singing for our Sail Away Party.  Grandpere and Lauren danced and got tickets for prizes (but we didn't win anything!).  Lincoln joined us on the dance floor by the pool.  Then Grandpere danced with Lillian.  We had more drinks and watched people jump into the pool with all of their clothes on.  It was funny.

We saw Grandpere's condo in the distance as we sailed out of Port Everglades in Ft Lauderdale.  We waved goodbye to the people in the homes by the channel.  After the sail away party we went to dress for dinner.  We all met in Grandpere and GiGi's room and went to the Coral Dining Room.  We didn't have to wait long and got a table for the 7 of us.  We sat by a window and Lauren and Lillian were able to see the ocean going by outside and the waves.  The girls looks so pretty all dressed up and Lauren even had on a Hannah Montana hat that was very stylish! 

We had fun at dinner and "raised the roof" with our hands.  Lauren ate all of her ship, a salad, and fettucini alfredo - then she had 2 desserts!   Everyone enjoyed their dinner.

We then took the girls to bed as Lillian was very tired after such an exciting day.  Lauren gets to sleep in a bunk bed that comes out of the ceiling in their cabin and it has a laddeer to get into it.  How cool!

Grandpere and GiGi walked around a little bit and looked at the art for the Art Auction.  It had been a long day so off to bed we went early.

Favorite Things:

Grandpere:  Sail Away Party and dancing with the girls

Lauren:  Exploring the Caribbean Princess ship

Lillian:  Playing with Baby

Leslie:  Watching the girls dance at the Sail Away Party

Lincoln:  Watching the girls dancing

Chris:  Swiping desserts at dinner

Tim:  Having a pleasant dinner with our family

March 1, 2008 - Saturday - Travel Day

It was another beautiful sunny Florida winter day.  Leslie, Lincoln, Lauren, and Lillian left Indiana on a plane bound for Charlotte while Chris left DC on a direct flight to Ft Lauderdale.  Chris arrived first at 1 pm so Tim and Larry picked him up and went to lunch at Pollo Tropical.  We had been back at Grandpere's condo only a short while when Leslie called to let us know that they had arrived early in Ft Lauderdale.  Traffic was awful but their bags took a while to come out so they hadn't been waiting long for Grandpere to pick them up.  After we got their bags, Lincoln took the 2 big ones upstairs to meet Tim in the convertible and everyone else went with Grandpere back to the condo.

Tim and Lincoln went to the grocery store.   Everyone else settled in at the condo.  The girls got to see the siste ship to our ship anchored out at Port Everglades.  Leslie et al and Chris went for a swim at the pool while Larry and Tim went next door to an Open House in 1512.  Leslie, Lauren and Lillian went back there later with Larry - the girls got a BIG cookie from Tim Dirmeyer.  They liked that.

Gigi had dinner ready when we got back and we had salad, lasagna, and garlic bread.  It was yummy.  Lillian ate pretty good and was then ready for bed.  So off to sleep she went.  The adults sat around the table talking for a while and then Lauren went to bed.  Everyone retired relatively early except Uncle Chris who watched TV.  We are all excited about the start of our cruise adventure tomorrow.

Lauren's favorite things today - listening to her ipod and watching DVD's on the plane.

Lillian's favorite things today - riding on the big plane and seeing the large boats.