Spring Break Cruise (7 years and 5.5 years old)

For Spring Break this year we went on a Western Caribbean cruise with Melissa and her family.  We were originally considering Iceland for spring break however Melissa wanted to do a cruise.  And we read that it kids should be a bit older before going to fully enjoy it. 

We decided on NCL Getaway ship.  It’s a newer bigger ship.  Similar to the Breakaway we did a few years ago out of New York.  The biggest issue was airfare was not cheap for this time of year.  The best deal we found was out of Akron Canton going to Chicago then to Miami.  We flew a day early just in case of any flight delays.  We did not arrive into Miami until 11pm.  However we flew on American airlines and we were pleasantly surprised with the free soft drinks and entertainment.  The kids watched movies and so did I.  It was great to actually watch a movie. 

Once we arrived in Miami, we got the airport shuttle to our hotel.  It was extremely small room but it appeared clean.  In the morning, we had breakfast.  Then took the hotel shuttle to the port at noon.  Once on board, we waited until our room was ready which was at 1:30pm.  Then we went to lunch.  After lunch the kids went to the splashpad area and played.  Then it was muster drill time.  We got ready for dinner.  Dinner was extremely slow service.  That makes it difficult with 4 young children. 

On Monday, it was a sea day.  We enjoyed breakfast at the buffet.  Austin and Sydney loved their oatmeal.  Then we went exploring the ship.  Austin and I did the rope course.  It was a long line but it was worth it.  Austin is way more fearless than I.  He watched out on the plank no issues.  I was not so sure but finally did it.  Sydney and Graham did the small rope course.  Camden jumped on the bounce thing. 

The kids also went swimming.  The pool was a bit chilly.  Not as bad it usually in February but still chilly.  This cruise made me enjoy going a bit later in the year.  They did the water slides.  Austin even did the bigger one. 

After swimming, the kids did the rock wall.  Sydney was tall enough for it this year.  They both did great and made it all the way to the top.  Everyone clapped when they rang the bell. 

Then we got ready for dinner.  It was formal night so we went around and got pictures taken.    That was fun.  Austin and Sydney did fairly well this year.  The looked at the camera and were cooperative.  Then we had dinner in the big dining room.  Again it took forever! The kids were fabulous considering. 

On Tuesday, we went to Rotan Honduras.  There was a kayaking and snorkeling shore excursion that kids 5 and older could do.  Brian and I haven’t kayaked in years but thought it would be a great adventure for the kids.  They were very excited about it.  We started off on a bus to the other side of the island then we went kayaking.  I went with Austin. I thought he would be able to help me.  He did okay but at times would just put his ore in the water and stop us.  Brian and Sydney did much better. Austin would get sad we were last but I explained that we were not in a race.  If we wanted to race we should be on a speed boat, not a kayak.  After we arrived at the beach, we learned some things about island.  Then we took a quick swim then kayaked back.  Again we were last but we made it. 

Then we had lunch of fruit and quesadillas.  After lunch, we did our snorkel adventure. The kids wanted to use their snorkels which ended up not working out.  Luckily the guides brought more snorkels for us to use.  Austin started to get in and enjoy it.  Sydney did very well too considering how little and young she is. She never got in the kayak and she saw some cool fish.   Sydney and I went back to shore sooner than Austin and Brian.  But I was very proud on how well she did.  She did not like it as much as kayaking though.  That was a very cool shore excursion. 

On Wednesday, we were in Belize.   On the island there was a beach, pool, and splashpad.  It was great for the kids.  We had a water fight at the beach.  The kids throw buckets of water on the adults.  They played in the sand.  Brian and Austin made a big pool with the shower curtain.  We went swimming in the pool.  The kids played in the splash pad.  We had a great day at the beach! 

On Thursday, we went to Costa Maya.  We did the shore excursion of a water park near by the cruise dock.  Kids 5 and under were free. I was nervous there was not much for them to do but it turned out to be great.  

It was not that busy either.  There was an area with kids water slides and a big bucket.  Everyone loved that.  The lazy river was one of a kind and it was fun!  Austin and Camden went zip lining.  Sydney did not want to.   Austin also rode a zipline roller coaster than ended in the water.  That was quite a different experience.  Austin took Brian on some big water slides as well.  Once was like a toilet bowl that you swirled around into a big pool.  It was covered so dark and hot too.  Austin made Brian do it three times!!  It was another great day. 

On Friday, we were in Cozumel.  We went to Playa Mia Beach Break.  It was a beach with water toys out in the water along with a pool and water slide.  It did not start until 11am which was a bit of a bummer since we were up at 6am.  However we made it work.  It was also pretty far from the dock like about 30 minutes.  The kids loved the water toys out in the water.  They went down the big slides and jumped off the things out into the water.  It was a lot of fun!  Austin and Brian played in the sand for a bit.  Sydney wanted to swim so that is basically what she did after the water toys.  We did a little bit of shopping while there too.  The kids got tshirts. Austin got a guitar and Sydney got a spinning things that makes noise.  They enjoyed playing the music together. 

On that last sea day, we just hung out.  We went to organi hat class and made one.  Austin went to towel folding demonstration.  We ate lots of food. Brian took the kids swimming.  Then we all took a nap before dinner.  It was a great vacation with lots of memories made. 

On Sunday, we rented a car and drove to Tampa for our flight home.  Sydney started not to feel well on the last night.  Her throat hurt.  So we found a minute clinic and sure enough she was positive for strep throat.  She got an antibiotic.  We had McDonalds for lunch and we went to the airport for our flight with little time to spare.