| Saturday 22 September | |
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Day 8 – Saturday 22nd September – Heading to the Cruise We told the kids they could sleep as long as they liked this morning, after all the mornings we’d been waking them to head to the theme parks. Michael and I were up till 1am ironing, washing and packing (very glad after the cruise we’re staying at the same place for 2 weeks, takes so much time to pack it all for the 5 of us). I woke by 8am, opened the curtain and there were 3 hot air balloons floating above the resort. Karen, Madeleine, Brayden and I were the early risers, so we finally went for a walk round part of the lake and golf course (something we’d been wanting to do all week, but had not been there enough). We spent a lot of time choosing the resort based on which had the best facilities, which was a complete waste of time. We could have stayed in a shoebox as we spent almost every waking hour out and about. A bit of down time on the cruise is just what we need. We made our way to Port Canaveral (just near Cape Canaveral, the NASA HQ), was about an hours drive away. On the way we dropped 1 suitcase we didn’t need on the cruise into our new hotel, which looks very nice (and again, surprise surprise – huge). Was quite a thrill seeing the huge ‘Carnival Glory’ in dock, it was right next to the Disney Cruise lines ship, which looked very impressive. Getting onboard was a long involved procedure with security checks (the Lucas’ had a bottle of Midori in their hand luggage that was confiscated). Then Karen ignored the ‘no videoing’ signs and took some footage of us all walking on the ship – a security guy came up to her and wanted her to wipe the tape, but she managed to talk her way out of it. We’ve told them they’ll be on their watch list, if there’s one more incident they’ll be off the ship. We were very annoyed to see our best blue ‘indestructible’ Samsonite bag has been broken by the ships baggage handlers. Michael complained at the desk here, they told him just to claim via Samsonite on our return – which would be fine apart from having another 2 weeks of holiday and needing to get back to Australia with it! After a bit more discussion they’ve said they’ll ‘see what they can do’ and will let us know in a few days. Carnival have made some very weird changes to the itinerary at the last minute. We’d assumed they’d keep the same itinerary as they’ve done on the last few since Hurricane Dean, but they’ve changed all of a sudden. We can no longer get to ‘Chichen Itza’ one of the new 7 modern wonders of the world, but will hopefully go to some other Mayan Ruins out of Cozumel. They’ve changed our stop in Nassau to Freeport, still in the Bahamas, but means we can no longer visit Anna Nicole Smith’s grave (tacky I know, but Michael Lucas & I have long been planning a stop there!). The good news is that Belize is back on the itinerary, so we’ll get to do our cave tubing which we’d all been looking forward to. This cruise ship is much bigger than the Star Gemini that Michael and I did out of Singapore in June. It’s capacity was 800, but only 500 on board, this one is over 3000……huge yet again. Food is great, I’d read lots about the Carnival dessert speciality the chocolate melting cake, it really did melt in the mouth…..yum. We’re on a table each night with the Lucas’, which is perfect because we can catch up then without having to try and track each other down. They’re in a balcony room on deck 6, we’re right down on deck 1. Michael Lucas is calculating whether they could sell all they own and just cruise from now on – I think he’s well and truly sold on cruising! Our room is great for us though, Michael and I have a double bed in 1 room, then adjoining doors into the kids room. Brayden’s found a favourite position sitting in the big window ledge and reading. Hayley has not felt well today, just very lethargic and sore head/tummy. Hope she improves soon. We’re at sea all day tomorrow so she’ll have a good chance to rest. Michael’s blamed me for it all, as I happened to comment yesterday that it’s amazing none of us have got sick yet given our full on schedule. Suzanne – how are Brianna & Mikaely going at school? Did you do the family fun night? What’s the latest with your work? |