10 Day Caribbean Cruise: Arriving and Day 1

March 9, 2023

We woke up super early around 4:30am. Drove to the airport to take a flight to Austin where we waited three hours for our connecting flight to Miami.

In Austin, the kids had pizza for lunch. Erik and I shared a pulled pork bowl from the Peached Tortilla. Then Erik got an acai bowl for all of us to share.

Grandma and grandpa were waiting for us there. We waited for Erik to stand in line for keys to our rental car—a Honda van. Then we drove to our rental house about a half hour NW of the airport. It was a nice house, and they kindly set out some snacks and drinks in the fridge for us. Elisa liked the ice cube balls from the freezer.

Elisa eating the round ice cubes out of a napkin.

March 10, 2023

We had to be out of the house by 10:00, so we packed and went to a breakfast place called Untoasted. I ordered a veggie eggs Benedict. It was ok.

We drove to the cruise terminal and Erik dropped us off while he went to return the van. Unfortunately, the car rental place didn’t have a shuttle for him, so he had to take an Uber back. It didn’t take us long to board the ship after that.

This time we remembered to bring the kids' swimsuits in our carryon bags. Ian and Elisa got changed in our staterooms and spent some time with me at the pool. Gabe wanted to check out the game room/library where he played chess with Erik and Grandpa.

The sail away party was supposed to occur before dinner. We sat inside waiting for the ship to leave, but we didn't sail away until we were halfway done eating. We tried a round of trivia in the Schooner Bar before heading to the dining room. I ordered the spinach artichoke dip and fried chicken. Ian ordered his usual macaroni and cheese, french fries, and ice cream for dessert.

Gabe and Elisa got checked in to the teen's club. Elisa was slightly too young, but they let her in anyway. She didn't want to go back because the guy in charge of it kept asking her about swearing. Gabe didn't stick around too long because the first activity was a social get to know you. 

The first show was a comedy welcome show by an older woman comedian. She seemed a little confused for most of her routine. I didn't really like her.