Day Five ~ Dinner with the Captain

On day five, Matt and I woke up wondering why it felt like we were still moving. We looked out the window and didn't see an island. We were scheduled to arrive at Grand Cayman early in the morning, but we didn't see it. We thought maybe it was on the other side of the ship. It was hard to tell what was going on, because the water was pretty choppy. We finally turned on the TV and saw that we were, indeed, still moving. Apparently, the weather was too bad for the ship to dock.
This was a huge bummer because we had been scheduled to do a pirate ship excursion. The kids were really looking forward to it.
Instead, we ate. HA! No, actually, the pics from the first entry that didn't fit anywhere, most of those came from day five. We spent lots of time at the arcade, and the kids went and did their programs.
Later, we did a scavenger hunt, which we did not win! BOO!!
We also found a karaoke booth. This booth was so cool, and tucked away in a corner, so it was deserted. We spent hours just singing our hearts out together. It was so great.
Then the time came to get ready for dinner. I have to say, the idea of having a formal dinner with the captain unnerved me. We had bought the kids all matching Jamaican shirts, it was the best we could do.
We met with Brett at a bar before dinner for drinks. The kids were excited because they were told it was all on the captain, so they got to have virgin daiquiris.
It was then time to head to the dining room.
The captain's table was right in the middle of the room, and it felt like we were on display. Especially, when the captain made his grand entrance...all eyes were on him..then us. EEK!!


Thankfully, as I mentioned before, he is amazing. It wasn't long before we were totally at ease.
Dinner was great, and afterwards we headed to our room to digest our food.
After awhile it was time to head to the flowrider.
This was an amazing pool with water shooting 35 mph to create a wave affect in which people could surf. They closed it for an hour for us, which was just one more amazing thing they did for us!
There were height restrictions and we had measured Zachy previously. He was tall enough..or so we thought. We didn't take into account that he had his shoes on!!
He didn't clear the restriction and he wouldn't be able to participate. Talk about breaking his heart.
The three eldest, Matt, and myself all tried out the boogie boards. The boys all took to it very quickly.








Let me just tell you..it was hard. One time was enough for me.
Zachy sat and was so, so sad. It killed me.


He decided to ask if he could at least stand in the water..and then, the most amazing thing happened.
Sam, the guy in charge, took Zachy to the bottom of the hill, sat him on his lap, and shot up the hill with him.

Zachy was THRILLED.


I cannot tell you what that moment meant to me. They did this just to make one little boy happy. Sam and Brett did it over and over, just to see him smile. Amazing.
The big boys all did some cool tricks and all tried standing up, but preferred the boogie boards.


After we were done with the flowrider, we had a little girl to take care of. She ran around the whole time while the boys played, and we took her swimming afterwards.


We then headed to our room and were greeted by elephants.


And off to bed we went.

Day Four- Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Day Four brought us to Ocho Rios, Jamaica. We had been advised by the excursions people that Jamaica wasn't really a family friendly place, so had planned to stay on the ship.
Except, remember a few entries ago when I told you the captain invited us to dinner? Well, it was on formal night, and we had nothing formal to wear. We had planned to skip formal nights in the dining room.
We decided to venture off the ship to try and find some decent clothes for formal night the next night.


Jamaica was not fun. The people harassed us like crazy. The kids have said if they never go back to Jamaica that will be just fine with them.
We did a bit of shopping, took a picture of a Bob Marley statue, and headed back to the ship.


Once on the ship, Emily and Natalie fell asleep, so Matt and the boys all headed out to do the rock climbing wall.





They all got suited up, but unfortunately, it started to rain a bit so only Dillon and Matthew got to climb.
After dinner we had priority seating at the ice skating show. We sat right in the front and enjoyed the awesome show.









Afterwards, we got to stay and the skaters came and talked with us and took pictures. They were all so nice. I think it must be a prerequisite to be nice to work on a cruise ship, because everyone we encountered was just great.








I'm sure there was more arcade time, though I'm not sure. I just know we were out late, every night. Enjoying the stars and just being on the ship.

We headed to bed, and were greeted by swans.

Doesn't that bed look so comfy? It was. I wish it we owned it. We were rocked to sleep as the waves were getting a bit bigger. Yet another great day.

Day Three- Labadee, Haiti

On day three we were in Labadee, Haiti.


This is an area of Haiti owned by Royal Caribbean. They have a water park in the ocean, zip lines, and a roller coaster/bobsled type thing. As I mentioned before, the captain arranged for us to have roller coaster tickets, which was so nice of him.
It was really hot that day, and we had quite a walk. As soon as I put Natalie's hat on, she buried her face in my chest and fell fast asleep. We walked and walked until we found some seats in the shade of the coconut trees.



While Natalie I and rested, Matt took two boys at a time to the ocean. They swam and snorkeled.
Beside us was a splash pad, so Emily and the other two boys played there.


Once Natalie was awake, she played there also.


Then we all headed to the roller coaster.






We had a great time on this thing. You were pulled up by a chain, like a roller coaster, to the top of the mountain. You then went on a track, but you could control the speed by using the brakes. You rode all the way down the mountain. You could see the ocean, the ship, all over. It was so neat.

After we rode to our hearts content, we experienced the local people. I know they were trying to make a living, but people yelling for our attention and just bugging us to buy their stuff was not my cup of tea.
We bought a few things then headed back to the ship.
After we rested a bit, we headed to our first dinner in the dining room.



It was so amazing. I could eat there every night!

It was then time for the Drew Thomas Magic Show. Drew Thomas was on America's Got Talent and he was simply amazing. The show was so entertaining, and we all had a great time. I think it was our favorite show.


Matt was called up on stage to help with a trick that we still don't know how he did. It was crazy.








Waiting for the show to start.

After the show we went to the arcade and played some games, then headed to bed. We were met with bats...WEARING OUR SUNGLASSES!!




It was another great day!