Friday, April 24, 2015

One last cruise post.

Happy Friday everyone!  It is SO good to be home.  Gosh, I miss Dennis when I'm gone.  He was so busy while I was away though, that I don't think he even noticed!  Just kidding.  Mandy says he was really lonely.  He has had meetings Monday-Thursday evening last week and this week after work, so I probably could have gone on a two week cruise and he wouldn't have noticed the difference.

So without further ado...here are the last few pictures I have to show you.  All of my pictures were taken with my Iphone so the quality and telephoto opportunities were limited but they still are good enough to remind me of the great time I had which, to me, is the reason for pictures anyway, right?

This was the chairlift from the pier area to the beach at Mahagony Beach in Roatan, Honduras.  We did pay extra to be able to ride the chairlift but the view was worth it.  It was also so hot and humid that avoiding that long, long walk back uphill to the ship was lovely.
This is at the pier in Roatan as the ship was leaving port.  A lot of the workers from the shops and the beach came to see us off as we were the last ship to leave this port for the season.  It's too hot and humid and the ships are now heading to Alaska and the Mediterranean.  They cheered and waved us off.  It was really quite moving when you realize that the people on these cruise ships provide their entire livelihood.  They are truly grateful to the people for coming to Roatan.
A sign.  Pretty self explanatory!  :-)
On Friday night the cruise staff had a talent show for us.  We were given balloons to blow up and toss around like beach balls while we waited for the show to start.  This wasn't a professional show by any means.  We had a prep cook that sang, as well as one of the engine room mechanics that also sang.  The ships doctor played the piano and sang "I AM" a wonderful song about God.  It was so much fun.  There were slip ups and wrong moves and it was a happy, happy evening.

Don't get me wrong.  The nightly song and dance performances by the ships dancers were Broadway quality in my opinion.  I have no idea where they store all of the sets that were used.  A cruise is worth it just for the myriad of entertainment opportunities that are onboard.  When you consider your room, all the food you could possibly imagine consuming and the unbelievable entertainment, a cruise is fantastic value for your money.  I sound like an advertisement.  I'm so sorry.  I just can't believe how much fun I had.
Has anyone seen the move "The Three Amigos" with Steve Martin, Chevy Chase and Martin Short?  It's one of Dennis' favorite movies.  When I saw this sign from the ship I had to take it for him.
Smack dab in the middle of the restaurant is this bathtub.  I've wanted a claw foot tub ever since we had to leave ours in the first house we owned.  It's the only tub long enough for my legs.  So here it is.  Do you think I can take it home with me?
A very nice lady took this picture of Nita and I.  Unfortunately the "P" was cut off of Puerta Maya. It's still pretty though.  This was also at Cozumel.  We were supposed to swim with the stingrays in Cozumel, but ended up canceling that excursion because of the heat.  It was unbelievably hot this day.  We only stayed in town for a couple of hours and then went back to the ship to swim.  Nita lay by the pool to read while I went back to the room and showered.  Then I found a quiet spot on the very tip top of the ship in the Skywalkers lounge.  No one was there and I knitted and watched the people in the port.  One of my favorite activities is people watching.
It was SO hot Nita decided we needed to ride back to the ship.  It also helps support the local young men who pedal the rickshaws.
Isn't this a gorgeous picture of our ship, the Emerald Princess?  Can you believe it's an Iphone photo?
This year is the 50th anniversary of Princess Cruise Lines.  The ship on the TV series "The Love Boat" was a Princess ship.  Did you know that?  I sure didn't until this week.  There was a big balloon drop in the Piazza the last night of the cruise.  Fun.  There were papers inside some of the balloons for really nice gifts.
Since Nita is an Elite cruiser because of all of her cruising, I was able to attend the Captains Gala with her as her guest.  This is Captain Marco Fortezze.  I actually was able to meet him several times throughout the week.
This is Nita's husband Larry's favorite dessert on the cruise and he made me promise to order it at least once.  He has one every night.  This is a soup size bowl filled with whipped cream, banana's and ice cream and it's called "The Volcano".  It is actually on the children's menu and the other people at our table were laughing when I ordered it.  I could only eat less than 1/2 of it but it was delicious.  I didn't gain any weight while cruising either.  That was a shock considering how much I ate.  I walked a LOT though and I think that helped a lot.
Almost back to Houston.  I saw lots of these oil rigs or platforms.  I'm not sure what they're called.  Happy to be headed home to Dennis, but sad to see the cruise end.
These three young ladies are Tia, (on the left end by me), and her two daughters.  Also Dave from the cruise directors staff and Nita.  This family adopted us and found us everywhere we went.  The young girls seemed to enjoy hanging around with us.  Brittney, the youngest actually cried Saturday night when we said goodbye.  She was hugging me and didn't want to let go.  How sweet is that?  It's been a long, long time since I've been around such genuinely respectful and graceful young women.  Her sister Lisa, won the ships Princess Pop-Star contest, (like the American Idol).  She has a wonderful voice.  The competition was tough so it was nice to see her win.  Their Dad took this picture. 
And so here we are.  Back to my normal life.  Tonight we're headed to the lake for the weekend.  It's supposed to be cool and rainy. Perfect for snuggling in at the trailer and reading, etc.  Dennis needs this day to unwind.  He is giving the sermon on Sunday morning too so he'll have some quiet time to study.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend doing exactly what makes you happy and content.

"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91:1

Blessings my friends,
Betsy

19 comments:

  1. Wow, it all sounds amazing. A wonderful trip with some wonderful memories to treasure. Hope you have a great weekend.

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  2. I'm so glad you had such a good time! Everything on the ship looks so nice. I've never been on a cruise. Hope you enjoy your weekend at the lake with hubby...I know you will.

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  3. Wow! I have never been on a cruise. Not sure I would. I think I would be scared to. Maybe that sounds strange or silly. Well, it sure seems you had a fabulous time.

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  4. Looks like you had a fabulous time! I would have passed on swimming with stingrays....not on my bucket list. Hugs, Marilyn

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  5. It looks like you had a fabulous time and that tub, oh my goodness! What a great find!

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  6. While I really enjoyed your view of your trip I am fairly certain I will never take a cruise...even though my last name is Saylor, I prefer to admire the ocean from the shore :-) I loved the photo of you in the tub, Betsy! I bet it felt nice and cool. Have a happy weekend at the lake. xx

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  7. Wow I think I might just be sold on a cruise having read your post :)

    Have a lovely weekend with your DH.

    Helenxx

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  8. Thank you for taking us through your trip. It was like we were there too, with your beautiful photos.

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  9. It just looks like the most wonderful trip Betsy. I love all the photos. I have swam with the stingrays and it was a lot of fun, sorry you missed it.
    Hugs to you,
    Meredith

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  10. It sounds like you had a great time and enjoyed yourself, but I know you are happy to be home. Love all the photos. Have a great weekend at the lake.
    Hugs,
    Sharon

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  11. Wow, Betsy, you had a great time and saw so many things! I'm glad to hear you want to do it again. I've never been on a cruise and would love to try it. Maybe someday? We're having sun breaks here at the beach.. will put some photos up later. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  12. How fun for you and thanks for sharing your photos with us. Hopefully your luggage has come home to you! We were at a wedding today of a young lady who we've known for years. So fun to see her happy with her new husband! Have a good weekend at the lake. I'm catching up at home from our two day getaway at the coast. Hugs, my friend!

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  13. Your verse comes from my mom's favorite chapter in the Bible--it's a great one! The ship is so modern looking--the interior is quite lovely! I cannot imagine your DH not missing you--no matter how busy he was. I am sure he did:)
    Have a great time at the lake. We are having exciting weather today. Hopefully you're sitting in the sun up there.
    Blessings,
    Aimee

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  14. Hi Betsy. I have sure missed you! I have read back to end of March. You have been busy! The cruise looked like fun. Why no hubby? I have take a few cruises. On one, we went to Roatan, and Cozumel, along with a few other stops. I love Roatan! The water is so pretty.
    Loved the shots at the lake. How fun that it is time for that again. I have missed you.
    xo Kris

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  15. Cruises are nice and so are times away with friends. BUT--I would miss George just like you missed Dennis...Sounds like you had a wonderful trip though and congrats for no gaining weight. It would be hard not to ---even if I walked a lot....

    Great set of pictures --and beautiful area and ship. Glad you met such great people on the cruise...

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  16. I have never been a fan of cruises; mind you I have never been on one either, BUT what you have said about your trip makes me want to reconsider my thoughts. You sound so happy describing everything; I am so glad you had a wonderful time.

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  17. Betsy, it looks like you had such a wonderful time on your cruise! I really felt your enthusiasm and excitement in this post and I appreciate the way you took the time to connect with other cruisers as well as local people in the places you stopped. I think that's half the fun of a vacation, really seeing how people live and also having a nice time with other travelers. I'm the kind of person who will talk to virtually anybody, so I would appreciate having a fellow traveler like you around. :) Hope you have a good week!

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  18. I just finished reading about your cruise and it sounds marvelous! We have not cruised yet, but I have been lobbying for an Alaskan cruise to start with. I hope life is settling back in for you now.
    xoxoxox

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  19. Thank you for sharing your gorgeous pictures and it sure does sound like you had a great time and met some great new friends. I used to watch the Love Boat and I didn't know it was a Princess Cruise Ship.
    Is your husband a minister?
    I bet it is cozy in your camper! My house, I can't even hear the rain it is so well insulated. I need a metal roof! LOL!

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