Anniversary cruise.. Granduer of the Sea. Thursday, day 2 before cruise. I spent the day working, but at 4pm, freedom happened, and I set out for home. Arriving just 15 minutes later, finished checking all the list, we were onour way to Arcadia to spend the night at my sisters andleave mom there for the next 2 weeks.

Friday, day 1 before the cruise. Woke up about 7 am, and was on the road by 7:30. Stopped at Dennys for breakfast, and then it was on to the long leg of Alligator Alley. Stopped along the way, but never saw any alligators. Saw one lonely wood stork and a dragonfly. Found Smokey Bones and had lunch there. Arrived at our hotel about noon, settled in and decided to go exploring. First it was off to Jimbo's Sandbar and then Dania Beach. Nice waves, warm water, but very few shells. Driving back we found Paxton's Ice Cream.. home of the Kitchen Sink sundae that was featured on the food network. Back at the hotel for some afternoon swimming, relaxing and then out to eat at Church's Chicken, Paxton's Ice Cream and then on to Hard Rock Casino to donate some money. Back to the hotel and time for one last sleep before the cruise. Day 1 of cruise. Woke up, had a great breakfast at the hotel, went and saw the wooden rollercoaster, and went to Barnes and Noble. We left the htel about 10:30 for the port, and after signing in, photo's and such.. we were onboard by 11am. Lunch in the Windjammer, feet in the pool.. looked around, relaxed, saw the Oasis, had muster drill, dinner and a Welcome Aboard show. Dinner was fantastic.. Onion tart, Prime Rib, watermelon soup.. couldn't ask for anything better. Day 2 of cruise... went to the Diamond only area for breakfast.. not many people there, but nice. Then it was off to Key West. We arrived at 7 am but had to be back onboard by 1:30, so it was a short day. Mostly walked around.. had to get Gelato, go to Keno's, and bought me a Key West bracelet. One of the problems of key West on Sunday is the fact that most the bars do not open until noon. Really hard to get trashed in an hour (but it could be fun trying)! Came back on the ship and spent time around the pool. Tonight is Formal night, so it's time to get cleaned up and get ready. Pictures taken, dinner done, and the show was Rhythm and Rhyme. This show was about the same as last time, except that the music overpowered the singing, and really made for a bad performance. Day 3.. Cozumel. We arrived about 10am and took the taxi into downtown to pick up a few gifts needed and were back on ship in about an hour. This is not our favorite port of call, so the time spent by the pool was wonderful as it was an empty ship. Spent the day relaxing until dinner, the saw the show "Team Root Berry" A juggling, comedy act and not of my favorites. Off to see Johhny and the take 4. They were awesome.. and then it was the Quest. This version seemed toned down compared to others. After that it was the late night buffet. Day 4.. A Day at Sea. This day started off with a huge downpour that lasted about an hour, but after that it was smooth sailing. Breakfast and lunch in the Windjammer was normal.. good, hot and plentiful Dinner was Lobster and Prime rib.. Oh and our Waiter Arnold is fabulous as is our stateroom attendant Barbara. The show was "All Access" that we have seen before and really didn't care for it. After that it was a Ventriloquist names Greg Cummings. Not near as good as Terry Fator or Jeff Dunham, but ok. The Captain said coco Cay doesn't look promising, but he will try. So we will see'

Day 5.. Now a sea day, no coco Cay. It was beautiful outside, but the seas being way too rough to navigate the tenders, Captain rob chose a Sea Day, and we made the best of it. Most of the day was at the pool.. and Yes, we did still get Coco Loco's. Tonight it the farewell show and late night comedy. Saying goodbye The show was wonderful.. not your typical CD's top ten list. This was well planned and very good. Day 6.. disembarkation. Had breakfast in the main dining room (not very good), but we were off the ship at 7:30, back at the hotel by 8am, and on our way to Key West. Read more