We all have had just enough of this winter. Below zero temps for far too long. The end just isn't in sight! After checking the 10 day forecast over and over, and with the highest temp in sight being 28, Andy and I decided we had to get away from this cold and go somewhere warm. So two Fridays ago I searched and searched for a last minute getaway to a warm destination.
Andy gave me the ok, and after hours and hours, I finally found flights to Orlando, and was able to line up a three night cruise to the Bahamas at a very reasonable price. So then it was figuring out sitters. We live in Iowa for a lot of reasons, but the most important one is that we are so close to family, which has so many benefits. One of them is babysitters, even overnight sitters! So at the last minute Danielle agreed to watch Henry and Hannah on Wednesday and Thursday night, and Deb and Dale drove to our house to pick them up on Friday night for the weekend. We are so lucky for that!!
We decided to take Luke with us. He is still getting up at night, and leaving three kids with one person is a lot. I can hardly handle all three!! So Luke came along with us, in International Waters, to the Bahamas!! He did such a good job. He flies for free which is nice, but I learned that babies do not cruise free. So for those of you looking to cruise, be prepared to pay for everyone, regardless of age. Also, you have to be six months old to cruise, so Luke made the cutoff by one month!
Our flight on the way down was delayed 5 hours due to mechanical problems, so we were at the airport all day, with a seven month old. There was a lot of pinching of daddy's skin, kisses, walks down the small airport hallways, and a couple of naps.
Finally on the plane! Luke slept close to two hours on each flight, which was awesome. We got to watch a movie on the way down and back!
Finally to Florida - Luke's first time on the beach! The natural white noise kept him fast asleep.
We learned from the last cruise that you can get on the ship as early as 11am (as long as the ship gets to the port in time). So we were onboard by 11:30. Your room isn't ready until after 1pm, so be prepared to only have with you what you can carry around.
Carnival Sensation.
We were to the Bahamas by noon on Friday. We adventured out and took the city bus for $1.25 per person to Cable beach. We stumbled upon a Wyndham Resort, and used their beach and facilities for a few hours!
Loved this view.
Luke fell asleep on Andy both walks on the beach.
The water is so clear in the Caribbean. It was pretty overcast, and the water was too cold for Luke and I to get in, but Andy couldn't resist.
Luke was great at dinner two of the three nights. We would give him a piece of bread to chew on. The second night he was tired, and a bit fussy, so we took turns walking with him to make it through dinner. We have learned to eat pretty quickly. And we got to dinner early each night, so the food came out very quick.
More of this the next day at sea. Lots and lots of naps in the sun.
Lunch at sea. This was probably my favorite part. Eating in the sunshine with water all around us.
Watching the sun set.
We brought Luke to karaoke. One of my favorite things about this cruise was I didn't wear makeup the entire trip!
Sunday we were off the ship by 10am, with a few hours to spend at the beach. Luke loved playing in the sand, and I loved catching the rays.
Great getaway, glad we did it, and now we are ready for the warm weather to come to Iowa!
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