We just returned from six days and five nights on board the Explorer of the Seas on a cruise to Mexico. What a fun and memorable Spring Break! It was the first cruise for the four cousins, and we made sure it was everything they could have dreamed of. Plans for the trip began over a year ago, once we knew that the school calendars matched up for both Yadkin County and Winston-Salem/Forsyth County. We booked through Royal Caribbean, and luckily Boomer and I were able to share our tips and tricks from very recently cruising on the same cruise line. Although the two trips were very different in a lot of ways, it sure is special to have cruised twice within six months.
Day 1 (Friday, March 6th): Getting on the Road
Since the cruise departed on Saturday from Port Canaveral in Orlando, we had to begin our travels the day before, on Friday. After the work day was over, the 10 of us coordinated for our departure from Kernersville around 4:30PM. Dad and Mom rented a 15-passenger van for us all to ride together. We were able to drive about 5.5 hours that evening, before resting for the night just off the interstate in Savannah/Richmond Hill. Excitement was high, but certainly we were all tired after a full week. It was a quick turnaround of going to bed and then getting back up in the morning to hit the road again.
We met for breakfast Saturday morning in the hotel lobby around 6:30AM, with hopes of being on the road by 7AM. During the whole trip, we really did a great job of sticking to our itinerary, even with all the moving pieces of ten people. We had about four hours remaining of the drive, and we arrived to the port just before noon. The embarkation process went very smoothly, and we were on board and enjoying the buffet lunch in the Windjammer by 12:30PM. Our rooms were ready by 1PM, and while we waited on our luggage, the kids played several rounds of putt-putt on the top deck. Our dinner seating was at 5PM in the Main Dining Room, which seemed to sneak up on us each night, and especially the first one. It was a mad rush to change out of our road clothes and into our dinner attire. In the Main Dining Room, the menu changed to a different theme each night. Emmy and Eli played it pretty safe, usually with grilled cheese or spaghetti, while Boomer and I tried it all, often with multiple appetizers and desserts. Each night at dinner, we celebrated a different special occasion within the family and all within a few weeks of the cruise: on the first night, Mom's 70th birthday and Mom & Dad's 45th anniversary; and then on other nights, my 40th birthday and Zander's 13th birthday. Our wonderful wait staff, Ace and Imade, as well as others from the dining room, sang and brought out candles to make it even more special. After dinner, we checked out the on-board entertainment, which on the first night was an ice skating show in Studio B.
Day 3 (Sunday, March 8th): Day at Sea
After traveling the two previous days, it was nice to enjoy a relaxing day at sea (well, as relaxing as possible with four children until the age of 13!) Each morning on the cruise, Meg and I fit in a five-mile run in the fitness center at the front of the ship, with a nice view of the ocean. Then we would gather the troops for breakfast in the Windjammer. With our bathing suits on and no plans until dinner, we enjoyed some time by the pool (although the water was very cold!) There were also lots of rounds of putt-putt, other activities at the Sports Court, and some games at the arcade. Before we knew it, it was time for dinner again. We put on our best attire for this more formal night and snapped some photos, before the Latin dancing show in the Palace Theatre. One unanticipated challenge of the cruise was the Daylight Savings time change. Since Mexico does not participate in Daylight Savings, after Saturday night and for the remainder of the trip, there was constant confusion of "ship time" versus "local time." We were often confused by our cell phones and had to heavily rely on the Royal Caribbean app. Luckily we did not miss our dinner reservation or any of our excursions.
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Day 4 (Monday, March 9th): Cozumel, Mexico
When we woke up on Monday, we were docking in Cozumel. We arrived to the port around 7:30AM, and we got off the boat around 9:30AM. We had booked an excursion called "Dolphin Encounter at Chankanaab National Park" prior to the cruise, since swimming with dolphins was a bucket-list request of the Houston boys. Emmy and Eli weren't too sure about the adventure, but their cousins' excitement wore off on them, and they were looking forward to it, too. The National Park was about a 10-minute taxi ride from the port, and when we arrived, there were several sections to the park. In addition to the dolphin experience, there was also a manatee encounter, sea lion show, a pool, and beach area, not to mention an all-you-can-eat buffet and open bar (the Blue Lagoons were my favorite!) We had only a few hours before having to be back on the boat, but we were able to do all the activities, without feeling too rushed. We arrived back on board with enough time to shower up and get ready for dinner. Grammy and Grandpa stayed on board during the day, so we filled them in on our adventures. After dinner, the entertainment was a ventriloquist who wow-ed us all with his jokes and his ability to change his voice. It was a fun day from start to finish.
Day 5 (Tuesday, March 10th): Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico
Our second port was in Costa Maya, and on this day, all ten of us booked an excursion called "Mayan Encounter." From the port, we traveled by charter bus to three different stops: 1) a tequila tasting (for those 21 and over!) at Hacienda Tequila in Mahahaul, 2) Mayan ruins in the town of Limones, and 3) lunch in an authentic Mayan home. The excursion filled the entire four hours that we had on shore, and as we got back on board, the horn was blowing to signal departure. Luckily we had booked our excursions through Royal Caribbean, so we knew we would not be left behind. We enjoyed both of the excursions and the diversity of the activities. After dinner, we opted to skip the formal entertainment in the theater and instead watch Zootopia 2 on the pool deck.
Day 6 (Wednesday, March 11th): Day at Sea
On Wednesday, we started the journey back to Port Canaveral and enjoyed another day at sea. It was similar to Sunday, with lots of putt-putt, time at the arcade, pizza, and ice cream. I even was able to catch a nap at the back of the boat in a quiet spot on Deck 12. We had one last formal dinner with our wait staff, Ace and Imade, and then we went to the Farewell Show back in the Palace Theatre. Sadly, our trip was coming to an end all too soon.
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Day 7 (Thursday, March 12th): Traveling Home
It is never as fun traveling home as it is on the way there. Once we were back on land, we made the drive back home to North Carolina. We will surely miss the beautiful views, tons of entertainment, and of course, the unlimited ice cream with Aunt Megan. We are so thankful for this trip of special memories with family!
