We took this picture mainly for the girls. The Holland America Crew would leave us with these towel creations each night when they came in to turn down the bed. Pretty cool huh? They were amazing. I would definitely sail with Holland America again. The staff waited on you hand and foot. There was nothing they wouldn't do for you. Interestingly though, they cater to an older crowd. As a matter of fact there was a metting on board where very wealthy older women were recruiting male escorts for trips around the world. There was a big sell to book your next cruise even before you got off the ship. I think we would do it again but only if Maddie and Hannah could come along. We missed them terribly.

The Seattle Crew


Our last night on the ship - couldn't have asked for a better sunset.

Formal Night #2 (Can you see the Bling?)

Aruba

So the highlight of the trip was going to Aruba. Again though, we had so little time there. :(

Our first stop was at the LaPointe Family jewlery store - Kays - for some well deserved bling (pictured later). Our friends from Seattle came with us and we bargained hard. Then we were off to the beach. We went up by the Hyatt because the travel agent on the ship had said that's where all the action on the island is located. Really though we wanted quiet beach. Instead we found ourselves plowing through a crowd of people, fighting for chairs that we later had to give up, and parking ourselves down in a very densely packed patch of sand. Nothing a little alcohol and sun couldn't fix though. :)

Curacao

We did not have much time on this particular island. We got off the ship, ran around town, and then caught a taxi to a beach 3 or 4 miles away. What I remember is that it was breezy but the beach time was pretty limited. Before we knew it we were back on the ship for dinner and off to Aruba.

Formal Night

Our first day at sea we had "Formal Night". Everyone gets all dolled up in their finest for dinner. On the ship they do professional photos. You can make an appointment with the photographer or do what we did - ask a passer by to take a quick photo. Not too bad....

Our Cruise

Bri and I took a cruise almost two weeks ago now and we had a wonderful time. The girls stayed with both sets of grandparents while we were away. This trip was planned as a CME, so unfortunately on the days we weren't in port, I had to be in class while Brian had to rough it by the pool or out on deck.

I began to get sea sick even while we were still in Ft. Lauderdale. Luckily I was armed with good medication. The first night Brian and I went out to dinner at one of the ship's specialty restaurants for Valentine's Day, but we went to bed early after a long day of traveling.


Our first stop on day two of the cruise was Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas. Heavenly, as these pictures illustrate. Bri and I were off the ship super early, and I even got in a run before the temp went above 80 degrees. We met a nice couple from Seattle (thanks to Brian's Seattle t-shirt) and we hung out on the beach all day - by the bar of course. No tan ladies though. I would have to wait until Aruba to get that specialty drink.