Mike and I reached our 15th Anniversary back in December. To celebrate, we decided to get our of the gray, gloomy winter by going on a Bahamas cruise in January. It was an awesome little getaway. It was so good for the soul to get out of the cold and get into the sun for a few days.
We left Sunday night on a red eye flight I think we left at around 12:30 or 1:00 am, and got into Miami around 6:30 am eastern time. I thought it would be great to take a red eye because we'd just sleep the whole time. After working my split shift all weekend, I figured I'd be tired enough to sleep in the most uncomfortable of situations. Nope. I think I slept on-and-off for about three hours, but that was it...
But, it didn't matter once we got on the boat and got read to depart. The sunshine and 70° temperatures felt so nice...
It was a little too cool to swim, but we had fun hanging out on the pool deck while sipping on fruity drinks (all non-alcoholic, of course)...
Our cruise was on the Royal Caribbean Majesty of the Seas. It's one of their older, smaller ships. It was a little dated. In fact, they are going to dry dock it soon to give it a complete overhaul. But, it was still very nice, and had lots of fun things to do...
The next morning, we were supposed to dock at Cococay--Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas. Unfortunately, the winds were too strong for the tender boats to get everyone safely to shore, so we didn't get to stop there. This is as close as we got. The island is all those trees you see behind us...
We were totally bummed because we had heard how amazing Cococay was, and we were looking forward to going there. But, not only was it windy, but it was overcast and cool (by Bahama standards of course) in the 60s, so it probably wouldn't have been a great beach day anyway. The ship decided to head toward Nassau early, so that we could have more time there instead. We hung out on the pool deck (or favorite spot, as you'll see throughout the rest of the pictures) in our jeans and watched the Caribbean pass by...
Everyday, we had fun little towel animals left for us, just like on our Disney Cruise. They were kind of fun to come back to each day...
There was lots of great entertainment on the ship, and lots of fun games to play. We rocked the Michael Jackson trivia game. We didn't win, but we were competing against teams of eight people, and we just had the two of us. We were happy to do as well as we did. We also just liked to hang out and listen to live music in some of the lounges and bars...
The next day, we got a chance to explore Nassau. We booked an excursion to a little place called Blue Lagoon Island. Our boat ride there took us past the famous Atlantis Resort...
And also showed us lots of Nassau. I loved all their colorful buildings. I kept taking pictures of them because I loved them so much...
On the boat ride to Blue Lagoon...
I thought this yellow house was just about the cutest thing I'd ever seen...
Lots of yachts in the harbor...
More fun buildings. These ones were on Paradise Island--the same island that Atlantis is on...
We then rode past all the stars' vacation homes on Paradise Island. This is Oprah's house...
And this is Tiger Woods' house...
Michael Jordan's house...
Jay-Z and Beyonce's house...
Eddie Murphy's private island...
That little island in the distance is the island that was used in the opening credits of Gilligan's Island...
Then we reached Blue Lagoon Island. It was this little island that was shaped sort of like a C, so it had this pretty little lagoon in the middle. The water was calm as could be when it was sheltered in the lagoon...
We walked around the island to explore a little bit. Everywhere we turned, there was a view that looked like it was straight out of a postcard...
We hung out in one of the hammocks for a little while. Here's Mike's attempts at some selfies...
Then it was back to our lounge chairs to soak in some sunshine...
Some other views of the island...
This is the inlet where the water comes into the lagoon. According to our tour guide on the boat, that tower at the inlet was built as a lookout when this island was controlled by pirates centuries ago...
This guy sat on this perch forever, just looking for some food to snatch...
We decided to explore the other side of the island where they did dolphin and sea lions encounters...
We didn't pay to swim with the dolphins, but we sure got a show from them. They were everywhere and were happy to pose and do all sorts of tricks. It was so cute...
Pretty shot of this side of the island...
Not a great picture, but can you see the dolphin?
One of the sea lions we saw...
Another dolphin showing off...
Then we got some lunch. Doesn't that look yummy? It was--believe me. We were stuffed...
Mike trying out some of the rafts they had in the lagoon...
I love palm trees. Why don't I live somewhere when I can have palm trees in my yard?
Eventually, it was time to leave. Here's the view of Blue Lagoon Island as we pulled away. Such a pretty little place. And, look at that water. The pictures don't even do it justice...
On our way back to Nassau...
Once we got back, we decided to do a little shopping before getting back on the boat. It was fun to roam the streets of Nassau. We ended up going to the Straw Market, where there are lots of locals that sell handmade goods. We found some fun little souvenirs to take back for the kids and my parents, but man, the locals do NOT make it easy to say "no". They wheel and deal, like you wouldn't believe. They are constantly shoving their merchandise in your face to show it to you, and to tell you how much you need it. It was funny, and made me really appreciate sales people here in the U.S. that take "no" for an answer. Here we are in downtown Nassau. Again with those cute, colorful buildings. I seriously love them...
That night was formal night on the ship. We had about 30 minutes to get ourselves looking spiffy. I'd say we did an okay job...
Another towel animal...
The next day was our last full day on the ship. Mike decided to try his hand at the rock wall...
So many people struggled to get up this thing, and then Mike climbs it like he's Spiderman!! I think it took him all of 30 seconds (if even that) to do it...
We hung out by the pool again, and drank more fruity drinks. Hey, I had to make that drink card worth the money I paid for it. I'm pretty sure I got my monies worth though. I had fresh squeezed orange juice every morning, and constantly had one of these fruity drinks in my hands throughout the day...
Mike tried his hand at line dancing, while I sat and made fun of him. Mwahahahahahaha...
Our last towel animal of the cruise...
The next morning, we got off the ship and flew home. It was a quick trip (five days total, with four days on the ship), but it was so fun. Mike and I had a great time being by ourselves, and just enjoying each other's company. Thank you to my parents who moved into our house to take care of our kids for the week, so that we could go.
I love this man that's been mine for the past 15 years. I seriously hit the husband jackpot with him. He is so kind, loving, smart, funny, and just all around amazing. I don't know what I'd do without him. Love you, Mike! Thanks for giving me the happiest 15 years of my life!! --Lindsay
