Well I promised to tell you a bit about our holiday.
This is rather late nearly 6 months after we went. At least I am getting round to it now.
Weeell .... we went on cruise .... title gives it away really. All 13 of us! 9 adults, a 10 year old, 13 year old and 2 x 2 year old's.
Whenever we all got off together we were like a tour group all by ourselves. They probably thought that on board too when we moved en masse, as it were.
We had to go in the school holidays obviously for the school ager's and to accommodate 1 university student.
So what lucky cruise line got to house us for 2 weeks? Royal Caribbean. And the lucky ship? Independence of the Seas.
When we arrived at the port the cases are taken away and the parking was nearby, 5 minutes walk.
The picture was taken on the first day as we arrived, not a good start but the weather did improve.
Those adults who hadn't been before and all the children were amazed at the size of it. It was wonderful to see their faces, children and adults.
What was there to eat? Pretty much anything you could think of. Hot and cold food and vast arrays of it. I meant to take photos of it all for a blog but forgot.
Though you can see pictures of buffets and meals in the brochures.
They loved the look of the pool area and couldn't wait for the chance to try it out.
The day we left there were high winds and it was very dull and grey looking. Wasn't cold though. However the pools were closed as they always are in bad weather.
The children were a bit uncertain at first because of the size and not being familiar with a boat that size. It didn't take long for that to wear off.
We had a drinks package too, so everyone had a pass card for drinks. Was great for the 10 & 13 yr old as they didn't have to ask, they could get them whenever they fancied. As it was hot, that was a bonus.
Cabins aren't massive on any boat and these were average size and perfectly fine as we weren't going to be in them much. They had everything needed, TV, fridge, hairdryer, en-suite bathroom, good sized window etc.
The staff I have always found to be excellent on any cruise. They go out of their way to help, always cheerful.
Often we would go back to the cabins sometime after dinner and find something made from towels by the cabin steward to amuse us.
The photo opposite is one after a visit to Gibraltar. I had bought monkeys for the toddlers so the cabin steward made one too. The children loved it.... well to be honest the bigger kids and adults did too.
A few would rush off to check what each days creation was immediately after dinner. They weren't all the same though which was nice.
On more than one occasion the youngest two stole the show, dancing on the stage, copying each others moves in a way that had the audience ahhhing. They found too, that if they clapped, the audience would copy and they loved that too, putting hands over their heads to clap. The videos of them still make me laugh.
As far as the eye can see
a vast sparkling blue sea.
Behind the ship a frothing white wake
as majestically we sail; and make
our way to the next port of call
with all on board, having a ball.
I stand here gazing at the view
enjoying the scene of endless blue.
Wondering will I see a dolphin today?
If I don`t though, that`s okay.
I love the music of the sea
it`s there for all to hear, not just me.
But many just pass it by without a glance
hurrying to the next meal at a fast prance.
They are missing nature`s gallery of art
unlike others who pause, they are smart!!
Photos of the trip
A few pics taken at the various stops we had. Looking through them has made recall what a fabulous time we had and now I want to go again and I keep looking at cruises.
However quite a few are advising caution for now with the Corona virus spreading so rapidly. So I shall wait.
The view from the top of the Rock of Gibraltar.
I didn't go up as I don't like heights but half a
dozen brave souls went up in the cable car and
took photos of the view.
This photo is from Lisbon. It is many years since we were there and I was impressed with how much it had changed.
Last time we visited the base of the statue had graffiti on it as did some of the buildings. Now it's pristine clean and looks amazing.
There have been lots of changes which made it a lovely place to visit.
*Currently, some 300 animals in five troops occupy the Upper Rock area of the Gibraltar Nature Reserve, though they make occasional forays into the town. As they are a tailless species, they are also known locally as Barbary apes or rock apes, despite being monkeys.*
*Scientists believe that the Barbary Macaques, the proper name of the Gibraltar monkeys, were introduced to the area of Gibraltar by the Moors who lived there between 700 and 1492. ... It is from this legend that the saying was given rise, that so long as the monkeys live on the Rock, so too will the British have control."
Barcelona's famous cathedral
*133 Years after the building started, GaudÃ's Cathedral Nears Completion. The Sagrada FamÃlia, inspired by nature and faith, has been under construction since 1882. It's now in the final phase, with just another 11 years until completion.
Its a stunning building but there is always a massive queue to get in.
Better to go with a tour and bypass the queues."
This photo of a Morgan car was inside the ship outside one of the bars on the main promenade.
It didn't take up much room because the promenade is wide.
The children found it fascinating to see a car inside on a ship.
Was surprising how quickly they got used to it being there.
This photo was taken from one end of the promenade, which is filled with shops, a coffee shop, a sweet shop, ice cream parlour, clothing, jewellery, pizza and general shop, as well as bars.
The bridge often changed colour but rarely was seen in the rainbow colours as it is on this photo.
As we look along the promenade, behind us was our dining room with an open area in front that was set up for taking photographs for people that wanted them done.
We were delighted to be seated all on one table as we had been told that with so many of us we were more likely to be divided between 2 tables.
Our waiters were lovely and quickly got to know us and we had quite a laugh with them each day.
I could waffle on for days about various aspects and all the places we visited, 9 in all, but it would become boring. But you get the general idea.
It was great fun to go together. It was very hot so wonderful to have the air conditioning inside and a sea breeze , once we sailed, outside. We spent a lot of time at the pool, as you can imagine. The kids were in seventh heaven.
Hope you enjoyed this little insight in to our holiday. I recommend it for smaller and larger parties.
Thank you for visiting. Please come back soon.
