Vacation: “Cruise Adventure” on Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas
Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas Cruise Ship (the back of the boat) As I reflect back over the cruise vacation we took on Royal Caribbean, Serenade of the Seas, I am thankful for the opportunity to experience a fun and relaxing trip full of new memories. Over the last several weeks I have been sharing tidbits about our time exploring the various Caribbean Islands, however, today I want to focus a little more about the actual ship we spent our evenings on together. We gave some facts regarding the ship in an earlier post but I want to share a little more about what we did on the cruise in this post.
The seventh day of our cruise was the only full day we were at sea. Every other day of the trip we were visiting an island in the Caribbean. Ever day was packed full of a variety of activities. There were a lot of fun things to do on the ship, here are just a few:
- Breakfast – you could chose to have it delivered to your room, eat at the Windjammer (buffet) or eat a sit down meal at Reflections. We did a mix of the Windjammer and Reflections throughout the week depending on the activities for the day.
- Every day evening after dinner we would have a new schedule of the next day’s events, information and activities so we could plan out our day on the boat or if we were going onto an island.
- Morning Activities where available throughout the morning and at various locations on the ship (here is a sample of some activities)
- Brain Teasers & Trivia
- Sabbath Service
- Early Morning Stretch
- Abdominal Conditioning
- Indoor Cycling
- Adult Mini Golf Tournament
- Yoga
- Walk for Wishes
- Napkin Folding
- Movie in the Cinema
- Acupuncture Seminar
- View from the Top
- Royal Bingo
- 3 Minute Makeup Seminar
- Secrets to a Flatter Stomach Seminar
- Cake Decorating
- Interview with Olympic Gymnast Lance Ringland
- Swimming
- Rock Climbing Wall
- Shopping
- And More….
- Afternoon Activities (here is a sampling)
- Music (Hot Spice – Calypso Sounds)
- Backstage Tour of the Theater
- Towel Folding Demonstration
- Ice Carving
- Movie in the Cinema
- Slot Tournament
- Men’s Belly Flop Contest
- Informal Bridge
- Learn to Swing
- 3-on-3 Basketball
- Name that Movie Tune
- Blackjack Tournament
- Scrapbooking Workshop
- Detox for Health & Weight Loss Seminar
- Pool Volleyball Crew vs Guests
- Belly Dance Class
- Gotta Dance Class
- Royal Poker Tournament
- Wine Tasting
- Adult Volleyball Tournament
- Core Conditioning Pilates
- Learn to Salsa
- Royal Bingo
- Adult Speed Climbing Competition
- And More…
- They had a variety of Evening Activities to keep everyone entertained as well
- Farewell Movie Night
- Showtime
- Star Bridge Dance
- Mambo Caliente
- Royal Poker Tournament
- Jazz Cabaret
- Paradise Lotto Draw
- Adult Karaoke
- On Board Shopping Deals
- And Much MORE
Our days were busy both on and off the ship. There was always something to do. We had fun, met a lot of wonderful people and created new memories. We look forward to having the opportunity to cruise again in the future. It was great not having to cook or clean the whole week! On a side note, they had food available when you wanted it pretty much 24 hours a day! It was nice because you could eat when it fit into your schedule!
Here is a quick introduction of a few key crew members aboard the ship. The Captain of our cruise ship was Captain Michel Claveau who started his career as a diver. Marc Walker was our Cruise Director from Weymouth, England started out in the entertainment industry as a DJ (22 years ago) then went on to juggle, unicyclist, then onto TV and Radio. Marc has been with the Royal Caribbean family since the late 1990’s and has served on 20 of Royal Caribbean’s 22 ships. Sanjay Dumar was our Hotel Director from Mumbai, India. Marco Marzocchi was our Chief Engineer from Genova, Italy. Cristiana Maruntelu was our Loyalty & Cruise Sales Manager from Romania. Alistair Burnett was our Food & Beverage Manager from the United Kingdom. Noel was our waiter and Janet our head waitress. They did a fabulous job serving, singing, and creating a pleasant atmosphere during dinner every night we were on the ship. I will add that the meals were amazing! We met a lot of other wonderful people aboard the ship. The staff was from all over the world and we enjoyed getting to know several of them during our stay on the ship.
We spent some time in the late afternoon on the last day packing. We were sad to pack but excited to continue our trip home and see the girls. Jake and I walked around the ship on the last night snapping a few more pictures and video clips to show the girls. They always have a lot of questions about the BIG boat! If we could Jake and I would have just keep on cruising! It was a wonderful experience again traveling with Royal Caribbean. We will be sharing a few pictures on board the ship in a post later this week!
A Vacation To Remember series is a reflection on our recent trip and ways we relaxed. Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away. Go with a good attitude and looking for fun and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories. It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine. Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn. You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!
Book: “The Dragon and the Turtle Go On Safari” by Donita K. Paul & Evangeline Denmark
I was really excited to get The Dragon and the Turtle Go on Safari by Donita K. Paul and Evangeline Denmark to read to the girls. It is a story about two friends Padraig (the dragon) and Roger (the turtle) on a camping adventure together at the base of “Mount Sillymanborrow” (their backyard). They have a camp fire, toast marshmallows, eat baked bugs, sleep in a tent, and let their creative imaginations send them on several fun Safari adventures. Throughout the night they encountered a variety of “jungle” beasts – they heard noises from a howler monkey (owl), giraffes (squirrel), elephants (raccoon), fed a rhinoceros (dog), and rescued a baby leopard (kitten).The two friends shared in the adventure together, supporting and encouraging each other when they were frightened. Roger even nicknamed his friend Professor Padraig since he was an “expert” on jungle animals. They chose to do activities that both friends wanted to do which also distracted them from thinking about the scary noises around them. I liked how both friends encouraged each other throughout the night and never made fun of the other one even when they were scared. If one friend did not want to do an activity (such as listen to a scary story) they just picked another safari activity to do together. Even though they were scared they still were brave enough to help another animal in distress, the kitten.
Although the authors had a several wonderful underlying points in the story I was disappointed in the flow of the book. It came across a little choppy in areas; the words didn’t flow together smoothly and the girls didn’t get some of the jokes. The story at the end of the book “The Legend of Mount Sillymanborrow” didn’t seem to fit well with the story and I had to explain it to my girls. With that being said, I really enjoyed the very last page – “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid… God goes with you; he will never leave you.” – Deuteronomy 3:16 The authors did provide some really good discussion questions for kids and I liked how they encouraged our girls to think of positive ways to help a friend when they are scared. Overall I think the book had some really good points and brought out some teachable moments for the kids, however, I would suggest checking the book out at the library first to make sure it is a good fit for your family prior to purchasing it.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes from the publisher through the Waterhouse Multnomah. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
They Really DO Love Me!
One of the many "I Love You" notes from Jake and girls! Recently I went on a quick road trip to Orlando, Florida with some friends. They were moving their items down from North Carolina to Orlando and I was able to spend time traveling with their sweet family. It was great having a few hours to catch up with friends. They have three adorable children who traveled very well in the van. We stopped for lunch at McDonald’s and let them run around then they crashed in the van for a couple hours. It was wonderful having some time to relax and talk with another Mom friend while traveling. For dinner we ate outside at a great place called, Crispers, they have a delicious chicken salad wrap if you ever get a chance to go there! Thankfully everyone made it safely to Orlando and in good spirits. The kids had school the next day so they quickly took their baths and were tucked into bed. The next morning I flew out of Orlando back to Greenville, SC.
It was nice having a relaxing time with friends. Although it was a quick trip it was enjoyable and reminded me of the many amazing blessing I have in my life from my spouse to my children, family and friends. When I arrived home I was greeted by a VERY excited Skipper! She was bouncing all around me and eventually gave me a lick on the hand before I was able to give her a treat. Glad to have such a warm welcome home. Since Jake was at work and the girls were at school I was just planning on having a quiet day of catching up in the office. When I got to the top of the stairs I found my first “I Love You” note, I quickly found out that I had “I Love You” notes scattered across the house to welcome me home. Jake even made the bed before heading into work. My keyboard had a note on it and underneath the note was one of my favorite candies – Milk Duds. So thankful for a husband who takes the time to show me his love and to know that my family really does miss me when I am away even for a short trip. I am also grateful for a husband who is willing and knows how to get the girls up, ready, and off to school (which can be an adventure some mornings)!
Here pictures from my short trip and love notes from my family, simple yet beautiful and perfect! Jake really knows how to melt my heart!
Napkin from my snack at the airport! 
Strawberry Blast Smoothie, it was delicious!!! 
Yummy chocolate chip muffin! 
My "I Love You" note on the keyboard! 
The "I Love You" note on my keyboard had an extra special surprise underneath, MILK DUDS! Delicious! I had a series of “I Love You” notes all over the house!
- On the Kitchen Counter
- The Kitchen Floor
- Dining Room Table
- Office Chair
- Keyboard
- Hallway
- Bathroom
- Bed with a treat underneath
- Bedroom floor
- Entryway
- In the Printer…..as soon as I printed something a hidden “I love you” note popped out of the printer…super sweet! The girls thought this one was so funny!
Thankful for my sweet family and that they took the time to show their love to me. It was a lot of fun coming home to the special surprise. I had a wonderful time with our friends as well as coming home to my great family (yes I know I am bias).
Song: “Lifesong” by Casting Crowns
Great song that makes you think about your life. How do I react in certain situations? What does my lifesong look like?
Our families probably see our “lifesong” more clearly than anyone else. Let’s remember that we the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of our spouse, kids, extended family, friends, neighbors, and anyone we come in contact with throughout our days.
Songs: “Welcome Home” by Brian Littrell
It is always good to come home! We want our home to be a place where family and friends can come be comfortable and relax. A hug of welcome is encouraging and uplifting.
Song: “Love Never Fails” by Brandon Heath
It isn’t encouraging to know you are loved. “Love Never Fails” is a great way to put it. God is love and he allows us to experience love on earth as well through our relationships with our spouses, kids, family, and friends.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
May you be able to enjoy time with someone you love today!
Song: “Healing Begins” Tenth Avenue North
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFUHrXfuNU4
It is easy to put walls up around us when we are going through a trial. The tough times are when God is molding and stretching us. Just because someone looks like they have it all together, doesn’t mean everything’s perfect, God knows our hearts. Having the support and prayers of family, friends, and church body makes an eternal impact on our lives. Do you have family and friends praying for you? Are your walls coming down?
Christmas Song: “Joseph’s Lullaby” by MercyMe
Merry Christmas! Wishing you a wonderful day celebrating the birth of our Savior. I am thankful for a day set aside to remember and rejoice. Enjoy your day with family and friends!
Recipe: Orange Dreamsicle Cookies
Our family enjoys baking special goodies for family, friends and neighbors. The Orange Dreamsicle Cookies are from The Ultimate Cookie Kit by Scholastic. It is a great cookbook for kids and comes with a rolling pin, wooden spoon, measuring spoons, cookie cutters, frosting bag, and tips. If you like orange creamsicles you’ll enjoy these cookies.
Orange Dreamsicle Cookies
- 1/2 cup Orange Flavored Powdered Drink Mix
- 3/4 cup White Sugar
- 1 1/2 cups Vanilla Baking Chips
- 1 3/4 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1/2 cup Butter
- 1 Egg
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Combine all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the butter, egg, and vanilla. Pour into the dry ingredients and blend completely.
3. Roll heaping tablespoons into balls. Place 2 inches a part on a lightly greased cookie sheet.
4. Bake the cookies for 12 to 14 minutes or until tops are very lightly browned. Cool for 5 minutes on the cookie sheet then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
Makes about 24 cookies.
Gift Giving: Delivering Christmas Goodies to Neighbors
Brina & Karlie Delivering Christmas Gifts to our Neighbors We had a blast on our Christmas Baking day last weekend but I think the biggest joy came when we delivered the goodies to our neighbors. Once the girls realized that we were not giving every morsel of the baking goodies away they were excited to share. I think they were worried that we did all the baking and they wouldn’t be able to taste any of it. Although, they definitely got their share of sampling the day of the event.
Sunday afternoon we put the baked items into gift bags, added a photo mug of the girls full of candy, put in a Christmas Card with the traditional annual picture we give to the neighbors, and tied the packages with ribbons to deliver. The girls got bundled up in their coats and mittens to help me deliver the goodies. We have 6 neighbors on our street. Most of our neighbors are retired couples that enjoy seeing the girls and getting their annual card with a picture. I found out the hard way the one year how much the yearly pictures meant to our neighbors when we didn’t give out Christmas pictures and one of our neighbors showed me her refrigerator with pictures of the girls from every Christmas. Oops!
Karlie carrying the next gift! 
Brina rang the doorbell! It was cold and windy day delivering the goodies but our street is pretty small and we were so excited about handing out the presents to those on our street. Only 3 of the 6 neighbors were home or answering their doors on a Sunday afternoon. We headed back out on Monday to hand deliver the rest of the goodies, but it wasn’t until later in the week we were able to successful hand deliver all our treats to the neighbors.
The amazing blessing came when we delivered the presents. Seeing the smiles, joy and gratefulness on the faces of our neighbors made it worth all the time and energy it took to put together the packages. It is a wonderful blessing being able to share with others. Not to mention it opens doors into the lives and hearts of those on the street near you. We look forward to more opportunities to share with our neighbors.
