Enchantment of the Seas

Ah...a nice relaxing week doing nothing at all. That is what I like.

A week ago, I was boarding the Enchantment of the Seas, getting ready to spend my Thanksgiving on the beach. I will start by saying that the Enchantment was my least favorite ship. It recently went under some renovations, and they pretty much split the boat in half to extend and add a new section to the ship. I wasn't crazy about the layout as it frequently felt like a maze and the crew on this ship wasn't A+ either. However, that did not ruin my vacation! =)

We boarded Monday afternoon (very quickly I might add) and got settled into our rooms. This was the first time I have stayed in an inside room. It wasn't bad. I slept very hard since there was no natural light. I honestly don't remember what we did that night. I unpacked the bags while Andrew explored the casino I think. Then we headed off to dinner.

Tuesday was our first day in port and we were in Key West. Andrew and my father went to a Museum while Mom and I walked the streets and visited a few stores. She found a winery and key lime pie shop that she liked. I found a random store that made amazing peanut butter/chocolate fudge. We didn't really do much here but walk around. We went back on the ship to grab lunch and hang out on the pool deck. While up on deck, my brother sat in with the band on the pool deck and played the drums. Not his idea, my Grandma asked them if he could, and my brother didn't want to hurt her feelings by telling her he didn't want to. He was nervous b/c he had never played with them before and didn't play their kind of music. After he started, he became more comfortable and ended up doing very well. (I have video I will post later.) That evening was formal night so we headed to the dinning room in our nicest clothing! It was a smoke free night in the casino, so I checked it out a little with Andrew before going to bed.

Wednesday we were in Cozumel, Mexico. I wasn't really looking forward to anything here and probably would have just stayed on the ship, but I wanted to actually go into Mexico. So I got off with Mom and bought some bottled water for the beach for the next day. Dad, Andrew, and Will went on an ATV excursion thought the jungle to Mayan ruins. Evidently Will was mischievous and was considered a danger by the people running the excursion...they made him ride in the very back where they could keep an eye on him. Dad came back covered in mud (also thanks to Will). They all were disgusting when they returned, but had a ton of fun. I read my book and took a nap (I enjoyed sleeping on this trip). I also experienced another first on the ship - my first visit to the spa. First thing Wednesday morning, I enjoyed a massage and facial. I will definitely visit again on future cruises.

Thursday was turkey day! We got up an went to a private beach in Belize. I enjoyed laying in a hammock and reading my book. It was a cute little beach but so very hot! They also had a cute monkey caged near the hammocks that I went to see. I didn't touch it, but Will did. He claims it was reaching out to him...who knows what disease that think could be carrying...I felt bad for it. It even had a tip jar (and by jar, I mean an empty Clorox bottle that said TIPS). That night was Thanksgiving dinner in the dinning room...nothing compared to my moms, but it will do! I don't think our waiter cared for me (the feeling was mutual) and he seemed very annoyed at the fact that Megan didn't finish all her ham and I gave my turkey to my husband. I figured it was easier to give it to Andrew than order the turkey dinner without turkey and have my waiter roll his eyes at me. Just making his job a little easier, but whatever, that is why he got the minimum tip. (I totally got spoiled with our waiter on my first cruise our assistant waiter on our second cruise). I went to the casino again that night since it was smoke free night again. I only played quarter roulette...I can make $20 last a long time there. Andrew hit the blackjack table with Dad, Megan, and Will. Megan made $150 - it was a good night for her.

Friday was our last day and it was spent at sea. I slept in and went to breakfast with Dad and Andrew. I spent the day hanging around the boat not really doing anything in particular. I would read inside, then outside, then find Mom by the pool, then I hit Ben & Jerry's and finally ended up at roulette in the casino. Andrew was there and entered the blackjack tournament. He did really well and ended up being 4th (out of 64 people entered). Unfortunately, cash prizes started at 3rd place. So close.... That night we decided to skip the dinning room and try out the Wind Jammer for dinner (another first!). I was surprised that I actually enjoyed it more than the dinning room! I tried a few things and had a chocolate sundae for dessert. That last evening I watched The Terminator 3 (it was showing in the room and I had never seen it before) while I packed our bags and Andrew went to gamble one last time. He was out until very late but it paid off! He did very well and made money! (And I got something out of that...he bought me Guitar Hero Aerosmith when we got home!)

Traveling home on Saturday was exhausting, but we were starving once we got back to Murfreesboro, so we went to Garcia's since we had nothing at home to eat. I miss my afternoon naps and having my food prepared for me. But I am glad to be home in my own bed and to have Molly around.

I will post pictures and video soon!