Carnival Breeze Vacation Day 1

Over the years my husband and I have developed a fun routine.  We travel to Florida to take a cruise and we always go down a couple of days early.  This allows us to relax and wind down from the long drive and the stresses of preparing for the trip.

Because of our careers and family obligations, many of us leave our trip preparations to the last minute.  Now we find ourselves running around the house trying to find those swimming trunks we haven’t worn in a while and the panicked run to the store for the new swimsuit because the one from last summer no longer fits.

So by going to Florida a couple of days early, we have a chance to sit by the pool at a friendly Marriott hotel and enjoy the breeze wafting from the ocean and the feel of the  sun beating down on my skin as the muscular pool boy gently caresses the suntan lotion onto my hot skin.  What wait a minute that’s a dream, I’m sorry I must have dozed off.  The heat of the Florida sun is pleasing and a couple of days enjoying that before the cruise can truly enhance your vacation.

Since my Beautiful “single” daughter lives in south Florida it gives me a chance to enjoy some quality time with her.  She knows all of the best places for a pedicure and now I can show off my toes on the cruise with pride.

I’m escorting a group aboard the Carnival Breeze and we will be cruising for eight days in the hot tropics.  I have to admit, this beats the heck out of the 30 and 40 degree weather I left behind in Northern Virginia.  

This year our travel down was much better than last year.  Last year we traveled to Florida and drove through the remnants of Hurricane Sandy.  Then the cruise ship was delayed getting back into port and eventually our trip delayed by a day and the cruise line had to cut out one of the port visits to make up for the time.  For this reason we decided this year to travel over Thanksgiving.  Hurricane season is officially over and none of the moms in the group wanted to cook Thanksgiving dinner.

Let’s be honest.  Who wants to cook Thanksgiving dinner when you can served Thanksgiving dinner in a five star restaurant with several waiters catering to your every need and afterwards enjoying a Broadway style musical review and then laughing as your friends try their hand at the karaoke club.