This is our first vacation in almost three years since we retired and became full time RVers. Well, there was the Durango escape last summer. And sometimes it seems like we are on vacation all the time. But as full timers, we are usually just living and experiencing life in each different location. Anyway, we are super excited to be going on our first cruise in seven years. So, keep reading to find out about our relocation to Cocoa Florida and a cruise vacation!
Relocation
Our new relo was a drive from coast to coast on January 1st. Yepper, from sea to sea or rather from gulf to the Atlantic Ocean. The drive was almost perfect at 161 miles and four hours. Right in that sweet spot. Not too long, but long enough to warm up the 6.7L diesel. We left Cortez, Florida at about 10am. Hopefully, late enough for all the New Year’s Eve partiers to have made it to their destinations.
The only glitch was the I-4 through Orlando and a billion families trying to get to Mickey World before it reached the max capacity on New Year’s Day. The traffic backed up for a few miles. Ugh…Orlando.
Cruise Vacations
We have been on many cruise vacations over the years. Maybe 7-8 cruises. For a few years, we were taking them twice a year. There are mainly three reasons for the cruises.
Firstly, my aging parents lived nearby the Port Canaveral cruise port. We could drive or fly down, visit with them and then work in a vacation. Many times, Dad would drop us off at the cruise line and pick us back up. That was great.
Second, at that time, a cruise ship had no wifi or cell service. My job as a finance controller seemed to be a 24/7 situation since the advent of cell phone and Blackberries at that time. The cruise was a real getaway from the upper management continual requests for data!
Thirdly, is that a cruise can be extremely relaxing. You have many great meals a day with no cooking or doing dishes. No cleaning the cabin, it is somehow automatic when you leave the room. Plus hundreds of things to do on board from broadway shows to a low key piano bar.
You barely have to think at all. Your dining time is printed on the room card. Just show up and be served lobster, steak, or whatever floats your boat. Order two entrees and three deserts. Yes, it’s all good!. Okay, the downside may be a few too many calories consumed. It’s a good thing for my New Year’s resolution to work out more consistently!
Our Eastern Caribbean 7 Day Cruise – Days 1-3
Our 7 day cruise onboard the Oasis of the Seas includes three stops in Haiti, San Juan Puerto Rico, and St. Maarten. Royal Caribbean does a fine job making sure that things run smoothly. We have done mostly Royal with three of Carnival’s cruises. Carnival seems noisier and more 20 somethings on spring break regardless of the time of year.
The RV park in Cocoa makes it very easy to get to the Port Canaveral terminal. Just a quick drive over and the terminals are well marked and organized. The trouble is we got a great deal on a cruise out of Miami, about three hours south.
The Miami traffic was busy on Sunday morning at 11am and the lanes were not marked well at all. After a couple of wrong exits, we finally made it to the terminal that is all torn up with construction. No signs at all and barricades blocking every artery. I kept thinking that we should have driven down the night before to not take a risk at missing the cruise! Argg!
Finally, we saw an attendant sending cars off to the left. Is that terminal A? After, another 30 minutes or so we made it to the terminal, dropped off our luggage to a stranger standing by the door and then we started the check in process. Sure hope we see the bags again.
Having a few points on the Crown & Anchor enabled us to whisk by the stadium sized crowd and head for the boarding ramp. Soon, we were aboard and having our first meal by about 12:30pm or so. After that it was smooth sailing. This cruise was our wedding anniversary gift to each other. 47 years! Enjoy the photos!
Miami and the loading docks. 
We made it! Walking across the gangway! 
The view of terminal on left and our ship on right. 
Miami 
Miami is a mess with traffic, but a beautiful city. 
Lunch is served. 
Other ships docked nearby
The water show stadium 
Climbing wall 
A hand carved carousel 
Fully robotic bartender 
Ice show 
17 decks on this monster
My bride at dinner 
Dessert 
Towel animal appeared in our stateroom
Labadee, Haiti
This is actually the private section of the island, owned by Royal Caribbean. Very island feeling while also very safe.
Early morning on the top deck 
My angel. Or is that a butterfly. 
Our ship 
One of the longest zip lines 
Wrap Up
This post takes us through the first three days of our seven day cruise. Next up will be San Juan, Puerto Rico! Thanks for following along! Take care and God Bless.
Looks like a great cruise. Our first port on our first cruise was Labadee. That was about 25 years ago. At that point there was not a pier in the harbor. Great pictures and looks like fun. Look forward to seeing the balance of the trip.
Robert
Things have really changed in the cruise industry in the last 25 years. From sophisticated ports to the mega sized ships.
Request for data 24/7? … No way! … So glad to follow along since you left the company. Great blog Randy, very enjoyable to share your journeys.
Thanks Kevin! Hopefully will be able to meet you guys one of these days to catch up.