Our Enchanted Cruise, Part 1

We have just returned from a much needed vacation where we have had the most wonderful time! We enjoyed a quick visit with family followed by a four night cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas. This trip has been something we’ve been looking forward to for months and it lived up to all expectations.

In reality this was Jenna’s senior trip, if a bit early. We knew after our cruise on the Disney Magic back in 2013 that we would want to go again, and we decided to try Royal Caribbean this time. Jenna really lucked up on this trip because it stretched her fall break into two weeks. We originally booked the cruise for Robertson County’s fall break (October 12-16). Then the job with Davidson Academy became available for me which changed the picture because DA’s fall break was the following week (October 19-23). We decided to move our trip forward a week so that the boys and I wouldn’t miss school.

I’m going to do like I’ve done before and tell about our vacation in several parts, though the tone may be different because we were all new to the experience last time (and because our last cruise was two and a half years ago). To that end I will forgo a lengthy description of the ship and say was basically what we were used to last time. Both ships are very similar in age, size, tonnage, and passenger capacity. They also offer similar amenities, though the difference in the customer focus between the two cruise lines is apparent (e.g. the Enchantment has a small casino aboard where on the Magic a few games of Bingo in a forward lounge is as wild as the gambling got). We enjoyed this trip and this ship as much as the last. Here’s a summary of our itinerary.

Friday, the 16th - This was the last day of school for me and the boys. Vicki and Jenna spent the day running errands and packing. Their goal was to be completely ready for us to go as soon as we got home, which they were. After we got home, changed clothes, and packed the few things they didn’t pack for us we said our goodbyes to Mom and hit the road. We spent the night south of Atlanta, in Locust Grove.

Saturday, the 17th - We got up early and drove down to Orlando. We made excellent time and had plenty of time to relax and visit with Jim, Dianna, Alex, and Chris.

Sunday, the 18th - We spent a lot of time with Aunt Linda and Uncle Bob today. The activities started by going to church at First Baptist Orlando, then going out to eat, followed by time to visit before stopping for some ice cream and then heading home.

Monday, the 19th - Our sailing day! We drove to Port Canaveral that morning, boarded the ship, and relaxed as this leg of the journey began.

Tuesday, the 20th - This was originally supposed to be a day of fun in the sun at Royal Caribbean’s private island, Coco Cay, but 40 knot winds prevented our landing there so it became a day at sea as we sailed on to Nassau. A medical emergency with one of the passengers brought us there by mid afternoon.

Wednesday, the 21st - We enjoyed Nassau.

Thursday, the 22nd - This was supposed to be our day at sea, but the winds settled down enough that we could land at Coco Cay. We spent almost the entire day ashore playing in the water and sand.

Friday, the 23rd - Our trip is over all too soon. We returned to Port Canaveral got in the van and headed home, getting here a little before midnight.

Saturday, the 24th - Even though we are home we decided to extend our vacation just a bit by going out to a matinee movie. Vicki and I went to see The Martian while the kids watched Pan.

That brings us up to the present where it is time to plug back in to life. I’m not so sure I’m ready to do that after a week off, but that’s all part of it. My goal is to write up the rest of the trip in two or three more editions and get those out throughout the upcoming week. Until I write again I will sign off as our cruise director, Marc Walker, always did.

Bing bong...

Joe