Day 4 – Wednesday, December 26.

We have arrived at our first port, Falmouth, Jamaica at 9:00 am.

We have been here just last November so we knew the port and town fairly well so it was fun coming back.

We arranged for a tour to Dunn’s River Falls for all 12 of the kids and grandkids and they climbed the falls and had a blast.  The is one of the major “must do” places in all of Jamaica. 

As we have done it before, we took a bamboo raft ride down the Martha Brea River and it was a wonderful, relaxing 3 mile ride down the river, piloted by our Captain Jarrrod using only very long pole.  We found out from him that he does one three trips a week and has been doing it for 25 years.  The trip was so peaceful and gently and it was wonderful.

Then we met the kids back at the cruise dock and took them into the town of Falmouth.  I think that they had quite an experience shopping in all of the markets.

We were back on ship for our 6:00 pm sailing for Grand Cayman.

The evening meal was again wonderful and the service was great.

After dinner, Ed went to play blackjack and the rest went to a terrible show, but the night was young so they all went into the lounge to watch Ed, who did well and Jason who was winning playing poker.

It is now time to go to bed as we arrive at Grand Cayman and have to get off the ship to meet our guide at 8:00 am.

Night from the sea!!

Rafting



A gift for us

Our "Captain"

Ed's Lunch

Day 3 – Tuesday, Christmas Day – December 25

On Christmas Day we awoke to great weather and clear skies

At 11:30 am was the grand brunch and what an experience this was for the entire family – wow what a food experience they put on.

After lunch, it was time to spend in the sun and it was hot.

Barb took Ethan and Molly on a backstage tour while the rest of us were up on the deck.

Ed played in the Black Jack tournament and came second by one chip!  Jason won the Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament so it was a great afternoon in the casino.

It was Formal Night so we all were down to the main foyer at 7:30 for formal pictures and what a group it is – all 14 of us dressed up and everyone looked great. 

It is a tradition at our house that Santa hides the Christmas Elf and this year he did it in the dinning room where it appeared at dinner.  Jackie, for the first time ever, found the elf!

Dinner was wonderful and then it was to the 11:00 pm show called iHollywood and it was a great production singing and dancing show.

Ed and Barb went to the Casino and everyone else browsed around the ship.

We went to bed at 2:00am – what a great Christmas. 

The Bill Stewarts



The Jason Zoggs



Barb with Jeff, Jackie and Jason

The Jeff Zoggs

Barb and Ed

Day 2 – Monday, December 24

With a 2:30 am wakeup alarm, we cleaned up and all took the shuttle at 3:30 am.

We all wore stickers that said “This is my family and I am soo proud of them”!

We were flying US Airways from O’Hare to Charlotte and then we had to switch planes and fly from Charlotte to Miami.  We arrived in Miami right on time, at about Noon.  Celebrity took us from the airport to the ship and Ed was able to arrange for everyone to skip the long lines and check in through the Elite line, probably saving at least an hour. 

Then it was on the ship to the welcome Champaign toast, to our rooms to leave our carry-ons and up on deck to eat and eat!

We took the kids on a quick tour of the ship and then at 3:45 had our lifeboat drill.  The ship left Miami for the Caribbean right about 5pm. 

The first evening we saw a good show in the showroom and then ate and ate at dinner time.  I think everyone was impressed on the quality and service in the main dining room.

Then it was onto a show in the lounge featuring a mind reader, Eric Dittleman who had been on America’s got talent.

We met our host and manager of the Casino and starting our time in the casino.

Ed played blackjack that night and started our just time.

Then it was onto bed a little past midnight – what a great way to spend Christmas Eve.



3:30 am!!

The Grand Staircase



Barb and her last course of dinner

Christmas – 2011

Day 1 – Sunday, December 23

Barb and Ed decided to give the kids a Christmas present of a cruise, so on Sunday, all 14 of us set out for Chicago on the first day, the first leg of our Christmas party in the Caribbean.

We traveled to Chicago and stayed at the Chicago O’Hare Marriott for the evening as our flight was to leave Chicago early on Monday morning.

We arrived at the Marriott at 3:00 pm and immediately checked into our 4 rooms on the Concierge floor.  We kind of took over the bar area on the first floor as our meeting and talking area.  Some went swimming and at 5:30 the Concierge room was open for snacks so we went up there to eat. 

This is our family . . and we are soo proud of them!!

Then we ordered 4 large pizzas from Giordano’s that were delivered about 7pm.  The Bar Manager wasn’t happy we were eating Pizza and drinking beer in his area so the front desk moved us to the Concierge Lounge.  Soon the Manager on Duty came up and said we couldn’t eat there either and he gave us a very private area on the third which was wonderful of him.  After a lot of Pizza and some beer, we all called it a night at about 9:00p m as we had a shuttle from the Marriott to take us to the airport at 3:30am.

At the pool

Pizza Party for dinner