Day 6: Charleston

We were off the ship and ready for Charleston by 10. Our hotel for the next two days was about 20 minutes outside of the city, so we weren't ready to head there yet. We walked the City Market on Market Street and knew we had to take the kids on a carriage ride, one of Charleston's biggest money makers. I've been on a carriage ride each time I've been and each time it's one of my favorite parts of the trip. They have several different routes they can take you, and this time our guide took us west to the College of Charleston. Ella was mostly interested in the horse, and Amelia and Alex fell asleep, but Shaun and I enjoyed it. 

Our horse, Chico. 

Some of the beautiful houses on our tour. Most homes in Charleston are owned by individuals (about 85%), with only 15% being sublet into condos. The average historical home in Charleston is going to run you one million dollars or more depending on size and location.

Broad Street. I loved all the shops. Charleston is such a beautiful city, although it largely went unappreciated by my three hot and tired kids. 

They did like Chico though. 

After our carriage ride Shaun and I wanted to show the kids where we stayed for one night on our honeymoon, the illustrious Charleston Place. It's pretty shwanky, but we had a free beach house for the week so we took one night and came to Charleston to stay. The kids were pretty impressed. But I don't know who wouldn't be. 

Here we are in the lobby of Charleston Place, almost thirteen years later with three kids. The kids had fun on the grand staircase. 

We were all tired, hot, and hungry, so it was time for lunch, followed by ice cream. We were having withdrawals from our anytime ice cream on the ship. 

But really, the best part of the entire day was probably playing in the hotel pool that night. We all got in and played with some of the other families for over two hours. The kids loved it. I hated that our hotel was outside of the city, but really it was the best place we could have stayed. 

So that about wraps up day 6. Just one more day in Charleston, the Fourth of July no less,  before we head back home. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

Day 5: At Sea

I guess we aren't Bahamas Bound anymore. We made it to our destination and now we are headed home. This final full day at sea has probably been my favorite. We have an idea of what we like and what we like to avoid. We've learned where our favorite spots are on the ship, so after breakfast the kids were excited to go back to their camp while Shaun and I sat on the side deck of the ship and talked with Michelle and Mike. We probably sat and enjoyed the nice breeze and conversation for about two hours before Shaun and I decided to go take some time for just the two of us. Then we picked the kids up for lunch and spent the rest of daylight hours on the slides. 

It was our last night so we tried to get some cute pics of the kids before heading off to dinner, emphasis on "tried".

This one of Alex is one of my very favorites. 

Shaun and I took some time and went to the very front of the ship at night and enjoyed the amazing view one final time before it was time for bed. So that concluded our last night on board. The next morning we would be exiting the ship in Charleston, where we planned to spend two more days before heading home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 4: Bahamas 🇧🇸

Our family decided to do a family beach day excursion. We were up early and ready to get off the ship to enjoy a day on the white sandy beaches and clear blue waters of the Bahamas. 

A smaller boat took us to our own "private " island (and by private they mean you and the other 150 people who chose a similar excursion... so not super private but still). It was exciting to be in the Bahamas. We knew we were super touristy and this day I just didn't care. 

I love these shots because you can see the Cruise ships all docked behind us. And the crystal blue waters. It was quite a site!

After about a 20 minute boat ride we arrived at our not so private private island. It was just what you'd picture. White sand beaches, beautiful waters, beach music blaring a little more loudly than I'd pictured in my minds eye, and those 150 other people. No locals were on this beach as you could only get there by boat, so just us tourists and those that work there, where a lunch of four chicken fingers and 3 water bottles only costs a mere $40😱. But we were in paradise. I suppose that's the price one pays. 

There was a nice pool to dip in as well. Unfortunately, Alex had a stomach bug that started about the time we got off the boat and by the time we reached the island he was throwing up. He threw up pretty much the entire time we were on our excursion, but he was a pretty good trooper through it all. Poor guy. We still enjoyed the beautiful view and I just sat and held my little guy. By the end he was feeling better and was ready to play in the pool. 

Then before we knew it it was time to head back. I think we got on the island around 10:30 and by 2 we needed to leave. The time really flew by, and I thought we would have maybe another hour. But we did have about 30 minutes to explore Nasau a little and get a few souvenirs before heading back to the ship.

Then it was time to head back towards Charleston. That evening we enjoyed the beautiful views from the ship and Shaun and I took advantage of the kid camps to enjoy an evening out.

These views constantly took my breath away. God is amazing. His hand is in all creation. The see, so beautiful and serene, can also be dangerous and threatening. It humbled me being out on the vast ocean, realizing how little I am, and my worries and problems, and yet knowing He cares for me all the same. It almost felt irreverent to be out on the see with so many people drinking, gambling, and partying. I know people go on vacation to escape the real world, but I guess as much as I wanted to relax and unwind (as much as you can with three kids at least), I also want my soul to commune with nature. I find that truly restorative. Maybe I'm just an old soul, but that's what I loved most. Sitting out on a quiet side deck, talking with family, and taking in this amazing view.

And there you have it. Day 4 of our vacation drew to a close. 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 3: Bahamas Bound

Friday we woke up and enjoyed a breakfast on the deck.

I could never get over that amazing water views. It was awe inspiring and really my favorite place on the ship was whichever side of the boat was shaded. There were always a ton of people in the middle of the ship by the pool, but the sides of the ship had amazing views and wonderful breezes. They were a little less Vegas and a little more my style. Quiet and serene.

So you may wonder how they fit five people in a little cabin on a ship. I know I did. Well, here's how. Bunks. A bunk came down over our bed, and a bunk came down on the opposite wall, with a cot underneath on the floor for Alex. In the picture below the one bunk is not down, but then I have a picture of Amelia on it in the following photo. 

Quinn surprisingly, it was really comfy. Not a lot of walking room, but for four nights it worked out okay, and the beds were comfy.  And of course our cabin boy, Peter, made us fun towel creations each day. 

This day at sea we read, enjoyed the hot hot tub with our kids in the kids club, and had a dinner at the nice dinner hall with my parents and sister and Mike for my parents anniversary. 

This is what my parents love to do. Read and relax. Thanks to the kids club I got to do some of that too. 

And some of this. Look at that handsome guy😍. 

The kids had a great time too. Amelia wanted to spend any free time she could with her cousin, Lacy. All of them had fun at Camp Ocean. 

Alex didn't love the kid camp as much as his big sisters, but he slowly warmed up to it. This was right before we dropped him off so we could go out with the adults for nana and papa's dinner. He's so cute. It's also my only picture of the inside of the cruise ship's grand lobby. 

My parents 50th Anniversary! This was a nice night to visit with the adults and enjoy a fancy dinner. 

 So that concluded Day 3 of our vacation. The next day we were off on our excursion to the Bahamas!

 

 

 
 

 
 

 

Day 2: Boarding the Ship

We were back in the car and headed to Charleston. Next stop: cruisin'

It was a bit of a process getting on the boat, but thanks to having a two year old we were given priority booking. That meant we were sent straight to the front of the line. Then we boarded our ship and met up with my parents and my sister and her family. 

This free food thing is pretty great. Side note: when we got our bill at the end of the cruise we realized nothing was really free. They make you pay a gratuity charge of $50/person. With 5 people that adds up fast). The other thing that surprised me was the fact that there was only one pool, a rather small pool. Especially for 900 people. 

The picture above was taken right after we boarded, but for the entire trip there were a minimum of 30 people in the pool at all times, and the hot tubs on either end were always full as well. There were two more hot tubs for 21 and over at the end of the boat, but that area got no wind and was extremely hot, so being in a hot tub never really sounded appealing. The cool showers, however, just right. 

After our luggage came in we were ready to get wet. The boat did have a really fun slide area. The kids loved this deck. It almost compensated for the small pool... almost.

Alex went down all of the slides, even the big ones. That boy is not afraid of anything. And Amelia and Ella loved the slides too. There's Amelia coming right behind her brother.

We ended our first day on the ship with dinner at the buffet. The kids were in love with the all you can eat ice cream. Really, who wouldn't be?