Getting ready for a cruise

Did you ever think about what really went into planning a vacation. Schedules, children, animal. Well let me tell you it's not that easy. My husband decided that this year we need to take a vacation. I was not thrilled with this idea as there is no way I want to be away from my two youngest children for a long period of time. They are 11 and 13, and have very busy schedules. I have two older children and both are in higher learning institutes. So to try and include them was impossible. Then there is the 3 dogs and two cats and the bird.

He wouldn't listen as I said no and was sticking to my guns, He wanted to go to Alaska so I priced out the cruise and the excursions, Not doing an research and only went with the ship excursions. I said that price is ridiculous and then throw in air fare. I said no way. So he wanted to go to a travel agent and get brochures on the different ships, Now I smoke so I said I need a balcony and I believe all ships are non smoking. Well that trip failed to prove my point, so he reviewed the brochures, He then showed them to the 13 year old and the 11 year old so I was sunk, my goose was cooked now the three of then wanted to go.

So begrudging I looked and we settled on a 8 day, on Carnival western Caribbean on the Freedom. We leave Aug 28th.

So I did research lots and lots of research, I found Cruise Critic and read every post there was to read. I found out you can book excursions cheaper if you book with out using the ship. So I started looking at all different web sites and decided to do one port at a time to figure out what the cost would be. We will be porting in Cozumel Mexico, Limon Costa Rica and Colon Panama.

First I had to book the cruise and airfare. I booked the Freedom we are on the Verandah deck with a balcony. Not to bad of a price, did the deposit then priority the balance in a cashiers check the next day. Booked the airfare, so that part of the vacation is done and paid for.

Now let me tell you, you have to be careful with the knowledge you read on cruise critic not all is correct or current, You have to weed out what you really do not need. Let me tell you have several lists on what to bring what not to bring and don't ask about trinkets as extra gifts for any of the staff. That is a very hot topic on cruise critic, one I do not wish to revisit.

So with the cruise booked and the airfare I needed to discuss with my husband his clothing, As long as I have known my husband which is 28 years, he has never dressed in anything other then jeans and tee shirts, well there was the tux when we got married, then the traditional black pants and button down shirt for funerals and graduations. So we had to come to an understanding he was going to need a suit, a couple pairs of dress pants, polo's and dress shorts. There would be no tee shirts at dinner period. Even if we didn't eat in the main dining room. I wanted this to be a special cruise were we dressed every evening, and left the tee shirts for day wear. It was a small battle but one I think he gladly gave into.

So we were off to purchase a suit for him and other clothes so off to Burlington coat factory,for the clothes he needed but not to break the bank. Besides they have layaway. So after we make his clothing choices he decides he is going to join me on a diet. Good for him as of this posting he is down 20 lb. I also picked up dress shirts and a suit for the little guy (11) and I can say he looks dapper in them. But he will be easy to outfit as he will wear what mom packs. Now we move on the the Diva (13) she is a little harder as she has her own fashion taste, which I can say is good sometimes and really borders on you want to wear what out of the house. But her and I have come up with a decent cruise wardrobe for her. Now me on the other hand, I am losing weight but not as fast as I like, stuck on 1 pound to have lost 20 and would like to drop another 10-20 before cruise. But I have bought somethings. My biggest obstacle was having the toe nail removed from my big toe and now can wear sandals. Yeah me.

During my research and reading the list of things kept growing, sun screen, alarm clock, cups, ashtry, bandaids, first aid creme, clothes pins, and so on and so on. I will review closer to the cruise and see if it can be condensed.

So now i had to start researching ports and things that would keep us all happy. That is hard knowing that the four of us had such different tastes. I started with Panama first don't ask why as it is our last port, but I knew my husband wanted to see the canal. I had read that one tour to hire was from MyfriendMario. com were we booked this tour

Code: CL001 Rainforest (Watching Birds and Monkeys) + San Lorenzo Fort + Gatun Locks Category: Nature adventure and Culture Departure: Any Colon Docks Length: 6 hours Traffic jam involved = less than 10 minutes / Canal bridge time: 30 min. max. Chance to miss your cruise = 0% First, it will take us 20 minutes to go to the Canalwhere we will actually cross over the Panama Canal by bridge giving you a rare view of the locks that is seldom seen by other travellers. Second, we will enter into the virgen rainforest which is surrounded by thick jungle with a vast diversity of animal species and it is an ideal spot for watching birds and monkeys. Then our journey continues to the ruins of San Lorenzo Fort which is called the "Guard of the Chagres". For 75 years the Fort with only 300 soldiers, repelled numerous attacks by the pirates of the Caribbean . The cannons still stand as a living testament to history. We will then travel back to the Gatun Locks and we will enter to the observation deck. From there you will learn about the incredible engineering it took to build them, and their operational significance for international commerce during the last 90 years. You will also observe super tankers passing through the Panama Canal which are almost close enough to touch! Finally, you will return to the cruise to continue with your travel, but this time sharing with others your unforgettable experience in Panama. I joined a roll call and there are 4 members that are joining us on this. There could be more as the roll call is just starting to get busy That is another thing join your roll call it will help in meeting people, sharing excursions and make your cruising a little more fun. We are having a meet and greet, a cocktail party and several are doing the steak house.

The next port I looked at was Cozumel having lived in Fla. most of my life, beaches don't impress me, can not stand the sand but that is another story. So we decided that we all would swim with dolphins, again the ship was away over priced so we decided to go to Chankanaab Park. We are going to swim with Dolphins, sealions and manatees. We will take a cab from port and be there in 10minutes. Again to do all three for four of us is so much cheaper then the ship.

The kids are way excited about this.; It's not everyday they get to swim with mammals.

So being a member of a roll call is both a good way to find out information and either have people join your excursion or you join theirs. This is the case in Costa Rica. We are going to the JRC which stands for the Jaguar Rescue Center and then a Sloth sanctuary. Were my 13 year ols is way excited as she gets to hold baby animals including her obsession with monkeys she can't wait. Well to tell the truth neither can I.