We went to Bahamas and Florida from 22nd December to 1st January
Brief Summary
Place : Bahamas, Miami, Key West, Orlando
Location : Florida
Distance : 1080 miles from Herndon
Group: Parents, Me and my wife, Brother in law, Sister and their two kids, Shrenik and his wife.
Transport : Nissan Altima, Ford Expedition
Duration: 11 days.
We started our trip on 22nd December around 8:28 am in rental car. we packed all the food for that day and necessary items. we decided to take break every 4 hours. Journey was very smooth and enjoyed the climate, road and music in the car. Had our lunch around 2:16 pm at one of the service area on the way. Continued our journey around 2:55 pm. It was a long drive and we got stuck in traffic for over an hour and half. We crossed states North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and finally reached Florida. We decided to stay in hotel for the night and reached Days Inn hotel around 11:00 pm. We had our dinner and then called off for that day. Next day we got up around 5:00 am in the morning, got refreshed and checked out the hotel around 5:45 am to reach Miami. On the way we saw the sunrise , it was very beautiful to watch with Sun in golden colour and rays of the Sun crossing the clouds. We reached Miami around 9:50 am in the morning. We went to hotel which has already been booked by sister and it was a sweet surprise to my parents to meet my sisters' family. we then returned the rental car, had our lunch and went to the Miami Port to board the Cruise around 12:45 pm. Our Cruise is Enchantment Of Seas from Royal Caribbean. We could see our huge cruise standing right in front of us. we were so excited to see such a huge ship and felt thrilled at the thought that we would be boarding it soon. How would it be inside, how the rooms are going to be what things are awaiting us.. all these thoughts are going on in our minds and made us more and more anxious. We gave our luggage for check in to the crew personnel and then stood in the line for boarding pass. An electronic card is given to each of us which servers as our room key, credit card for on board expenses. We took a nice family photograph after we got the passes and then finally boarded the cruise. WOW.. it was indeed a big spacious ship with wonderful decoration and lights. We then entered our rooms which are at lower deck(floor is referred as deck in ship) of the ship.
We booked two interconnecting rooms. The rooms are small but spacious enough for 4 people. Each room has a queen bed , two hanging beds and all are well maintained. We have got Ocean-view rooms from which we can view the ocean through the big glass window.The ship has 11 decks and we were at 2nd deck. By 3:30 pm we were inside the room and got refreshed. We checked through the pamphlet kept in the room to see where is what in the ship and what activities are there for the first day. We then quickly went to 10th deck to have a quick glance. the entire deck is for food, swimming and some games. From this deck it is an open view outside the ship. we returned to our room. Around 5:30 pm we got an announcement there was a mock drill and we need to go to the 5th deck, station 8. From this deck also we could see outside the ship. We saw the other cruises leaving the port and slowly sailing towards Atlantic Ocean. Around 6:30 pm our cruise also started from Miami Port and soon sailed into the ocean waters. Being first time on the cruise we could feel head spinning and not able to walk steadily. Around 8:00 pm we went to explore the 10th deck and what food options are available. To our surprise we have all continental dishes, drinks, ice creams and desserts. at one corner of the deck. On the other corner also we have food which opens around 11:00 pm. We walked slowly with spinning heads and sat on the table to have dinner. The food was very tasty. The crew members were very helpful and their service was too good. We had ice creams after having dinner and then enjoyed the cool breeze of Atlantic Ocean ,took a round around the deck and went to room. The cruise picked up speed and slowly we have not felt any sensation of head spinning. Around 11:00 pm couple of us went to 5th, 6th deck to explore. The deck's decoration was amazing and they have auditoriums, shops, art Gallery, cafe, huge central hall with Dias. We returned to room, gossiped about the ship, room the ambiance, food, waves in the ocean and finally retired to the warm cozy bed.
Woke up around 6:30 am in the morning and could see some islands through the window. We got ready by 7:30 am an by that time the cruise reached the island. It is Coco Cay island. We got off into a small boat from the cruise and reached the island around 9:15 am. It is Royal Caribbean's private own island. The island is full of shops , food and beaches for some water sports. We did shopping for water activities. We had mixed fruit juice given in pineapple and it was very delicious. We went on Glass Bottom Boat Tour and saw the life under water. It was amazing experience. we saw huge varieties of fish, corals, and other living things under the waters. Also we touched few of the sea creatures. The tour was good. We had our lunch on the island around 1:15 pm. The food was prepared the by the Cruise Crew and it was delicious and wide varieties were there. We took rest on the beach beds under the shadow of trees for a while and then decided to snorkel. Got the equipment from the nearby store and did snorkeling for almost 2 hours. Then we left on the small boat to board our cruise. Around 4:30 pm we boarded the cruise, went to our rooms and then got refresh. we went to 10th deck, by that time the ship started sailing slowly and again we felt head spinning. we had ice-creams, drinks and then sat at one of the tables and enjoyed the view of the ocean and said good bye to the parting island. Around 8:30 pm we had our dinner. Food was hot, fresh and tasty every time and different varieties. We had dessert. The service was too good and the crew literally brought anything that we asked for with smiling face. It was Christmas Eve and we saw the Christmas tree decoration and the prayers and Jingle Bells song. It was spectacular. The Ship was stopped and the prayers continued. Being tired we went to our rooms. Around midnight we few of us went to 10th deck and could see people dancing, singing and welcoming Christmas. we had hot cheese Pizza. We roamed around the dark and could see the stars, the bear clearly in the sky. The wind is so high that we were not able to speak. It was pitch dark all around. we saw the day care room, spa, fitness, wall climbing, bungee jump etc. The lights glow more and more as the darkness increased. We went too our rooms and slept for that day.
Woke up around 6:00 am in the morning. We could see the shore of Nassau(capital city of Bahamas). We got ready around 8:30 am. Had breakfast in the cruise and then left too explore Nassau. We took a local van and went to Atlantis. It is a very beautiful place with buildings on one side and beach on other side. The culture and history of Bahamas is reflected in these structures. We took a tour of Atlantis. It was lengthy walk tour. We saw various sea mammals in the aquarium. Had lunch at Atlantis. and then continued our tour. We completed the tour and reached the Nassau port around 4:16 pm. We boarded the cruise and went to our rooms. Being last night on the cruise we decided to roam around all the decks and enjoy the Christmas evening. We first went to 6th deck. Explored the deck. Visited the auditorium, did some shopping. Participated in the lucky draw to guess the weight of the diamond. Of course we didn't win. Then went to the 5th deck and enjoyed the live show along with the captain of the cruise. All nations flag show was conducted and honoured all the crew members of the ship. It was a great feeling to see the all the flags. We then went to 10th deck and had our dinner around 8:30 pm. Then walked around the deck exploring the stars in the clear sky, while the cruise racing on the waters of the ocean. We returned to our rooms. Around midnight couple of us went to the 10th deck to have the pizza, breathe the cold air and take the pictures for the last night of our cruise tour. Being tired we returned to our rooms and slept.
Woke up around 6:00 am in the morning, got ready and meanwhile cruise reached the Miami port. We got off the cruise ,collected our luggage and completed the immigration around 9:15 am. It was a fantastic experience being the cruise for 3 days. We could still feel that we are in cruise in middle of the ocean. We never felt even slightest jerk while sleeping. It was a very smooth sail. Overall it was a wonderful experience
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