Our Cruise Vacation: K to Q
by Jenners • 08/19/2012 • Miscellaneous, Travels • 75 Comments
Continuing with my series of posts about our recent cruise vacation, here we go with the letter K. (By the way, you know how series tend to have a boring middle book? This is kind of the boring middle post between the more exciting posts like the dolphin swim and Flowrider. So feel free to skip it. But come on back for the rest … especially for Letter X as that one involves accidental nudity!)
K is for Kick-Ass Entertainment, which was all included in the cruise price. Options ranged from the musical Chicago to ice skating shows, an amazing acrobatic and diving show, comedy shows, kid’s shows, tons of audience participation events like the Men’s Bellyflop Competition and “flash mobs” to various bands performing at venues around the ship. There was really something for everyone, and you could see a different show every night if you wanted. We were amazed at the sophistication of the costumes and stage sets. The Aqua Theater, which was used for the dive show, had a 17-foot pool that appeared and disappeared throughout the show. This is not cheesy cruise ship shows from days of yore … this is quality stuff. We were very impressed.
An amazing balancing act from one of the shows
An underwater scene from the show Blue Planet
L is for the free Little Switzerland bag that I threw up in during our sailing trip. One of our excursions was a snorkeling/sailing trip on a tall ship (more on the snorkeling part in letter S). However, during the sailing portion of the trip, I realized that me + small boats = big-time seasickness. Luckily, we had a free bag from a shop called Little Switzerland that we’d gotten when we disembarked the cruise ship. It ended up being a perfect barf bag. I’m sure that is not how they intended it to be used but I was thankful to have it. (Not thankful enough to BUY anything from Little Switzerland though.)
Big boat = good for tummy. Little boat = bad for tummy. No more little boats on bouncy waves for me.
M is for Madagascar characters, who were featured at various places throughout the ships. (Actually it was various characters from DreamWorks but I already used my D for dolphin swim.) We had a chocolate breakfast with the Shrek characters, hugged Po from Kung Fu Panda and disco-danced with Mort from Madagascar. BB loved seeing them for photo ops and in various shows and parades. (This offers proof that Disney doesn’t have a lock on characters in the cruise ship business.)
Me and my gal Fiona
The Madagascar gang at a show
N is for the various Neighborhoods on the ship. The ship was incredibly well-designed—with several different “neighborhoods” to hang out in, ranging from the Boardwalk (which included a carousel, Johnny’s Rockets, Mexican cantina, Pets at Sea store [which is like Build-A-Bear], a hot dog stand, an ice cream parlor and a stand selling cotton candy and popcorn) to Central Park (a garden-like area filled with live plants and piped-in bird song, as well as restaurants, cafes and an art gallery) to the Royal Promenade (home to bars, shops, and cafes, including a cupcake shop that offered cupcake decorating classes). There were also neighborhoods for entertainment and sports. This design was quite appealing and allowed you to seek out different types of venues depending on your mood.
The Boardwalk carousel at night
Looking down at Central Park
A bit of the Promenade at night. (Yes… that is a Starbucks. They really are everywhere!)
O is for Ocean View Cabin where you can sip Pineapple Drinks.
A pineapple makes for a very heavy cup.
Q is for Quiet Areas, like the library. I borrowed and read two books from the ship’s library (So Cold The River by Michael Kortya and I Am America (And So Can You!) by Stephen Colbert) during the cruise. It was always nice and quiet and empty in there … although I saw that many guests had checked out books during the cruise. There was a nice variety of fiction and non-fiction and a choice of books in large-print and a variety of foreign languages.
The lovely, comfy, quiet library.
Come back for the next post, which includes adventures like rock-climbing and snorkeling.
Wow! You make me want to book a cruise right now! So much fun. My kids and I would love it. Even if hubby was sleeping on a deck chair, I’m sure he would like it too. lol I’m glad to hear that the sea sickness didn’t hit you. I worry for me and my son Joe when it comes to motion sickness. But your description of the shows, activities, food and fun on a cruise make me want to take the chance. Great pics too Jenners!
The great thing about a cruise is that you can have totally different vacations on the same ship depending on what you want to do. There is always something going on that would appeal to someone — or you can just crash and relax in the sun!
I haven’t ever had the desire to go on a cruise because of the seasickness possibility. Glad the big boat at least worked for you.
How cool that there was a library. I started reading the Stephen Colbert book and never finished it. I’ve been meaning to pick it up again. His show is pretty hilarious and what I read of the book was pretty funny.
On a ship that big, seasickness is not really an issue. I am very prone to seasickness (like when we went on a smaller boat to go snorkeling) but I have never had a problem on a cruise. And the Colbert book was hilarious. I breezed through it.
That cruise ship is amazing!! Seriously so beautiful and crazy how much and how many things are one it.
It is amazing. It is like a little floating city.
Wowie, a library on the cruise?! That is amazing! I also love the picture of you and Fiona. My fiance and I are considering a cruise for our honeymoon. It would be the first for both of us!
Oh I so wish we’d done a cruise for our honeymoon!! We didn’t know about cruising then. It would be such a great choice I think — and if you can splurge a little bit, you can get a suite or something and really have a honeymoon to remember. Congrats, by the way! Whatever you decide to do, it will be awesome!
wow.
Yeah. It is crazy isn’t it?
That cruise seriously has everything doesn’t it? Wow! An aquatic theater and is that an actual carasol?! Was there also a rock climbing wall and ice skating rink?
Yup!! It is crazy what they have on board. Two rock climbing walls by the way — and two of those surfing machines. And a spa. And a basketball court. And a mini golf course. Nuts!
loving that library….
I know!! Of course I’m sure you didn’t visit the ship library on your cruises as you don’t read on vacation! HA!
I may have stopped by a time or two. That is where the Starbucks like coffee place was…and the computers.
I’ve never been on a cruise because I am fearful I will spend the entire day with a barf bag. But your ship loooks huge! I’m not sure but I might be able to handle that. Still scared.
Trust me … seasickness would not be a problem. I get motion sickness very easily (like on the little sailing ship) but I was totally fine on the cruise ship. Don’t let that stop you!
oh wow, it all looks so nice! And a library too! You had me at ‘chocolate breakfast’.
That was a major draw for me too! And turns out they have it every morning you are at sea! I was thrilled to find that out.
How long was your cruise again? Did you feel as if you had enough time to explore the ship?
The cruise was 7 days (Sunday to Sunday) and it definitely felt like we had enough time to explore the ship. We had three full days at sea and every night and we even stayed on board some afternoons when docked. I think 7 days is the ideal time — any shorter and it might not feel long enough.
looks like that cruise was top notch!
It really was. I was very impressed.
What an amazing cruise! That gal is an ogre after my own heart…
She’s rather big in person! But she didn’t smell like an ogre!
The biggest surprise for me when looking at your photos is that there aren’t hundreds of people elbow to elbow walking around and crowded into places. I expected a ship that large to be much more crowded.
It really wasn’t! I was surprised too. I think it can hold something like 4000 people but they planned the space so well that you never felt too crowded. The pools were really crowded on sea days but that is to be expected. And it could get busy when shows let out but they did an excellent job managing public spaces so it never got too crowded.
I think this is the first time I’ve ever really been able to see enormous the cruse ships are. In my brain I knew they were big, but now I get it. Amazing! (And honestly, a little scary too.)
It is really amazing … you just goggle at it when you are there in real life. Like a floating city. Seriously … I think there are more people on board than some small towns.
Looks like I’d have enjoyed this cruise, too! Thanks for sharing these fantastic photos! I’d go to Starbucks(!) and then go to the library, after a day of being outdoors.
Sounds like a cruise is made for you!! And the beauty of it is that someone else could have a completely different kind of day on board if they wanted.
When I went on my cruise, we had a library too, but it was old and dusty, and not many great books there. But that was before I was a blogger, so there may have been some hidden gems there! I love the way you could visit different types of neighborhoods, and would love to have this on my ship. I would have hung out in a different place each night. This series of posts is excellent! I love seeing all the things you did!
Sounds like your ship’s library was pretty neglected! That makes me sad. It was cool to walk around and see so many people reading books and e-readers.
Thanks for including a shot of the library, Mrs. J. I’ve often wondered about them (libraries on cruise ships) but no one ever seems interested in them. It is lovely, although it looks very “inside”. I think I’d take the book out in the sunshine.
You’re right … the library is an interior space. But there are a bajillion sunny places (or shady) to lounge around and read so I won’t complain about that. Glad to help you envision a ship’s library!!!
I’ve taken several cruises in the past, but never one on a ship as massive as that! It’s quite impressive!! I love the library.
Our first cruise was on a fairly tiny ship and we’ve been slowly working out way up to the bigger ones. It was neat to see the progression.
Okay….what is the lady with the big pink flower (tutu?) getting ready to do? So, if you go to Starbucks on a cruise ship…is that included in your ticket price or is it a separate charge? Holy guacamole, I really cannot believe all of that stuff plus a bunch of people are on that thing!!!
I think she was fanning with the flower! : ) And some of the specialty places (like Starbucks) do have a cover charge but it usually isn’t much. You can get your basic coffee for free though — just not the fancy shcmancy stuff.
I’ve yet to go on a cruise because so many people have warned me against them, but y’all look like you had such an awesome experience. And that ship looks amazing.
Really — people have warned you about them? Well, I guess I could see if it was a Carnival ship. We went on one and were not impressed. It was like being trapped in a cheesy disco for a week. (Yet we still managed to have a good time … just not as good as on this cruise.)
Not boring at all, I really enjoyed this post – but then how could it fail with a mention of a library. Looking forward to the next instalment, I’m intrigued by the accidental nudity.
Glad it didn’t seem boring. I know all the bookish readers would like the shot of the library!
What an amazing looking ship. Seems to have everything you could want. However, where are the Madagascar Penguins?????
They were there!! My son was obsessed with seeing them — they are his favorites!
I love that they have a library! I have never been on a cruise and I just did not realize how massive those things are. Carousels, neighborhoods, a park, an art gallery. Did I mention I was envious? lol
Keep in mind this particular ship is the biggest in the world … not every cruise line has all this stuff!!!
Now you can just say you’re going to visit Little Switzerland every time you’re gonna hurl…makes for a good euphemism.
Everyone in my family will know what that means! Love it!
How do they make that thing float?! Yeesh, it’s massive.
Yeah … I don’t think too much about that kind of stuff.
Ah, that library looks so good with those big chairs… And the sea view cabin looks like the perfect place to enjoy a book and a pineapple drink. Did you also eat the pineapple or was it just a shell?
How come you didn’t take Romeo with you, or did they have a “no pets” policy?
I guess we could have eaten some of the pineapple but most of it was cut out. And Romeo had a vacation of his own at the dog sitters — he made two good doggie friends and had the time of his life. He really didn’t seem all that eager to come home!!!
Welcome back! I am quite impressed with your cruise ship. I’ve never felt any desire to go on a cruise, but your pictures are making me rethink that. I feel your pain on seasickness. The boat we had a few summers ago was a bit too small and I would come back seasick every single time we went out, which was every weekend that summer. It would take me four days to stop feeling the waves, and we would be back out two days after that. It was a long summer. I’m glad you didn’t let your seasickness stop you!
Oh how miserable that you spent your entire summer being seasick! It is such an awful feeling! I was totally OK going to the snorkel place because it was smooth sailing but when we went out further and started bouncing around, that was the end for me. I was praying for it to be over.
Fiona is looking a bit green … perhaps she could use a Little Switzerland barf bag as well
I’m enjoying this A-Z recap; that underwater show is an engineering feat!
The special effects in the show were really amazing. I was super impressed. They went all out when they built this ship. Stuff was coming up from the floor, down from the ceiling, a pool appeared and disappeared. Crazy!
OHMYGOODLORD! You might actually convince me to go on a cruise….maybe.
I am terrified I will go on a ship with the same fate as the Titanic.
Well I would highly encourage you to take a more tropical route then!!!
I’m amazed at the ship! Had to laugh about Starbucks being on board
And impressed with the library! You’re really making me want to go on a cruise!!
There are many many good reasons to go on a cruise … I’m just highlighting a few! ; )
WOW…even a library on the ship – how cool, but bet you had very little time to spend there by the looks of all you did.
I made time for it a few times … and managed to read two of their books.
When did you have time to read two books? One of our best vacations was a cruise. Although now I’m not sure my tummy would co operate witht the sea.
I stayed in the cabin with BB at night when he went to bed … and he crashed relatively early so that gave me a few hours a night.
I just can’t get over how huge the ship is and how much there is to do! I’ve never been on a cruise, but you are making it awfully enticing! I am with you on the little boats, waves, seasickness. Yuck
It really is like a floating city or something. You have almost anything you could think of right at your fingertips.
Your smile and the sparkle in your eyes always makes me happy! Thanks for the great photos! Isn’t that Mr. Jenners on his back in that balancing act photo? And i had no idea you could swim so well; you look incredibly graceful in that underwater scene!
Oh how I wish that was Mr. Jenners on his back in the balancing act!!!!!
I hope the cruise line sees your post and offers you something! lol I can tell you had a blast!
Wouldn’t that be the coolest!!??? I can dream!
There is nothing more horrible than seasickness. And generally when you get it, it isn’t like you can just say “oh captain dude, please let me off”. I am just amazed at huge this ship is. I have found ships that I’ve been on to be confusing and easy to get lost, but this one is so much bigger.
I hear you. I wanted him to turn the boat right around. I wasn’t alone either! And despite its size, this ship was really easy to find your way around. And there were interactive maps everywhere you could use to find what you wanted. They did an AMAZING job.
Ooh, I love the neighborhoods idea!!
It was so well done. They really did a great job designing the ship and its public spaces.