Today when we woke up we were docked just off the Great Stirrup Cay Island. This is a private island owned by Norwegian Cruise Lines. After breakfast we all tendered over to the island and grabbed a spot on the beach.

Karen and I already had our eye on something we wanted to do while there. Geocache! We had plotted out 2 geocaches that we wanted to discover so we decided to head out for an early hike before it got too late. We took Shely with us and headed out onto a dirt trail. After about a 1 mile walk we came to the opposite side of the island where we found lots of cliffs and a rocky beach area. The island had previously been a military base so there we reminiscence of old military buildings. Be hind one of them was the geocache!

We then headed out to grab the second one. Along the way we stopped and took pictures near the Great Stirrup Cay International Airport, which is just an old helipad. We continued hiking for about half a mile and found the last cache, an old abandoned lighthouse. In the area of the lighthouse was old homes and an old cemetery. After logging our find we took our 2 mile hike back. Once back at the beach we ate lunch and Karen played in a volleyball game with the guys. We then went swimming and snorkeling in the ocean and saw lots of colorful fish, along with a sting ray and shark. before we knew it, it was time to head back to the ship.

Once back at the ship we had dinner and went to play the final BINGO game. We lost. After the game the kids went to watch/play The Quest. Basically they break the room into teams. The cruise director then asks each team all at once to bring up to him or do different activities and each team that does gets points. They asked for a guys shoe laces, out of the shoes. They also asked for to guys dancing, that would be Rami and Josi. the final "quest" was for one guy from each team to go on stage wearing boxers, a bra, high heels, and carrying a handbag. Josi ran up dressed like that and our team won the game! For winning we each got a Norwegian Cruise Line shirt. The Quest was hilarious and we laughed the entire time. After the game we went upstairs to grab a quick midnight snack and then head off to bed.

For the complete gallery of photos check our album here

http://picasaweb.google.com/fla030/Cruise12251229#

Today we got off the boat in Nassau and took a cab over to Atlantis. When we got there we walked over to the private beach where Josi, Tamara, Rami, Allan, and Jodi went jet skiing. Karen laid out in the sun and I went exploring the area. After jet skiing we walked onto the Atlantis property where we hung out by the pool and private beach. Karen and I then went back into town while everyone else snuck into Atlantis and rode the water slides, until being kicked out. We then went to Senor Frogs where we got huge yard drinks and lunch. It was soon time to board the ship and we all went back to get ready for dinner. After dinner we all went to the theater where Mimi and Mark played in the newlywed game. They didn't win, but it sure was funny. After the show we went to the pool deck where they had a "snow party" where everyone is supposed to wear white. We hung out and danced for a bit and then headed back to the cabins.

For the complete gallery of photos check our album here

http://picasaweb.google.com/fla030/Cruise12251229#

Karen's grandfather (Gagi) recently turned 80 and he wanted to celebrate in a special way. So he took us all on a cruise to celebrate. There were 17 us of us......Let me see if I can get this right;

Gagi & Gima - the grandparents
Karen & I
Mark & Mimi - Karen's parents
Allan & Jodi - Karen's older brother and his wife
Rami - Karen's younger brother
Shely & Mark, Sofia & Shaun - Karen's aunt and her husband and their kids Sofia & Shaun (Josi & Sarita are also Shely's kids)
Josi & Tamara - Karen's cousin and his girlfriend
Sarita & Elan - Karen's cousin and her boyfriend

WOW think I got everyone. So on Friday we all embarked the Norwegian Sky at the Port Of Miami. The first thing we did was hit the lunch buffet and I found myself a Pina Colada, my favorite drink. Then we went up to the pool deck in our bathing suites and watched as the ship pulled out of port. I really like leaving out of Miami because you get such great views of downtown Miami. Before we knew it we were out to sea and they were calling for everyone to do the muster drill.

After the drill we went to Gagi & Gima's cabin because they wanted to surprise everyone with shirts to wear to dinner that night. Prior to going on the cruise, Gagi told everyone to wear jeans that night because he secretly had gotten us all matching shirts. When we got to the room they gave us polo shirts to wear to dinner. Guys got a yellow Lacoste and the girls got a pink Polo. They were really nice shirts! We stayed on Gagi's balcony for a bit while we watched the ship pull away from land and then went back to our cabins to get ready for dinner.

Just before dinner all the kids went to one of the bars where they had 2 for 1 margaritas. I again, had a Pina Colada. Then it was off to dinner. At dinner we had such a big group that they had to split us up at 2 tables. Most of the grandkids had to sit at one table and everyone else sat at another table. The dinner was good, but the service was really slow. After dinner the kids again went to one of the lounges and hung out for a bit before going to bed. Great first day!

For the complete gallery of photos check our album here

http://picasaweb.google.com/fla030/Cruise12251229#

Day 1

June 10th is my step mom Diane's birthday. For her special birthday she wanted to go on a trip with all of her children. She decided on a cruise so on May 25, Memorial Day Karen and I, Leo and Leandra, Max and Mem, and my dad and Diane boarded the Bahamas Celebration for a 3 day cruise.

Once on the ship, we headed straight to the buffet poolside. I got a pina colada and lots of food since I hadn't eaten yet that day and it was already 1:00 pm. We wanted to spend some time together as a family since Max lives in San Francisco and Leo is away in college so we all met in the library for some card games. We hung out, talked, laughed and had some drinks.

After we figured out it was really hard to play rummy with 8 people we decided to go up to the room to relax a little bit and get ready for dinner. We had the early dinner (6:15) so that way we could see all the shows and hang out after dinner in the clubs and casino. On the first night we ate at Rio's a Brazilian steakhouse. They had a huge buffet and the waiters walked around with the meat on huge skewers. The food was pretty good for a cruise ship.

After dinner we went to a show where they had singers, a comedian, and a really amazing juggler named Vladimir. Of course I had more pina coladas. We also played a few rounds of bingo, but didn't win. After the show my dad and Diane went off and did their own thing and all the kids went to the casino. Karen and I played a little blackjack and Max, Leo, Mem, and Leandra played slots. Karen and I only played $40.00and then left after we lost it all, which, didn't take very long. We hung out a little longer in the club and then went to bed.

Day 2

Today we arrived in the Bahamas and got off the ship to explore Nassau. Diane had been to Nassau before and found this local market where the locals sell seafood and vegetables. We all walked there to check it out and we were the only people there who were not locals. It was pretty cool though seeing all the locals selling their produce and fish (my favorite). Max got some fried conch which he said was pretty good.

It was really hot that day and I was starving so Karen and I decided to walk back into town where the tourists were and find a place to eat. Karen had been here a year ago for Taly's bachelorette party so she knew they had a Senor Frogs Mexican restaurant. Sounds good, I could get beef fajitas right? WRONG, the Mexican restaurant that sells mostly beef products was out of beef! Oooooook, we leave and go to Hard Rock where they do have beef fajitas, but their bathroom was broken. They told us it would be 5 minutes till it was fixed and open but every five minutes they said 5 more minutes. I had to wash my hands so I left and walked down to Starbucks to wash up. When we were finally done eating and leaving the bathrooms were back open. Go figure.

Karen and I decided to then go back to the boat so we could go swimming. We got more drinks and Karen got french fries. We went in the pool and while we were in the birds ate all her fries. While we were swimming it started to rain a little bit so we got out because we heard thunder. We were pretty tired anyways from walking around all day so we went back to the cabin to take a nap.

At night we ate dinner in the Crystal Dining Room. It was really nice and they had a huge selection for dinner. Ravioli, Chicken, and Beef, which were all good. We told the waiter it was Diane's Birthday so he had a bunch of the waiters come over during dessert and sing to her. She really liked it even though her birthday isn't till June.

After dinner we again went to the club to watch the show and again Vladimir was the best. It was mardi gras night so they gave out beads, glow sticks, and masks. Another pina colada made me happy. We then went over to the lounge where my dad and Diane were with Max and Leo and watch some karaoke. We didn't stay out too late because we had to be out of the cabin by 8:15 am so we went to bed around 1:30 am.

Day 3

We got up at 8:00 am to be out of the room by 8:15 am for disembarkation. Everyone met in the Rio's for a breakfast buffet and then everyone had to stage in the club. We were the last floor to be called to get off the ship and I think we were actually the last people to leave. We didn't get off until around 10:30 am. As we were leaving we ran into Vladimir and we told him how amazing he was. He told us his dad taught him how to juggle and that he was only 19 years old.

We had a really great time and are so thankful everyone could get together for such a fun vacation. We should definitely do this more often with everyone. We are all so very busy and we all live in different places so when we can all meet together its really special for everyone.

Here is the link for the pictures from the cruise. http://picasaweb.google.com/fla030/BahamasCruise#