Dirty30 - The Cruise Ship.

With recent cruise news, I think it's appropriate to FIRST thank God we were not in that situation.  I'd like to also say my birthday series does not discredit the experience of those poor vacationers.

I almost didn't post about my birthday cruise... Until I remembered I still drive a car despite countless horrible accidents I see... I still fly in planes despite terrorist attacks... I still travel out of the country despite the dangers.  Matter of fact, I take a risk every time I leave my home.

SO...

Before you judge me for having a great time on a cruise, imagine a stressed mama who was long overdue for a nice time.

...

We departed on January 27 and, as is ALWAYS the case, I was exhausted from the prep.  It was 3 a.m. and I was knee deep in cleaning and washing and folding and--

O, hello sun.  You've finally decided to join me on this here fabulous morning!

I think the sun overslept but, aside from my grumpy attitude, I was happy.  Its sight meant departure was upon us!  

We arrived to the airport and Munchface lost it.  She sobbed saying how sad she was that we were leaving her.  Man, that sad little face messed me up... Made me consider not going... I know it sounds crazy but, times like this, a fear that this might be our last hug flashes across my mind.  For a split second, I think of the worst instance - life without her - and I hug tighter... In this case (with her tears and length of time), I also broke into a sweat...  I was a mess.  Nauseous almost. 

"Tabitha, you get yourself together.  She'll be fine... Even if Grandma doesn't get her pony tails just right, she'll be fine.  She will continue to progress in reading, she'll be fine! You'll come home.  She'll be fine." - Self

I entered the airport crying... Not snot-nosed but tears were falling.

By the time we made it to the gate, I was fine.  New birthday hair blowing in the wind:

 New sneakers on my feet:



New birthday Beats by Dre blaring my Pandora:

O and new fabulous birthday luggage in tow (thanks, Deb):

DVF makes some fabulous luggage sets and I received tons of compliments. I just LOVE this luggage!

After a quick flight, we (mom and dad, Dani and Vernon, Christina and Roland, Deb and Chaz, and me and Hubbs) arrived to sunny Miami!

We were on the Carnival Dream and it was a beautiful ship:

  If you've never been on a cruise, consider this a crash course. 

Cruise vacations require no THINKING at all.

24 hour access to food.  Good food.  Free (included in your fare) food.

Daily itineraries with on-the-hour activities and entertainment.

Amazing service.  Like, leave your towel on the floor because your personal room attendant is coming to clean your room 2-3 times each day.  The room staff also does cool things like fold towels and leave chocolates on your bed every night:

This wasn't our first cruise so we were prepared for small(er) rooms.  Rooms come with either two twin-sized beds OR (they push them together to make) one queen-sized bed.  Outside of the bed, there is walking space and enough room for luggage.  In the past, we've had window rooms. This time, however, we had an interior room (without a window) and it was actually kinda nice and helped us [over]sleep better.  My parents' room was gorgeous - top of the line everything, soaking tub and separate shower, walk in closet/vanity, sitting area PLUS a balcony.

That's my view from the bed :)

Our daily "cruise life" consisted of waking up, working out, getting dressed, eating breakfast and planning the day, cruising, docking, shopping, sightseeing, eating, strolling the dock, changing for the formal dinner, attending a night-life activity (club, karaoke), enjoying a show (comedy or cruise entertainers), group card games, midnight (or later) pizza, sleep.

Repeat.

It was loads of fun and I can't wait to share the pics this week.

WAIT.  Let me just say, it was fun after Hubbs and I had our annual vacation argument, lol.

YES, I said argument.  Something about prepping for vacation makes me sleep-depived, irritable, sensitive and whatever.

In this case the argument stemmed from COMMUNICATION.  O and the gym... What?! Hubbs' workout time was keeping me from breakfast! O don't give me that eye!  Clearly, you didn't see the buffet or the nice restaurant that stopped serving their fabulous breakfast early and... Well...

Anyhoo, we worked it out and we were able to enjoy the time together so don't worry.  It's just one of those things we know is going to happen every vacation.

Stay tuned for more details on the birthday cruise :)