Monday, February 05, 2007

When We're Cruising Together

I was recently asked in a comment what I have decided to do for my vacation. Truthfully, until Friday night, the answer would have been "I have no idea!" Fortunately, a couple friends and I sat down late Friday night (after going to Panda Express, Staples, and Dairy Queen then talking about boys for awhile) and deliberated on our many vacation choices. In the end, we decided to go on a CRUISE! I'm so happy because when all is said and done, a cruise was my first choice.
You see, I had a few "musts" in regards to my vacation. First, I only wanted to spend 1/3 of what I received as my bonus. It could be a little more, but not too much more. Next, I only wanted to miss a week of work. Finally, I didn't want to come home from my vacation feeling more tired than before I left. Translation: no running from tourist site to tourist site, no driving endlessly to get from one city to the next, no waking up at dawn and not going to bed at 2am unless I could sleep on a deck chair the whole next day. In addition, Cardine wanted to go somewhere she hasn't been and Joie didn't want to have to plan all the details of a trip.

The cruise Cardine, Joie, and I chose satisfies these "musts" almost completely. Cardine hasn't been to any of the places we're going (more details to come), Joie doesn't have to worry about which hotels we'll be staying at/which restaurants to eat at/etc., and I'll get a restful vacation that was only marginally more expensive than I'd planned and that will only require me to miss one week of work (and possibly another day, depending on how I feel after getting home around 4am Monday).

Here are the details. We're going in August. We'll fly to Puerto Rico, where the cruise starts, then spend a week traveling to several Caribbean islands, including St. Lucia, Barbados, and Antigua. I can't wait. The last time I went on a cruise, I lost weight, rested a lot, had a lot of fun, and met interesting people. I hope this cruise will be even better. I've wanted to go to St. Lucia ever since I first heard about it from an investigator on my mission. She was from St. Lucia and couldn't believe I'd never heard of it. It piqued my curiosity and I've wanted to go there ever since. This time, I'm not so gung-ho about the cruiseline-sponsored shore excursions. A part of me would like to just walk around town, sit on a beach, and find a nice restaurant to relax in for awhile. I'm going to research each of the ports and just see what's there that I'd like to see.

It's a relief to have a vacation finally planned. I'm thrilled to be going with my two friends (and possibly, hopefully a third friend) and am grateful they want to go with me. I'm also excited about going to the Caribbean and seeing some place new. It's my grand adventure for 2007 and I can't wait!!

12 comments:

Alyson said...

Sounds exciting! I wish I could join you, but I don't think I have the funds for anything big this year. I think if I get a vacation at all, it will be to visit a family member or friend somewhere in the US. I have many options which makes it hard to decide where to go, so I'll probably end up not going anywhere (at least anywhere outside Utah). I've always wanted to go on a cruise, so someday we'll have to plan a vacation together.

Cassie said...

I am so jealous. I really wish I could go too but sadly I must save my money. I'll be okay if I don't go on a fabulous trip every year. 2008 will be my year.

julie said...

Okay, 2008 it is! You two start thinking about where you want to go next summer and then we can start saving for a trip. I'd like to go in August, if that works for you two. That way it will be before school starts and after my coworker takes her vacation.

My mom said she invited you ladies down here for a scrapbooking party - when are you coming? If it's not for awhile, I may start thinking about visiting you.

Framed said...

I fell left out. Tell your mom that the sisters need to plan a trip somewhere.

Booklogged said...

Oh, hooray, hooray! So happy for you. A cruise does sound luxuriant and relaxing. As I get older, they sound better and better.

Framed, how about a cruise for us 3 sisters? YIKES, I'll have to get a job! DO you know what I think? A cruise would be a great way to travel with a lot of extended family - meaning our children. We could lounge on one side of the ship and they on the other, but we could get together for a couple of pictures to prove we could travel together without killing each other. There would be a limited number of restaurants on board, plus we could so easily split up for meals. WAIT - we'd kill each other deciding what cruise to take.

Anyway, Julie, I'm thrilled for you. Sounds way fun.

julie said...

Book and Framed, I think the three of you SHOULD take a cruise together! AND... I think we should all go on a cruise together someday. You're right, Book, a cruise is a terrific way to travel with lots of people - everyone can do whatever they want without disturbing anyone else's plans/wishes.

Hmmm. Deciding which cruise to take could get dicey, but I think we could pull it off. Anyway, it's something to think about. For the future. Someday.

Cardine said...

That sounds like a good plan, guys! I have a cousin who wants to do that soon. I'm not planning it, but I agree that it would be fun.

Yay that we're going on another cruise!

Framed said...

I say the first person who picks the cruise is the winner. None of this stand-off at the OK corrall. So I want to go on a Caribbean cruise that stops at Venezuela. Julie's cruise comes quite close.

Indy said...

I am jelious!! Actually I am just happy for you. Maybe one day I will be done with school and have a little bit more cash and then I will be able to join you on one of your adventures. I need to start an adventure log.

tearese said...

I'm glad I igot to go on a cruise with you guys once, it was so fun! I doubt I'll be on another one for many years to come.
Hope you guys have a great trip. When will you be going?

julie said...

Tearese, we'll be going in August. Cardine and I were just saying how much we'll miss you on this cruise. I'm glad the five of us got to have one nice big vacation together.

Cardine said...

It is true. We will miss you. I will especially miss you when everyone else gets up in the morning to have breakfast, and I am alone in my sleeping in.

And, if the neighbors start getting loud and sound like there is abuse going on next door, I will especially miss you.