Back from vacation....

Like most vacations I'm itching to get back home... behind the wheel and back in the garage but this one is a bit tougher to let go. With my kids being 9 and 10 and pretty fearless this vacation was a blast!

Carnival Vista Cruise to Jamaica, Grand Cayman Islands and Cosmel.....

After my wife squandering away our stay on the Grand Cayman Islands last vacation (we petted Turtles and Dolphins... that's it) I set 1 rule..... We're enjoying every stop and seeing the Islands..... NO TURTLES OR DOLPHINS!!

For Jamaica we tubed down a fresh water river into the Ocean followed by some cliff jumping into the deep blue holes created by the waterfalls... A BLAST! Our excursions required a lot of bussing around so we got to see quite a bit outside of the typical tourist areas and feel for these people, it's poverty everywhere..... and pot!

Grand Cayman was a no brainer with the 7 mile beach being it's major attraction and us wanting a day on the beach. Nothing to exciting other than a big Stingray swimming under us but it was easily the most beautiful beach and water I've ever seen. The Island in general was very nice unlike Jamaica and felt safe to do as you please.

Cosmel..... I about **** my pants in Cosmel!!! We decided to go snorkelling, mind you I fear nothing more than sharks and figured we'd be in shallow or gated waters? We arrive and as I'm suiting up I see everyone is within 20ft of shore.... sweeeeet, just what I wanted. So out comes the guide to show us the hot spots and we take off following him. My boy got aggregated with the gear and stayed ashore with mom but my daughter is staying right behind the guide loving it, meanwhile I'm noticing that it's not 6ft deep anymore!!! I was shitting my pants, we're in 30ft plus deep water and I'm on full shark alert scared to death not willing to be outdone by my daughter. Then the real scare came, our guide yells we have a straggler... I look and it's my boy!!! He's out further than us with nothing but his vest, my fear for sharks disappeared long enough for me to get him back to shore extremely pissed at the wife. Turns out he didn't want left out of the fun and took off on her.

Pictures to come.

Glad you had a nice vacation and welcome back......Funny your son went for it, lol....

Welcome back. I've gone on the same cruise. Fun. A good sampling of a few places. You get your $$s worth.

You didn't see any dolphins on Grand Cayman? Not even captive ones.

BeeKool said:

Welcome back. I've gone on the same cruise. Fun. A good sampling of a few places. You get your $$s worth.

You didn't see any dolphins on Grand Cayman? Not even captive ones.

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Our last cruise (Disney) we went to see the Turtles and played with the Dolphins.... by the time we got bussed there... waited in lines and got to do it our boarding time was up! I was so ticked off, supposed to be the most beautiful beach and water and I never saw it because of some turtles and dolphins!

Yes we saw them last time but wasn't wasting time waiting in lines this time around. Instead we stayed at a resort on the 7 mile beach where the kids enjoyed the beach and crystal clear water.

Your right though, very nice cruise for the $$. My biggest complaint would be the crowd it attracts, not bad but compared to Disney it's clear there's more intent on the partying not the kids.

Car Nut said:

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Lol, tried a few times but will have to wait until I'm home.

This was taken just over Cancun Mexico.

Sounds like you had a great time. I very happy for you to spend time with the whole family. Been down to Jamaica also we had blast. Very nice 747.

I thought this was super cool

They always have shows going on but one afternoon I heard the announcement that they wanted all Veterans, active duty military and anybody wanting to show their appreciation to show up to the Liquid Lounge... My daughter and I went down and was pleasantly surprised, they really appreciate the troops and Vets on Carnival Cruise ships. This is a pic of all that was aboard, pretty impressive.

Here's a few pics onboard, 3rd down is the Skytrack where you pedal above the deck... pretty cool. 2nd to last is where they brew their own beer onboard.

Colors in the ocean are stunning look similar when we went to riviera maya

Jamaica....


Because most of what we did there meant getting drenched I'll have to wait on pics from the waterproof camera.

Grand Cayman

Cosmel

Should have some cool underwater pics from here if those throw away cameras are worth anything?

usaroadrunner said:

Colors in the ocean are stunning look similar when we went to riviera maya

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My wife and I honeymooned there, beautiful as long as you stay on resort.

Looks like a great trip 747....pleased to see you enjoyed it.....and great to have you back here.

kiwigtx said:

Looks like a great trip 747....pleased to see you enjoyed it.....and great to have you back here.

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And safe!

Well I'm glad you enjoyed it! I know you were a little apprehensive about the ship, sounds like it was all good!

Very nice! Glad you all had a great time.