Honeymoon in the Bahamas (part 1 of 3)
What better way to spend your honeymoon than at the ocean!! Especially if you have never been there!! What about being able to go to multiple places as well. Why not a cruise!!
This was our thought process trying to decided what/where to go/do for our honeymoon. We found an amazing deal online that let us pay it out. We were able to pick our depart location (Galveston, TX) and our destination (Bahamas), worked it around the date our wedding, and we were set!
We were married on May 5th and cruise date was from the 13th- 20th. We decided that because it was an 8 hour drive down to Galveston that we would leave out a few days before so we wouldn't be exhausted for the first day. Cruise was set to leave out on Sunday, we would leave early Friday morning!
Friday May 11th
The Drive
5 am. The car was packed the night before. All we had to do was get up, get in, and go!!
The plan... I was going to drive until we got to about the north side of Dallas, we would switch and Shawn would take over.
We stopped in McAllister for breakfast. Let some of the morning traffic die down and headed out again.
Crossed the Oklahoma/Texas border, it was like going to a whole new planet... I have only ever been through Texas on I40 and have never driven personally through the state.... oh my goodness!!! Posted speed limit is 75, I'''m being passed like I'm doing 40. At this point Shawn is laughing at the situation and asks if he needs to drive. I'm like na I got this, just don't get a ticket right!!!
As we start to get closer to Dallas we get caught in construction (shocker right) there isn't really anywhere for us to pull over that wont take 30 min at least to get back onto.... guess who now get to drive through construction in Dallas... ME!!! Now us good ol Oklahoma foke, when you speed in construction zone you get doubled price ticket.... if you don't speed in Texas you get run over!!! So here i am trying to be good, its posted 30, Shawn is telling me just kept up with everyone and don't look at how fast your going. At one point I did it, we were doing about 50 changing form 4 lanes down to 2 back up to 6. Cop even passed me at one point.... I made it through!! I have never been so happy to get off the highway as I was at that moment. The first exit with a gas station outside of the city I took!! Pulled in and just sat there for a few moments. Took some time to stretch. Got back in and Shawn took over from there.
Huston was up next!!
The closer we got to Huston the more breath taking it was! I was able to enjoy this part of the drive! As we fully become in-golfed in traffic of Huston it was time to be navigator and made sure we didn't miss or take the wrong turn or exit. Have you ever seen a big pickup with trailer cross 3 lanes of congested traffic going around a turn at 50... whelp now I have! We make our way out of the city and I'm so glad it was Shawn driving and not me!!
From here on out its smooth sailing!!
Now i have never seen the ocean at this point so going into Galveston is really kind of amazing! It really is its own little island. And yeah its the gulf and not the "prettiest" but for me it was amazing. Before we did anything Shawn took me strait to the pier and had me step into the ocean!
After taking my first steps we walked around on the pier and along the beach, even found a coconut. Have no idea where it came from! Grabbed a bite to eat at Papas Pizza!
After driving for what felt like forever. We went over to the next town to find a hotel, because lets be honest, going about 20 minutes to the next town to save over $100 is so worth it!
We found a little super 8 and tucked in for the night! We got a call letting us know there where storms in the area and it could get really bad. Lot of rain... wind... tornado... you know spring weather! Slept through the whole thing... except every time the thunder and lightning would hit...
Saturday May 12th
Day in Galveston
Rise and sine. Not quite as early as the day before (thank goodness.) A little breakfast, now to spend the day in Galveston!
First stop was downtown. We got down there before most of the shops were open. Found a place to park the car for about 5 hours and walked around. Found this huge chess bored that was totally cool, and an old fashion candy shop, even got to watch them pull taffy!
Now it was getting close to lunch and we found this amazing place called Yaga's!! WOW!!! That's was some really good food now!
After lunch we walked around a little more, had to walk off the lunch we just had! Found this really cold old ship.
We went up to beach next. Did a little swimming. The current is very intimidating, but so much fun!!
From here we walked around the beach, checked out some of the shops on the coast, watched some kite flyers and even said a happy mothers day to our mommas!!
Found Tortuga Mexican Kitchen to eat at for dinner. We had to get our fix because there wasn't probably going to be any on the ship for the next 7 days, and that's a long time with out any good Mexican food!!
We drove around and looked at the rest of the town and then spend the rest of the evening at the beach.
Went back to the hotel room made sure everything was ready for the morning so we wouldn't have to worry about!
Sunday May 13th
Cruise Day!!!
We got up. Packed up the car and went downtown to the loading doc. We wanted to find a place to leave the car for a week, found a little place that was actually enclosed and monitored right outside the port. It was perfect. Because the ship had not made it back yet they still had to unload the other cars first but told us a time to be back to make sure we would get in.
We went and found a place to grab a bite to eat and then went back and walked around by the pear. The ship was already back but still unloading. We saw a few cars leave the garage and headed over there.
They have you pull in so far so you can unload your car then they park it. Because we were right there we didn't have to get a ride or what have you. Just walked right on over. We got to the baggage drop off outside and took our one carry one with us.
You have 2 options while going on a cruise. Passport or birth certificate. We had passports and thank goodness we did!! There were 4 lines for birth certificates and only one for passports. We were on line, checked in, bag scanned and on our way to get our cruise card in about 10 min.
When we went checking onto the ship. They give you a key card with your name and room number. They are color coded for how experienced you are at cruises because this was our first time we got blue.
This card is how you do everything on the ship. You want something to drink (alcohol or soda) swipe the card. You want to buy something from there shops or use it at the casino, swipe your card. This is also your room key. You want to get back on the ship you better have your card. They even take a photo of you so when you scan back in your picture pops up so no one can use your cards. This is your lifeline!! DON'T LOSE IT!!!
Because we were there so early they gave us the option of waiting to board because they were still cleaning the rooms or boarding but we couldn't get into our room for about another hour. We didn't have anything but the one bag we went ahead and got on the ship!
This thing is huge!! 13 floors and about 2 football fields long. We walked around the lobby just taking it all in. We went over to one of the 3 food courts they had a little bit left of breakfast still going so we sat down next to a window and watched as the loaded everything on. Went up to the top deck to see what all was around.
We killed enough time at this point and went down to room. Our bags were all there waiting on us! Dropped off the rest of our things and headed back up.
We walked around the 21 and older section where they had the spas and hot tubs. This was all on the top deck in the front of the ship. Then went over to the outdoor theater and waterside. We made our way to the back of ship where they had another pool and you can see right off the back of the ship.
After everyone was aboard they made an announcements for everyone to go to there rooms where their belongings would be and further instructions and where to head for an emergency. We had a fire drill and went to our rooms dinning hall. Where they went over all the safety protocols and where to go or stay in such event.
When all done there we made our way to the back of ship to watch as we took off. As we started to make our way off the pear. We rushed to the front the ship. Along the way we saw a few dolphins jumping along the side of the ship. We stayed up there until we were put of the harbor and went and explored a little more.
We were already in our suits so we went and jumped into a hot tub on the deck and watched as we sailed out, watching as mainland got smaller and smaller. We were joined by a (very loving) couple. Decided that was too much love in such small space, and took our que to exit the hot tub!
Watching the sun set on open water is truly an amazing site to see. And room service is so cool!!
Monday May 14th
A day in the ship
Remember that storm that hit Galveston a few nights earlier... We found it. It rained us up until early afternoon. As it let up we went exploring around the ship. Carnival Magic!
Like any first time cruise travel. There is something you must do (especially if your prone to motion sickness like me) Dramamine is a must!!! But like a dummy i didn't take any beforehand like my smart hubby because noooo ill be fine!!! Famous last words am I right!! So i spent about 30 min in a chair on the deck, took a 10 min nape, did not get sick!!! And we were back to walking around!
They have an obstacle course that is up in the air that we just had to try out!! Along with a little min golf. There is also the killer watersides that looked way to fun to pass up.
The rest if the day we took in everything around the ship that we could! Even went to an evening show!
As it was going to be a somewhat early morning, we were docking at about 7 am. We turned in for the night. Nothing like being rocked to sleep on the open calm sea!!
