Cruise Finale

 Day 5--At Sea: Our last day started with breakfast in the main dining room. Well, at least for me, Thomas, and Luke. The older kids went to the Windjammer. After breakfast we hung out in our room and then did the escape room. It was okay, just like all escape rooms; they just aren’t my thing. There were 12 people in there and it is hard to work in a large group, especially with people you don’t know. It was our family, except Luke who is not old enough (he got to hang out with the Cantells), Marta and Frank and five strangers. The theme had something to do with Astronomy and the theming was good. We got a couple of hints and did manage to get out with one minute to spare. However, there is no way we would have figured it out without the hints. Kara had been asking to try an escape room for quite a while, and it was $20/person, which is significantly cheaper than the ones I went to in Maryland, so it was good to give her and the other kids the experience. 

After that we grabbed Luke and we played miniature golf with the Cantells. Then we got ice cream before heading back to the cabin to get ready for lunch. Anna and Kara went to the teen club and hung out with their new friends, including having lunch with them. One of the kids Kara has been hanging around with is actually from Lake Nona. Small world! They did Harry Potter trivia, which Kara‘s team won and another scavenger hunt, which Kara‘s team also won. Meanwhile, Thomas and I had lunch with Marta and Frank in Chops Grill, one of the ship's specialty restaurants. It was absolutely delicious! I had a shrimp cocktail (with huge shrimp), filet mignon and chocolate cake. Everything was perfection. Thomas also had a steak, but he doesn’t like steak as much as I do. He still enjoyed the lunch. 

Jack took Luke to the Windjammer for us and then kept an eye on him while we finished our lunch. After lunch we played games on our balcony with Marta. 

Among other games, we played a family favorite--Love Letters.

Frank made a wise decision to take a nap while we played.

Then we got dressed for dinner and looked for a photographer, we were hoping to take our annual family photo in front of the ship's giant Christmas tree. Even though we were expecting a photographer to be there, based on the daily itinerary, none showed up. So, we went to the suite lounge and had virgin piña coladas and Shirley temples before heading to the main dining room for dinner. 

Our last night to enjoy Shirley Temples and Pina Coladas

After dinner we tried again to find the photographer and this time were successful. Although, the pictures below were taken by Marta. I will add a blog with the pictures from the ship's photographer if I ever receive them.

One that shows us

One that shows off the size of the tree

We picked out our photos from the cruise and then most of us called it a night. Anna went to the teen's club until about nine and we gave Kara a 10 o’clock curfew again. Once again, she was not happy, as the scheduled activities didn't end until either 12 or 1 (I can't remember which).

Our final morning, Thomas finished the packing while I took the kids to the Windjammer. We were among the first people off the ship and the kids were home in time to catch the bus. I think it was a very successful experience. We have one more cruise booked and then I think we will take a break for a while! Well, unless I can figure out a way to get us to Alaska without spending a fortune.

To conclude, a picture with the view from our deck on a sea day. It was so peaceful to sit out there!