Saturday, June 17, 2023

Transatlantic Cruise (6/11 - 6/13)

 Our last port was Halifax.  This one was the 'dark horse' for us.  We didn't expect to like it nearly as much as we did considering how close to home it is!





We spent the morning at the Maritime Museum.  It was a great museum and the girls loved it!

The museum has a parrot, Merlin.  Kevin had a full blown conversation with him.  Saying hello, asking how he was, playing peek-a-boo.  It was awesome!  




In a section on the Native Americans, they had this projection that different types of native animals would walk across.  Fish "swam" across the floor.  The sounds of the forest were playing.  Kenzie loved it. 


The workshop where many of the models in the museum were created.






Testing out the replica Titanic deck chair.  It was surprisingly comfortable.


Timmy's!  And now I'm sad all over again that all the southern Maine locations have closed.  Sigh.  Time for a trip to Caribou!

She almost fell off the wall.  That is her "I'm still traumatized" face.  Teenagers!  Being a great parent and immortalizing it forever on the internet!

Kevin nailed restaurant selection again.  This place was great.  Served all Acadian inspired dishes. They have ruined me for all other jambalaya (at least until I visit New Orleans some day!)


A Dark and Stormy... very appropriate, right?

Kaitlyn, bless her heart, is not my child and isn't very adventurous with her food.  She always orders fish and chips.

That is a pizza off the kids menu!  It was bigger than her head.  And she ate it all, except the crust.  Can't wait for her next weigh in, lol.


Next we worked off lunch and walked up the hill (mountain?) from hell.  Great views.  Almost died.

Made it back down the hill  for some more historical stuff and the Boardwalk.





Elephant Ear?  Fried Dough?  Nope.  The Beavertail.  A fried dough pastry in the shape of, what else, a beavertail.  Comes with many various topping choices.  Kaitlyn and I split the Brwownie (spelled correctly)- chocolate hazelnut spread (apparently we can't call it Nutella) with brownie and white chocolate chunks.  Kevin and Kenzie had the Triple Trip- chocolate hazelnut spread (again, it's freaking Nutella people) , peanut butter, and Reese's Pieces candies.  So. Good.  But don't worry Florida... it's still an Elephant Ear in my heart... just fancied up a bit!


Right after our Beavertails, we passed the poutine stand.  You know we're full when we only stop for a picture and don't actually get any!



Sadly, the last day of the cruise arrived much to quickly.  The last day, they traditionally make a towel animal for every deck chair overnight.  Kenzie loves going up to Lido and seeing them all,


Q&A with the Captain and other senior officers.  You always get a dumb question or two.  My favorite was the last one from an 8 year old boy... "what kind of jobs do you have onboard for an 8 year old".  The Captain was like "uh none.  I'd be in jail for child exploitation.  Just go out and have fun".

While waiting for an elevator, a lady was very excited to see us.  She mentioned that she'd been hoping to run into us and asked if we could wait for just a moment.  She apparently ran to her room and came back with a duck for Kenzie.  Biggest duckie I have ever seen.  Of course, Kenz loves it!

Kenzie is going to miss the atrium onboard.  Her favorite thing to do was do down there and listen to the live music.

I'm going to miss the gelato on board. 


Last day was the VIFP party.  Kaitlyn turned "platinum" on this cruise, so she actually got her own invitation and got to attend with us this time.


One last dinner on the "Grand Canal"


The last "show" of the cruise was "The World Works Here".  

The bring out the flags of all the countries represented on board- over 60!

Circle C and Club O2 (11-17 year olds) were supposed to sign the lyrics of "What A Wonderful World".  Only 3 kids showed.  I was so proud of Kaitlyn getting up there and being one of them.  Apparently her time on top the Sea Dogs dugout singing 'Sweet Caroline' has served her well!


NYC

Kaitlyn was excited that we docked next to the Intrepid!

We survived the trip from the pier to LaGuardia (I will never complain about driving in Boston again!) and made it home!