Last week I ventured on my first cruise to Key West, Nassau, and CocoCay. I’ve always been a little weary about cruises. You hear all those stories about everyone on the boat getting sick and let’s be serious, you’re in the middle of the ocean with no help for miles. We all know what REALLY happens when something goes wrong. Ha. But seriously, the biggest boat I’ve ever been on is the Magic Kingdom ferry boat (my sister-in-law would be proud of me for saying Magic Kingdom & not Disney ;) ) so I was a little unsure about being on giant cruise boat for a 4 night cruise.

Nonetheless, I grabbed a few good friends and we were on our way. Key West was beautiful but short-lived and rather touristy. We weren’t docked there for more than just a few hours so we only walked around and did some shopping. If you ever go, you must get Kino’s Sandals… I’m thoroughly enjoying them. =)

Our next stop was Nassau where Courtney & I had booked parasailing. The other girls booked a dolphin swimming excursion so we split for the day. I have to say, my stomach was in knots before we went parasailing. This picture should tell it all:

We were on this tiny boat with about 12 other people (not including the boat driver & the parasail guy) so it was a tight squeeze. Of course everyone on the boat but myself got a harness (what the hell!) and we were soaking wet from the waves by the time we got out to our parasailing spot. Before I knew it, the guy was pointing at Courtney and I and it was our turn!

You sit on this strap at the front of the boat and you basically wait for the wind to pick you up. In the blink of an eye, you’re up 400-450 ft in the sky.

Let me just tell you…it was the most peaceful experience I think I’ve ever had. It’s quiet, so completely beautiful, and oddly very still. Definitely a very fun experience AND I didn’t do too shabby on my landing. =)

For the rest of the time in Nassau, we just walked around (I couldn’t get used to people driving on the wrong side of the road!) and then hit up the beach. The sand was so amazingly soft and the Mango daiquiri wasn’t too bad either. ;) (Picture is at Junkanoo Beach.)

We went to Senior Frogs for dinner where there were plenty of drinks & food, as well as singing and a little shimmy shaking.

Our next stop was CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island. It was very beautiful. We started the day with some yoga on the beach but then it rained a little bit so it wasn’t until the early afternoon that we were able to rent some snorkel gear and head out.

Schools of fish kept following me and it was totally creeping me out! Snorkeling was definitely a workout but rather fun. =)

The rest of the afternoon was spent drinking Coco Loco’s (the amazing island drink) and soaking up the sun. I was so completely relaxed it was ridiculous. It’s always so nice just turning off the phone, not bringing the lappy, and totally disconnecting.

Of course we had some fun activities that were on the boat throughout the trip like the belly flop competition (we were just spectators, don’t fret), bingo, trivia, the casino, shows, and a yogurt machine on the pool deck open basically all the time. :X

All in all, had a fantastic cruise. Vacations never feel long enough, but I’m feeling stress free, relaxed, and happy. Can’t ask for much more, right?