Our wonderful vacation has come to a close. A cruise was really the perfect vacation for me because what I really needed a break from was not blogging, but THE INTERNET. Since my job is on the internet, I am quite obsessed with being online. Had we gone somewhere with internet access – the beach, Europe, a city – I surely would have been on my iPhone or laptop the whole week. So being in the middle of the ocean was perhaps the best place I could have gone to relax!
Day 6: Books + Booze
On Friday we said goodbye to Bermuda and headed back out to sea
I was feeling a little overstuffed from the late night chocolate buffet, so I had a simple fruited breakfast with yogurt and a bran muffin. This muffin was actually delicious and very fresh tasting – not greasy or oily at all. I didn’t finish my pear – he was too crunchy 🙁
We spent most of Friday in total relaxation. I must have read for about 10 hours! I finally finished Middlesex. The book was sooo slow to start, but it got better and better and had a fascinating ending.
I do NOT like tanning (all sun is bad sun!) and was slathered and sprayed in SPF 45. After a few unavoidable hours in the sun I felt like I was getting to much and covered myself with a towel (there wasn’t much shade up on deck!)
After a few hours of lounging by the sea, we decided to check out the formal lunch instead of the poolside buffet
Karen decided we needed to continue celebrating Andrew’s graduation with a bottle of wine 🙂 I had a splash. I didn’t want to head into the afternoon dehydrated!
I had a little roll to go with it
All of the formal meals are 3 courses, so I ordered a fruit appetizer to start. It was pineapple with tropical fruits and a pound cake. I left half of the pound cake but loved the fruit
I also got a garden salad for some veggie nutrients
For my entree I ordered the Croque Monsieur, which I remember loving on a trip Paris many years ago. But I remembered the ham, cheese and bread dish as more of a fancy layered delight, and was disappointed to find this was just a regular ol’ grilled ham and cheese. It did taste good, but after my fruit + salad I only needed a few bites to be satisfied and gave the rest to the boys (had a fry or two too!)
Of course lunch comes with dessert. We got a cranberry crisp and a pineapple upsidedown cake for the table. I had a bite of each (OK, 3 bites of the oatmeal-like crisp!)
The rest of the afternoon was spent reading, napping (I think I drooled on my book!) and ended with a nice sweaty workout when our tennis shoes finally dried from the Bermuda monsoon. I ran around the deck for a while with my iPod and went in for a little elliptical when a lady got off the only machine and finally some weight lifting with the boys. It was nice to get in some exercise before dinner.
We decided to reverse our schedule and do the show first and dinner second (Karen had trouble staying up for the 9:45 show!) So we had some drinks while we waited for the show
I ordered an extra sweet Manhattan – yuuuuuuummmm!!! I love it extra sweet-style. I sipped it very slowly again and made it last all the way to the other side of dinner.
Andrew got some delicious pina colada drink in a fishbowl
The show was a variety of singing and comedy –
Here’s how much Manhattan I had left when we got to dinner an hour later. I could never drink beer or wine as slowly as I can a cocktail, so this was a good strategy to enjoy a drink over a long period of time –
Love me some rolls! I’m just like my mom – I live for bread! I tried to stick to half at a time so as not to eat too much before dinner.
We ordered a Syrah to have with dinner. I had one hefty glass. I really loved drinking wine WITH the food on this trip. Normally, if I am going to only have one drink at an event, I prefer to have it before dinner so I can focus on the flavor. But during this vacation I usually had one before and a little wine with my meal. It was so enjoyable to combine the wine + food as you’re supposed to do. Alcohol is a trigger for me, so I don’t think I’ll make it a habit, but I do think I should enjoy a little vino with dinner more often at home. They key word there being “little.”
First course was a crab + tofu soup, although I don’t think I found either of those in the broth!
My entree was a Goat Cheese Polenta!! SO GOOD! Norwegian really did well with the vegetarian dishes. As you all know, I’m not a vegetarian, but I love veg. food and the dishes are often more appealing to me than the meaty entrees in terms of flavor combinations. I ate about half of this square and all the spinach underneath and gave the rest to the table to try.
We shared food all week, and I had lots of bites of other dishes that I didn’t photograph. This night I captured the “Surf and Surf” and a wild mushroom risotto. I tasted each –
Dessert was a fruit + cream trifle. Ate all of this guy!
And a bite of Matt’s choco cake
After dinner we headed to a “White Hot Party’ at the disco
I ordered a Manhattan on the rocks, but I was starting to feel the drinks and after a few sips, I gave the rest to Matt, who was thrilled to take it over 🙂
Dance party for Kelsey!
Day 7: Last Day At Sea
On Saturday morning we decided to do another formal breakfast. It was fun to sit with other cruisers and get to know them at a big table of 8.
Karen and I sampled the pastry basket. I am not really a huge pastry person (they are too dry) but the muffin was great. I had about 1/4 of the muffin and two bites each of the other two.
Beverage!
I ordered grapefruit and plain yogurt for an “appetizer” (and got accused of being “too healthy”)
And ordered a waffle with banana syrup for my entree. I ate about 75% of this guy and left breakfast feeling a little weighed down after the pastries to start.
Matt was feeling a little sluggish from our late night (he was out 2 hours later than me!) and had OATMEAL for breakfast! He added muffin, brown sugar and raisins.
We were such foodies that when we left each meal we checked to see what would be on the menu for the next meal. Oink!
Saturday’s weather was rather dreary so we did some reading by a window to digest
After it stopped raining I went up on the Promenade Deck and walked around the track with my iPod. The wind was blowing and there was nothing to see by sky + water (that’s a famous quote by my dad from a previous cruise!) and I actually watched a storm move across the ocean and onto us. The sheet of rain was so cool! It was one of my favorite moments of the cruise.
When it started raining I went inside to do some ellipticaling and then ran around the track when the sun came out. Then it was lunchtime!
I had a big salad plus some side dishes
VEgggggiiiiies
Some cheese tastes
Indian Spiced Tofu + Peas, Coconut Rice + Pecan Pumpkin (!!!)
For dessert I had a little Cream of Peach soup!
In the afternoon we went to a “Guess My Odd Job” game show. I put my name and job (‘food blogger’) in a hat and got chosen to go on stage and try to stump a panel of yes or no questions about what I do. I won!!! I think they were quite surprised when I said I take photos of my food for a living 🙂
Later on we got dressed for dinner. I finally got to wear my new Macy’s dress – a long one.
The boys and I headed to a lounge to play some cards – and found free popcorn! I had a bit for a snack to hold me until dinner.
I wasn’t going to order a drink, but Andrew got one of those delicious Sex At Sunsets and I had a taste and changed my mind (my plan was to do another “sip through the evening” with it).
But before I knew it, our friend Jim, an elderly man with whom we made friends the first day, sent over a round of drinks!!! I had a glass of pinot, but I shared this with the boys.
Wish he’d sent over the round before we ordered our own! We had to carry them all to dinner!!! But you can’t turn down a kind offer like Jim’s 🙂
There were bar nuts scattered around the ship (the boys liked to call this a nut bong. As in “Hey, can you pass the nut bong”) *Shakes head disapprovingly* 😉 Anyways, I had a few nuts before dinner each night that helped tide me over while we were in the shows.
Here’s our friend, also Matt, who served us wine each night!
Cheers! “To Andrew’s Graduation” was the theme of the week, obviously 
For our final dinner I had a cup of Chilled Black Cherry Soup (ate most)
I also had a tomato + mozzarella salad
Matt got the escargot and gave me one. It was delicious due to the BUTTER all around it!
My entree was Pecan Crusted Snapper in a Gumbo Sauce (ate 2/3)
My family was in a hurry to get to a Beatles singalong and left before dessert. I was NOT about to skip dessert on our final night so I stayed behind!!
Two lovely desserts, just for me 🙂 Almond torte and coconut soufflé. I only had a few bites of each – the chocolate off the torte and 2 bites of souffle, which was too eggy.
Then I headed to the Beatles to find Karen having the time of her life!!
I was still sipping my cocktail from earlier
We ended the night with some karaoke – that’s Matt singing “Down On The Corner!” (I wasn’t brave enough…)
Day 8: Sittin On The Dock Of The Bay
I had a bit of “it’s my last night and I need to eat + drink + live it up” syndrome last night 😳 Not sure if it was eating too much, 2.5 drinks, or the horrible night’s sleep I had from the luggage banging around as the crew picked it up all night, but I did not wake up feeling very good at all! Booooo.
We had an early final breakfast up on the deck overlooking a parking lot 🙁
Muesli, plain yogurt, prunes, a peach, a fig, and mini wheats – with tea.
We went straight to the airport for our noon flight. I had a Clif Bar – Maple Nut – to tide me over for a late lunch. I didn’t really care for this flavor that much. It was a bit bland and had that chalky protein taste to it.
We arrived home at 3pm to find a perfectly clean house. Kelsey did a fabulous job house and bearsitting. Her blog posts had me rolling on the floor laughing!!!!!!!!!! Those silly bears!!!
I’ve caught up on my comment reading – thanks for everyone’s support for the guest bloggers!
I am happy to be home and I can’t wait to eat 1,000 vegetables and get creative cooking this week. I have the week off before I start my internship next Tuesday.
We were starving and obviously there was little to no food in the fridge. We didn’t have time for a grocery store trip, so I scrounged together what veggies I could find to make a quick lunch:
The carrots were rubbery, so I made a greens + corn BBQ mix in a pot.
Heat together:
- 1 can greens, drained
- 1/2 cupish frozen corn
- 2/3 cupish frozen lima beans
- 2 tbsp mustard-style BBQ sauce
- Red pepper flakes
- Maple syrup (1 tsp?)
Not bad!
+ half an apple with Barney Butter!
And a few Food Should Taste Good Olive Chips. Yum!
Sad News
We received the very sad news that Matt’s grandfather passed away this morning. We will likely be traveling to his funeral on Wednesday. Luckily he died peacefully in his sleep. He was a darling man and will be missed by all of us.
Unpack + Restock
I’m off to finish unpacking and then am walking to the grocery store for dinner supplies and a little exercise. Can’t wait to make oatmeal tomorrow!
Sarah (LovIN My Tummy) says
Pass the nut bong!!! Leave it to the boys…
Welcome home! I am so sorry about Matt’s grandfather. Not a fun thing to return home to. I hope the shopping/laundry catch up goes seamlessly!
rhodeygirl says
what a great vacation!!!!!
Elizabeth says
I’m sorry to hear about the loss of Matt’s grandfather. 🙁
You looked fabulous in your Macy’s dress. And I’m not suprised that you stumped them with your job at the game show 🙂 Welcome home Kath!
Simply Fabulous says
So sorry to hear about Matt’s grandfather.
Very happy that you are back and what a nice va-cay you had! I know what you mean though, nothing is better than being in your own comfy home doing your own thing!! 🙂
Enjoy getting settled!
Courtney (The Hungry Yogini) says
Welcome home!! I’m glad you had a great time and made it back safely. All of the food and pictures look beautiful!!
So sorry about Matt’s grandfather.
Enjoy home!
Talia says
I’m glad you had the amazing and relaxing vacation you needed, although I send my condolences to both you and matt on the passing of his grandfather.
Alli W. says
Your dress is adorbs!!
I am sorry about Matt’s grandfather–your whole family is in my thoughts!
Glad you are home safely!
Rachel says
All those desserts and alcohol, how fun! Ha, I love sweet stuff as well. You’re dresses are too cute
Jenn )) j3nn.net (( says
Welcome back 🙂 Wow, it looks like you had a fabulous time. The food + desserts look amazing! So much fun! You look very beautiful in your pics.
So sorry to hear about Matt’s grandfather. My condolences.
Jenn
Lisa says
I was going to leave a joke-y comment about the nut bongs, but it doesn’t seem appropriate. I’m glad you guys had such a wonderful time, and I’m so, so sorry for your loss. Hope Matt is hanging in there.
Ansley says
The Macy’s maxi dress looks absolutely STUNNING on you! It’s such a flattering cut on you.
Beautiful!
xoAnsley
Julie says
I don’t know how you sip a drink all night! I have this problem called “drinking too fast”. It only happens with wine and mixed drinks though. When someting tastes so good, I have this urge to chug it. No wonder I’m always drunk before I know it. I love how you stayed behind for dessert…I love me some sweets, but it would be a toss up for me and the sing-a-long! I might love me some Beatles more.
So sorry about Matt’s grandfather.
Jessica says
Glad you had such a fabulous tri,p and a week from the Internet does sound appealing. I’m the exact same way about sun exposure…it’s a bad thing.
Sorry to hear the sad news on Matt’s grandfather.
Sarah says
I have loved reading about your trip, it makes me want to go on vacation so badly! I’m glad you had a good time but selfishly glad you will be back now 😉 Sorry about Matt’s grandfather, my thoughts and prayers with his family. “See” you soon!
Sarah (Tales of Expansion) says
yay for internet vacations!! someday …
i LOVE your show dress. so sweet with extra pizzazz from the sash. AND the macy’s dress. you were quite the fashionista on this trip!
the future-meal-investigation you had going … very smart. and is it wrong that i also love elderly men? they are so generous and accommodating. and the chilled black cherry soup sounds fascinating.
Sorry to hear about Matt’s grandpa. i’ll be thinking about you guys wednesday.
welcome home!
Justine says
Looks like a lot of fun Kath!!! I cant wait for my vaca to the Dominican soon.
~Justine
valerie says
Hi Kath,
I love your blog format. What server do you use? I have tried Blog spot and Word Press but am not happy with either one.
Thank you!
Valerie
The Wold Has Turned and Left Me Here
amber says
LOVE! LOVE that long dress!
jennifer says
GREAT recap Kath. Thanks!!!
Hallie says
I’m glad you had such a nice trip, but I’m very sorry for your loss. Sending good vibes out your way.
jennifer says
Also I gots to agree that escargot is AWESOME. But I love sunbathing (I know it’s bad but …. I look great with a tan , and I do so easily).
Heather says
Wow, I have never really wanted to take a cruise, but it looks like so much fun! I get a little seasick, so that would be a problem. I am going to re-read Middlesex again since you posted about it. So sorry to hear about Matt’s grandpa. Take care!
Ellen @ Peace in Motion says
those chilled fruit soups look awesome
Tammy says
Welcome back! Looks like you had a wonderful vacation. I love all the guest bloggers and your KERF home tour, thanks!
So sorry to hear about Matt’s grandpa!
Glad you’re back!
Heather says
Thanks for these AWESOME recaps Kath! I just loved hearing about your cruise. It looks like you had so much fun! You definitely deserved this week of R&R to kick off your summer vacation! 🙂
Your dresses are just GORGEOUS! I would seriously love to raid your closet! 😉
Glad to hear you arrived home safe and sound… I know I sure missed my daily doses of Kath! 😉
Augh, unpacking is always my LEAST favorite part of vacations! 😉
So sorry to hear about Matt’s grandfather passing away. Be sure to let Matt know that him, his family, and his grandfather are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Heather says
I’m just curious… what was the name of your ship? I cruised on the NCL Spirit last year in the Caribbean. We actually left out of the NOLA port, so I had fun reading about your trip there as well!
Megan (The Runner's Kitchen) says
Welcome Back! Your trip sounded like it was the perfect mix of activity and relaxation! I loved the photos of the fancy desserts and cocktails – reading your blog post was like taking a mini vacation 🙂
Caronae says
It sounds like you had an awesome trip! I love your long dress. Maple nut is one of my favorite clif flavors, weird…
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Sheri says
Welcome back! What a great holiday recap! Sorry to hear
about Matt’s grandfather…so sorry for your loss.
Bec says
What an amazing trip looks like a blast!
Biz319 says
Great post – and while I love your long dress, it is my goal to fit into that short black and white dress you were wearing with the red sash – so cute!
Sorry to hear about Matt’s grandpa – cherish your memories!
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) says
LOVE your long Macy’s dress…too cute! I’m in love with that style for the summer.
I’m so sorry to hear about Matt’s grandfather. 🙁 I’ll be praying for you and your family!
Linda says
Welcome back!
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of Matt’s grandfather. Your family will be in our thoughts…
K says
I’m so sorry to hear of Matt’s grandfather. My thoughts are with you and the family.
Anne K. says
That trip sounds like sooo much fun! What a beautiful picture of the sea.
I’m so sorry to hear about Matt’s grandfather 🙁
Taylor says
I am so jealous of your trip – it looks amazing!! And my roommate just told me today about how good those chips are – I’ll have to try them out.
And I’m so sorry to hear about Matt’s grandfather. I’ll keep you and your family in my prayers and thoughts.
Lydia says
Thanks for keeping us entertained while you were away. Welcome back.
Sorry to hear about Matt’s grandfather. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kiersten says
I’m glad you enjoyed your vacation Kath. The cruise looked really nice. I love both of the dresses you’re wearing in this post, you have such cute clothes!
I am sorry about Matt’s grandfather.
Kath says
Thanks for your kind words everyone
Julie ,
That’s the beauty of these bourbon cocktails – you don’t want to drink them fast!
valerie ,
Wordpress – it’s by far the best of the two.
Heather ,
We were on the Majesty – but Andrew cruised the Spirit for his spring break this year!
K
Melissa @ For the Love of Health says
I’m sorry to hear about Matt’s grandfather.
Your cruise vacation looked fabulous!! So glad you had a great time!! The food all looked so good (and the drinks too hehe)
Welcome back!
klm says
I LOVE the dance party pics!!!!!! There are so many fabulous pictures on this post!! It looks like you had a gggreat time!!
allijag says
I LOVE that macy’s dress! too cute, it looks FAB on you!
sorry to hear about matt’s grandfather – my thoughts are with the two of you and his family!
Diana says
I’m so sorry to hear about Matt’s Grandfather! Hugs, Diana
JT says
It’s great to have you back to blogging and your guest bloggers were great. I am sorry to hear about Matt’s grandfather, no matter what, it’s always so hard to loose a loved one.
courtney says
So sorry to hear the news about Matt’s grandfather. You are all in my thoughts.
Glad you enjoyed the vacation.
Lara (Thinspired) says
Hi Kath,
I’m so glad you are home safe and had such a great trip! How cool that you have the week off, too! Can’t wait to see what you cook up.
I’m so sorry to hear about Matt’s grandfather. Hugs to you both.
Welcome back!
Joanne says
I’m so sorry to hear about Matt’s grandpa. My condolences to you guys and his family.
Glad to see your cruise was fun. I, ironically, was on a Norwegian cruise as well this week and I recognize the dinners! (I ate at the buffet for breakfast and lunch). I was pretty pleased with the dinner options – I thought the portions were pretty well sized and some of the options were definitely healthier than I thought a cruise would be. What did you think? I really loved Norwegian (and the Bahamas) a lot.
Shannon (The Daily Balance) says
So sorry to hear about Matt’s grandfather — thoughts and prayers are with him (and you!)
Looks like an AMAZING trip – will be nice to have you back!
Oh She Glows says
I’m so sorry about Matt’s grandfather…you are all in my thoughts.
Kath says
Joanne ,
No way!! What was your favorite dish? 🙂
K
Tray says
Hi Kath!
I’m sorry to heard about Mat’s grandpa, sending thoughts your guys’ way!
Did you go on a Carnival cruise? I was just on the Carnival Glory in January and your boat looks similar! Ahh the peach soup, my fiance had a three course meal out of that a few times! We both gained about 5 lbs…wonder why! I hope you had an excellent time!!
Danica says
fun, fun, fun! I LOVE your new Macy’s dress!
Danica says
P.S. I am sorry to hear about Matt’s grandpa too.
I know you were all caught up on comments – sorry 😀
Caitlin says
Thanks so much for the cruise posts. Even though cruises are notorious for providing endless amounts of food, you showed that you eat in moderation, as well as eat healthy.
btw, your Macy’s dress is so cute!
Jenn Eats Nutritiously Now says
So glad you had a great time