Norwegian Sun 9/30-10/5 - Our Fall Break Cruise

[lcookie]

Hello all,

 

This past week, I packed up the family and took a last minute cruise on the Sun for our Fall Break vacation.  The original plan was to take a beach-cation and do a family cruise on the Breakaway for Christmas 2019.  Well, due to unexpected health issues we had to cancel the Christmas cruise.  We then elected to move our beach-cation to Thanksgiving to spend time with family.  This left October open with no cruise planned.  After a quick search, I found two cruises that fit the bill.  I was stuck between the Sun and MSC Armonia out of Miami.  Due to Armonia sailing on Monday  we went with Norwegian so the little one would not miss any school days.  

 

A little about us.  We have been sailing the high seas on average twice a year for the past 4 years.  The  little one and I live for cruising.  Mama goes along for the ride most of the time.  She does not dislike cruising but could take it or leave it.  We have sailed on Carnival, Holland, MSC, and Royal previously.  No brand loyalty.  Just cruise based on who is going where we want to go, when we want to go, for the best value.  We enjoy small ships but like the bells and whistles on the larger newer ships more.  Usually do large ships in spring and smaller ships in fall.

 

I have been active on CC since I started cruising, but this is my first stint on the Norwegian board.  I chronical our trips via Blog on CC and Vlog on YouTube.  I do this to give back to the community that helped me get started.  You can view some of my other content via board search here on CC.  There use to be links but the new format go rid of that.

Edited October 10, 2019 by lcookie

[lcookie]

So as I said this was a last minute cruise.  We booked on 10 days notice.  Given the short timeframe I decided to keep the cruise a secret from the little one.  This is not as easy as it was when she was little.  I had to set up a fool proof plan.  The final plot was that we would be taking a circuit around Florida stopping at a different beach every day.  It was the best I could come up with to explain why we were packing so many swim suits.  Miraculously, she brought it.  Work is crazy as usual after being out for a week so bear with me as I will give the good ol college try to keep up with the blog and not have it linger on too long.  

 

Here is our teaser video from the trip to get you started.  

 

 

[CarrieAP]

Loved the video- put a smile on my face! Beautiful family. Looks like you go all in on vacation, which I love (and am a bit jealous of to be honest). Thanks for sharing your vacation with us!!

[DoctorWhoGirl]

Fun video, looks like you all had a blast. I was on the same cruise with my mom and sister for a girls cruise and we enjoyed every moment. Still wish we were back on GSC, that was the most perfect day, wasn’t it?! 

[lcookie]

13 hours ago, CarrieAP said:

Loved the video- put a smile on my face! Beautiful family. Looks like you go all in on vacation, which I love (and am a bit jealous of to be honest). Thanks for sharing your vacation with us!!

 

Thanks for following along.  We do like to pack it in when we go on vacation.  My fondest memories are from family vacations when I was a kid.  I want my kiddo to have those same experiences.  Stick around there is more to come.

[lcookie]

5 hours ago, DoctorWhoGirl said:

Fun video, looks like you all had a blast. I was on the same cruise with my mom and sister for a girls cruise and we enjoyed every moment. Still wish we were back on GSC, that was the most perfect day, wasn’t it?! 

 

It was totally worth it.  GSC was awesome.  Could not ask for better weather.  I did have a mishap but will not reveal that until later in this blog. 

 

Hey maybe you will have a cameo in my videos.

[lcookie]

Ok I have a little time left on my lunch break so I thought I would get this party started.  Same as every other vacation I take, work has a way of ramping up just before it is time for me to leave.  I put in my 12 hour day and made it home just in time to help the wife finish packing.  Since the cruise was not till Monday, we were not in any real rush to get it all done.  My focus was more on planning out activities for us to do in Central Florida for the next two days. 

 

I had one item on the books but needed more activities.  Here is what I had planned.

[lcookie]

Note that was not my picture, but it shows what we had planned out.  In my travels to Puerto Rico I have always wanted to go to see the bioluminescence of Mosquito Bay.  Each time the moon phase or some other reason has kept me from experiencing it.  Well, using my good friend Google, I found out that I can experience this phenomenon on the Florida Space Coast - Score 1!  Next, I checked the moon phase and Saturday was a new moon - Score 2!! 

 

I immediately call to set up the excursion just to find out Saturday was all booked up.  I opted for Sunday.  One day after the new moon is still newish.  So as you can see the stars aligned perfectly (enough) for me to finally check this off my bucket list.  Now how to sell it to the ladies who don't like being on the water after dark. More on that later.

 

Before shutting it down for the night, Mama and I decide to chill out Sat and leave Sun morning since we never settled on any other activities.

 

[lcookie]

Hello Sat!

 

For those who don't know our family dynamic, I am the adventurous one of the bunch, Mama is the polar opposite, and the little one is 75% me 25% Mama. 

 

Even thought we agreed to not head for Florida until Sunday, I woke ready to hit the road.  The ladies not so much.  I used a little word play to get them to see it my way and we began our journey south to Savannah.  Hey - technically it's not Florida,this would cut our Sunday trip time in half, and we get to spend some time with family to start our vacation.  This is a win-win-win in my book.

 

 

 

These faces don't agree with my logic.

 

 

This face does !

[lcookie]

On the road again!

 

There is one catch to going to Savannah.  We must take Nana some Garrett's Popcorn.  We give her corn and she give us room and board.  

 

As I am hitting the exit to pick up the popcorn I look over my shoulder and see this.

 

That's right.  30 minutes into the drive and they are knocked out!  TYPICAL

 

[lcookie]

Of course I get the grumpy faces from them when I wake them from their slumber.

 

However, the little one quickly perks up when she hears that we are getting popcorn.

 

Popcorn? - Say Whaaaat!

 

Here she is shooting video for her VLOG as we walk through the mall.  She is no longer a Daddy's girl but she does have her moments when she still wants to be just like Daddy.

 

Mission Accomplished!

 

 

[lcookie]

Back on the road it does not take long for me to be riding solo again.

 

Downtown Atlanta

 

Macon. GA

[LinnieRed]

Love it! 

[DreneeH]

Is your daughter old enough to take advantage of the teen area and if so does she enjoy it and has she met other kids her age there? We'll be on the Sun on Saturday!! 

[lcookie]

Once we hit Dublin, GA I pulled off for a quick rest stop.  We gassed up the car, grabbed some snacks, and continued our trek. 

 

 

 

Before you knew it we were in our beloved hometown!

 

They are all smiles now that the road trip is over!

 

Edited October 10, 2019 by lcookie

[lcookie]

39 minutes ago, DreneeH said:

Is your daughter old enough to take advantage of the teen area and if so does she enjoy it and has she met other kids her age there? We'll be on the Sun on Saturday!! 

 

She was a month short of going to the teen club. She was still in kids club.  She did meet some friends that she hung out with as much as possible during the cruise.  I looked in the teen area once and saw a handful of them playing games.  I later saw them hanging in the buffet and around the basketball court.

[lcookie]

Once at Nana's the little one wasted no time breaking into the popcorn bag!

 

She even showed me so unsolicited affection for taking her on vacation.

 

 

Edited October 10, 2019 by lcookie

[lcookie]

So you remember I said the cruise was a surprise for her.  Well now it is time to play up the ruse. 

 

Next stop - Tybee Island Beach!

[lcookie]

We link up with family and head to the beach for some late evening antics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 10, 2019 by lcookie

[lcookie]

More Beach Pics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 10, 2019 by lcookie

[lcookie]

The sand and water felt good and was very refreshing.  Fun was had by all. 

 

I even took a little sand home with me.

 

After the beach we drove the green mile back to Nana's and turned in for the evening.  I would say that Day 1 went just as I planned it!

 

 

[dolita22]

Enjoying your review!

 

We LOVE Garrett Popcorn. Get that cheesy, caramel-y Chicago Mix every time!

[hfweather]

Really enjoying your review, can't wait to read the rest!

[newmexicoNita]

12 hours ago, lcookie said:

 

She was a month short of going to the teen club. She was still in kids club.  She did meet some friends that she hung out with as much as possible during the cruise.  I looked in the teen area once and saw a handful of them playing games.  I later saw them hanging in the buffet and around the basketball court.

That seems to be the trend with the teens. They get to know each other at the teen club but enjoy spending time doing ship activities more than hanging out in the actually club. 

[SUSIEK]

Thanks for sharing.....ready for more 🙂  .  We are sailing on the Sun next Friday.  Last minute also. 

Edited October 11, 2019 by SUSIEK