I feel a little guilty for posting this, just as I felt a little guilty for going after everything our community suffered after the April 27 storms. But we had this planned and paid already for several months prior. Since our home and family fared well, we decided to go ahead and go.

So the Friday after the storms, we packed and emptied the freezer and refrigerator (we donated everything we could to the local community center which fed volunteers and survivors, the rest went to our neighbors who cooked and divided it among several households). We took the dog to the kennel (thankfully they were unaffected by the storms and had a generator for power).

Once we got everything sorted and packed, we then flew to Orlando where we had our first hot shower and meal in a couple of days. (And we were finally able to contact family and friends to let them know we were okay.) On Sunday, we boarded the Freedom of the Seas in Port Canaveral:

The FOS is a big ship!

We spent the next week looking at the beautiful scenery of the Caribbean.

The Labadee (Haiti) beach through some old ruins.

A spectacular sunset as seen from our balcony.

Of course there were the obligatory food carvings...

and towel animals left by our stateroom attendant.

We ate too much (I'm not sure how you can get around that on a cruise!), met some great people and had a relaxing time. We got to explore some places we've not been before which was fun. (Albeit hot. Very, very hot.) Cruising is a great way to get thoroughly pampered and waited on. It's a huge let down to come home, as then you realize that you have to make your own bed, cook your own food and clean up after! I think we'll do it again. (Soon, if I have my way!)