day 1

our trip started on the 11th (thursday night) we drove the van to Lethbridge to meet my mom and pick up a few more last minute things at Walmart. We needed to get FSA approved locks for our suit cases so that they didn't chop them off if they had to open them. As we were saying good bye to the boys in the van Ryker told blake to "get out of my van so i can go to Grammies.' That made leaving them a little easier when i did all the crying, haha. We then crammed 4 large and 4 carry ons plus 4 adults into Todd and Beckys Equinox, it was a little snug but the ride went by fast. We stayed at our aunt and uncles in Calgary, we got there around 11:30 and our flight left at 6:15am so we fell asleep until 3:30 and Monty dropped us off at the airport. We flew United from Calgary to Chicago where we had a 2 hour layover. The plane was tiny and there was a lot of turbulence taking off, the plane was so full we had to check out carryon underneath as all the overhead bins were full.We found our gate in Chicago, which wasn't too far away, and luckily didn't have to find out luggage as it was going straight to Fort Lauderdale. We had some deep dish pizza(when in rome i guess haha)

The handy charging station in chicago

and then flew to fort lauderdale. We stayed in the Red carpet Inn, which had a shuttle from the airport, it was really nice to not have to worry about a cab and all of our bags. We shared a room with Todd and Becky and just ate supper and breakfast at the attached restaurant. Every hour there is a shuttle from the hotel to the ship ports, which can get pretty crazy, they told us we were supposed to check in at 2:30 but we had to check out of the hotel at 11 so we just headed to the port. When they drop you off there is people standing on the sidewalk that you hand your previously tagged suitcases to and they make sure they are delivered to your room on your ship. It is best to tip these guys and make sure your suitcases are delivered in a timely manner. You go through metal detectors and get to the check in desk where they give you your id card and take your picture, we had signed and checked in previously online so it was a cinch to check in. then you walk up onto the ship.

Day 1- sail day
we checked in before they were done cleaning the rooms, they start at the back of the ship and we were actually the last room at the back of the ship except the stateroom with the balcony, so our room was clean. Every day they gave you a "cruise compass" which is a schedule. they also have a touch screen on the walls by the elevator where you can see what is going on all over the ship .

the view from our balcony

the aqua theater on the back of the ship

finally getting to our room down the long hallway

Jordan and Mellisa had a balcony facing the ocean- the other ships looked tiny next to ours

it looked like a mall inside

starbucks on the ship(not complimentary)

christmas decorations but still didn't feel like christmas

checking out the casino

this is the boardwalk view from our room

we walked and explored the ship we started at the top (level 16) there is a level 17 but its for "gold members" we ate lunch at Wipeout cafe which has burgers and hotdogs and fries. and the best softserve strawberry icecream! Blake got the "unlimited soda package" and we just shared. They give you a cup with a chip in it and there are special pop machines through out the ship with 180 different options to choose from from pop and lemonade and juice. our favorite was vanilla barqs and peach sprite and cherry mountain dew. it was around 6$ a day but you can get pop from any bar or resteraunt for free if you show them your card as well.

blake and his cup

we used My time dining and booked everything before hand online. we were on deck 5 in the Silk lounge.

You can make a reservation before hand or you can just show up and wait to be seated. They had prime rib, and it was really good. we unpacked all of our stuff and bought a few things on the main deck at the store. LIke a lanyard to keep our cards in. If anyone ever wants to borrow ours and not spent the 10$ just let me know! we hung out in the whirpool in the solorium which was our favorite place because its 16+ and on the front of the ship. The pools aren't heated, just warmed by the sun so it was colder at night. we headed to bed early after a long day.