Western Caribbean Cruise 2021

COVID postponed our cruise for a year but we made it happen in August 2021.  To get on the boat, we all had to show a negative COVID test.  It was our first one and what a way to start a vacation!  Luckily we were all negative.  Colin had to test twice more at the cruise terminal and on the boat since he was unvaccinated.

We drove down to Hot Springs National Park to check another national park off the list.  We squeezed in a quick hike before it started raining.

Ate lunch at a brewery where they brewed their beer in the spring water.  So refreshing!

Happy Birthday Jordan!  We celebrated is big 4-0 at the Big Thicket National Preserve.

Carnivorous plants - sundews and pitcher plants!

Jordan and Kayla like ghost stories so we had to drive down the Saratoga Ghost Road.  Only went about a mile or so though.  It was creepy even in the daylight!

Scenes from Brazoria Wildlife Refuge

Sunset views from our Airbnb house in Brazoria.  We loved this place.

One last stop before the ship.  We had to drive our truck out on the beach just outside of Galveston and feel the warm water.  But it was windy! 

On Carnival Spirit!  Scenes from our room and on deck.

                           

                              

We played a scavenger hunt game which resulted in these pictures:

We won the scavenger hunt!  Colin and Kayla each won a pattern game while Jordan won a sword fight!

Of course we played bingo but luck was not with us like the other games

Riding the SkyRide, sometimes over the ocean!

First stop - Mahogany Bay, Honduras.  We had a beach day with lunch.  Afterwards, Jordan and Kayla went into the port to explore.  Since Colin is not vaccinated, he is only allowed off the ship on bubble tours so we always went to get some ice cream while they explored.

At one of the kid-friendly comedy shows, Colin was picked to come up and answer questions.  He was a bit shy but had some fun answers.  For example, the comedian found it funny that I save wildlife while Jordan burns them up, lol!

Next stop was Belize where we visited Altun-Ha.

Last stop was on Cozumel, Mexico.  We had another beach day that started out beautifully but ended in storms.  Still had fun though!

Last days on the boat!  We had an amazing wait staff at dinner and requested to eat in their section each time.  Kayla enjoyed hanging out with the teen staffers while Colin made friends and hung out with them.

Sadly, the cruise ended and we made our way back home.  We stopped at an Airbnb in Texas with a private pond and had fun fishing.

Last stop was at a cabin in Missouri.  We caught a beautiful sunset on the lake!  The kids also befriended a cat.

Last stop on the way home was the Arch in St. Louis.

Whew, what a vacation!  Per tradition, ended our trip with dinner at Mr. Brews.  :)