Ok, a little update here from our trip:
DH arrived back home much earlier than expected, about 9 am, after going in to work at midnight.

We were on the road by 11 and at the ship at noon. We admired it, saying it was much prettier than the other ships

.
Check-in was fast and easy, and we were having lunch on deck 9 by 12:30.
Our cabin was supposed to be ready by 1:30, so we went down to deck 7, all looked looked good, except for 1 thing:
A little background here. In our documents and luggage tags, we were assigned to stateroom 7520, confirmed for 4 people. When we checked in, we were switched to 7598. DH asked about the luggage tags having a different number. No worries, we were told, they will know when they scan the tags.
There was a queen bed and single sofa bed, not 4 beds for 4 adults!
So Dh and the kids went down to Guest Services. They came back, apparently there is a bed that lifts down from the ceiling with a special key that the cabin steward has, like a bunkbed, who knew? With a ladder even that only appears in the evening.
Ok, so we settled into our stateroom (that sounds so ostentatious). Anyway, with a verandah. I settled on a chair there and lit a cigarette, and DS says to me, I guess you found your chair. I said "why?" "well, the ashtray is right behind you"
OH the joy and excitement! A comfy chair with an ashtray on the wall, a small table, a railing with see threw plastic if you sit down, sunny weather, warm, perfect!!!
Anyway, sometime between this paragraph and the next, it was 5 pm and our luggage still had not arrived. It was supposed to be outside our room. I said I bet it's by 7520. DS went to check, and sure enough, there it was!
DH was exhausted from being up since 10 pm the night before, so he took a nap, and the kids and I went to explore the ship. It is really very cool. We left Dh to sleep and went up on the top deck, where I purchased my first Bahama Mama

Servers were walking all around with those yummy looking drinks in fancy glasses. $6.95. Plus tip, I think, cause it was all on handwritting receipts on the perimeter of the ship.
Later, I got another one.
then we go back to the cabin (where dH is still sleeping) and DS notices a note in the elevator: "Today's drnk special" Bahama mama - $3.95"
Then DH and DD went upstairs, and I said, bring me back another one please, but by then they knew about the sign, and they asked the server about it. It was the "SOUVENIER GLASS" ploy.
I forget the exact sequence, but at some point, the kids and I went to the sailaway party, while DH slept again, or still? I really wanted one of those streamers they were waiving about, but we missed it coming up and DS and DD refused to get one. Anyway, it was still fun.
End of part one for now.
We have lots of great pics, but they are locked up right now in DS's camera and DD's laptop, so i cant upload any.
A few replies:
First off, thank you, my friends for thinking of me and missing me

I thought of you all! But I never had a desire to go near a computer. I passed the Internet cafe and laughed (silently, of course!). I spent tons of time on the verandah, the adult deck, and
castaway cay reading Twilight, and I enjoyed the relaxation. I am almost done with twilight now, like 1 or 2 chapters to go.
Well, I guess Marita is at a sail away party right about now! Hope you're having an amazing time, Marita!!!!
Thanks PJ, I sure was at that time and had a great time!
They really do make Vegetable Thins and they are even veggie shaped!!!
N grumpy celery to be found, but here's Celery the Minx!!!!!!!!!!
Hope Marita is having a ton of fun.
Love the Minx, LOL
What do y'all think Marita is doing right now?

Do you suppose it involves wine? I miss her already. We should talk smack about her behind her back.
Thanks, Wendy, the only wine I had was at dinner.
I did have, however, a few Baham mama's, a Mohito, some Pina Colada's, a marguarita, something I dont remember what it was called, some beer, and something else. I tried to live it up on the more exotic side. Oh, and a Cosmopotan.
Yep, Wendy, I'm thinking you're right about what Marita is doing tonight!
Maybe taking in a show?
Hope she at least got in some quality bum-laying in a deck chair
I took in too stage shows, a comedy skit, 2 Bingo games (lots of fun, but won nothing and expensive)
Marita might be over at on the adult side of the boat having a few drinks watching a comedy show. They do a Newlywed game there too which is pretty funny. They pick three couples out of the audience.
I loved the adult side, struck up conversations with about 3 different ladies while drinking exotic drinks
so hope that Marita is having a great day.......
Yep, I did!
Hope Marita is having great weather and no rough seas.
We had the most amazing weather ever! It was perfect!
Marita should be on Castaway Cay today. Hope the weather is nice and they can dock. Wonder if she has her bathing suit on?
It was the best day ever! The day I enjoyed the most. It was absolutely beautiful. I did wear my bathing suit and have pictures to prove it. I lounged around in a hammock and a lounge chair while reading while the family went snorkeling and then went to watch the kids who entered a crab in the crab race (and WON) then had some lunch and went back to the ship. Or room looked out over the island, it was the most amazing sight. I will post pictures. We spent I bet 2 hours at least just admiring the view and watching the boats. The water was amazing, chaning colors from light blue to medium to dark. It was perfect weather!
Hope that Marita is having a great time.....her time will be done fast......
Yes, Pumba, back already
LilG: Not a Rootbeer Float for me the entire trip
Oh, and I got a hot stone massage on Friday, and a facial. I split the original massage I booked to half massage and half facial. Where the beautiful young lady convinced me (and I am sure she is right) that I need to change my regimen and suggested products.
1: for eyes - yes, I know I need that
2: for face - better elasticity - ok, I get that
3-5: products for shower etc to relieve muscle stress. I say, no, I dont really have muscle stress.
So I agreed to get the eye and face cream. She said this will last you for 8 months. Something she said made me suspicious. I said, where can I get refills?Ummm, well, they are kind of not readily available in stores, you have to go on their website, but it will be more expensive.
so she brings me the bill for the eye and face cream. $220 AFTER my 10% CM discount.
No, thanks, I said, but I will try the eye cream, it's my problem area. $89. I guess $10/month is not too bad, I will see how it works. She promised wonders in 2 weeks.
OK, that's all for now for my mini trip report.