Bahamas Cruise
February 2002

Jeanne and I went on our first cruise a few years ago, and we enjoyed it quite a bit. It wasn't long before we started considering another, this time with Matthew. So in February, we boarded the Sovereign of the Seas, a small city posing as a boat. Our first cruise was taken aboard a much older, and smaller, ship (the Dolphin IV). Clearly this was an upgrade. Our quarters were almost roomy, the food was plentiful and tasty, and there was always something to do.

We visited Cococay (Royal Caribbean's private island) and Nassau. Cococay is nothing more than a large beach, but we were able to snorkel in its bay for most of the day. Jeanne and I loved it, and while Matt eventually got the hang of it, he was less interested in the fish than just splashing around in the shallows (hey, someone has to bring the sharks in).

The highlight of Nassau, and the trip, was snorkeling with the sting rays. They are kept in a fairly large fenced bay (intended to keep the sharks out and the rays in), so you can really see them swimming around in a somewhat natural environment. Jeanne and I thought it was great (although Matt was seriously spooked by them). They were much larger than I expected, and incredibly graceful. It was an experience I won't soon forget.

After swimming with the rays, Matt and I explored Nassau. Jeanne was recovering from sunburn (earned while snorkeling the previous day), so she decided not to join us. It reminded me a lot of Freeport, only on a much larger scale. It's very colorful, and there are plenty of interesting places to shop and eat. I loved the Caribbean vibe and Matt thought it was cool to watch people drive on the wrong side of the road.

Matt and I drove down to Cape Canaveral from Michigan, because we prefer to travel that way (mom prefers the friendly skies). On the way, we made brief stops in each state (Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida) we passed through. It wasn't quite as enjoyable as the cruise, but it was fun in its own way.