Wow...still have a lot to tell everybody...
Before I start with Part 2 of my July, I thought I would let everybody know that I finally got my Swiss Drivers License today. I was not an easy task due to all the rules and regulations but it is finally done!
We are counting down the days until our friends Angi and Rob come to visit and then we head off to Symi to vacation again with James and Greg...
Now onto the bulk of this posting...
After leaving Paris I flew to Miami and taxied over to Fort Lauderdale in anticipation of the Big Gale 60th Anniversary Cruise! I got into Fort Lauderdale on July 4th and got to see the local fireworks from the terrace on my room. Other than that I was just waiting for the rest of the family to arrive. On July 6th everybody flew in from their respective homes and I moved hotels to join them. We stayed at the Embassy Suites in Fort Lauderdale and had a great time (for one night). I arrived earlier in the day than the rest of the family and was made to feel very special by Margaret - the lady at the front desk. She was great letting me check in early and then giving me free wifi 'because my room was not ready'...lol.
We enough about the before - let's get to cruise itself...
Royal Caribbean's The Allure of the Seas - the largest cruise ship on the seas today. According to the on-board staff, it is 3 feet larger than any other cruise ship on the water. Not sure if that is true or accurate but OMG it was BIG! A major city on the ocean and we had 7 days to enjoy it.
Our itinerary was:
- Nassau, Bahamas
- A day at sea...
- St. Thomas - port Charlotte Amalie
- St. Maarten - port Philipsburg (the Dutch side)
- Two days at sea...
Though we only had 7 days this boat/ship was big enough to get lost on for at least another week. It had different 'communities' like Central Park, the Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade and a full sports section with rock climbing, flow-rider and zip-line.
As part of the Gale 60th Anniversary Cruise...we had the following family on board:
- Mom & Dad Gale (of course)
- James & Greg (son and son-in-law)
- Terry & Vinny (daughter and son-in-law)
- Eric, Eric Jr. and Emily (grandson, great grandson & great grand daughter)
- Barbara (daughter)
- Linda (daughter)
- Allen & Diane (son and daughter-in-law)
- and Me (adopted-over-time son)
It was wonderful that all the kids could be there for this amazing milestone. I guess I was invited because I happen to be there for the 40th and 50th Anniversaries - so why not the 60th! Can't wait for the 70th!
I think the best way to review the trip would be to just post a ton of photos...
While on board I was adopted by another group and I have to thank them for making me feel welcome & at home my first dinner on the ship. Taking a step backwards - the first night on the ship we did have the 'family dinner table' ironed out yet - so I was seated at a table not with the family.
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It was a table of grandparents traveling with their
grandchildren. I especially want to thank Ashton &
Aubrey (the two youngsters in the middle) for
reminding me - being a kid can be fun! |
The rest of the trip was filled with family dinners, exotic/fun locations, beautiful days, late 'lushy' nights and a fabulous Anniversary Cocktail party!
Here are the photos of the "Great Gale Anniversary Adventure" - Enjoy, I did!
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| Allure of the Seas - 6000 passengers & everything one could want! |
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| All aboard... |
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| ...the first of many photos! |
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| View down of the Aquatic Theater |
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| ... one of many pools on board! |
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| The Boardwalk... |
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| ...and Central Park! |
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| Greg & James... |
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| ...and me! |
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| James, Greg above the Promenade! |
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| James, wine & a 1936 Mercedes! |
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| First stop... |
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| ...Nassau, the Bahamas! |
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| Greg & James overlooking Atlantis! |
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| Atlantis off the front of the boat! |
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| Leaving the beautiful Bahamas... |
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...a day at sea - through the
Bermuda Triangle! |
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| Me on the Zip-line! |
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| Atop the Promenade! |
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| Mom, James & Dad at Dinner! |
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| Barbara & James...cuttin-a-rug! |
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| James & Greg catching some color! |
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Linda trying to
avoid the camera... |
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| One of our smoking bars... |
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| ...with our great server - Victoria! |
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| Next stop St. Thomas... |
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... and our transport into town.
The driver stopped outside of the
town by a cemetery to collect
the fares...lol |
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James found a
Red Rave4 |
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Barbara walking up the
99 steps (really 101 steps) |
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| James, Barbara & Greg in town... |
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| ... our send off from St. Thomas! |
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Another dangerous night with
our favorite bartender
Jeffrey at the... |
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| ...Bow & Stern Pub! |
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Another family dinner - fun with
linens - meet the Bandits!
Eric Jr, Eric & Emily! |
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| Eric Jr - more fun w/linen! |
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| Final port - St. Maarten... |
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| ... welcome Greg & James! |
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| Strange customs... |
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| ...but real Absente! |
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The family got beach time...
Greg, James, Linda, Barbara,
Vinny, Terry and Eric...
(The kids were swimming) |
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| The Allure in the distance! |
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| Beautiful views of St. Maarten... |
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| ... and Dutch town! |
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| The beach of St. Maarten.... |
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| The dock of St. Maarten... |
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| Leaving St. Maarten... |
Now let's move onto the purpose of the cruise...
A wonderful cocktail party in celebration of Mom & Dad's (Marie & Al's) 60th Wedding Anniversary!
Dad rented out the Jazz Club for an intimate and wonderful party in honor of their day!
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| Happy 60th Mom & Dad! |
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| A few cocktails & conversation... |
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| The almost entire Gale Family Clan! |
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| A larger view of the family (sorry Greg - you moved) |
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| Catching Linda on camera... |
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| ... and then she gets away! |
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| Greg & James... |
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| Mom, Dad and all the kids... |
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| Just all the kids... |
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| The Daughters & Emily |
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| All the boys... |
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| ... & All the girls |
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Terry & Vinny with their son
Eric and his kids Eris Jr. & Emily! |
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| James & Dad... |
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| Emily, Eric Sr. & Jr. |
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| Allen & Diane |
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| Linda & Greg |
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| James & Linda |
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| Music by Miss Emily on piano... |
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| And yes, I was there too! |
We had a wonderful time and wish Mom & Dad many, many more years together!
Back to life on the boat - well, it consisted of a little drinking, a little more drinking and some fine entertainment! Thank goodness for beverage packages!
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| James & Greg waiting for a cocktail! |
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| On board show - Chicago! |
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James, Greg & I with Razvan
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at the Champagne Bar - enjoying
some homemade Romanian
'Tuica' (lighter fluid) |
Just an amazing time on-board and off.
Loved hanging out with my favorite extended family...James, Greg and the Gales!
These are just a few of the photos from this cruise... Many more were taken and will be enjoyed!
Next installation will deal with a quick day on Fire Island and My Fabulous 50th Birthday Party!
For now - I just have to send my love and best wishes to all!
Hope everybody is enjoying their lives and living them to the utmost!
With Love always
Ciao for now...
Ron & Tom
