The Hiatt Family Cruise of 2022
Tues, May 31, 2022
I took the car in for a check before our road trip Friday only to learn the radiator has a leak. Ugh! That was $1100 I didn't expect to spend today... but at least we are less likely to be stranded in the middle of Texas with an overheated car and miss our cruise. I'm trying to finish my quilt before we leave. I'm hand stitching the binding now. We watched Wanda Vision (all episodes) today.
Thurs, June 2, 2022
I think we are ready to go. We got our COVID tests, but when John went, Jimmy Carter overheated and we ended up having to get him (the car) towed home. I didn't finish my quilt and I've been rather stressed, but hopefully the coming week will be more relaxing.
Sat, June 4, 2022
We left home June 3rd, early in the morning and drove twelve hours, stopping only briefly for gas, restrooms and lunch. We were about twenty minutes from Brian and Kendra's home in Fort Worth, it was raining, Josh was driving, and suddenly one of the windshield wipers flew off! The metal arm started scratching an arc across the passenger side of the windshield. We stopped and after looking unsuccessfully for a replacement at a gas station, we just angled that wiper away from the car and continued to Brian and Kendra's house, where later Steven was able to go with Brian to get a new windshield wiper.
The next morning we got up early to continue our journey to Galveston, this time caravanning with Brian and Kendra. We stopped at a Buc-ees for a bathroom break, but shortly after we left there, the check engine and VSC lights came on! We found an auto parts store and were able to figure out what was wrong, but the replacement part we needed was almost $100 dollars and that store only had them in sets of six... but thankfully there was another auto parts store nearby that did have the part individually in stock, and Brian was able to swap out the new part for the old one fairly easily. (On our own, Steven and I would have had no idea what to do!) We were then able to continue our way to Galveston and the cruise ship.
Meanwhile... I had been monitoring my email for the results of the COVID tests we had done on Thursday, with no success. They never came! [They actually did come, at around 11pm that day, too late to be useful. Boo Quest Diagnostics!!!] Someone else had a rapid COVID test where a doctor could monitor via video chat, and so John was able to complete his that way, and Josh had his done at a different place and so had his results, but Steven, Peter and I ended up having to get COVID tests by Carnival and ended up being almost the last ones to board the ship, right at 3pm!! Luckily, because we HAD done our best to receive our shots on the recommended day, or maybe just because it was the last minute? they didn't charge us the $150 we thought they were going to charge - another small blessing.
When we finally arrived in our stateroom, I laid down to rest for an hour or so, then took a shower before I was ready to face the world, get dinner, and tour the ship. The evening went well, and hopefully the rest of the trip will be more relaxing.
Sun, June 5, 2022
It is hard to keep the Sabbath day holy on a cruise ship. There is not church service, no feeling of reverence. We chose not to participate in the games or pools and dressed more nicely than we otherwise might have. Instead we found places to read or do puzzles or just sit and relax. We had dinner with the rest of the family in a fancier dining room and then went to a show with Kathy. Steven complained that it was too loud, but I loved the special effects - interactions with lights, lasers, silk over fans, an incredible backdrop that seemed an extension of the stage at times. The dancing and music were great too!
Mon, June 6, 2022
Today I spent most to the morning hanging out with Karen and Bryson (4 years old). In the afternoon I read and relaxed. After dinner we attended a comedy show and then watched "Murder on the Nile" on the big screen by the pool.
Tues, June 7, 2022
Today we landed at Roatan, Honduras, where we (Steven, John, Josh and I) went horseback riding and then hung out at a very nice private beach. There were some adorable baby horses that came along for the ride. Peter went swimming with dolphins with other family in our group. It was nice to be away from the crowds for a little while.
Wed, June 8
Today we landed in Belize and traveled two hours inland to see the ruins at Xunantunich. I enjoyed learning about the Belizian culture on the bus ride, and the pyramids were cool. We were able to climb to the top of one called the castle. From the top we could see Guatemala. On the way back we stopped at a restaurant where we were served beans and rice, chicken and coleslaw. Last night we enjoyed dinner with Andy, Megan, Brian and Kendra.
Thurs, June 9, 2022
Today's excursion was a catamaran ride, snorkeling and visiting a beach in Cozumel with the whole party. It was fun to spend more time with the other family members. I also was talked into getting my first real pedicure yesterday. it looks nice but I'm not sure it was worth what it cost.
Fri, June 10, 2022
Today was our final "Fun Day at Sea". We ate, read, swam, and walked the ship. For dinner we celebrated Kathy and Maureen's birthdays. Grandma Maureen tested positive for COVID and has been resting in her room the last couple days.
This morning we gathered our belongings, checked out of our rooms, had breakfast and then hung out by the pool until it was our turn to disembark. it was then that John realized he had lost his wallet. In spite of going back to search his room and asking at guest services, it wasn't found. Luckily he didn't need it to get off the ship, but I really hope it turns up. We left Galveston around 11am local time, and drove until about 11pm, stopping only for gas and dinner at McD's. We stopped for the night at a hotel in Salina, KS.
Sun, June 12, 2022
We arrived home safely today. It is good to be home. We chatted with Hannah in the afternoon and told her about the trip. There is still no sign of John's wallet.
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