March–It’s that time of year when Coloradoans start getting cabin fever and curse any groundhog who dares a winter extension. So allow me to indulge those craving warmer climes.
Last fall, my husband Jamie and I went on a second honeymoon aboard the Norwegian Epic, the third-largest cruise ship in the world that boasts world-class entertainment like Blue Man Group as well as family-friendly offerings. It had all the makings for an idyllic vacation and it mostly was. We:
*Marveled when Jamie landed the key role as “The Investor” during Cirque Dreams and Dinner’s show that was so awe-inspiring we thought we’d taken a detour to Vegas.
*Chartered a boat to go snorkeling in Costa Maya, frolicked with the dolphins in Cozumel and explored the second-largest reef in the world in Roatan, Honduras.
*Lounged by the ship’s two pools, five hot tubs, kid’s pool, three multi-story water slides and the 200-foot Epic Plunge, the only tube slide at sea.
*Cooled down with creamsicle smoothies in the 17-degree SVEDKA Ice Bar (only 1 of 3 in the world).
Factor in a hilarious Murder Mystery lunch from Second City comedy troupe, a Sports Complex, rock-climbing wall, spa and bowling and the only things missing were our kids (who would have gone crazy for the Nickelodeon™ at Sea programs that included poolside parties, breakfast with the characters and a lot more.)
To be honest, Norwegian is the only cruise line I’ve ever sailed because I love their Freestyle Cruising. Instead of having regimented schedules, passengers are given the flexibility to dine and do whatever activities they want, when they want to do them.
Apparently our pastimes primarily consisted of eating at the ships’ 17 restaurants because I gained 5 pounds.
Our week-long trip went reasonably smoothly until the very end. The night before disembarking the ship, passengers have the option to set their luggage outside their room by midnight so the porters can carry it off.
We packed up our belongings and upon my insistence, separated every stitch of our dirty and clean laundry in different suitcases.We set the suitcases outside the door and went to bed in our skivvies.
An hour later, Jamie arose with a horrifying realization: He forgot to leave out clothes to wear off the ship the next day.
He raced over to the cabin door and the luggage was already gone.
The next 12 hours are a blur that included horror (him) and an innocent bystander (me) being forced to pillage the ship’s lost-and-found.
It’s only appropriate aboard a ship named “Epic” that Murphy’s Law should also make an appearance of that proportion.
Epic Family Fun
Kids can meet their favorite Nickelodeon™ characters like SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer with Nickelodeon™ at Sea. When you need grown-up time, they won’t even know you’re gone as they delve into the children’s programs at Recess or teen activities at Entourage. Fun includes a light up dance floor, Wii™ and PlayStation®3 gaming areas and a private karaoke performance stage that doubles a state-of-the-art surround sound cinema. Not-to-be forgotten are the Aqua Park’s multiple slides, bowling, the sports complex’s rock-climbing wall, batting cage, basketball and Spider Web, a 24-foot tall enclosed climbing cage.
I'm a Canadian-born mom of two, former Denver Post columnist, family travel writer, editor of MileHighMamas.com and 9News contributor. Expert on all things Utah, Denver, family and travel. Lover of laughter and life. Happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin. 