caribbean queen

We have been away enjoying our 5 day Carnival cruise thru Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay & Nassau, Bahamas. This being our first cruise experience, it rocked. The food was amazing!! All you can eat buffets, a sushi bar, 24-hour pizzeria, carrot cake as big as your head, soft serve on a cone ANY time you like it..I mean it was incredible. Every time we went to eat i got a little giddy!!! The Caribbean was under a storm cloud pretty much the entire trip, but it was still lovely.

Our first stop was Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos. Here we took a catamaran out to The Library, a teeming coral reef over a 6,000 foot drop. Damon had never snorkeled before but soon he was free diving 15 ft. down! As we were sailing away from the reef 2 dolphins danced & played at the front of the boat. i literally could have reached out & touched them. After a few cannonballs off the side of the catamaran we came back to the port which houses the largest Margaritaville. We bought the much sought after rum cake & OF COURSE some magnets/post cards/t-shirts/hat!!!!

Next stop, Half Moon Cay Carnival's private island in the Bahamas. Here there are really no touristy shops,just a beautiful, natural beach. It felt so good to swim around in the clean, clear water. They also had sting ray feedings, horseback riding, and lots of water equipment to rent.

Nassau was EXTREMELY touristy. Everywhere you turn the shops are filled with handmade straw fans & knock off coach bags. We took a historical sights tour, seeing the Queens Staircase & Fort Charlotte. Finally we stopped at the Pirate's of Nassau Museum, d & i both have a thing for pirates!!!! We discovered a really YUMMY Mediterranean cafe called Olives, where we had some awesome conch fritters!

On the ship we played basketball, drank the daily specials, gambled in the casino (yeah for jackpot party), went to the comedy show (Fat Cat was hilarious), laid by the pool, read the carnival capers, & GOT ENGAGED!!!!!!!!

As we were cruising towards Nassau on Thursday night Damon grabbed my hand & said lets go to the top deck. It was dark, windy & beautiful looking out over the waves crashing. We kissed ( a DREAMY ONE) & i told him that i thought our first kiss had been a 10. (we had just been at the Love & Marriage show where the couples had to rank their first kiss). He said,"i hope so," and reached into his pocket. I turned towards the water & asked if he was getting his camera. He said "i have something better." i turned & he was on one knee with the most beautiful, sparkly (highly coveted) ring. I was so excited i think i forgot to say yes for a few minutes. I have NEVER been so surprised. It was an amazing moment. i LOVE THIS picture!!! Look how happy & excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!