As readers know, at this time last week we were coming to the end of our 8 day escape on the Independence of the Seas, cruising to the Caribbean, making stops in St. Maarten, St. Thomas, San Juan and Labadee (Haiti).

Since our return, I find myself returning again and again to look at pictures from the trip. I told my husband that I thought it was because I (think) I look relaxed, happy and totally unconcerned. And warm, very, very warm.

I can say, without reservation, that this vacation was almost as perfect as they come. And while we liked everything about the trip, there were a few things that stand out as our favorites:

Action man Anders

Adventure Ocean
We had been told by friends to expect that our children would want to have nothing to do with us once they discovered Adventure Ocean (aka “cruise camp”).

During our days at sea, the children would attend Adventure Ocean from 9 am to noon and 2 pm to 5 pm. But the best part was that the counselors would also come to our dining room at 6:40 pm (40 minutes after dinner started) to take the kids back to camp, not to be picked up again until 10 pm! And, if we really wanted, they could have stayed in camp until 2 AM (we never tried this one), Plus, during our day in St. Thomas, the grownups took a snorkeling trip (see Bones below) while the kids stayed at camp from 8 am to 4 pm.

On the second to last day the kids performed in the Adventure Ocean talent show, which allowed Sophie to (finally) sing in front of an audience, and gave Anders the opportunity to try out all the new jokes Uncle Bryan and I had been teaching him at dinner. (“What did the Pink Panther say when he stepped on an ant?”)

Comedy tonight

The international staff in the Ocean Explorers program were extraordinary – not only were they enthusiastic and friendly, but they all had a background in childhood education, giving us the confidence to leave our kids and enjoy a little grown up time.

In Labadee with the amazing Adventure Ocean staff

I will admit to moments of “mommy-guilt” (shouldn’t we be spending more time with the kids, etc), but we always gave the kids a choice on what they wanted to do. It just happens that most of the time, they wanted to be at Adventure Ocean.

Room with a view

Rooms with balconies
There is no question that staterooms are tight. Especially when all four of us were in the room, trying to get ready for dinner, or swimming, or whatever. Our saving grace was that our room had a balcony. The balcony, which did cost us extra, gave us some breathing room – a space to relax with a book; the perfect place to apply spray on sunblock, and a fresh ocean breeze.

I was initially concerned about the kids trying to climb over the balcony, or wandering out of the room while we were sleeping, but they were very well behaved and never tried to vault the glass.

Mango & Jason (he's the one in the wig

Bones USVI
During our stop in St. Thomas, we left the kids at Adventure Ocean (how cool is that??) and boarded a pirate ship bound for Buck Island and a day of snorkeling, swimming and sun. Once on the ship we met Mango, Jason (a recent college graduate who had moved from Texas to work in St. Thomas) and the captain (sorry dude, can’t remember your name!).

During the cruise we explored reefs, saw ocean turtles, swam to a beach and enjoyed a delicious lunch on an island. Many of us also drank alot of rum punch (after the snorkeling and swimming, of course), while I was introduced to Blackbeard Ale from Virgin Island Breweries (but brewed in Minnesota??).

We took two tours during our trip and the Bones adventure was our favorite – the ship was “authentic,” the snorkeling and weather were beautiful, and the food was delicious. But most important – the crew was amazing.

Preparing to swim to lunch.

The UN in Labadee
As readers will know, I had some reservations about visiting Royal Caribbean’s resort on Labadee in Haiti. During our visit, we were thrilled to see many stacks of food and materials labeled “Haiti Relief Efforts,” as well as UN trucks and soldiers.

As we left Labadee, we were informed that all profits from all activities and sales made during the day would be donated to the Haitian relief.

Bryan and Sophie

Disconnecting & reconnecting
As planned, I put my iPhone in the stateroom safe on Saturday morning and did not take it out again until the following Sunday. During the week I didn’t check my e-mail, update my status or cyberstalk anyone on Facebook. Instead, we reconnected with our kids – Anders and I quickly slipped into a routine of getting up early for breakfast and journal time before Steve and Sophie got up.

The kids were also able to spend the week with my brother (Uncle Bryan), a rare opportunity since he lives in Florida and we don’t get a chance to see him often.

While all our adventures and activities were great, my favorite times were the little moments and conversations with my family. (For example, Sophie pledging to me that she will “never be a dramatic teenager.”)

Cruising
I could go on and on about our vacation, but the end result would be the same – my new favorite thing is cruising. I left Florida feeling refreshed and renewed. We had enjoyed adventures and quiet time. We had reconnected with our kids, and with each other.

Now the question is – where should we go next?