Hello, internet — I missed you! My reader is overflowing with posts the way I was overflowing with desserts on this trip, so it will take a few days to get caught up. The vacation was exactly what I hoped for and more: I feel recharged, refreshed, and ready to tackle toddler tantrums, scraped knees, picky eating, and early wake-ups for a good long while. I handled all of that during the first 48 hours after returning, and now I’m already dreaming of the next getaway.
Choosing what I wanted from a vacation was a challenge: pure relaxation, adventure, a beachfront vacation condo or a hotel, sleeping in, indulging in comfort food, or squeezing in extra gym time. A cruise turned out to be the perfect compromise — you can do almost all of those things. One night we danced at the club until after 1 a.m.; the next we were fast asleep by 8:30 p.m. There was plenty of daytime sipping, dinner toasts, and shared drinks with family and new friends we met on the islands — and somehow no real hangovers. The Caribbean has a little bit of magic to it.
If you want a glamorous, exclusive escape, a cruise isn’t the ideal choice. Cruises are practical and social rather than ultra-chic: there are wide age ranges, casual styles, lots of buffet stations, and plenty of lines. It’s not private or overly refined, but it’s convenient, often affordable, and it lets you visit many places on one trip. I can picture taking the kids on a future cruise, with different expectations — more relaxed beach time, less late-night partying. For now, a cruise suited us perfectly.
We sailed Sunday to Sunday on the Ruby Princess out of Fort Lauderdale with stops including Princess Cay, a day at sea, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, Grand Turk, another sea day, and back. We splurged on a balcony room this time. Our balcony was at the stern on deck 11, which felt private and quiet. My in-laws had a side balcony on deck 9 that had better breezes and different views in port — it’s really a matter of personal preference when choosing cabin location.
Queen-sized bed and good storage. The bathroom is tiny, but manageable.
Champagne toast as we left Florida.
The main reason for the cruise was a family celebration: E’s parents and two sets of aunts and uncles renewed their vows after 23, 35, and 40 years of marriage. The vow renewal package and the travel agent arrangements led to a ridiculous amount of champagne — five bottles plus extra wine — which was perfect for toasts, even if some of the celebrants didn’t drink.
The atrium in the middle of the ship.
Days at sea were filled with low-key activities: ballroom dance lessons, movies by the pool, two big shows plus an illusionist and a comedian, gym sessions, deck walks, and browsing the shops. We tried our luck at blackjack and did very well at team trivia, winning three out of five games. Evenings were an opportunity to dress up and enjoy multi-course dinners in the main dining room. For people who enjoy getting a little dressed up, the cruise dining experience is a highlight — and the food was consistently excellent.
Poached seafood and avocado salad with lime vinaigrette.
Mussels in white wine butter sauce.
E’s dinner: a giant steak with fries.
Chocolate mousse over a brownie — the perfect finish.
We spent time on beaches at Princess Cay, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Grand Turk. Princess Cay, the ship’s private beach area, has calm sand and easy snorkeling right off the shore. We skipped the paid chairs and cabanas and spread our towels instead, bringing our own snorkel gear for a low-cost beach day. The tender to shore meant waiting at times, so we didn’t rush our return to the ship.
Snorkeling around Princess Cay.
St. Maarten was bustling with multiple ships in port, but we enjoyed a catamaran excursion to reefs and a beach, complete with free rum punch and sandwiches. Shopping in town included the familiar cruise-ship jewelry promotions; after browsing and a lot of attentive sales pitches, I came home with a tanzanite and diamond ring that I love and wear every day.
The reef where we snorkeled in St. Maarten.
In St. Thomas we started the day at Magen’s Bay — one of the most beautiful beaches in the world — before visiting Blackbeard’s Castle, a rum factory with generous tastings, and a local amber spot. The hillside views were stunning, and the market offered plenty of colorful souvenirs and snacks.
A quieter corner of Magen’s Bay.
Grand Turk offered vivid water colors and snorkeling over dramatic drop-offs. Our snorkeling trip took us to reefs and to Gibb’s Cay to meet stingrays — a highlight of the cruise. Seeing large barracuda nearby and swimming with colorful fish made for unforgettable marine encounters.
Turquoise waters around Grand Turk.
Back on the ship, simple pleasures like naps on sea days, fish and chips at the Wheelhouse Bar, and evening meals with family rounded out the trip. One of the nicest surprises was rediscovering how much fun my husband and I have together. We may have enjoyed this cruise more than our honeymoon cruise because we know each other so much better now.
The post-vacation blues hit as we returned to Florida.
Reentry was smooth: customs was uneventful, flights were adjusted, and we arrived home in time to tuck the kids into bed. My parents kept the kids busy while we were away, which made the reunion easier. Settling back into routine helped them readjust, though they were definitely ready to test the boundaries after a week of spoiled treats and nonstop play. That’s fine — I feel rested and ready to handle it.
If you’re considering a Caribbean cruise, think about what you want from your trip: variety and convenience, a mix of beach and activity, or a focus on pure relaxation. For us, the cruise hit the sweet spot of family celebration, adventure, and downtime — and we returned home full of stories and memories.
More photos from the trip are in my personal album if you want to see the rest.