We are now  in Houston after our few days at sea. Internet is back, so here is a recap on the trip. It may take a couple of posts to get through it.

We set off from NY aboard the Norwegian Breakaway. This is a pretty big tub, 3 times the size of the Titanic and currently the 10th largest cruise ship afloat. 4000 odd people aboard, 1500 staff. It’s about 16 stories above the waterline. All of New York seemed to have come aboard along with tourists from all parts. We had Americans of all shapes and sizes, English-speaking,  Spanish-speaking, Italian speaking…..Then there were Australians, English, Irish, Spaniards, Italians, French, several Russians. The crew came from all over the place. The Assistant Cruise director was an Australian. Then there were the activities………rock wall climbing, Basketball court, water slides, pools, high ropes walks, fitness centres, health spas. 27 eating places, Brazilian, Irish pub, Italian, French, sea food, burger bar, hot dog carts, 2 buffets and 2 general restaurants. Musicians in every bar. All this created NOISE, there was lots of it! Hard to find a quiet place apart from the cabins which were great. The food was also great, excellent variety. After a bit we identified the quieter restaurants and frequented them.

Liberty sail past from the top deck

Not sure that we would travel on one of these big ships again. Advertised as a party ship and it sure is! Notwithstanding all the noise we did have a good time on board, put it down to an experience as well.

Setting out from NY it was cold and not many of the 4000 souls aboard  braved the top deck for the trip down the harbour past the Liberty Statue. We did. It was a quite a sight, also the city skyline.

The grey Atlantic

We had a day at sea as we cruised down for our first stop at Cape Canaveral. It was pretty cold, windy and unpleasant on the way down to the Cape. The grey Atlantic lived up to its name. The seas were quite high, 3 metres or so and the ship was sailing right into it and the wind as well. One of the highlights of the trip was dinner that night while we watched a small-scale Cirque type show with Jungle characters hoping around with acrobats, jugglers etc. It was very well done!

The next day we were an hour late,  getting into Cape Canaveral around lunchtime.

Air boat action

Cow looking at Alligator on bank

The Imlays were off to the Kennedy Space Centre. We headed for an air boat trip on a Florida wet land area followed up by a visit to an old style private zoo come theme park, full of alligators and other creepies.

The cruise in the swamp

Cruising the Duckweed swamp looking for alligators which did not appear. Too cold it seems.

Duckweed everywhere

We set off in some mist and light rain but as the day progressed it cleared up somewhat for our spin around the swamp and wander around the zoo. The zoo was  a bit ragged but good fun was had by all, nursing alligators and other things such as tarantulas.

This was a favourite little critter

Putting ones head into it!

Another critter to nurse

Back to the ship at about 6pm and we headed off south towards the Bahamas………….