Family Thanksgiving Cruise 2008

Breaking family tradition for the first time in 40 years, a decision was made last Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) among family members, to realize a major trip during a holiday. Thanksgiving Cruise 2008 became a reality when I discovered ONE ship that had a 5-day/4-night itinerary over the holiday. Perfect! Fourteen family members will be embarking on a very special adventure on Thursday, Novemeber 27th, 2008 from Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Among them are five related families: Anabel & Dale Butler; Pedro & Cathy Parra with their children, Jessica & Daniel; Edilio & Pamela Milian with their children, Chrissie & Alex; Maria Gonzalez with her son, Roger and daughter & son-in-law, Jacki & Andrew Stirling (newlyweds!). Say tuned for our pictures and adventure stories!

2008 Road Trip: The Florida Keys

Even with the price of gas, we decided to re-visit the Florida Keys as our annual vacation trip. Our last visit had been in 1996 for Eleanor's 60th birthday (Dale's mother) where we drove to Key West and stayed at one of my favorite bed & breakfast places, Merlinn's Guesthouse.  This time I planned it differently and with a more romantic flavor since it's just the two of us. Why not stay at a luxury resort in the upper keys for a couple of days and then leisurely crawl our way down to Key West and stay at the top bed & breakfast hotel there over July 4th week? 

So the date is almost here - we leave Saturday, June 28th for Cheeca Lodge for three nights in Islamorada. A presidential favorite, Cheeca has just been completely renovated and the perks at the resort fit our lifestyle. Dale gets to play golf by the ocean and I get to lounge at the beach and read books and visit the spa.  On the way there we will stop at Alabama Jack's on Card Sound Road for lunch. A real "Florida Keys dive", the fresh fish is terrific and the views of the mangroves into Key Largo begin. Can't get better than that!

After our Cheeca Lodge experience, we will amble down to Key West with a stop at Parrottdise Restaurant for lunch on Little Torch Key. This is a place we have yet to sample so I'll post my review later. We will be staying at The Marquesa Hotel in Old Town which is really a luxury bed & breakfast in a restored Victorian home. It also boasts a gourmet restaurant, Cafe Marquesa. We will call this home for the next five days and four nights. Can't wait!