This past Christmas my Grandfather surprised us all with a 7 day cruise. Now he had nothing planned, but he wanted to go. After a lot of research and figuring, we booked a 7 day cruise to Bermuda. The entire Phillips Family (all 15) went on a family cruise to Bermuda. We left on Sunday, July 20th out of New York, NY and returned to NY on Sunday, July 27th. Sunday through Tuesday was at sea, Wednesday through most of friday was at Bermuda and Friday night through Sunday morning was at sea. Here is the summary of our trip.
Being blown away at the back of the boat. 
Sunday, July 20th
Eric and I had spent the night at Jenny and Daniel's house in New Haven. After being dropped off by Jenny we took an early train ride into Manhattan where we caught a taxi to Pier 88. We waited for the rest of the family to catch up and we all boarded the Norwegian Dawn together. Due to all the negotiations, my Aunt and Uncle were given the Owner's suite, which meant we all got VIP treatment. We all got to board early, with a special entrance and given champagne or orange juice. We spent time enjoying the owner's suite until our rooms were ready. Their suite was beautiful with hardwood and crystal like material. Their bathroom was larger than most rooms on the boat with a shower, jacuzzi tub and TV, 2 sinks, private toilet area and a 2 person vanity area/closet. They also had 2 porches or decks, which is where we watched from as we left NY. We sailed right along Manhattan. We passed the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. We spent the evening getting comfortable being on the boat and getting around the boat.
The inside of my Aunt and Uncle's suite.
Safety test! We were acting a little silly.
Look how close we were. What a view!
Monday, July 21st
Tuesday, July 22nd
We all spent the two days on the boat at sea. We went swimming in a crazy, almost tidal wave pool, ate a lot of food at many of the different restaurants, enjoyed the casino and the theaters and shows.
Uncle Tim and Wade
Aunt Alicia and Jack
My cousin Kate and sister Kelli
My sister Laura
My Dad, my Mom and my Grandfather - aka - Jimmy Stewart.
My cousin Dan
My Uncle Vince
Aunt Liza
Eric and I
Family Photo
A Wade Pose! Too funny
Grandfather and his kids.
Wednesday, 23rd
We docked in Bermuda at 7:30am. After breakfast and coordinating plans with all 15 people. Eric and I went to tour the dockyard with my parents. After a few hours we met up with everyone else at the non-tourist beach. Only the locals know about the beach called 9 beaches. It is a resort with many bungalows, even some on the water, and nice little beaches tucked into each nook of the lave cliffs. We took a taxi back to the boat to grab dinner. Little did we know that our taxi cab driver was the neighbor of Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones, so we got a few stories from the taxi driver. After dinner we took a ferry ride to Hamilton, the capital. On wednesday night they have a street festival. It was actually not as fun as we were expecting, but Eric and I did get a great picture taken by a local photographer.
Sunrise as we dock in Bermuda
Grandfather's room was just past Uncle Vince.
BERMUDA!!!!
Our Boat
Inside the boat
9 Beaches!
Hamilton at night
Thursday 24th - Most of us decided to take a tour of the island. We took a ferry ride to St. George. After walking around St. George we grabbed a bite to eat and then took a crazy bus ride to Hamilton. We did the tourist shopping thing in Hamilton then we took another crazy bus ride to Horseshoe Bay Beach, which is the tourist beach. It is a beautiful beach with many rocks or boulders. Absolutely beautiful! After the beach all the men and Aunt Liza went to King Henery the VIII, which is a local pub, while the ladies went back for dinner. We all met at another local pub called the Frog and Onion and visited until bed time.
Sister Laura, Cousin Kate, Sister Kelli and Cousin Dan
At St. George
This picture summarizes every view in Bermuda - Blue, beautiful water, the typical houses, sail boats and motor boats.
St. George
Horseshoe Bay Beach:
At night waiting to meet up with everyone else we decided to pose for pictures. I was waiting for my sisters to join me - hence the open arms.
My crazy sisters joining me for a picture. (By the way that is an 8 foot drop into water behind us) I love this picture!!!
Friday 25th - Everyone except my mom, Aunt Alicia, and the boys went on a catamaran near a local island and went snorkeling on the reefs. It was amazing. A sea turtle even swam up to Eric. We saw so many different fish and some people even saw a barracuda. After snorkeling we all grabbed lunch and met up at the most beautiful beach on Bermuda, Elbow Beach. The waves were great, the water was clear, the sand was pink and I have never seen that many colors of blue in the ocean before. After Elbow beach we had to return to the ship. We left Bermuda around 5pm. That night we had dinner and watched a great show and visited the casino. It was a relaxing night.
Our Catamaran
Just after snorkeling - can you see the lines
Sister Kelli, Dad and Grandfather
Elbow Beach:
Back on board for a family dinner as we pulled away from from Bermuda.
Cousin Kate, Sisters Kelli and Laura
Grandfather and Uncle Vince
Aunt Liza and me
Uncle Tim and Cousin Jack
Mom and Dad
Aunt Alicia and Cousin Wade
Saturday 26th - Saturday was another fun day at sea unfortunately it wasn't exactly beautiful. No one really went swimming. We all explored the boat, went shopping and bought some of the many photos that we had taken on board. The final day was a great way to hit all the highlights on the boat, relax and enjoy the family's company.
Our morning breakfast view from the back of the boat.
8 of the group got to go onto the Bridge.
Talking on the bridge
The beautiful sunset on our last night of the cruise.
Sunday 27th - We docked around 8am. We again received special treatment as we disembarked. Eric and I said goodbye to the family and tried to take a taxi back to the train station. Unfortunately there was a marathon, so we had to walk all 14 blocks with our luggage. Don't you love NY. Eric and I returned home Sunday evening.
We had a great time on the cruise and with the family. Out of all the many places Eric and I have been we both love Bermuda the most. The locals are so friendly and caring, the island is clean and the beaches are beautiful. The only down side is that it is very expensive. Eric and I cannot wait to visit Bermuda again.
