Just Because It's Over, Doesn't Mean It's Done - 03.08.26

Today we disembarked from our weeklong cruise adventure. We saw so many incredible places, experienced new cultures, explored bold flavors, and swam in beautiful waters. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to visit new countries which further opened my eyes and gave me a better worldview. While our time was limited at each location, I feel like we took advantage of it and made every moment count.

Of course, we had to have one last breakfast before we left the boat for the final time. I had pancakes, hard boiled eggs, and fruit. I sure do miss how easy it is on a cruise, no grocery shopping, cooking, or cleaning.

Once we disembarked, we walked over to The Florida Aquarium as we had several hours to occupy before our flight home. In purchasing a ticket, the Aquarium will store any luggage you may be traveling with which was a major draw for our visit.

The Florida Aquarium features diverse ecosystems such as wetlands and coral reefs. Visitors are able to explore habitats that showcase animals from Florida and around the globe. There are hands-on experiences like touching stingray. Visitors can also learn about conservation initiatives and unique species like axolotls and paddlefish.

Overall, my family had a nice visit as we leisurely went through each exhibit. We also grabbed lunch at Cafe Ray, the on-site dining spot. We ordered double tenders (two signature hand-battered chicken tenders with seasoned skin-on fries), two fresh catch sandwiches (blackened filet of fish, lettuce, tomato, lemon-caper remoulade, toasted brioche bun), and a Vienna hot dog (classic all-beef hot dog). After an all-day aquarium outing, it was time for us to call an Uber and head to the airport for the final leg of our journey, our flight home.