I had the opportunity to do something great for my mother, and it was amazing. I took some vacation in early December and, with some very appreciated help, found a phenomenal deal on a 7-night Caribbean cruise. Because of really good timing, it actually cost less for the two of us to go on 
this cruise than 7 nights of hotel would have! I couldn't believe it! And the cruise includes lodging, really good food, activities, and great entertainment including Broadway-style productions.
If you know my mom, you know she's an amazing person. I can't begin to express my gratefulness for her...but this was a really good way to try! It's been a lifelong dream of hers to go on a cruise. She'd never been on one, and neither had I. I hope to be married in the next few years, and less able to do something like this with her, so I was so jumped at it. However, all I told Mom is that I was taking her "to Florida"...which was true. She was very excited to be going "to Florida"...and that we did...and then promptly got on a very big boat!
I decided not to tell her we were actually going on a cruise but just let her figure it out. We landed in Fort Lauderdale, got in a cab, and headed to where we'd board the boat. The building was actually blocking the cruise ship, so it wasn't until we were asked which ship we were boarding that she realized...and flipped out! What incredible joy and fun for me to surprise my mom, who has given me so much, with something that was a lifelong dream of hers.
The cruise line was Princess Cruises and our ship was the Star Princess. Our 4 ports of call were Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; Cozumel, Mexico; and Princess Cays, Bahamas. It was absolutely incredible, and I would highly recommend it.
I may post some pictures from this trip in a few days. One thing I don't have any pictures of is another lifelong dream of my mom's that I got to fulfill -- swimming with dolphins! It was incredible! If you know my mom, Zan, just ask her about it -- she'll be very glad to tell you!
