Favorite Picture of All Time

[gail811]

There is a story that goes with this picture. At 41 my sister had a major stroke. To save her life they had to do surgery and as a result, take out about 1/3 of her skull....it stayed safe in her belly for over a year (because she had a staph infection post op they did not want to put it back too soon) while she recovered. At her most critical moment in the ICU, I held her hand and told her if she would only open her eyes I would take her anywhere in the world she wanted to go....her eyes flew open (the first of many miracles!), and as soon as she came off the ventilator she requested we go on a cruise. So in late April this year, almost 2 years after her stroke, we boarded the Legend with our mom, our other sister, two nieces and my sisters’ best friend. My sister wanted to swim with the dolphins more than anything else, so I scheduled the Royal Swim. Although VERY skeptical when we arrived, given my sisters physical limitations, the staff agreed to "let her try”. This picture was taken during the foot push.....what you can't see are the six women standing in the water watching her, laughing and crying at the same time. Since this day, my sister has continued to recover, expanding her horizons daily; because this moment in time renewed her confidence and made her realize that ANYTHING is possible!

 

 

 

 

I originally posted the above story back in 2008. This year my sister joined me on our cruise again and this time she wanted to snorkel. I corresponded with Patouche charters in Tortola for months ahead of time and let him know about my sisters limitations. He was incredibly patient and helped us make her dream come true. Here is a picture my DH snapped of us swimming back to the boat with her. She held on to the life ring and we assisted her in fulfilling another dream.

 

 

And this is her pointing to a school of fish. What can't be conveyed in the picture is the sound of her screaming through the snorkel as she spotted the fish....she was thrilled!

 

[OceanDreams]

 

 

BFF

 

 

Just Adorable!!!!

 

OceanDreams

[beshears]

Ooooooooooh my, I am enjoying these pictures so much.:) Several of them have brought back GOOD memories of my vacations in some of these places.

 

As I am at work, I don't get to look much, but when I get a chance, I'll "KEEP" looking, until I get through this thread.

 

Everyone have a great/safe 2012!

 

Brenda

Kansas City (Gladstone), Missouri

 

Afterthought, We are having 50's/60's here on December 29th, and don't know what to do, as it is so AWESOME! We KNOW, BAD weather will be here before we know it, but we'll take this kind of weather anytime!

[momof4boys]

Hey Brenda....East KC (Lee's Summit) here! This weather is amazing! It is making me feel like my summer cruise is closer than it is! Happy sailing to all!

[scgamecock]

 

Half Moon Cay

[Minn.cruisers]

We recently returned from a cruise. Tried to get a photo on but it didnt connect.

Edited December 30, 2011 by Minn.cruisers
photo not going on thread.

[MDSue]

I originally posted the above story back in 2008. This year my sister joined me on our cruise again and this time she wanted to snorkel. I corresponded with Patouche charters in Tortola for months ahead of time and let him know about my sisters limitations. He was incredibly patient and helped us make her dream come true. Here is a picture my DH snapped of us swimming back to the boat with her. She held on to the life ring and we assisted her in fulfilling another dream.

 

 

 

 

I'm glad your sister is still managing to get out and enjoy life. My mom had a bad stroke many years ago, and she had many limitations afterwards, She and my dad were able to take a dream cruise shortly before my dad passed away, and it was probably my mom's favorite memory. The cruise staff went out of their way to make sure my mom had a great time.

 

Hope your sister gets to enjoy many more adventures!

[breezycruiser]

Carnival Splendor leaving Cabo San Lucas.

 

That has got to be one of the most beautiful pictures I have seen on this thread! Just stunning!

[Ykgorbie]

 

 

Mystic Mountain, Ocho Rios. We went up there for the "Jamaican Bobsled Ride" - truly amazing views from up there !

[Btyson]

Wow it was very difficult to find just ONE pic to call my favorite. But this is definitely one of them. DW and DS (16 mo.) on Cabbage Beach in Nassau.

 

[declansdad]

Not the best picture but one of my favourites, my son and part of his grandmother just after we left Tampa on our first cruise (Dec 29th last year on the Miracle)

 

 

and another from St Lucia on Jan 2nd

 

Edited December 31, 2011 by declansdad

[HopeILuvCruisin]

The boys and the bartenders at Nachi Cocum!:D

 

[richfret]

Then there is St Lucia:

[HopeILuvCruisin]

This photo was taken in St. Thomas (Magens Bay), when we sailed on the Dream in February 2010.

 

I have this exact same pic! From Sunny Linston Tours!:D

[deborahjo]

 

Bet this would never make it today. Was from August of 2008.

[spideyfam]

A little New Year's X-rated picture.

David statue in the Steak House.

 

 

[WishIwasOutThereNOW]

 

Queen Elizabeth & Carnival Freedom, St John, Antigua 7dec11

[OceanDreams]

Happy New Year everyone .... Good way to start the year off by looking at all these great photo's.

Inside Miami Carnival Port (I got in trouble for taking this photo....but it was worth it. Hehehehehe)

OceanDreams

Edited January 1, 2012 by OceanDreams

[KRW71]

Bumping in hopes of seeing more great, beautiful and funny pictures:)

thanks for sharing everyone

[OceanDreams]

I'm being selfish....Bumping this thread up, don't want it to get lost in all those double digit pages.

OceanDreams

[crusinpsychRN]

Why did you get in trouble for taking the picture?

[westview1]

 

Tobacco Bay, St. George, Bermuda

Edited January 4, 2012 by carynh

[OceanDreams]

Why did you get in trouble for taking the picture?

 

They told me it was a privacy issue for other cruiser .... I explained that in the photo was only the stain glass.

OceanDreams

[Billzilla66]

 

Sunset in Oahu, Hawaii. This picture doesn't come close to the real thing.

 

Looks like a giant dino swimming in the background. Maybe it's on it's way to Japan~lol!:D

[Billzilla66]

This one always brings a smile to my face

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/5036931768_9624f18aec.jpg' alt='5036931768_9624f18aec.jpg'> Sunrise over Diamond Head by capndinghy, on Flickr[/img]

 

I see a half warthog/half poodle in the clouds. What do you see?:D