Our 2018 Brilliance of the Seas Cruise- Day 2: Key West

Price and I had been to Key West in 2013 for a day as part of our “Babymoon” in the Florida Keys when I was pregnant with Autumn, so we were really looking forward to going back to Key West. We had so much fun the first time that I was really excited that this was a port of call for us on this cruise.

The day began as it typically does with the kids getting up and ~~politely requesting~~ demanding breakfast. ha! Timing didn’t work well with getting ready at the same with with both kids, so we did our typical divide and conquer strategy and Price took Autumn to breakfast first, then I followed with Hunter.

Once we were all together and organized we really began our day.

The Adventure Ocean Kids Program was open starting at 9am, so we heading right up then so Autumn could have fun in Aquanauts (3-5yrs) before we went to port.

While Autumn was at Aquanauts, Hunter napped and we got ready.

As that time in Key West was limited, at least compared to some other days in a port (11.30am -5.30pm), the line to get off the ship and on to the free transportation to Mallory Square, was fairly long, but it was well organized and moved along fairly quickly.

Our first stop in the port was Cuban Coffee Queen’s waterfront location, that Price and I had been to before, and had been dreaming of ever since we had been there years prior.

The coffee is strong and the sandwiches are fantastic. We couldn’t pass up getting them while we were in Key West again. It brought back so many good memories too.

While we waited for our food, Autumn and I wandered around the shops around there.

We decided to take our sandwiches to go so that we could walk and eat, allowing us to get back to sight seeing as soon as possible.

We wove our way over to Duval Street , checking out the amazing architecture as we went. I love getting to see the details of a house, fence, gate, garden that wouldn’t be noticed if we took at trolley through the town. Granted, we are missing out on the history of some of these places that we would hear about during a guided tour. But we think it’s an okay trade off to get some miles under our feet. Helps work off the sandwiches!

Can’t resist a good pineapple spotting.

Our main destination for the day was the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory.

Price and I had been there previously and we knew that Autumn would enjoy it. Plus, we would enjoy getting to go again as well.

Walking through the hot, humid conservatory makes you feel like you have been transported to a tropical jungle. It really felt like that on that day since Key West was rather cold that day too.

The butterflies fly all around you as you walk through the conservatory. They sometimes even land on you!

Autumn was doing her best impression of flamingos Rhett and Scarlett.

Price and I loved the Butterfly Conservatory again. It’s so fun getting to see all the different butterflies flying around, sitting on plants, and eating from fruit and flowers.

I think that Autumn appreciated the butterfly conservatory but her main interest was the gift shop. She picked out a big kit of butterfly and insect books, coloring books, stickers, and tattoos. It, unfortunately, also came with a big fake spider that has scared me on the cruise and at home more times than I’d like to admit.

You can’t visit Key West and not get a picture at Southern Most Point, so we headed over there after we left the Butterfly Conservatory.

It was fun to think about how the first time we were there, Price and I were starting our family, and now we are visiting again and our family is complete.

Florida. Ah, you have my heart now.

Then we headed back up Duval, working our way back up to Mallory Square.

The are times when the crowds can make the sidewalks crowded and the pace slows way down (I do walk quickly- so this is torture!) or just plain difficult to pass but it’s still really enjoyable to check out the shops and the beautiful architecture along they way

Stopping at Rum Bar was another must do for us.

We went last time,but I was unable to drink as I was pregnant at the time. But nothing was holding me back this time!!!!

We sat outside on the beautiful wrap around porch, I ordered a big, glorious mojito, drank half and then Autumn knocked it over. #kids

Since I basically forgot to pack Hunter pajamas for the cruise, we ran into the Gap on Duval Street. And then we made another quick stop into Walgreen’s before we headed to Key West Key Lime Pie Co. on Green Street. Getting a slice of Key Lime Pie on a stick was a must do for us.

The Chocolate Dipped Key Lime Pie on a Stick was perfect!

Only then, were we able to happily head back to the trolley to take us to the ship.

The lines to get back on the ship were a bit crazy, but we happened to hop over into a line that was near empty. We think that most people thought it was a staff line since it was so empty, but our risk of getting redirected to back where we were paid off.

Bye Key West!!!!!

The kids were hungry when we got back to the ship, but the Windjammer was not yet open (opened at 6pm), so I headed over to Park Cafe to grab a soup and some fruit to carry them over until it opened.

By 7pm, the kids were fed, cleaned up, and ready to go to Adventure Ocean.

Price and I then got ready for our own dinner in Minstrel Dining Room at 7.45. It was great to have some time to ourselves without having the kids interrupt our meal. It felt just like a Date Night!!