Here’s the deal: Databases rule. Vacations rule. Learning rules. I know, because I just took a database-education-themed vacation with my whole family.
Sean was chosen as a speaker for SQL Cruise Miami 2013. And he said, “Wanna go?” And I said, “Sure, let’s take the kids! And Grandma!” And we did.
We reserved cabins and flights, emailed teachers, gathered supplies, and left.
Warning: This is the cruise from the POV of a SQL Cruise non-attendee. The attendees spent more time in classes, less time with kids, and formed a better bond amongst themselves. By the end of the cruise, they were laughing at inside jokes I’d missed, not having been in the classes. I was very pleased for them.
Day 0 is a Friday. We fly in too late to hit the pre-cruise dinner, but we’re fine with that, and travel goes smoothly.
Day 1 we breakfast with my cousin – coincidentally in Miami for a medical conference – and see the town a bit. We happen upon a farmer’s market and ogle the fresh mangoes. Then we grab all the baggage and hit port. There is surprisingly little delay in getting on the ship; including security and checking in, we’re on board in about 45 minutes. After a good deal of settling in and exploring, we meet the gang for mixers and cocktails and dinners. B-Side Consulting (Tim Ford‘s company, the force behind the cruise) has put together a team scavenger hunt; I put the boys to bed with Grandma and join up. We have simply ludicrous amounts of fun.
Day 2 (Sunday) we meet and fall in love with the massive breakfast buffet on the (mostly open) top deck, then Sean’s off to 8am classes, starting with Kevin Kline (and ending with Sean himself). I’m not an official attendee – I’m on kid duty for this trip – but Tim is kind enough to let me sit some of the sessions this week. The kids and my mom and I fill up a good deal of time with swimming, exploring the ship, eating, activities, a couple of shows, and hanging out in our room (we specifically got one with a balcony!). The afternoon “office hours” are a good time to get back with the SQLCruise group and talk shop. That night is the group “formal” dinner. My boys put on ties they haven’t worn in a year, my girl and I wear black dresses, and Sean puts on a clean polo shirt. (I did say “formal”, you know.)
Pro tip: iPods. My girl is 13, plenty old enough to behave herself. But the boys – 7 and 5 – can quickly become bored with these slow, talky meals. I let them bring their iPod-like devices (one is an iPod, the other is a decommissioned smart phone loaded with music and games) and listen to music for much of the evening.
Day 3 is very like day 2, but without the formal dinner. Sean gives his second – and last – session of the cruise. That night (I think), we watch movies on the giant, open-air screen at the back of the ship, with the wind and the stars all around.
Day 4 is a port day; no classes. Everyone troupes off the ship, through the overtouristy shops, and to the information booth. I use a map there to make a snap decision on beaches, and hey-presto! One cab ride later we’re at the best beach for kids on the French side of the island. And yes, the Caribbean is just as pretty as everyone says.
Day 5 is nearly identical to day 4, only on another island. And we rented a car instead of a cab. And we snorkeled. And we started sunburnt. We run into various other SQLCruisers on the island, here and there.
Day 6 is another class-and-office-hours day. We have another group dinner, “semi-formal”. So far this week, various member of our group have seen the Blue Man Group, the Second City comedy show, Cirque du Soleil, and who knows what else. Mom has gambled. Kids have kid clubbed. All have swum. Many eyes have been fixed upon the gorgeous ocean outside our stateroom. I’m quietly sad – a little – that we’re more than halfway through.
Day 7 is Bahamas day, but we’re not on the island till noon. So there’s a group breakfast, Allan White’s last PowerShell class, and a sponsor presentation. I suspect the Cruisers (as they are called) are actually a bit sad to see the sessions end. It’s also turned cool, and we all remember that it’s still January (barely), even in the Bahamas. My family is a bit worn out from a week of revelry and sunburn, and we walk a bit, beachcomb, drink a local beer (OH so good), and head back. It’s not on the schedule, but the SQL Cruise gang all end up eating together at the buffet anyway. Hilarity is had.
Post-cruise notes: This was great. Next time, maybe I can teach and Sean can be on kid duty. And next time, I’ll bring sunproof shirts for everybody. And finally: The food on the cruise was pretty decent, especially the vegetables. But nothing puts Sean in mind to cook all his old favorites, like being away from his kitchen for a week. So I’m off to help with the baguettes!
Happy days, all…
Jen McCown
http://www.MidnightDBA.com/Jen