Last weekend I headed to Long Island to celebrate my brother’s graduation from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Throughout the last four years, he has worked extremely hard. My family and I could not be more proud of him.
Unlike many college graduations (mine included), it was a multi-day event! I was very lucky my parents made space for me in their car so I did not have to drive. Although it was packed, it was nice not to drive everywhere! They picked me up on Wednesday and we headed up.
We arrived on Long Island late on Wednesday evening. We were exhausted and fell asleep early.
On Thursday, we went over to my brother’s school to watch the change of command.
This event is when the senior class pass the leadership duties to the junior class. In tradition, afterwords all of the seniors run down (in their dress uniforms) and jump into the pool. It was humorous to watch 200 people stampede into the pool in full dress.
We also went into New York City and toured. My brother is extremely knowledgeable and has been on almost every platform and station in the city. He could tell you how to get anywhere with his eyes closed. I did not get the same genes because I can’t even tell you how to get through my neighborhood.
Later in the evening, we went on the senior cruise. The cruise went around NYC and Jersey city from 7-11pm. It was the perfect time to watch the sunset and enjoy the time.
It was an all you can eat buffet as well as all you can drink! The food, the views and the dancing was incredible.
The cruise itself was from 7-11 pm but with getting in and out of the city, we didn’t get back to the hotel until 1am. That is closer to my normal wakeup time versus my normal bed time! It was an late night for us. 
I see you over there Jersey City
I have no regrets staying out late and the experience was absolutely incredible. I enjoyed seeing New York because it’s not something I normally get to see.
Questions for you:
Have you ever gone on a catered cruise?
Have you ever been to NYC?
Cool pics and congrats to your brother and your whole family!
The Jersey City pic is great because that is right about where we stayed (30th floor) last year on vacation doing college visits, etc. 🙂
And looking at the pictures it is still hard for me to believe that will be my older son’s ‘home’ for the next four years at NYU. So exciting and scary all at once!
I’ve been to the NYU campus once and it’s really cool! Good luck to your son 🙂
Wow the evening cruise looked like a lot of fun and beautiful views!! Back in March, I went on an evening cruise in Key West–lets just say that there was no shortage of food/refreshments! Have a great day 🙂
Thank you Cody! That cruise in Key West sounds lovely. I was actually in Key West for our honeymoon in April. It’s such a beautiful place!
Looks like such a fun time! I’ve been on a few catered cruises for work and in high school. We have 3 rivers in Pittsburgh and a few cruise companies that are always booked for events! It’s a lot of fun.
I’ve been to NYC once.. our layover was on Thanksgiving eve after visiting Budapest and Prague, so we stayed in the city for a few days to see the parade! I’ll also be visiting this weekend..hoping it’ll be a bit warmer than last time 🙂
That cruise looks really nice! I don’t love staying out that late but sometimes it’s worth it, and this sounds like one of those times. I’m glad you got to spend a long weekend with your family and celebrate your brother’s graduation 🙂
i cannot get over how much i love your blonde hair! i haven’t been to NYC before-but i really want to. i’ve barely even hit the east coast minus a one night stay in boston and a swim meet in connecticut. so many places i want to go.
That cruise looks incredible. I grew up right outside NYC in CT and have never seen the Statue of Liberty, so I’m thinking that I need to get on this tourism bandwagon and check some stuff out. I hear NYC is pretty cool… Oh I also worked in Manhattan for a few years…
You should Jamie! It’s a lot of fun to tour the city but I don’t see myself living there…ever. 😉
Oooo! All you can eat AND drink AND dancing??!! I love your jacket. It’s a unique color for a leather jacket!
Thanks! I have too many jackets I think (saying that after its like 95 degrees out right now LOL)
Your photos are awesome! I’ve done a daytime cruise around the island with the fam (when I first moved here), but I’ve never done a nighttime one. And you’re totally right–that is a late night! #grandmastatus
I LOVE NYC! It is one of my favorite places to visit (though I would never want to live there)! Your photos are beautiful and it sounds like a lot of fun with your family!!
Thank you so much Sarah!
fun fun fun! I love visiting NYC (no desire to live there, though) and loved seeing your pics. It’s fun to see posts like this! I love sneak peeks into people’s lives 🙂
I love all of your pictures! Nothing better than making memories with your family. Congrats to your brother on such a incredible accomplishment. I used to work for L’Oreal in NYC, so I’ve spent a lot of time there. It is by far my favorite city that I’ve traveled to. There is something magic and electric about walking through the city. From Downtown, mid town to Central Park, you can’t beat the NYC vibe.
I agree that it is certainly something else. I can’t imagine living there though!
Congratulations again to your brother! I’ve been to NYC once, but I was a tiny little thing so I barely remember it. I’d really like to go back one day to experience all that the city has to offer. Now if only it wasn’t so hard to get myself to go east 😆
Ha, you are seriously always traveling. I hope you are able to come East sometime soon. 🙂
Awesome photos!! Congrats to your brother! NYC is my favourite city xo
I have lived in NY my whole life and have never been to the city! I just found out of AirBnB (where have I been?!) and now see a trip to the city as something feasible. I need to go eventually, it’s my duty as a New Yorker
Those pictures are all so beautiful! I’m glad you didn’t end up having to drive to NY. It must have been more fun to travel with company anyway. Congrats to your brother! (PS: I love that your pants coordinate with your Garmin.)
Ha, I didn’t even plan it that way. Those are actually one of my favorite pants from target!