Ron and Kathy's Cruise Trip

[roni]

I'll start working on this a bit.

We left Portland a couple of Friday's ago, departing at 9:40 pm after a full day of work. Arrived in Newark at 5:something Saturday morning with a two hour layover before leaving for Tampa. Ate at the Garden State Diner, an airport venue I have enjoyed before. There was a difference this time. We ordered omelettes. Take my advice, stick to the fried eggs.

Got a couple of hours of sleep on the flight, what with the double rum and diet coke before departure and the scotch on the flight. Slept some more between Newark and Tampa. Got to Tampa and it seemed a very competent airport, with quick checked luggage delivery.

Were met by my brother, his wife and an old family friend of theirs, Dick Lee. Dick has done a variety of things in his 75 years of life, including being a caterer to the rich and famous on both coasts of Florida, being a tour guide for 17 years (this was his 101st cruise) and so on. Our sister-in-law worked on cruise ships for 7 years when she was younger, so we thought we were in good hands. Good hands indeed, these were aging juvenile delinquints, so we had a wonderful time .

Photos to follow soon, along with another episode or three.

Can't wait to see your pics and read more about your trip.

[Susie Q Roo]

Originally Posted by roni

Good hands indeed, these were aging juvenile delinquents, so we had a wonderful time .

Boy, that's the truth! I was totally outclassed by these folks. But they were fun!

[jx2]

O.K. Roni get on with the good stuff Patiently waiting......

[roni]

Cast of Characters

My brother and I



Sis-in-law and friend



Kathy saying No Mas, No Mas to waitress at Woody's Beach Bar in St. Pete



Ron and Kathy in Grand Cayman

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[roni]

So, we got to the cruise ship dock at around 11:30 in the morning (after flying all night and half the day), got checked in and to our stateroom. Twas a nice room with a king bed and a big window on the main deck, which is just below the upper deck, which of course is below 6 more decks .

We went to the departure lunch buffet and started drinking. Kathy and I made the occasional mistake of trying to keep up the the rest of the cast of characters, who started the day with a booze breakfast, but we did all right and never fell down before noon

Later we went to put our luggage in the room and unpacked it. Plenty of closet and drawer space, a small but very workable bathroom and an in room TV.

Back to the decks for more food/drink and departure. At some point the ship started moving, which was occasion for a departure drink. On the drink thing, they don't cost real money. You give them your sign and sail card, sign a slip with some numbers on it and that is it. They will not cost any money until the next American Express bill. That sure was handy - and dangerous .

Dinner was the first of many fine dinners. There were plenty of low carb options and I only gained a couple of pounds on the cruise and ate good food every meal, with great service by Herman and Ika. The wine list was fine, with adequate selections in very budget range except cheap.

At some point we went to the room and went to sleep. The odyssey had started.

Keep it coming Ron....

[roni]

So we woke up the next morning, billed as a Fun Day at Sea, and started off by walking a couple of miles on the jogging track. Hot and humid and would be the last of our outdoor exercise.

Had the breakfast buffet and hooked up with our traveling companions. Went to some orientation talk and then messed around some exploring the ship. Found the casino, several bars and discos, the pool deck etc...

Ate lunch in the dining room - the food was always good. Wish I had written down what all I ate, but know that it included filet mignon, beef wellington, a slow-cooked and then grilled prime rib, a applewood smoked salmon, smoked whitefish, omelettes, bacon, a variety of delish appetizers, salads, desserts (sugar-free ice cream and cheescake for me), and other yummy stuff. Our waitstaff was great. Good Northwest, CA, French. German, Australian and Chilean wines (did I mention the bar bill?).

That night we cruised some of the bars. Had one with a good classic rock band and we danced the night away. Kathy's ankle was killing her the next day. Lots of lovelies who like lifting their skirts and flashing some cleavage on the dance floor. I think it was a combination of the booze and exhibitionistic tendencies. I was grateful for both.

Later that night, at the casino, I was $50 up when I called it a night - thanks to a $1 slot machine and the craps table. Small stakes, but gratefully accepted nonetheless.

OK, probably should insert a couple of photos here, let me go find some

A sunset from the ship



Cigar store statutes on Grand Cayman

[babs31]

interested in the rest...sounds like a great start!

[BonnyW]

Okay, I am on the edge of my seat....keep it comin'!

BTW...the late night buffet 'coral' sea fan chocolate cake was an amazing work of art (see "Dinner Thread")

[roni]

Thanks babs and Bonny. I will get to it - right now am doing vacation laundry and getting ready to go on a grocery re-stocking trip to Costco, where I will wait in long lines in a better humor than one W person recently reported in the things that bug you topic - but later I will sit down with a small cup of Centenario and write some more

[MikeW]

Originally Posted by roni

Thanks babs and Bonny. I will get to it - right now am doing vacation laundry and getting ready to go on a grocery re-stocking trip to Costco, where I will wait in long lines in a better humor than one W person recently reported in the things that bug you topic - but later I will sit down with a small cup of Centenario and write some more

ARghghg, Cosco. Gotta time that right so the lines aren't so bad.

[jx2]

Originally Posted by roni

That night we cruised some of the bars. Had one with a good classic rock band and we danced the night away. Kathy's ankle was killing her the next day. Lots of lovelies who like lifting their skirts and flashing some cleavage on the dance floor. I think it was a combination of the booze and exhibitionistic tendencies. I was grateful for both.

I think we would get along just ducky Roni

Keep it comin Ron.

[Rissask]

There were plenty of low carb options and I only gained a couple of pounds on the cruise and ate good food every meal, with great service by Herman and Ika.

Good for you Ron! From what I have heard about cruises, you are very lucky!

I want to hear about how you like the cruise overall, as compared to a 'land-only' vacation. I have never wanted to go on a cruise but people keep assuring me I would enjoy it...

Also- which of your stops you liked the best and would like to return to for a longer stay?

[roni]

Originally Posted by Rissask

Good for you Ron! From what I have heard about cruises, you are very lucky!

I want to hear about how you like the cruise overall, as compared to a 'land-only' vacation. I have never wanted to go on a cruise but people keep assuring me I would enjoy it...

Also- which of your stops you liked the best and would like to return to for a longer stay?

We enjoyed the cruise, in large aprt because we were with my brother, his wife and their friend. I would not have gone otherwise. Having said that, there were things that we got to do that I occasionally enjoy. Great food included in the price, the bars and music, a good comedy show and Vegas style review, and good views - food 24 hours a day.

The stops - Cozumel was the best, but we left the ship and went to Playa. I wrote about that day on another thread, but I may copy and paste that here later.

If it were just Kathy and I, we would do a land-based vacation. The cruise was fun, though. We do not feel like we need to do another one, but we may someday.

ron