image from flickr by MoToMo

Beyond relaxation, the meals and other ship board activities, cruising is all about the ports of call and the local excursions. There are numerous activities including, but not limited to, scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, hiking, zip-lining, motor tours, shopping for bargains in the local shops or a combination of some of the above.

What we did

She said:

All the excursions that we signed up for were catamarans to remote beaches and, sometimes, even different islands. We would board the catamaran with about sixty to seventy people, and take in the sights as we would sail into the horizon to find our special destination.

Once there, we would disembark and swim, snorkel, walk the shore, and have a mediocre barbeque lunch. After several hours, we would board the catamaran and sail back to the ship.

Oh yea, one thing I left out, you are offered unlimited rum drinks throughout the excursion. They did suggest that we not partake if we were snorkeling.  I was very good and didn’t have anything until after snorkeling and only when we were having lunch.  Then I had two of the best rum drinks I had ever tasted.

We got back on the catamaran where they brought around more glasses of rum punch. The Island music was intoxicating and it was a beautiful day, and the rum drinks just added to the ambience. I felt great and didn’t feel any effects of the rum punch. Or so I thought. We docked back at the ship. Bill got up, pulled me to my feet, leaned over to give me a kiss, and we both toppled on the deck of the catamaran. People were walking over us to get off the boat and someone said, ”Ge’ez, you’d think they would get a room!” I was giggling so hard I couldn’t get up. Finally some big arms were lifting me up and trying to drag me off the boat. It was my very nice brother-in-law Jon, and he told my sister Connie to try and help Bill.

They pretty much had to carry us through the ships security. The security guards were laughing and fortunately, let us go through two at time. We got to the elevators, and my poor exhausted brother-in-law propped me up in the corner of the elevator and told me to “stay”! They deposited us in our room. We fell into bed and napped for several hours. Finally, my sister called at 7:00p.m., and jokingly asked if we were going to dinner. I felt completely sober and we said “sure”!

The next afternoon, Dave and Diane, a couple with whom we had become friends, asked if we had heard about a couple that had to be carried off the catamaran excursion the day before. It seems they had heard about “us” from a couple they had met in the casino the night before. Maybe the ship was smaller than I thought!

Once, when in between flights, I happen to be sitting next to a woman who was a physicist. We had been listening to a young couple who were on their way home from Jamaica. They were talking about how they were able to drink the rum and were astonished not to have any hangovers. The lady physicist told us that the Caribbean rum is made with pure cane sugar, and is the only alcohol not to give hangovers.

He said:

For me, being a sailor at heart when I’m not golfing, the Caribbean means taking a catamaran to some pristine, remote beach, then swimming and snorkeling, or hiking, or a simply bit of relaxing in the sun. A cook-out featuring local foods and flavors, accompanied by some sort of rum based concoction usually precludes the return sail. Of course, more grog during the return serves to enhance the memories of the day.

Has anyone ever told you that the least expensive ingredient in these rum based concoctions is the rum? Well, it is true, so be careful! Marla and I learned this the hard way. I don’t recall which port we were at since we took a rum based catamaran excursion at each one. But, for some reason, the grog was flowing particularly smoothly this day. I had no idea how much it had effected me. And, as I was soon to find out, neither did Marla realize her condition! Marla’s rendition of what transpired (above) is pretty much as I remember it. But its what happened later that is so embarrassing.

The infamy related to us by Dave and Diane, unfortunately, wasn’t the end of it. Days later, in the Ft. Lauderdale airport, I was waiting to board my return flight to Chicago (Marla was heading to Denver on a different flight). A lady came up to me and asked if I had just returned from a cruise. When I confirmed I had, she commented “I thought so. You were the one from that catamaran who weaved and stumbled all the way back to the ship, weren’t you?” Guilty – and embarrassed again – as charged!!

image from flickr by djonemore

image from flickr by suavehouse113

The availability of food is not, nor has it ever been, an issue when cruising. The variety and virtually continual, early morning to late night, availability covers most imaginable palatal desires, save being on a diet! 

Where we ate

 She said:

The food on the cruise was pretty good.  I had to send back a steak.  It was grisly and not very good.  My sister, Connie, kept talking about “Lobster Night”.  We could get all the lobster we wanted. That’s a thing of the past.  They brought us our dinners and there was half of a lobster tail and then shrimp.  We asked for more lobster, and were told that they would have to speak to someone to make sure we could have more.  We eventually got it, but not without a hassle. 

We also tried to eat in some of the restaurants where they served the special themed dinners for $25 extra.  I didn’t enjoy them more than the regular dining room dinners.

Open vs. assigned seating.  We started out with assigned seating and changed to open seating the next night.  We could eat when we wanted and ended up meeting more people.

He Said:

To begin with, all passengers must choose between assigned and open seating for dinner. If you are part of a group that wants to dine together or, more simply, want to eat at the same time with the same people, assigned seating is the way to go. Even though we planned on eating with Jon and Connie every evening, we opted for open seating, allowing us to vary our meal time and providing the opportunity to meet other passengers. This worked well for us as we formed some friendships that clearly enhanced our vacation.

For us, we always look forward to the meal featuring lobster. It used to be one could have multiple servings without any issue. Now, apparently, in cost cutting efforts, approval must be sought before a second lobster can be served. We were able to get a second course and didn’t hear of anyone being refused, but the impression one gets is that, in the future, such generosity may not be extended. 

 All of the larger cruise ships have one or two themed, reservations required, additional cost restaurants. We booked a meal at one featuring French cuisine. The meal was very good, but I didn’t feel the $25 per person premium charge was a good value. To be fair, this may have been more due to me not being such big French cuisine fan than due to the meal itself. At any rate, in the future I’ll most likely stick with the regular dining rooms.

image from flickr by Loimere

Immediately after our Disney World adventure, Marla and I went on a 10 day, eastern Caribbean cruise with sister Connie and husband Jon aboard Princess’s Caribbean Princess. They drove from Michigan, picked us up at Disney World, and chauffeured us on to our embarkation port, Ft. Lauderdale. We spent the night before at a hotel near the docks, an especially good idea if arriving by plane. This alleviates concerns about flight arrivals and, to some degree, lessens the anxiety of the boarding process. The parking cost is about a trade off with the cruise package cost of transfers to and from the airport. After we went through check-in, we relaxed on our balcony, sipping champagne (compliments of Vacations To Go, the web site we used to book the cruise) and readying ourselves for stops in the Bahamas, St. Thomas, St. Kitts & Nevis, Barbados, St. Lucia and Antigua & Barbuda….read more in About Us

Where we stayed 

She Said:

We were on the Princess Cruise Ship with about 3000 of our nearest and dearest friends.  My sister Connie and her husband Jon are members of the Princess Club, mainly because they cruise primarily with Princess.  Because of this they get many amenities, and sometimes get room upgrades for less. 

On this particular cruise they upgraded to a large suite located on the back of the ship.  Our room was a decent room with a large balcony and located down the hall from them.  I have to admit, when I saw their suite and all the amenities (a one- time, stocked bar, special appetizers, free laundry, upgraded lotions, shampoos and free internet access), I was overwhelmingly jealous!!!!  Their room had a very nice sitting room, nice bedroom, huge bathroom with Jacuzzi tub and separate shower, dual sinks, large walk in closet, and a veranda that went the entire length of the suite.  It was big enough for a large table and chairs and two nice lounge chairs. 

There is only one thing almost as good as having a large suite, and that is having a very close relationship with someone who does.  Needless to say, we were in their suite most of the time sharing everything with them.  They really did want us!  We played euchre on their deck almost every night in the late afternoon before dinner. We met a very nice Canadian couple Dave and Diane, who were a lot of fun and taught us to play six handed euchre (girls against guys, and we beat them like a drum!).  They really enjoyed Connie and Jon’s suite too.

He Said:

The Caribbean Princess is a newer, very large (3100 passenger) ship in the Princess Cruise fleet. It is truly amazing how the shipbuilders so gorgeously and functionally appointment these behemoths of the sea. There are multiple pools, restaurants for every palate, lounges, a casino, and a spa and health club, and so many on board activities one could never have a minute to spare should they opt for constant activity. As we were looking more for relaxation, we booked an ocean view room with a large balcony. Jon and Connie, being frequent cruisers, were able to upgrade to a two room suite at the rear of the ship. Their king sized bed adjoined a luxurious sitting area with a couch, chairs and wet bar for entertaining, a huge, double sink, whirlpool bath and separate shower bathroom, all of which opened onto a wide deck adorned with teak lounge chairs and a table for four. Access to the internet and laundry services was also complimentary. Needless to say, we spent every afternoon in this luxury, enjoying the complimentary hors d oeuvres and toasting another glorious day at sea. Also, I must admit we did manage to sneak a few items into their laundry as well as look over their shoulder in the computer room so we could check our emails. The suite and the additional services just about doubles the cost, so, unless like Jon and Connie, one is receiving some sort of frequent cruiser upgrade, it is easy to do without them and still have a very pleasant voyage.