2016 - Woman on Her Way

Snorkling in Nassau

Day 7, Friday, September 16, 2016

Last port of call on this voyage, Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. We arrived midday. Fortunately, we docked with our room on the shady side so mom was able to enjoy the balcony while I went on shore. I had to stand in the hot afternoon sun for about a half hour while the excursion leader collected tickets and brought the group to the dock where we boarded the catamaran. I was glad I had slathered on sunscreen before leaving.

Seahorse Sail and Snorkel

I went on a Seahorse Sail and Snorkel excursion, sitting on the net at the end of the boat. The sail was down on our 35-minute ride to the coral reef, but it was up on the return. Dennis and I had been on this reef before, but it was still beautiful. In addition to the Caribbean fish, I saw a stingray and what I think was a grouper or a garfish. We had one hour to explore the reef and I did not board the catamaran a second early—I was enjoying myself so much. The crew offered us a rum punch on the return trip, but it was like Kool-Aid and I did not like it. The taste didn’t stop the majority of the passengers from consuming multiple glassfuls. Why is it that people over indulge when things are free, even when not good? I guess I am either too old to let my hair down or more discriminating.

After mom cashed in her casino winnings, we packed our bags and sat on the balcony as the Harvest Supermoon rose over the water. Even in Miami the next morning, the large moon was visible.

Disembarkation in the morning was well-organized and we were soon on our bus heading home. Even though the experienced driver knew the way, we didn’t arrive in Sarasota until 3:40 PM.

Catch the Fever while out at sea

Day 6, Thursday, September 15, 2016

On our last day at sea, we sat in the hot tub talking with a man who was enjoying his fourth mimosa of the day—and it wasn’t even 10 A.M. He told us that he had taken The Ultimate Beverage Package as a perk and was enjoying the free drinks. According to his calculations, he and his wife had consumed more than 140 drinks and there was still a day to go. There is no way I could consume enough liquor in a day to make that package worth my while.

Though there were lots of activities on board the ship, mom and I just enjoyed the Atlantic serenity from our balcony. Mom treated herself to a banana split for lunch and amazingly ate it all. For such a tiny person, she eats a lot. I hope that when I am her age I am just as spry and full of gusto for life as she is.

Though mom did not take any excursions, she did enjoy playing the slot machines. She found one, Catch the Fever, that she enjoyed. Whenever she rolled three or more Fever symbols, the game went into an automatic six-spin cycle. She would giggle as the money piled up.

Catch the Fever

Tortola and the rope course

Day 5, Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Mom and I had both been to Tortola, the largest of the British Virgin Islands. Since none of the excursions tempted us, we stayed on the ship and enjoyed sitting alone on the 17^th deck forward hot spa while admiring the beautify vista of contrasting white sand and green mountains. Tortola is among a series of tortoise-looking islands.

While in port, the ship has all sorts of activities for those who stay onboard. I couldn’t talk mom into pampering herself with a relaxing massage or facial. She’s almost 90 and didn’t feel the need for the TLC. There was a Flash Mob Class, but I couldn’t see myself starting one of these. Nor did I have an interest in making an Origami Samurai hat. Of course, there were the usual game shows for those who enjoyed that type of activity. For me, it was pleasurable to kick off my sandals on the deck and read a good book.

In the afternoon, I walked the gangplank hovering 164 ft about the water. After doing Tree-Ump, this rope course was easy. The z-line was the width of the ship, not very long. For those who have never experienced this type of activity, it was scary and thrilling. I guess I just can’t feel scared when I’m tethered to the course; without the danger, even my fear of heights doesn’t kick in. I wish I had this bravado when facing other risky situations.

In the Manhattan Dining Room and were treated to a soulful love revue by the same group that performed After Midnight. I enjoyed their singing here more than the performance the other night because their single was clearer.

The Levity Entertainment Group was a bust. Comedy can be hard depending on the audience and tonight’s punchlines didn’t strike up much laughter. I felt sorry for the entertainers.

SNUBA in St. Thomas

Day 4, Tuesday, September 13, 2016

I was on the dock in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas by 8:20 and on my way to a SNUBA adventure at Coral World Ocean Park. This was a first for me, and I looked forward to it. I was not disappointed. Except for being tethered to the oxygen, SNUBA is similar to snorkeling, but at a deeper depth. Since my body is very buoyant, I wore 11-pound weights to keep me at around 20 to 25 feet below the surface, about one atmosphere below sea level. My ears popped and it took most of the rest of the day to equalize the air pressure in my sinuses. Even so, the experience was worth the discomfort.

Turtle pool at Coral World Ocean Park on St. Thomas

After the SNUBA, I visited the 42-acre park. There were turtle pools, birds, demonstrations with various aquatic animals such as sharks and sea lions. The park has an open-water system where water flows through each of the exhibits and back out to the ocean. After exploring the park, I sat on the beach people watching. There were a lot of islanders on the beach, and I enjoyed listening to the Creole, Spanish, and melodic English. As I was walking along, I stepped on an iguana’s tail and jumped when I felt it move. I’m glad the Florida reptiles are not this size. These herbivores have spines on their back and down their tails. Like many other lizards, iguanas will grow a second tail if the original one breaks off in a defensive maneuver. Iguanas have a dewlap, the flap of skin below their chin, that helps regulate body temperature. Apparently, female iguanas find the dewlap attractive. Though not eaten on St. Thomas, the iguana is eaten, and, you guessed it, tastes like chicken.

Later in the day, mom and I sat in the hot spa, sipping a Painkiller Cocktail, a rum concoction that was the drink of the day. I took a tube ride down the water slide, just to say I did. I didn’t think at my age that it was wise to take a ride down the other slide where you stood on a platform that opened and dropped you almost vertically. Do you think you would have enjoyed that free-fall sensation?

At night we went to the show, For the Record: The Brat Pack. This musical production of The Breakfast Club featured the music of the 80s. The strobing lights, the choreography, and the vocal quality made this the best performance on this ship. In fact, it exceeded anything I have seen recently. For being on vacation, mom and I keep busy.

Day at sea and wine-tasting musical Wine Lovers

Day 3, Monday, September 12, 2016

Mom at the wine-tasting musical, Wine Lovers — Mom at the wine-tasting musical, **Wine Lovers**

This was another day at sea. For lunch, Mom and I attended the wine-tasting musical Wine Lovers. We learned to “See, swirl, smell, sip, and savor” five different wines (Estancia Pinot Grigio, Penfolds Koonunga Hill Chardonnay, Beringer Founders Estate Pinot Noir, and North & South, Norwegian’s proprietary Red Blend from California) and a glass of champagne. Though I am not partial to white wines, I did like the light flavor of the Pinot Grigio. And the Red Blend paired well with the Mochacchino cake, with banana caramel sauce.

Afterward, I was ready for a three-hour nap, even though I did not finish most of the white wines or the champagne. Poor mom spent the afternoon alone with solitaire and word games. That evening we visited the Comedy Club. It was a shame that the comedian used most of his best jokes in the preview on Sunday. His saving grace was creating spontaneous songs about movies and in the genre suggested by the audience.

After sleeping all afternoon, I couldn’t get to sleep. It was a long night and I realized how inconsiderate people can be while walking the halls, especially after a few drinks.

Day at sea with Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons

Day 2, Sunday, September 11, 2011

We started the day with a moment of silence in honor of 9-11. It’s hard to believe that it has been 15 years since that fateful day. I can still recall how I felt watching the destruction of the Twin Towers and the subsequent attack on the Pentagon and the hijacking of Flight 93.

This was a day at sea. Mom and I worked out, she on the bicycle and I on the Nordic walker. Afterward, it was such a luxury to sit on the balcony, read a book, and relax.

For the first time cruisers, there are all sorts of activities about the ship. There are port and tour presentations to help them decide which tour to take and where to spend their money. Since mom is a seasoned traveler, she was not interested, and I wasn’t disappointed by her choice. We did attend the Mr. Sexy Legs Competition and laughed at the participants’ antics.

That night, we went to the Supper Club to see a production Oh What a Night! A tribute to Frankie Valli and the 4 Seasons. We enjoyed both the food and the show. The singers amazingly sounded like the Four Seasons, and mom and I were transported back to the 60’s.

Smash hit musical, After Midnight — Smash hit musical, **After Midnight**

After that show, we saw the musical production After Midnight, a show set in Harlem in the 1920s. Sensational jazz and tap-dancing by the 18-member cast. Very sexy with heart-pounding Jazz-age music.

Mom is usually in bed by 10 PM, and tonight was no exception. Even though this is early for me, I think I was asleep before she was.

2016 Eastern Caribbean Cruise

NCL Escape: On our way to the Eastern Caribbean — NCL **Escape**: On our way to the Eastern Caribbean

Day 1, Saturday, September 10, 2016

Mom and I left Sarasota for the Norwegian Cruise Line ship Escape on a Cruise Connection bus. The bus was about 45 minutes late picking us up. Listening to the people already on the bus, we found out that this was the first time this particular driver made this run and had already gotten lost a few times. Incredible in this age of GPS! As we continued south, the driver kept making wrong turns and getting lost. We arrived at the ship about 2 hours later than plan. Since the Escape was setting out at 7 PM, mom and I were not too concerned. The majority of the passengers was on another cruise line that sailed at 4 PM. Some of those passengers were not understanding, reminding the bus driver about the deadline and thus adding to his pressure. I can understand their concern, but voicing it repeatedly did no one any good. A sympathetic passenger seated behind the driver communicated directions he received on the phone from the bus line. Somehow it all worked out with two hours to spare. I wish people could relax and enjoy the adventure instead of gripping and making everyone’s experience less than enjoyable.

Sailing the Eastern Caribbean in style in this NCL <strong>Escape</strong> mini-suite — Sailing the Eastern Caribbean in style in this NCL **Escape** mini-suite

Boarding was simple and took only a short time. Before we knew it, we were having a snack and checking out our mini-suite upgrade. The room has a balcony and an extra-large bathroom with a double sink and a shower with jets like a car wash. Because I am a gold level traveler, I had a complimentary four-piece box of Godiva chocolates waiting for us in our room.

Saying goodbye to Miami and hello to the Caribbean

After settling in, we toured the ship, found the fitness center, the spas (10 different rooms offering a myriad of pampering experiences (with boarding day deals, naturally). There are four are complimentary dining rooms and 21 specialty restaurants. This is the largest ship I have been in with capacity for 3,963 guest and 1,646 crew.

At sail time, we went poolside to say farewell to Miami. Following a prime rib dinner, we went to the theater to see a preview of the upcoming shows. It looks like we will be having lots to see and do.