by Patricia Bradley
It's the first morning of my first cruise and I'm sitting on my balcony trying to decide whether to have breakfast there or go up for a smorgasbord of food at the Cafe. This morning, the balcony won. I dined on fruit and bacon and eggs and very strong coffee as I watched the blue seas pass.
The next morning I opt for the Cafe and am not disappointed! My very own Jamaican waiter sings to me as he delivers coffee. When I ask for cream, he says, "No Problem, Mon! I havea the very besta cream in the whole world!"--You have to be there to hear the cadence. :-)
Every day he greeted me with his happy songs. This photo was taken when we arrived back in Miami.
Everything about the cruise was fabulous. The weather was beautiful and so were the islands. We sailed first to Cozumel, then to the Grand Caymans, then to Jamaica and finally to Cococay before returning to Miami.
I've never seen water so blue! And got to see an Iguana!
And the people we met! Hmmm. Potential leading men.
This good-looking Jamaican policeman escorted us out of the Old Town in Falmouth, Jamaica--and we didn't almost get arrested! He was being gentlemanly, which could have been because of my granddaughter. He was fit-as-a-fiddle.
And then there was the crew! I'm telling you, there were some fine looking crew members. There's just something about a uniform!
And here's one of the passengers who graciously allowed me to photograph him. Wouldn't he make a great hero!
I'd never thought much about how a cruise ship was run, but seeing how well everything came together each day was amazing. Imagine coordinating 4500 people every day! It was like a well-oiled machine.
Two places we tendered in and not one person was left behind. :-)
One of the interesting facts I learned at dinner was the ship severed over 500 bottles of wine each night in just two of the dining rooms.
As for seasickness, I never experienced it. I did wear the patch the first couple of days, but I don't think I needed it.
But then all good things must come to an end. It was a glorious trip for me and my girls and granddaughter. This is the sunset over Cococay.
This blog was written before the terrible events in Paris. One minute everything is perfect and then this... My thoughts and prayers go out to the people of France.
It's the first morning of my first cruise and I'm sitting on my balcony trying to decide whether to have breakfast there or go up for a smorgasbord of food at the Cafe. This morning, the balcony won. I dined on fruit and bacon and eggs and very strong coffee as I watched the blue seas pass.
The next morning I opt for the Cafe and am not disappointed! My very own Jamaican waiter sings to me as he delivers coffee. When I ask for cream, he says, "No Problem, Mon! I havea the very besta cream in the whole world!"--You have to be there to hear the cadence. :-)
Every day he greeted me with his happy songs. This photo was taken when we arrived back in Miami.
Everything about the cruise was fabulous. The weather was beautiful and so were the islands. We sailed first to Cozumel, then to the Grand Caymans, then to Jamaica and finally to Cococay before returning to Miami.
I've never seen water so blue! And got to see an Iguana!
And the people we met! Hmmm. Potential leading men.
And then there was the crew! I'm telling you, there were some fine looking crew members. There's just something about a uniform!
And here's one of the passengers who graciously allowed me to photograph him. Wouldn't he make a great hero!
I'd never thought much about how a cruise ship was run, but seeing how well everything came together each day was amazing. Imagine coordinating 4500 people every day! It was like a well-oiled machine.
Two places we tendered in and not one person was left behind. :-)
One of the interesting facts I learned at dinner was the ship severed over 500 bottles of wine each night in just two of the dining rooms.
As for seasickness, I never experienced it. I did wear the patch the first couple of days, but I don't think I needed it.
But then all good things must come to an end. It was a glorious trip for me and my girls and granddaughter. This is the sunset over Cococay.
This blog was written before the terrible events in Paris. One minute everything is perfect and then this... My thoughts and prayers go out to the people of France.
Gorgeous photos, beautiful memories. Hang onto them, because as we see things can turn in a matter of minutes. Have a good Monday everyone.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Roz. Thanks!
DeleteI'm happy you had such a nice trip, Patricia. Your photos are so beautiful. I had to laugh at the passenger's photo. I'm curious, did you tell him you're a writer and he might end up in a future book? He would make a great hero!
ReplyDeletePraying for the people of France and the victim's families.
I did! I don't think he believed me, though. Or maybe he didn't quite understand me. His English was limited. :-)
DeleteI did! I don't think he believed me, though. Or maybe he didn't quite understand me. His English was limited. :-)
DeletePatricia - thank you for the vicarious cruise! How lovely that you got to do that and what a wonderful way to research. Cruise ships from Mexico to Alaska stop in Astoria all summer and fall. I'm amazed at how big they are. Is there a cruise-centered novel in your future. Yes - praying for Paris like everyone else.
ReplyDeleteActually, Muriel, there is! Not sure when but I plan to start it sometime next year. Aren't those ships HUGE! And so pretty.
DeletePatricia, your post brought back pleasant memories I have of a trip I took years ago to Grand Cayman and Jamaica. Beautiful places. I used Jamaica as a setting in one of my books. And, yes, we have Paris in our thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteLinda, I snorkeled in Grand Cayman and it was so pretty. Bright colored fish and sea urchins were everywhere.
DeletePatricia, thank you for sharing your cruise experience! Rula might be one of the few people to agree with me...I particularly loved the picture of the iguana!
ReplyDeleteI've never taken a cruise (I prefer to be active on land and water), but your post might just make me consider taking one!
My thoughts and prayers continue to be with all those affected by the tragic events in Paris.
I loved the iguana. That photo was taken on Cococay. While we were eating one crossed right in front of us just like he owned the place. lol. I thought I got a photo of him, but I couldn't find it.
DeleteI love cruises. Have been on 7 of them. I like them because you get to see so many different places on one trip. Glad you got to enjoy it. Kate--there's lots for active adventurers.
ReplyDeleteSeven! Wow, Sophia. It was an awesome experience. I particularly missed having my bed turned down last night. :-)
DeleteThis sounds like you're having a great time! We took our first cruise this summer - 12 days and 8 ports. We needed the sea days to recover from all the glorious sight-seeing!
ReplyDeleteI bet you did, Melinda! That's a lot of ports. I'm taking another cruise in January, five days this time.
DeleteOh, it looks wonderful. We haven't been on any cruises--yet!
ReplyDeleteThey are wonderful, Liz. It was a good time for me and my girls to reconnect! They live in Florida I live 16 hours away in North Mississippi. :-)
DeleteCruises are indeed a wonderful experience. Glad you enjoyed yours so much. Very nice pictures.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Laurie. It was really great to get away, even though I did do edits on the days at sea. lol
DeleteWonderful pictures. I've never been on a cruise. Looks like fun.
ReplyDeleteMarion, if you get a chance try it. It was wonderful having my room cleaned up each morning and the bed made then having it turned down with a piece of chocolate on the pillow. I could seriously get used to that!
ReplyDeleteLove the pics! I'm stowing away with you next time lol!
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ReplyDelete