To Cruise or Not to Cruise?

Of course the cruise was a luxurious pampering experience fully equipped with all the excess imaginable. A room steward who was lurking nearby for even the slightest need, bar service at your every turn, enough food to feed the entire world...twice, every kind of entertainment, service and even perfect weather. Would I do it again? Sure...eventually...and if someone else was paying for it, definitely. Although I loved spending a week in the tropics with fun women friends, and relaxing on a sun lounger imbibing on a fruity cocktail with umbrella decor, my opinion remains the same about cruising. It's really not my favorite form of vacationing.

The food was as incredible as I feared. I started out slow, making wiser food choices eating salads and fresh fruit as much as possible. At dinner (the formal affairs) I only had the 'spa' (healthy choice) starter of iceberg wedge and tomato, an entree of grilled perch, one glass of red wine and coffee for dessert (that right there is far more than my normal dinner at home). I then upped the anty to the regular starter, a 'spa' starter, entree, wine, 'diet' dessert and coffee. It wasn't long before I'd deteriorated to two regular starters, skipped the salad altogether, an entree, the warm melting chocolate cake for dessert (nothing diet about it!), coffee and had to follow it up with a Sambucca aperitif because my stomach was so uncomfortable! Each day I'd consider skipping that meal, but it would have been in bad form. I mean, we paid for it, the girls expected my attendance and it was all part of the 'fun.' By day five I spent the entire night in the head suffering diarrhea and keeping my cabin mate up as well.

The ports of call were interesting and fun, but of course you don't spend enough time there and the time you do spend is focused on the clock so you're sure to get back to the ship in time! I don't do so well on such a strict schedule. It was a good thing I was there with four other women who wore watches. Otherwise, I'd be writing this blog from somewhere in the Western Caribbean...which wouldn't be such a bad thing. I especially fell in love with Roatan Island, Honduras and a trip back there is in my future. We all agreed on that point.

The ship service was exceptional. Although I couldn't help but have a little bit of a sickening feeling at how hard the staff (mostly from developing countries) work for what I'm sure is very little money. The double shifts, the always being "on", the constant "it's my pleasure" (as they are wiping your butt). I don't know where the cabin steward hides in order to see every time you leave your room, but you could be gone for 30 seconds only to realize you'd forgotten something in your cabin and viola, he'd been there, picked up, changed your towel for the third time that day, put that pointy end on the toilet paper AND the tissue, straightened the chairs on the balcony and left. I never once actually caught him inside the room doing anything. There were just these magical signs that he'd been there. I'd even leave my towel on the rack indicating I'd reuse it (you know, 'green' me likes to pay attention to the environment) and he'd change it anyway. Apparently, he decided it smelled too funky to reuse and I needed a fresh one.

Although the entertainment might not have been overly appealing to our group, I really have no complaints. There were after dinner shows nightly (comedian, Happy Cole, is a must see), a casino, several bars with live music, a dance club, a few shops and even the hot tub on the upper deck til midnight. And if none of that was suitable, there was always the option of wine on our balconies to enjoy while watching the moon reflect off the sea.

Yes, all in all it was a great time. Even though it might not be my favorite form of holiday, I'm glad I was able to muster up the dough and experience the world of cruising and especially spend a week playing with the girls and exploring some of the most fabulous beaches. And now, of course, it's time for the detox cause this bloated feeling ain't just water weight!