MY FIRST CRUISE ALONE

This cruise included many firsts for me... The first time I've ever been on a cruise alone; the first time I boarded a cruise ship wearing a warm sweater and jacket; my first 4 day cruise; the first time we visited only one port and the first time I was disappointed with a cruise...after many cruises since my first cruise around 1971... Murphy's Law prevailed on this cruise as it often does in my life.

I requested a wheel chair and Royal Caribbean did not have one waiting for me when I checked in.. But when it arrived, the boarding process was expedited and I was taken all the way to my cabin. It was the coldest February 5th on record for Ft Lauderdale. It was so windy and cold up on the top deck that I stayed only long enough to have someone take my picture.
Because I was not in my cabin when the fire-boat drill sounded, prior to departure, I went directly to my assigned fire-boat station which fortunately, was in a dining room (not outside in the cold). Not being a first time cruiser...I was not required to put on one of the life jackets they had for guests who did not come there from their cabins..

After dinner I went to see the show, which I couldn't actually see, it was blurry because I didn't have my 'distance' glasses, but it was no great loss.
On the turned back bed there was NO chocolate on my pillow. I went to bed early with hopes of getting up early and after breakfast finding a nice shady spot by the pool. It didn't happen.. it was overcast, still windy and cold up there...all day. No Problem...the next day would be a full day in Cozumel.

The Captain's Welcome Formal Night was different than any ever before. Free Champagne was being served all over the 5th deck..not in a large ballroom.. Pictures with the Captain were being taken near the entrance to the club, where after dinner of the 2nd seating, he would greet guests and introduce his officers.... After playing Trivia at the club where the Red Hat ladies meet, I met a couple of Red Hatters, then went to the casino and played my $20..won and lost it all back.

Next day.. I dressed to go ashore after breakfast to pick up some souvenirs. I let them take my picture, outside the ship. And started to walk down the pier when I realized that I would not be able to walk... it was TOO far. ..The ship had anchored more than a ship's length from the half way mark. No wheel chairs were available, so I went back on board and decided to spend the afternoon by the pool. NOT!!.... about noon when I got up there...there were less than a dozen people and they were gathering their belongings to leave the area. They were wearing sweats, hoodies, were wrapped in towels and holding onto their caps/hats. Off the ship it was warm and windy, but up on the pool deck it was unbelievably windy and cold.
After lunch I went to see the Ice Dancing show.. once again I didn't have my 'distance' glasses. But because it was smaller, I was able to see a little better than I could in the big theater.

On TV a George Clooney movie was shown in 5 languages, but I was never able to see it in English, the signal was too weak or the screen was blank. The CNN channel also had a weak signal most of the time but the Fox News channel was always there :( Bashing our new president.

Sunday, the last day of the cruise [day at sea] I went to an Interdenominational church service and shopped for souvenirs for my family in the shops on board. They were given gifts from Cozumel the last time we were there, so no biggy...

Usually, there are lots of sweet pastry choices at the breakfast buffet, but there were only raised donuts and they could be found in only one location. The breakfasts in the dining room were good, as they usually are. The last night's dinner menu included some of the same Entree choices that we'd been offered in the past 3 days. None of which I found to be as good as Cruise ship dinners I had in the past, except for the Tiger Shrimp. I wonder if the food differences were due to the economy or ??? This was my first 4 day cruise, I've taken 5, 7 and 10 day cruises and in the past, the food never left anything to be desired. I'll think twice before I take another cruise on RCL.

The day I returned I had a sore throat and sinus pain, I came home and stayed in bed for 3 days, the 4th day I went to the doctor, who confirmed that I had a sinus and ear infection... I felt better immediately after I began a 5 day Antibiotic therapy.

It's almost 3 months since I became a widow and I'm still trying to get my affairs in order. Some days I spend hours on the phone.. some people make promises that are not kept and when I call back there's no record that I ever called... and sometimes it happens all over again... It's really frustrating, but it's happened so many times that I'm no longer surprised when things don't happen as promised. I just keep telling my self ... And this too, shall pass.

In case you missed these before:
http://memorialwebsites.legacy.com/ourhero/Homepage.aspx
[This Memorial website was created initially by Toni and then by all 3 of our daughters: Pam, Toni and Colette]

http://www.youtube.com/user/cocolette8
[This one was created by our youngest daughter, Colette and her daughter Noelle]

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=6749cvu.mb9ln9y&x=0&y=xhc0w5&localeid=en_US
[This one was created by Toni, our own Mz Paparazzi. It includes Saturday, Sunday and Monday...San's birthday, the whole weekend of our Celebration of Sanford's Life]