November 13-20, 2005 :: Caribbean Cruise (Mexico, Jamaica, Cayman, Bahamas)

Come Sail Away...
November 13 my family on my Dad's side went on our first vacation together aboard the Star Princess cruise ship. We actually had three generations of us together (Grandma McKnight, Dad, Sharon, Collins, Frank, myself, Dave, and Frank's fiance Erin).  The cruise was through the Caribbean stopping at Cozumel, Mexico; Grand Cayman Island; Montego Bay, Jamaica; Princess Cays Island, Bahamas.  We left out of Ft. Lauderdale, FL on Sunday (which unfortunately still had not recovered fully from the latest hurricane that had passed though, hurricane Wilma) and returned the following Sunday. 

A Good Omen As We Set Sail...
At 5p EST on Sunday we started to push off from port in Ft. Lauderdale.  Our group had four rooms on the Dolphin Deck of the ship that we had the cabin steward, Bernie, conjoin by opening the doors between our balconies.  We all went out on to them and watched as our journey began.  Up in the sky (as you can see in the picture on the right) was a beautiful rainbow!  Of course I smiled and chuckled to myself.  I pointed the rainbow out to my Dad and brother and exclaimed, "How appropriate!  A rainbow to see me off on my first cruise!". :-)  My younger brother, Dave, snapped that picture for me...and then we were off!

Surprise Surprise!!!
Just as we were leaving port, Bernie knocked on the door carrying eight glasses of champagne!  We all looked at each other wondering who ordered it and where it came from, but apparently they delivered it courtesy of the Captain for having such a large group come together.  Regardless, we drank the champagne and for the rest of the trip we toasted Bernie just about every night at dinner. 

While we were drowning our first glass of champagne (first of many of which we would have on this trip!), we got a call from Joel Chalfin and his wife Linda.  Joel was my first boss at GE and is a very close friend of Dad's.  Usually Joel and Linda cruise with Dad and Sharon and they have such a great time together that Dad was really upset when they said they wouldn't be able to come back in April.  Joel was asking Dad questions like were we still at port, which cabin were we in, etc, etc...when all of a sudden we had another little rap at the door.  Dad went over and opened it up and low and behold there were Joel and Linda!  We were all knocked off our feet to see them there in our stateroom!  The ship had barely left port at this time and the trip was already off to an incredible start.

Day 2: At Sea...
Our first day on the ship was a day at sea, which basically means that we were on the open water heading for our first port of call: Cozumel, Mexico.  While on board there were several activities and events run by the Cruise Director's Staff to keep the cruisers occupied.  Dave and I went to the theater and saw "Batman Begins" and after that we met Collins and Dad on the other side of the ship to play Crackpot BINGO.  I also took the opportunity to skip out on my own and go for a stroll around the ship to see the sunset before getting ready for our first formal night in the dining room.  Check out this passage from my personal journal which I kept up each day:

"I'm once again sitting on our balcony watching the endless blue sea glide peacefully by, hardly inconvenienced by our little ship making its way upon it.  The gorgeous sun is slowly sinking towards the horizon as Apollo's horses get warn down from pulling it all day [across the sky].  So wonderful.  I spent some alone time on the bow of the ship watching that event, and Poseidon's proud ocean, just taking it all in and feeling like a part of it...because I am a part of all of it."

Day 3: Cozumel, Mexico...
On Tues we arrived early in the morning to the port of Cozumel.  Frank, Erin, Dave, and I were scheduled to go on an excursion on shore taking ATVs for a ride along the beach to the other side of the island and then kayaking out and snorkeling around the bay.  The ATV trip was fun, even if it was very rocky at some points, and we got to see an old Mayan ruin while en route.  Unfortunately the snorkeling and kayaking portions of the trip were canceled, though, because the water was too rough to go too far out.  Instead we had some time to walk along this awesome white-sand beach and wade into the ocean a bit while eating lunch and taking in the sun.  The weather was hot, but it was sunny and felt very good.  I found a neat zebra-striped sea shell (which amazingly I could hear the ocean in... ;-) while on the ATV trail.  After we got back from that, we went back to the ship, showered all the sweat, sand, and grime off, and took naps.

Friends of Dorothy...
After our naps, Frank saw in the itinerary for the day that there was a "Friends of Dorothy and the Rainbow Flag (GLBT)" meeting at 5p EST.  I hadn't noticed it before but was awe stricken when I saw it there!  I had to go!  I had felt a bit down while on the ship the first couple days because you see a lot of families and couples, so I guess I felt that awkward feeling like I had something to hide and didn't quite fit in.  This was an opportunity to shake that feeling and meet some other like-minded folks that I could relate to...and boy that's what happened!

I went to where I thought the group was meeting and hung out there for a while, but didn't end up seeing any people that would fit the bill.  Feeling a bit disappointed, I walked towards the BINGO room where the rest of the family was, but then noticed the name of the bar just next door.  That was the place I was supposed to be!  I walked in and strolled up to the bar.  I definitely needed something to make me less nervous.  While I was standing there, one of the Cruise Director's Staff came over and asked if I was by any chance there for the Friends of Dorothy meeting.  I said I was and he excitedly told me they were all sitting around the corner on some couches .  I went over and there were two couples, a single guy, myself, and two of the staff (who it turns out are partners themselves!).  Jason and Peter were the staffers that were there.  They were so welcoming and warm...it was wonderful!  We all talked about each other and whatnot for a while and then I had to leave to go meet up with everyone for dinner.  I left with an enormous grin on my face.  For the first time I felt like I belonged.

Princess Pop Star Idol...
After dinner, I went over to the opening heat of the Princess Pop Star karaoke competition.  Jason from the Dorothy meeting was co-hosting the event so I got to hang out with him while he was in between songs.  I sang "God Bless The USA" (by Lee Greenwood), which earned applause during the song, after the song, and recognition from random people in the elevator and later that night in the dance club!  I guess I did a good job :-)  All in all it was a super night which I don't think I'll soon forget (especially since I wrote about it here and in my personal journal ;-).

Day 4: Cayman Island and a lot of family history...
The next day was spent at Grand Cayman Island.  I actually didn't even end up getting off the boat for this stop just because I was feeling tired and lazy and felt like soaking that up for a day.  Coll, Sharon, and I got massages at the Lotus Spa on board the ship.  Mine was a hot rock Chakra massage which if you ever get the chance to get one locally, you will experience a state of bliss like you've never felt before. 

After the massage and lunch, I sat out on the balcony with Grandma for over an hour just talking about her life, her late husband whom I never met, her parents, and Sharon and Collins's early years.  I was fascinated to hear it all and couldn't stop asking questions!  I also felt like it was very important for me to know...although I couldn't think of why (maybe I'll find out later on...).  Coll and I went down to high tea at 3:30p EST that afternoon and while there (drinking sooo much tea!) I talked to her more about her life, her father, and her grand parents.  It was all so enthralling.  I don't think I ever talked to either of them so much or so intimately in my life!  While talking to Gram she made a good point.  Although she's 87 years old, I think this is valid no matter what.  She said, "Every day is a blessing," and although you hear people say that frequently (if you're lucky), hearing it from her you could hear what it's like for someone who really means it and appreciates that fact say it.  Interesting perspective...

Day 5: Montego Bay, Jamaica...
On Thursday we arrived at Montego Bay on the island of Jamaica.  Frank, Erin, Dave, and I had another excursion planned for that day.  This was the one that we were really excited about!  The excursion today was going to involve flying across the Jamaican rain forest on zip lines connected by trees!  There were six runs that we flew across, but the last one was over 1,000 feet long and over 200 feet off the ground which they said was the longest one in the world.  It was so awesome!!!

After our trip through the jungle, Erin and I watched Frank and Dave play life-sized chess on the deck from the comfort of one of the hot tubs (I think we had the better end of the stick ;-).  That night was going to be a beach party on four of the decks of the ship and then carrying on in the night club afterwards, so we had to be well rested in order to spend the rest of the night partying. 

Huka Luki, Blind Folded Huka Luki, Maquerena, Princess Maquerena, Congo, Limbo, and the Dollar Dance...
After dinner, the gang of us went up to the top deck of the ship where the beach party was taking place.  Jason, Peter, and the rest of the Cruise Director's Staff were up there running the party.  They were doing different dances and such to get the cruisers involved.  One was the Huka Luki from Hawaii, which Jason dragged me out onto the floor in the front of the deck to do with them.  That was interesting...then he blind folded me in order to do it which didn't last very long.  Haha and I thought I had it down ;-)

After the Huka Luki, the staff led everyone in doing the Maquerena!  They changed it, however, part way through to the "Princess Maquerena" which involved some slightly different moves.  The Cruise Director's Staff folks led that and everyone followed them during the dance.  It took me one full time around to really get it but it was a lot of fun!  The picture just here is of myself and Jason.  He was so much fun...really went a long way to changing my cruise experience.

After the Maquerenas they had an enormous Congo line which went under a limbo bar.  Then they had people doing this Dollar Dance, which by the way is not the same as a dollar dance at a wedding ;-).  It involved thrusting your hips this way and that way.  Haha it was kind of interesting!  All in all the night was a LOT of fun!  Later we were up at the dance club where Dave entered himself and ME into the "no t-shirt contest".  What a hoot that was.  Here's a picture of me trying to shake it up for the ladies.  I only kind of knew what I was doing in this circumstance.  Haha!  What a night...

Day 6: At Sea...
We spent another day at sea heading towards Princess Cays Island on Friday.  I didn't do much except relax.  I had some more alone time walking around the ship before dinner.  It was our second formal night for dinner so we all got dressed up again.  I was in the second heat of Princess Idol later that night.  They had a champagne fountain that night, also, and that's where I met Brett.  Brett was on the cruise with his mom, Susan.  Both of them were super fun people and I loved hanging out with them (but was upset that it didn't happen on, say, day 1 or 2...).  Brett is from Arizona, so in true M@ fashion I met the nice guy who lives on the other bleeding side of the country!  Haha I don't regret it at all though.  We hung out that night and the next one before getting off the ship on Sunday.  I'm glad he floated into my life and look forward to keeping in touch with him and hanging out more when we can in the future!

Day 7: Princess Cays Island...Last Night On Ship...
Our last day on the Star Princess was spent at Princess Cays Island.  This island is actually owned by the Princess Cruise Lines company and for the most part is just a lot of shops, beach, and you can rent sea doos, snorkels, paddle boats, etc.  It's more or less a hang out and doesn't really have excursions et al.  Unfortunately the day we were there it was very over cast, chilly (when you're used to 90° weather anything less is considered "chilly" :), and rainy so I didn't spend much time on the island.  Instead I spent time on board getting some final R&R in and getting ready for the next day when we'd be traveling not only back to Ft. Lauderdale, but back to reality.  By this point I had been on the ship for a week...a week without a computer, email, Internet, chatting, or any cell phones.  I hadn't been that disconnected in over 10 years...and since I was only 25 that's saying something!

After we departed and started the trip back to FL, Erin and I met up with Brett and his mom to see the going away variety show and the karaoke finals (which unfortunately I didn't make it into).  We hung out that night, got to talk to and say good bye to Jason, and then it was time to go to bed.  It had been an amazing, wonderful vacation and the best part is that I got to spend it with my family.  In a couple days I'd be heading out on the road to drive up to NY for the end of the year holidays...but that's another story yet to come :-)

Cheers!

M@