A Cruise I'm Not Excited About

[Traveling Mike]

I leave tomorrow morning on a B2B Celebrity Caribbean Cruise.  The booking is in a Solo Balcony cabin with premium everything and shore excursions in every port.  It was an unbelievable deal that had premium everything and $1,500 OBC. 

I am a 63-year-old single man that has about 30 cruises under my belt.  I cruised the first 10 with my first wife.  I cruised the next 12 with my son as a Single Parent.  The next 6 were as a Solo Cruiser and the last 6 have been a mixture of Solo and with my 26-year-old son.  I have always loved cruising and loved planning them and going on them.  I am past my planned retirement date and have a new plan on retiring November 2024.  My work keeps making me offers where it is hard to retire.  After I retire, I am planning on doing a lot of travel and cruising.  For now, I work 60 hours a week and Coach Water Polo in my free time.

Now you are wondering about my title...

For the last few months, I knew it was coming and I leave tomorrow, and I really don't care.  I am not excited and do not know what to expect.  It is not that I do not want to go but I am not looking forward to the cruise like I have on all my others in the past.  I go to the airport in 9 hours and have not packed yet.  I did print my documents and cleaned out my backpack but have not packed anything back in it.  I am setting her thinking I need to pack and get ready to leave but it is hard to get moving.

I am writing this blog in hopes it will:

• Help me get excited.
  • or
• Give me something to do.
  • or 
• Both

If you would like to follow and see how it goes, I will keep you posted.

Traveling Mike
Celebrity Beyond
November 22, 2023 - 9 Night Aruba, Curacao & Cayman Cruise
December 1, 2023 - 10 Night Ultimate Southern Caribbean

[Xaa]

Just wait until you board the ship and grab your first drink @Traveling Mike.  The atmosphere will be different than the daily lead up and your mind and body will find that place in your spirit that has lead to your many cruises.  You'll remember why you do them and have the excitement of what looks to me to be a really sweet 3 week journey.

Now that you've posted here though, I am excited because this is essentially a contract for you to blog your experience and share it will all of us!

Have a great trip!

[Plasticbrain]

I am going on my first ever cruise in 8 months, and i have not been able to think about much else for a year already (ordered black friday last year), i will try to channel some of my excitement over to you! i am sure when you feel the sea air, and enjoy all the cruise has to offer you will enjoy it. maybe you should get a day 1 massage or something? 

wish you a great trip! 

ps. will follow as I hacve never been outside Europe.. (my 2 first cruises are both next year in western and eastern medittereanean) I hope to se Caribbean islands at some point, so I hope my 38 year old self can channel some of my excitement to you, and that you can do it "for me"

-Chris from Norway-

[fireclan]

@Traveling Mike I hope this morning finds you on your way to the cruise you're not excited about!

Maybe it's the pre-cruise packing and traveling that's has you a bit unmotivated (I have really grown to dislike that part of the cruise experience), or maybe you've had enough of cruising for a while. Hopefully some down time on your B2B will give you perspective as ponder these thoughts and feelings.

As @Xaa posted, please honor that "contract" you made here and bring us along on your journey! Bon voyage!

[WAAAYTOOO]

Beginnings of the Holiday Blues ?  I hope you are on your way and having a great time !  I know how you're feeling though....I think it comes from too much of a good thing.  If I'm being honest, I will say that I have really lost that OH MY GOD I'M GOING ON A CRUISE euphoria as well.  They're getting to be pretty routine at this point.  I hope that is NOT what you're feeling but it does happen.  Familiarity breeds contempt.  It happens even with cruising !  Enjoy your cruise !!!!!!!!!

[The Fox]

Look at the opportunity you have to share your experience with all of us. You never know how one little comment can stick with a person and affect their lives. I remember directing high school theatre and years later having students come back and tell me what a profound experience it was and how it changed their life. The possibilities are endless. Enjoy your cruise.

[PPPJJ-GCVAB]

I’m following because I do still get very excited about everyone’s cruises on this blog as well as my own!  I will never be able to do much more cruising than I currently do so all my down time at least gets hyped up with everything I get to read about here.  

Guessing you, @Traveling Mike, are on your way now to FLL and tomorrow morning to the port.  Happy sailing!!

[OCSC Mike]

Hope your feelings change once onboard!

I've never not looked forward to a cruise nor have I ever had a bad one!

[Lovetocruise2002]

I'm here for this. Blog away! And I am excited for you. I am actually thinking hard about booking Celebrity Beyond as well. Was just discussing this with Hubby last night. Lots of pics and info, or anything else you can provide would be much appreciated.

[MaryS]

I hope you have a safe and uneventful flight.  Hopefully when you land you start to feel a little excitement for your trip.  I can't wait to see pictures of the solo balcony cabin and your thoughts about it.  I was looking at that cabin on the Ascent.  Enjoy your adventure!

[AshleyDillo]

I wasn't pumped at all for the Apex sailing like the ungrateful child I am

But I work long hours and have been too busy to really get excited about it. Blogging has helped a lot!

[Sweety]

Have a joyous cruise.

[FireFishII]

@Traveling Mike I hope all is well with you.  It sounds to me that you have a bad case of Burn Out => 60 hours/week.  You really need this vacation.  

Don't worry about this blog - worry about your own health.  Have a great time.  

My only question - what does MDR serve for Thanksgiving?  Anything special.  

[OCSC Mike]

14 minutes ago, FireFishII said:

My only question - what does MDR serve for Thanksgiving?  Anything special.  

And what does the WJ serve?  (Asking for @Lovetocruise2002)

[Lovetocruise2002]

36 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

And what does the WJ serve?  (Asking for @Lovetocruise2002)

Oceanview cafe!  

[asquared17]

ITS CRUISE DAY!!!!!!!

[Traveling Mike]

Summary:  No sleep but great trip

It took all night Monday night, but I got packed.  it was the heaviest suitcase I have had so far on any of my trips.  it is a small, checked bag and it was 42 lbs.  I pretty much packed everything I own that can be worn in public that my 27-year-old would approve.  The flight and transportation were the best of any trip so far.  the only issue is my sons new Camero.  It is a brand new 2024 Camero and he wants to drive it everywhere.  The trunk is big but has a small opening.  The bag just barely fit in.  When I got to the airport there were no lines anywhere.  Once on the airplane I was in Main Plus seats, and I had a 3rd grader in my middle seat.  That gave me lots of room and gave me someone that I could talk to (I coach elementary and high school water polo).  On the second part of my flight, I had the Main Plus seat and there were only 2 of us in the row of 3 seats.  At the Fort Lauderdale airport I got my bag and as soon as I walked out the door to see where to find my hotel ride; to my surprise the van was right there with the hotel name on it.  I got to the hotel about 10 pm and got to sleep for the first time in two days.

[Traveling Mike]

Summary:  Not a bad day and great cruise port

I checked before I went to sleep and the Lift from my hotel to the cruise port was only $8 and the shuttle was $15.  I set my alarm for 10 am to give me an hour to clean up before checkout time.  Now I did something every experienced cruiser knows not to do but I did it anyway.  I packed my bag in packing cubes and did not leave cloths for my second day easy to get to.  All of my shirts were in packing cubes at the bottom of the suitcase.  I got to unpack everything to get one shirt that I could wear to the port.  I scheduled my Lyft ride, and it showed up in 5 minutes (I picked the discount for waiting) and it was a very nice car and great driver.  It took us about 10 minutes to get from the airport area to the Port Everglades port.  At the port entrance we got in a line that was very slow.  When we got the person at the gate we were asked for ID.  The driver showed him his ID and I showed him my sea pass.  that was not enough for him.  I had to get in the car trunk and get my passport out of my backpack.  Once at the Celebrity Cruise terminal 18 (the Ascent had 25) everything went really smooth.  The people working the terminal were great and very polite and helpful.  I got there at 11:30 am and almost was able to walk on.  We just had a 5-to-10-minute wait in the main waiting room.  Something I thought about... I think the workers are very polite because most of them are retired and do not have the stress of working life and enjoy what they are doing.

[Traveling Mike]

Summary:  Edge Single Stateroom with Infinite Veranda

I am not going to talk much about the ship tonight because I have not had time to explore and experience.  What I will talk about and show pictures is my cabin.  I have got to spend time in my cabin and get a good nap this afternoon.  I have an Edge Single Stateroom with Infinite Veranda.  For a solo cabin it is very big.  The only thing it does not have is a couch.  I do have a balcony in the room that opens the room up.  Celebrity is an upscale cruise line, and you can tell that by the cabin.  I have 2 USB plugs next to my bed.  At the desk is a box with 3 different power plugs and 2 USB plugs.  The bed is nice and sleep well.  I want to take the pillows home.  They are big enough and are schrunchable.  Later in the cruise I will be creating a Cabin Review Video and will share it with you.

Note:  The nap helped, and I am starting to realize my funk is caused by being overworked.  I have done 6 months of 60-hour work weeks and the last 3 months with 25 to 30 hours of Water Polo coaching on top of that.  I think I am just tired and need this cruise to decompress.

 

[Traveling Mike]

11 hours ago, FireFishII said:

@Traveling Mike I hope all is well with you.  It sounds to me that you have a bad case of Burn Out => 60 hours/week.  You really need this vacation.  

Don't worry about this blog - worry about your own health.  Have a great time.  

My only question - what does MDR serve for Thanksgiving?  Anything special.  

After taking a nap today and decompressing a little i am coming to realize you are correct.  To many hours and no decompression time.  I have done Thanksgiving on Norwegian and Royal, and their Thanksgiving is turkey and ham but no pumpkin pie.  They were prepared like a chief trying to be fancy and not trying to be as good as moms Thanksgiving meal.  I am hoping Celebrity does a better job.

[Traveling Mike]

On 11/21/2023 at 7:30 AM, MaryS said:

I hope you have a safe and uneventful flight.  Hopefully when you land you start to feel a little excitement for your trip.  I can't wait to see pictures of the solo balcony cabin and your thoughts about it.  I was looking at that cabin on the Ascent.  Enjoy your adventure!

I will be creating a Cabin review video in a couple of days.  I will post it on this blog but until then I would book this cabin in a heartbeat.  

[Traveling Mike]

Summary:  Sleep does wonders

I am sorry for taking until the third day to update my trip.  I have taken a 2 to 3 hour nap every day.  I have also got 8 to 10 hours sleep every night.  I have kept my alcohol to one drink a day and drank lots of water.  I have not been doing lots of the events (trivia, game shows...) that I normally do.  Now today I feel like a real person.  I figure I was on autopilot and was going through the steps.  Now do not get me wrong, I was not doing my job or coaching subpar, but my entire life revolved around work and water polo.  I have gone 4 days without working and I have not done that in a lot of months.

Now I would like to give you some advice from someone that knows nothing.  Break your routine up with something different.  If you are working make sure you take a weekend day and get away and do something you normally would not do.  If you are retired make sure you break up your routine.  Go visit your family that you have not seen in a while.  Go someplace that you would never go by choice.  Take your spouse on a real date (drive in theater and make out).  The main idea is do something to break your routine up.

now on to the ship experience

[asquared17]

i am sooooo glad you have slept!!

it makes a world of difference!! and you were certainly overdue for some.

just realized that you can see ascent from your balcony in that picture above!! how exciting!!

[Traveling Mike]

Summary:  First Impressions 

When I got to the Fort Lauderdale Port (Port Everglades) both the Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Ascent (Maiden Voyage) were in port.  I was shocked how the Beyond looked so much bigger than the Ascent.  My curiosity made me look it up and the tonnage is almost the same and the maximum passengers is on 700 smaller.  I took a look at my pictures and figure it is because the Beyond has the bar hanging off the side and the shape of the ship is different.  Walking around the ship the first day many of the things and places looked familiar even though I have never been on the ship.  I have only been on the Celebrity Millenium and Celebrity Reflection and both of them are older ships.  The cruise line has done a good job of updating the ship but keeping a familiar feeling.  

Now for anyone that has never been on a Celebrity ship.  Their ship does not have toys to play with.  they do not have water slides, rock climbing walls and waive runners.  They have things like the Martini Bar.  Everyone hangs out and listens to the live music.  The bartenders are the best on the ship and entertain you while you meet new people and relax and enjoy.  I was surprised that the casino was not real big, but it looked just like the one on the Reflection.  The one big difference that I noticed and really like is guest Relations is not a big desk with everyone behind it.  It is a bunch of small desks with people stepping out to help you.  it is more personal and less intimidating.  The food has been everything from good to great.  The buffet has been OK and I stay away from it except for breakfast.  The main dining room was pretty good, but I have only been there one night.  The hamburger place next to the pool has been very good but I have been a good boy and eat the hamburger patty with no bun.  I limit myself to a few French fries.  last night I had Dinner at Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud.  It was every bit of a 5-star restaurant.  I love everything they brought me.  I was trying to decide between 2 deserts, and they brought me 3 deserts.  I will be back there a couple more times and take some pictures.

Now it is time for dinner... see you later tonight.

 

[Traveling Mike]

Summary:  Food Expectations can be out of line with your life

This is a blog about my cruise experience.  Today the quality of food came up with 3 different people/groups in discussions I was in.  The first was a man in his early 50's that came sat next to me at the Martini Bar.  This was his first Celebrity cruise and he asked me what I thought about the food.  Before I could answer he told me that he felt the food was subpar, and he thought Celebrity food was much better.  The I had dinner with two couples that were in their 80 that have been cruising forever.  They asked where I ate my Thanksgiving meal and when they found out I was at the specialty restaurant they both had the opinion that specialty restaurants were not worth the cover charge.   The last one was a just now I had 3 girls in their teens that was asking me where to find good food in-between meals.  

Now I am going to share my opinion on food on cruise ships and this cruise ship.  They way I look at food on a cruise ship is the food better than what I get at home.  Sence I am the cook at home most of the time it is yes.  The second level is the food better than what I get at Denny's or the local restaurant.  It is like looking at Pizza; I like Little Cezar's but I also like Me N Eds Pizza, but I do not expect them to taste the same.

• Overall, the food on the Celebrity Beyond is very good.  I do not cruise for the food, but it is much better than I would eat at home or get on most other cruise lines.
• Someone pointed out that you do not have to pay and upcharge and eat at Specialty Restaurants, but would you eat at a 4- or 5-star restaurant back at home for $40 or $50.  Last night I had dinner at a restaurant that would cost me $150 or more back home and it only cost me $35.  Back home I would not be eating at a 5-star restaurant because of the price but on the cruise ship I can because I only see the upcharge. I know the other meals are free, but I choose not to look at it that way.
• The hamburger place by the pool is very good.  I would rather have an In-N-Out Burger, but they do not have it on the ship.  The one on the ship is about the same as I can cook at home, and I am happy with that.  
• The pizza place is both really bad and really good.  I have been there in the middle of the day and the pizza had sat there for 20 minutes and it turned to soft flappy cruise.  For a think cruise handmade pizza that is not good.  I showed up at 12:30 am two nights ago and got one just out of the pizza oven and it was the best pizza I have had in a very long time.  Today I went by there at the start of lunch, and they pre-made pizza's getting ready for the start of lunch rush.  I knew better than to get it.  Instead, I asked them to create me one with all the meats from the for different pizzas they were cooking.  I sat and waited for them to make it and had a great pizza for lunch.
• I have had really good food at the main dining rooms.  The main dining rooms are different from what I am used to.  There are four of them and each one is the same and different at the same time.  They all have a few items that are just for that restaurant but then 80%of the menu is the same in all of them.  I have found from past experience to ask the waiter.  The first night I thought I knew what I wanted but when I asked the waiter her steered me away from the items and we selected something else that was very good.  Tonight, I did the same thing and the waiter told me I had great selections.  The appetizer was not very good but that is because it was octopus and I found out I do not like octopus.  The main dish was lamb shank, and it was very good.

The problem I see with most people that are unhappy with cruise food is they have very high expectations and they do not help at meeting them.  They want to sit down and get served 5-star food prepared the way they like it.  In my opinion most people would be much happier if they lowered their expectations and worked with the cruise to find high quality food that they like.

 

[Cactus527]

15 hours ago, Traveling Mike said:

The problem I see with most people that are unhappy with cruise food is they have very high expectations and they do not help at meeting them.  They want to sit down and get served 5-star food prepared the way they like it.  In my opinion most people would be much happier if they lowered their expectations and worked with the cruise to find high quality food that they like.

This, 100%. When I cruise, I enjoy what I have. There might be a few poorer choices on my part, but it's all good. I look forward to cruise food because it's different than what I typically have, so it's always good in that respect!

 

So glad you got to rest and decompress. I LOVE the photos of your room! As a solo traveler too, it's nice to see what other options are out there. I have a solo room booked on Celebrity Silhouette in 2025, and while it won't have a window, I'm excited to experience it. 

[KJ777]

@Traveling Mike I'm so glad you're starting to get some rest and feel more human!  We leave next Sunday on the Wonder for 7 days and as excited as I am, I understand that feeling of non-excitement.  I keep thinking of all I need to get done before we even leave.  It can become overwhelming, but the end result is totally worth it.  Enjoy your time!  

[Traveling Mike]

Summary:  We had a wedding

One of the people from the Facebook group got married yesterday.  I have heard about weddings on the ships, but I always assumed they were like Las Vegas where they were drive through weddings.   One of the couples on our Facebook group (471 people) only had about 8 friends and family on the cruise.  They decided to invite everyone they had been chatting with for months.  About 40 people showed up and made a nice wedding.  They had it in the Blue restaurant and it was setup for a wedding.  The ship captain was there to perform the ceremony.  He was there early, and we got to chat with the ship captain, the groom and best man while waiting for the ceremony to begin.  It ended up with everything you expect from a wedding except for the reception.  They had the wedding, did the cake then did pictures.  Most of us ended up going to the Martini Bar to have our own reception.

[Traveling Mike]

Summary:  Christmas Season has Started

 

[Cactus527]

How exciting to be attending a wedding on board! Congrats to the couple.

[FireFishII]

I am glad you are having a good time. Your comments about the food is spot on.  My sister is always disappointed with cruise food but that is because she is expecting a 5 star quality/experience. She forgets the cruise ship is cooking for 2000, 3000, 4000+.   

[Traveling Mike]

Summary:  the Theatre

The Theatre on the Beyond is much different than any other I have experienced.  To start out it has a round stage and not the typical square one.  the backdrop is not a curtain it is a round wall that does state of the art graphics.  In last night's show we had the feeling that the entire theater was moving forward floating down a river.  With the round stage it feels like the performers are coming out into the audience.  The shows have been very good (in most cases) and last night it was good enough that I wanted to see it a second time.  Later this week I will give a review of all the shows.

 

[Traveling Mike]

Summary:  The Nightly Shows.  (I will finish reviews after I see them so check back on this post)

Day (1):  Jakub Trasak does known songs on the violin.  I made it though the second son before I left and found something else to do.  There were many people I heard talking about how good he was.  In my opinion he did songs that I was not interested in and he did not do them very well.  Both songs were boring to me.  When he talked to the audience it was in a monotone voice and put me to sleep.  This was not for me.

Day (2):  Production Cast “Stage Door”.   I was too tired to attend and went to bed.  I was told it was a good show.

Day (3):  Randy Cabral is a comedian that does juggling.  He was a good jugger but most of his show was his comedy.  I would not say he was great, but he was entertaining.  If I had not seen this type of show I would have said it was good but I have seen a few different people on cruises that do the same thing.

Day (4):  The group “Uptown” does Soul and R&B music.  It was three boys in their 20’s that were very good entertainers.  They did a good show with comedy throughout the show.  They worked the audience a lot and their signing was not bad.

Day (5):  Production Cast “Elements”.  This was a very good show and I wanted to watch it a second time.  It was singing, dancing, acrobatics and visual effects.  The show went though all the elements and made you feel you were part of each one.  During the water element they had video in the background of going up a river and it felt like the entire theater was moving down the river.  There was two performers on top of poles that came into the third row with their movements.  Do not miss this show.

Day 6:  Steve Caouette is a stand-up comedian.  He was very funny and relatable.  He worked the crowd and most of it was on the fly.  He talked to the crowed all night and was very funny.  I am going back to see his other shows while on the ship.

Day 7:  Savanna Smith is a singer.  Las Vegas type music.

Day 8:  Vinny Grosso is a comedian magician that has a headline show in Las Vegas.

Day 9:  Production Cast “Arte”

Note:  there was a Production Show “The Jazz Joint” held in “The Club”.   The club is a bar that they do all the trivia in.  It is not a big place.  The night they did this show it was packed including standing space.  The show was great and, but you need to get there really early.  The best seats are next to the main floor and then next on the upper floor on the rail.  If you are back from the main floor people showing up late will try to stand in front of you.  Do not miss this show.

Edited November 28, 2023 by Traveling Mike
added comment on Steve Caouette

[Traveling Mike]

Summary:  Worst Dinner all cruise and I paid for it

I have purchased a 4-specialty dining package for both of my cruises.  I have already used 3 of them and went to 3 out of the 6 restaurants.  I am sure I had dinner at the best one Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud but tonight I had dinner at the worst one including the free ones.  That dinner was at Le Petit Chef™.  I have done the restaurant Le Petit Chef™ on two other ships and loved it.  Le Petit Chef™ is as much for the show as for the food.  I do not expect 5-star food, but I expect good food.  The first issue I had was when I showed up and found out they have it one floor above the Martini bar that was playing live music and everyone was there to talk, be loud and get ready for their dinner.  The Martini bar is in the center of the ship where it goes up several floors.  I sat down at the table they assigned to me, and I could not hear the music inside the restaurant because of the noise outside.  After about 15 minutes someone came by to see if I wanted a drink.  About 15 minutes later the waiter came by to explain the menu to me and get my order without me having time to decide.  That was the last time I seen the waiter.  The drink person came back a few times but not the waiter except to drop the plate and run off without talking to me.  On the third course I had to wipe the crumbs off the table where it did not get in the way of the show (myself).  The seafood appetizer had been cooked to long and everything was tuff.  When I got to the desert the ice cream was iced up like it was in the freezer too long.  The surprising thing is the ship makes ice-cream every day and I have had lots of it during the cruise and have not seen this issue.  I know this review is going all over the place.  I am sorry but I am just confused about what happed tonight.

1. I tried to keep my expectations in check, but it did not work.
2. The noise outside was too loud and did not allow us to enjoy our show / meal.
3. The service was lacking.
4. The food was subpar and part of that was caused by service of the food.

Summary is do not eat at this restaurant on the Celebrity Beyond.  

[ScottD]

Glad you got some rest and seem to be enjoying the cruise. A wedding on board is pretty cool, especially when you're invited but don't have to bring a gift! lol. 

Sorry to hear about Le Petit Chef, it's the ONE place I would have tried for sure if I sailed a Celebrity ship, but mostly for the gimmick...wasn't even thinking the food might not be good!! 

[Traveling Mike]

3 hours ago, ScottD said:

if I sailed a Celebrity ship, but mostly for the gimmick

I have done it on both the Millennium and the Reflection.  Both ships it was a great experienced and had good food.  The main difference in those two places and this one was location.  If you get a chance to see it where the location is acceptable, I would recommend doing it.

[Cruising to Retirement!]

1 hour ago, Traveling Mike said:

I have done it on both the Millennium and the Reflection.  Both ships it was a great experienced and had good food.  The main difference in those two places and this one was location.  If you get a chance to see it where the location is acceptable, I would recommend doing it.

Thank you so much for blogging!  So happy we will be on the Beyond on August 24th 2024 for the 8 night ABC islands in a Sunset Veranda!

Michelle

[Traveling Mike]

I am confusing the dinner crew.  There is way too much food on the ship, so I have been going to dinner and only getting a main course.  Tonight, dinner took me 20 minutes from start to finish.  It is not like I am not eating.  Today was one of my workdays.  I got up this morning and went to the Buffet and found a good table with the soft bench.  Then I spent the next 6 hours working on my computer.  I am a computer programmer, so it was real paid work.  I was also able to attend three different meetings.  I did not eat any meals, but I started with Bacon/sausage and toast.  that lasted the first 2 hours.  Then I got some fruit and grapes for the next two hours.  Then the last two hours was meat and cheese.  Now it is 7:30 pm and I feel good about what I got done today and am going to bed early.

Tomorrow, I have a shore excursion that starts at 8 am and lasts 6 hours.

[Traveling Mike]

I realized I really did not tell you details on my cruises.  Here is what I am doing.  If you have any questions, please ask.

9 Night Aruba, Curacao & Cayman Cruise
Edge Single Stateroom with Infinite Veranda

1. Fort Lauderdale, Florida
2. Sea Day
3. George Town, Grand Cayman
4. Sea Day
5. Oranjestad, Aruba
6. Willemstad, Caracao
7. Sea Day
8. Falmouth, Jamaica
9. Sea Day
10. Fort Lauderdale, Florida

10 Night Ultimate Southern Caribbean
Edge Single Stateroom with Infinite Veranda (same cabin)

1. Fort Lauderdale, Florida
2. Sea Day
3. Sea Day
4. Philipsburg, St. Maarten
5. Roseau, Dominica
6. Bridgetown, Barbados
7. St. John's Antigua
8. Basseterre, St. Kitts
9. Sea Day
10. Sea Day
11. Fort Lauderdale, Florida

[Xaa]

7 hours ago, Traveling Mike said:

I am confusing the dinner crew.  There is way too much food on the ship, so I have been going to dinner and only getting a main course.  Tonight, dinner took me 20 minutes from start to finish.  It is not like I am not eating.  Today was one of my workdays.  I got up this morning and went to the Buffet and found a good table with the soft bench.  Then I spent the next 6 hours working on my computer.  I am a computer programmer, so it was real paid work.  I was also able to attend three different meetings.  I did not eat any meals, but I started with Bacon/sausage and toast.  that lasted the first 2 hours.  Then I got some fruit and grapes for the next two hours.  Then the last two hours was meat and cheese.  Now it is 7:30 pm and I feel good about what I got done today and am going to bed early.

Tomorrow, I have a shore excursion that starts at 8 am and lasts 6 hours.

Awesome.  Sounds like the internet was good enough for your meetings.  Do you have the basic or premium offering?

There's nothing like putting in a good day of work and feeling like at the end accomplishments were made and you can feel free to be away.