Cruise of a Different Kind

Sunday, February 8, 2010

Well, it has been a long while, way too long of a while, since I have had a post here. This winter has really sucked, and I am PMS'ing(Parked Motorcycle Syndrome) really bad.

To try to get my mind off of it, and get some sun and wind in my face, the riding partner, Kasey, and I decided to take a cruise on a big ole boat liner. We would have her two kids, and her parents in tow with us.

On this Sunday we were already in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, awaiting our trip to board the Norwegian Cruise Lines Jewel. It was a sunny Super Bowl Sunday in Miami, and we even passed the stadium where the game would be played.

Now, on to the cruise. After be crammed together by the Line Nazi, we made our way to the check in desk. I don't understand compressing people in a line unless there are people in bad weather. No one will get through the line any faster. It was sunny and 78 degrees outside. I would stand out in the weather for five more minutes then be butt to crotch with strangers!

Once on board, our first stop was the cabin. Of course it was small, but it would do for home for the next week. Second, was to enjoy some of this great food I have heard people rave about. We made our way to the buffet, which was the first indication of how many sardines were packed on this ship. Plenty of food was available, but no seats or tables could be had.

After settling in, we made our way to the main lounge to watch the Super Bowl. Should have been an indication of the week, but when it started with the Colts loosing the Super Bowl, we should have known things were not going to go as planned.

First off, Norwegian advertises its "Free Style" Cruising. Trust me, it is far from free, and has little or no style. The food, when you could get it, was pretty bland. If I was a regular diner of Golden Corral, I might think this food would be a step up. Not only were a lot of the eateries closed when we wanted to eat, but I had one incident where I had to walk half of the ship to get an iced tea!

Our first port was Roatan, Hondurus. We had seen this island on The Travel Channel, and on House Hunters International. After some dealing, we found a ride to the West End Beach. We were introduced to the owner of a resort eatery, and headed for the beach. After getting some sun, we made our way for some lunch, local cuisine, of course.

We were lucky to find the driver that we did, and I suggest you look up Murphy's Roatan Tours if you make it to this island.

Another night at sea, and we would arrive at Belize. We had an excursion planned here, and we hopped on a bus, and headed to the Mayan Ruins. It was about an hour long trip, and our guide spoke the entire time. Then she spoke for another 20 minutes once we were at the ruins. I fully overly informed about Belize and Belize City. btw, They found a 7 inch Jade Stone at the site, but you won't see it, or even where they found it.

Another evening of bland food, and little or no entertainment, and we arrived at Costa Maya, Mexico. We rented a golf cart, and drove around the village that had been ravaged by a hurricane a few years earlier. This was the best time we had, as the kids pulled a coconut off a tree, and tried the milk. We also got some shopping done, and then got a soak in the pier area's pool.

It was supposed to be another day at sea, and then to the Bahamas, but weather would not let that be. That meant two days at sea, trapped on a boat that only offered Eating bland food, drinking over priced drinks, or playing Bingo against a thousand other people! The weather out side was windy, cool, around 70 degrees, and sometimes rainy.

We did venture to a show, but it featured a lot of interpretive dance, and I need an interpretor when it comes to that. I guess it was a good show?

Kasey spent most of our "wonderful" day at sea in the cabin taking a nap. I got out and walked around some, but the winds didn't maker it fun on the exterior decks. I did finish with 70 bucks in my pocket thanks to the casino's slot machine.

We went to the night's show, it was a variety show of the week's other shows. We saw a great ventriloquist, and a music duo that used to be part of "A Little Bit of Texas".

So this cruise was over, and we were pretty glad we were getting off this ship. It would be another night in Fort Lauderdale, then a flight through Memphis to get home. Well, we made it back to Indy, and Will and Rose's Luggage made it back, however, Kasey and I's didn't make it. Just to add punctuation to a lack luster trip, my bag arrived at home the next morning, at 1:20am? What the hell? Why would Delta deliver my bag at 1:20am?

I have agreed with Kasey to give cruising another try, but it won't be on a Norwegian Cruise Liner.

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