The Gulf

Mother Nature foiled our plans for Cozumel. The fog rolled in and the port of Galveston was closed. Guests were given the option of leaving the ship, but we were on the fun ship and decided to keep the party going! When the port reopened we sailed out into the gulf for some sun and warmer weather.

We spent most of our time lounging on the deck chairs and eating. There was so much going on onboard the ship it was a bit of sensory overload. Here’s a recap for you.

Sights: neon colors, glitter, really good people watching

Sounds: super loud music by the pool, fart jokes, our goofy Cruise director Steve’s voice and announcements, constant murmur of ship noises and people

Smells: diesel fuel, stale cigarette smoke, food from the galley

Tastes: food, food, and more food, seafood, salmon, bouillabaisse, tomato gelee, chilled mango soup, Indian food, 24 hour ice cream machine, desserts – chocolate melting cake (for lunch one day I counted six desserts on my plate and only four lunch items!), fruity umbrella drinks

Feel: rolling and swaying of the ship, super windy putt putt golf, aching legs from walking up and down all the stairs, and a sunburn (what’s a vacation without a sunburn? I even put on spf 50 on each day!)

The highlights of the cruise were the Just June comedy show, this one dancer who was always smiling and looked like she really loved what she was doing, a 360 degree view of the horizon, the hot tub, bunking with my best friend and roommate from college – we hadn’t been on a ship together since school, towel animals, and the waterslide.

I'm north and east bound these days, made it through Louisiana yesterday. A brief stop for dinner in Hattiesburg last night with my cousin Darla and back in Waynesboro for the day, on to South Carolina tomorrow!

Safety first!

Leaving port

Dinner - more food.

Dinner - Liz, Brandon, Melissa & Me

Lounging

If you look closely, you'll see our matching sunburn blotches on our right legs...I guess we put sunscreen on the same way!

Old Navy swimsuit models - we all came prepared with multiple Old Navy suits!

Our bling- a 24kt plastic ship on a stick. There were lots of trivia games, and we won the match game by having the most answers in common. I guess we know each other well after ten years of friendship!