Yes, literally. I am about to embark upon my first cruise this weekend. I never thought I was the cruising type….but I did want to try out a really short cruise at some point soon. This one is a little longer than I had thought of at five days, but the opportunity came up to take a family cruise.
My daughter and son-in-law went on their first cruise a few months ago with two other couples they get together with every year. They didn’t bring the kids. On that cruise my son-in-law won another cruise (I would imagine in the casino). So, this time they are taking my granddaughter — and his parents are going, his aunt and uncle are going, and I am going. It did hurt a little that I had to pay for the whole cabin myself, but it wasn’t bad for a balcony cabin. And we have taken family vacations before, and frankly it does bother me that I am always the 7th wheel, being single.
At first, I was reluctant and wanted to get travel insurance that allowed me to cancel for any reason. A large part of that was my dog. I wasn’t sure where I could leave her,. She usually stayed with my daughter, but she was going too. My dog was 15 years old with dementia and incontinence. Well, I did find a friend who dog sits, and she kindly agreed to watch my dog. As it turns out, I ended up having to put the dog down a month or two ago.
I still wasn’t anxious about the trip, but I did get regular old travel insurance. As always with trips, I figure I need new clothes and I went kind of crazy on Amazon. I dread packing because I am going to overpack. I like to look nice, which means not super casual most of the time….maybe because I am single and feel I need to impress.
I finally watched the video that gave a tour of the boat. Then I watched a video about cruise dress code. I didn’t realize cruising was such a science! I have my coffee card, which will allow me some fancy Starbucks-type drinks, so I guess I am all set. I did not purchase a beverage package because I am not much of a drinker. You need to drink probably six alcoholic drinks a day to make it worth it. I do like mimosas and black Russians but rarely drink. I will just pay for my drinks. Don’t like beer or wine and would rather eat my calories.
Feel free to comment about your cruise experiences. Next post I will tell you all about it.
I cannot tell you how much I dread packing. HOW is everything going to git in that suitcase???
Oh, yes, we leave from Tampa and go to Mexico.
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