Preamble:  This trip was put together by Jacqui Viers and Small World Tours to be a fundraiser for The Plantation Softball Association. Twenty-three people participated.

I'm an early riser and spent every morning on the upper decks, coffee, reading, and sunrises. I usually brought a cup of coffee down to Linda about 7:30 and we started our day.

When you see R&R, that means rest and relaxation; reading, TV, or napping. You get the idea.

We really started last night when Linda and Duncan took all of his “things” to Bonnie’s house.

Linda, Duncan and I were up early. Brought Duncan over to the Bonnies and headed back home to gather the luggage and Linda. We were down the Manor about 7:10. Lawrence (Small World Driver) was already in the parking lot with a full size, new’ish bus. We were all there at 7:20 and off at 7:30 in a ½ full bus. We had an uneventful trip to Miami.

Then we started the embarkation procedure. The stevedores rep said we didn’t give him enough money. That hung us up while Jacqui straightened it out.

Then security, documents verification, and wait to board – a line waiting to get on. All these lines were long but everyone was cheeful and happy to be starting their cruise.

Next we got aboard and went to our room, 6364, but they were still cleaning that part of the ship. Up to deck 9, the Lido deck. We had some soft ice cream and then back to Deck 6. Our room was ready. We got one bag and Linda emptied that while I studied things. The TV remote wouldn't work but that seems to be the only problem. We are surrounded by 8 Miami-Dade Sheriff’s boats. They are just drifting around. Of course there are at least 4 cruise ships tied up in a row.

We went and found our table in the Chic Dining Room. Wandered around a little and then waited for the fire drill/muster. It was scheduled for 2:30, and then 4. They called the fire drill at about 5:45. There were many people delayed in reaching the ship. Probably due to the current airlines problems.

Next, back to 6364 to stash the life jackets then down to The Chic for dinner.

We gathered at our table with Jacqui, Connard, Carol, Allen, and Dottie.

We had 2 empty places at our table.  Sharon and Jim had to cancel at the last minute. Sharon came down very ill. We missed them.

Dinner was served. There are 4 courses on the menu. My entry was a medium rare New York strip that was more like medium well but excellent nonetheless. Maro from Croatia is our waiter and Jana from Slovakia is assistant. Everyone made it and had a good time.

We finished about 8 and headed back to 6346.  Both of our remaining suitcases were here. Linda got busy finding places for everything.

Linda went out to check out the ship and I’m staying behind to R&R.

I was up an at’em early. Up to the Lido deck for some really strong coffee and finished one of the W.E.B. Griffin books I brought with me. Then I wandered all around the upper decks until the sun was up – about 7:10. Brought coffee down to Linda.

We headed down to The Posh (one of the two main dining rooms) for breakfast. The wait staff was up and at'em also. We had a good breakfast.

We cruised decks 4 and 5, ending in the Victoriana for a lecture about tomorrows stop in Cozumel.

Back to our room to find a note that says we’ve had our dinner reservations changed to 8:15. We went down to The Posh for lunch a little early and found the maitre'd. He looked at the card and heard our story. He simply tore the paperwork up and said forget it. It must have been a mistake. We then had a nice lunch with some good people.

Next, we explored the upper decks. The open decks were crowded with people enjoying the sun and activities. We ran into some of our travel companions watching a contest of some sort at the pool.

I took a little nap and Linda went up on deck to catch some sun.

Soon it was time to dress for the first formal night. Captain’s night. We went early and had several formal pictures taken. A great dinner. Tonight was lobster tail night – most had that, I had prime rib.

After dinner we went directly to the Victoriana to wait for the show at 8:30. Many of our group sat together. Good show. Back to 6364 – a little TV and to bed.

Up to the Lido for coffee and reading as we approached Cozumel. There are several other ships in the area. 

Down to breakfast at The Posh with Sue and Jack. We docked as we had breakfast. 

Sue, Jack, and Dottie met us at the bottom of the gangplank at 9:15. Our ship is on one side of the pier and the Liberty (her sister ship) is on the other. It felt like a long alley and the wind was whistling through it. We walked into town and then all the way down Front Street and back. Lots of shopping and not much buying. Back to the ship about 12:30 PM.

We met Jack and Sue in the Lido on deck 9 for a very nice lunch. Back to the room for what turned out to be a long nap. Up and at’em in time to clean up and go to dinner in the The Chic at 6. Dinner was outstanding with the filet mignon being the favored dish. We went to look at photos only to find a crowd. We found a couple of our photos but the crowd made it difficult to look or make a judgment.

Back to the room in time to watch some TV. Linda headed out to explore some of the evening activities and I watched 2 ½ Men and to bed.

To The Posh for breakfast. Tablemates this morning included four from Montreal who spoke only french and two orientals who didn’t say a word. Back to the cabin to R&R some more.

Linda headed off shopping and I settled in on the veranda and read more Griffin.

An interesting observation – just after sunrise I watched a snowy egret fly alongside us for a long time and then, just before lunch, I saw a flight of 13 snowy egrets doing the same thing. We are many miles from any land.

I read all morning and Linda was in and out. To lunch at 12:30. A good lunch even though the fish in the fish and chips was really fish sticks. Another happening – just as we finished lunch, the boat started to vibrate big time – obviously the props were put into reverse. Soon we were stopped. We later found out that it was a practice stop for a man overboard drill. It was announced – but some announcements are not heard in the dining room.

Back to 6364 for a quiet afternoon.

There was a gathering for returning Carnival passengers at 4 PM. We went and enjoyed hors d’overes and drinks while the band played some nice music. Next we headed to the photo area and found a couple of pictures we liked. Bought them.

We had a nice dinner with all the travel companions. Then we wandered back to our room. Linda headed out and I settled in for an evening of TV. Linda came back a little early. The show was on but the theater was too cold for her. We watched Big Brother.

Brought coffee down to our room at 6. Up to the Lido for a quick breakfast and got ready to go to 7 mile beach. Then – the speakers came to life and announced we were not going to anchor at Georgetown; it’s too windy on that side of the island. We, instead, anchored on the lee side at Spots Bay. Many excursions were cancelled – due to the high winds and rough ocean. We waited in Victoriana along with lots of others to be called to the tenders. We got tendered in, waited a while longer and then loaded on busses. Over to Sea Grape Beach. We arrived at 9:30 and they gave us all places to sit and a couple of free drinks (water or soda). The beach was very nice and the water was warm. A nice morning at the beach.

Back to the ship via bus and tender. Up to the Lido for a snack. R&R the rest of the afternoon.

We had another great dinner at 6. Several of the group at other tables didn’t make it – some went to the extra $ dining room and a couple stayed in their room – ill.

We wandered around the photo area and found most of the pictures they have taken. We’ve purchased two of them so far.

We went back to our room, TV and to bed.

Cloudy and windy. The Lido was very busy as we docked in Jamaica (Ocho Rios). Linda and I chose to go to The Posh for breakfast. There are excursions being cancelled again – windy and rain. We headed out to The Island Market. It’s a short walk from the pier and a pretty nice spot. They even put on a show for us in the middle of the area. We met with Jacqui, Connard, Carol and Allen several times – they were shopping around also. Soon, we walked back to the ship in the rain. Dried off and went up to The Lido for some lunch. We both went to the Oriental line and had a good lunch. Back to the room for an afternoon of R&R.

This is the second and last formal night. We got dressed and headed down for some more formal photos. We stopped at 4 different backgrounds and had photos taken. We’ll look tomorrow.

A very nice dinner with chateaubriand being the most popular entry at our table.

Jacqui arranged for us to have a group photo taken so we all gathered on deck 5 in the atrium and the photographer arranged us on the stairs. He took several shots (see the beginning of this journal). We went to the Victoriana Theater with several others. Tonight’s show was a tribute to the Beatles.

Turn the clocks ahead 1 hour tonight – we are back on EDT.

I finished my new book this morning. Weather is cloudy and cool. We prepared for a day at sea. To the Posh for breakfast. Linda started packing and I went off shopping for a new book. We went and looked at pictures – we bought 3 8X10’s. Some excellent pictures. Next – the disembarkation talk. Nothing new. Linda went to the $.02 slot machine and donated the rest of her money.

Lunch in The Posh. A nice group. A lady from Montreal, a couple from Montana and another couple. Nice lunch.

We started filling out paperwork and getting final preparations in order. To dinner at The Chic, 6 PM. Everyone was there and we all had a good dinner. Prime rib was the favorite of the day.

Jacqui called a brief meeting in The Drawing Room. She made sure we all had the same debarkation number and would be well prepared for tomorrow.

We came back to our room and made sure we were ready. Linda headed out for her last night on the boat.

Me – watched TV and to bed.

We were sailing into Miami when I got up on deck about 5. We went into the turn basin and did a 180. Brought Linda some coffee and we went up to the Lido for some breakfast. Back to the room for a final check and then we headed to the theater to wait.

Soon our disembarkation number was called and off we went. We waited in line after we got into the terminal and then to the baggage area. This one was similar to airport baggage claim instead of a huge pile of baggage. Much better.

We got our bags pretty quickly and got into the Customs line. That took a while. We found a Small World Tours Rep as we exited the building. He showed us where the bus was – a smaller one. I then took over to help find our entire group. That took quite a while – there was a mix-up finding people and mating them with their bags. But – we finally got headed home about 11.

Arrived in the house at around 3:30. First priority was to go get Duncan and then the mail. Back Home'