Day 7 - At Sea - Feb. 10, 2018

I started off this morning by going for tea and letting Ron sleep in.  I found someone to talk to, of course.  This lady is named Dorothy and she's in her mid 80's and going strong.  What an inspiration!  She lives near Galveston and dumpster dives (picks thru garbage) to find aluminum cans and copper for resale to fund mission opportunities thru her church.  She also finds useable clothing and toys to wash and pass on to homeless shelters, etc.  I hope I'm still going strong if I make it to my 80's!

Dorothy

We met everyone to lounge by the pool this morning.  Ron & I left to have lunch at Johnny Rockets at noon.  It was a bargain at $8.20 for all you can eat burgers, fries, onion rings, dessert and a beverage.  Milkshakes are extra but we had already had our free one earlier in the weekl

There was a salute to the staff and a patriotic song on the final night of the cruise.  Our waiter took good care of us and was very pleasant.  Overall, I think the cruise lines have cut back on a lot of the extras that we've enjoyed in the past.  No ice sculptures for example.  And the entertainment was not as good as we remembered in the past.  

Tonight's show was a musical and was the same show as last year.  The sound was much better on it and we stayed for the whole performance. 

Day 6 - At Sea - Feb. 9, 2018

"At Sea Days" are not my favorite but we managed to stay busy most of the time.  Ron and I went up to the FlowRider to watch for wardrobe malfunctions but none happened.  This looks like fun and some are very good at it.  Not for this old woman though!

Later we walked around the pool area and found the swing and this quiet corner overlooking the ocean.  Had to get an ice cream cone for a morning snack.

The girls met for lunch at noon and the guys decided to do the same.  Didn't get a pic of the girls but we were there!  Roy thought he recognized Kitty's head from the back and had the waiter go offer drinks to the girls' table.  It wasn't us though!  It was a group of 10 elderly ladies having lunch.   Made a good memory!  

One of the waiters put on some sideburns and did an Elvis impersonation for another table celebrating a birthday.  Too funny!  Wish I'd gotten a pic of that! 

After lunch, the girls took in Ben & Jerry's for 3 scoops of ice cream - yum!

The dinner dessert list had too many options so I got two - apple pie a la mode and 2 scoops of coconut ice cream.  I think that makes about 7 scoops of ice cream today!  I just can't help myself when desserts are so available!

The evening entertainment was another unpleasant experience.  It was a group called Mosaic which only used their voices, no musical instruments.  It was so loud that Ron & I left after two songs.  Would have been good if not so loud.  

If you've read this far, please ignore my negative comments.  This blog is my journal which helps me remember these trips.  There were many fun moments and too much good food to photograph and describe.  I hope hitting these highlights will help me remember the good and the bad.

Day 5 - Falmouth, Jamaica - Feb. 8, 2018

Today was a beach day in Falmouth, Jamaica.  Our excursion was at Blue Waters, all inclusive beach break.  Sadly, when we got there we learned that the cabanas were NOT included.  So, for a mere $60, the attendant fixed us up with a cabana for 2-4 but crammed all 10 of us under it.  Needless to say, some of us were in the sun!  Not as nice as the beach break from last year where there was plenty of shade, and free!

Lunch and beverages were included - jerk chicken, cokes and mixed drinks.  I didn't care for the jerk chicken but enjoyed the Pina Coladas.  

Key Lime Pie


After dinner this evening the theatre was in use by the Presley Family Anniversary Cruise folks (900 Branson fans) so our only option was the 70's disco night on the Royal Promenade which started at 9:00.  It was much too loud for us so we went back to our room which overlooked the promenade.  We could still hear the music, just not quite as loud.  Note to self:  don't book a room overlooking the promenade! 

Day 4 - George Town, Grand Cayman - Feb. 7, 2018

We went on the Atlantis Submarine excursion on our fourth day.  It was a good experience but not exactly what I expected.  I really thought the colors would be more vivid.  Either my camera was not up to the challenge of underwater photography or the cloudy day affected my pics.  At any rate, we had a good time and did see a large turtle and a stingray.

Turtle

This evening Ron and I left dinner early and went to the Ice Show.  It was the best entertainment of the week.  While we were gone, the girls cooked up a night out shopping on the Royal Promenade.  I caught up with them after the ice show. 

Red Dog Night Shopping Adventure

Day 3 - Cozumel - February 6, 2018

Our first port of call was Cozumel.  Part of the group went shopping.  I didn't get any photos of the shops.  Nora found a Nativity set for Leigh, among other things, and I found a Christmas ornament for my collection.

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Entertainment tonight was a comedy act - fair to middlin'.  Guess it takes a lot to impress us!

The nightly folded towel animal.

Cruising with the TXVILLE Gang - Day 2 - Feb. 5, 2018

We left Galveston on Feb. 4th for Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Falmouth, Jamaica.

Group Photo after dinner on Feb. 5th, our first sea day.

James Smith, Ron Sheppard, Roy Karnes, Ed Bowling, Frank Duckett, Chester Crider
JoAnne Sheppard, Nora Duckett, Kitty Crider, Leigh Karnes

Nora & Leigh

Scrumptious desserts

 Having some fun with Clifford, the red dog on our first sea day:

This evening we went to the In The Air show, musical performance using fabric, ropes, and hoops to do trapeze type acts.  Not a favorite!

The nightly folded towel animal