RV On The Road Yet?

Who says “you can’t teach an ole dog new tricks”? I am being shipped off to canine school. It has been over [$#%&*] years since I have been on a cruise. Back then, it was MUCH smaller boats like the Princess Cruises, etc. One trip we hit 12′ seas and had no stabilizers. Everyone puked. Including yours truly. Every time I got on a cruise, I got sick as a dog (way to beat a metaphor to death, Paul), BUT they were much smaller than today’s “cities on the sea” and the seasickness drugs are quantum levels better (back then it was Dramamine and pray). I am betting (quite a few bucks) that it will not be a problem this time.

So Melinda and I (along with another couple we know from Texas) are going to take a 8-day cruise this winter to the Western Caribbean (Galveston to Costa Mayo, MX to Cozumel, MX to Roatan, Honduras, then back to Galveston.

Ballers on a Budget

We’re going via MSC, a relatively new line to the US. They are based out of Switzerland/Italy and have been focused on European cruises for years and in the last 3-4, turned their eyes to the US market. They are way more affordable, as long as you watch out for various add-ons. Out of Galveston, TX, you take the Seascape, which is a monster! It can hold up to about 5,700 passengers and enough crew to support them. 11 restaurants.

Several things work in our favor. We didn’t get the drink packages (who needs artificial mind-numbers when you live with Melinda?). We didn’t get any specialty restaurant packages (we sacrificed fine dining to the Gods of Weight-Loss.) We are getting a ocean-view cabin, because I need to at least SEE the ocean! We did not get the Internet package because Computer Boy is going to UNHOOK for 8 days.

Yes. I said it. I may have withdrawals, but I can do it. (I know I can. I know I can.) Melinda and I can text each other on the ship via MSC’s app, but email, web browsing, and YouTube… BEGONE! (Now don’t get me wrong, I am going to download the crap out of a butt load of movies , audiobooks, and digital books, before we go. I’M NOT AMISH YOU KNOW! But we will be disconnected from the world for 8 days! They have a state of the art gym and 13 pools and water features (at least 1 adult-only!). I can even smoke cigars on certain decks. The only downside is there is NO poker. (Maybe the ship is Amish!) Casino? Yes. Water slide? Yes. Poker? No. If you listen closely, you can actually hear my soul cry out in pain.

Da Islands Mon!

I am less interested in the island excursions than the experience of disconnecting for a week. In Cozumel, we want to do the Sea Trek helmet dives. We did that in St. Maarten and it is way cool. Also, there is a submarine trip and a dolphin swim we want to do, time permitting. It also closest to Puerto Morelos, where we wanted to investigate for the next phase of retirement, but I don’t think there is enough time to do it all (4 hr round trip boat/bus shuttle). Which is why Melinda is not doing the scheduling. She has never seen a 10 lb bag she could not shovel more into.

Costa Maya has less to offer in my book and this may be the day that I stay aboard and let the other thousands of people leave the ship. Picture me: on a ship. By myself. It staggers the mind the trouble I could get into. (“What do you mean it doesn’t have torpedoes?”)

In Honduras, there are some zip-lines (now that I am safely below the weight limit) and sloths and monkeys to annoy. Again, I live with Melinda. Monkeys are neither that entertaining or unique from my perspective.

Secret Agent Man

This essentially being my first real cruise, I went to an expert. Oh don’t get me wrong, I researched the crap out of it. That’s what I do. I probably know more about the cruise than the stewards, BUT if an expert can help and is free, I’m in! So, I’m going to recommend this guy. He has been a huge help to us, is helping our friends with their reservations and excursions and seems like a nice guy. And frankly, after the last year of (lack of) customer service I haven’t had, this was a breath of fresh air.

Randy Butler
Travel Advisor & Owner
(346) 423-5716
randy@simplifiedtravelco.com
SimplifiedTravelCo.com

We’ll keep you updated.