Tag Archives: Royal Caribbean

The Frolicking Birds of St. Martin

March 14, 2011 By in cruise, eastern caribbean, florida, Freedom of the seas, fun, funny, Humor, Life, musings, my life, nudist beach, nudists, Orient Beach, random thoughts, Royal Caribbean, St. Martin, thoughts, travel, vacation, virgin islands Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 20 Comments

On our fifth day we ported in St. Martin and it was love at first sight! As we exited the dock the sound of sweet Caribbean music softened our ears and we strolled to the relaxed vibe of the island.

It was our last destination and all we wanted to do was to have fun on the beach with a cold beer and enjoy the sunny breezes of the Caribbean. We booked our excursion to Orient Beach and were shuttled to our destination.

We were warned by one local as we hit the beach on  the French side of  the island, “On the Dutch side is where you lose your money and on the French side is where you lose your clothes.” We both chuckled as we exited the bus.

 It was there we lounged in our beach chairs, splashed in the water, and strolled along the beach.

We knew one part of the beach was au naturel but as we passed the rocks from the clothed area to the nudist. I wasn’t paying attention..

“Are you sure you want to keep going?”

I looked puzzled, “What do you mean?”

“It’s the nudist part!”

“So! What are you scared of a little penis?”

Mr. MBA gave me the look, I chuckled, how bad could it be, a few nude ladies!It’s not like Mr. MBA would ever have a problem with that… Oops! I was wrong! I discovered my first time stepping on the nude beach was men! Lots of old men! Naked! Letting their flamingos all hang out!

They all stood with pride, content to let their birds flap in the breeze, frolic in the ocean, and let it all swing to the Caribbean music. Perhaps, I’m more North American than I like to believe…I blushed, looked straight ahead, and kept walking. I didn’t want to seem prudish by just stepping over the rocks and heading back to the comforts of our bikini beach.

 I felt as if I stepped into another persons private world. It was this world in which I was acting as an unwilling to participant  lacking in the full freedom of expression that these men seemed to experience in their lack of attire.

Mr. MBA chuckled, “You should take it off!”

“I don’t think so…”

“Why not? When in Rome…”

“I like to give the illusion that my girls stand at attention.”

And with that we headed back to our end of the beach, enjoying another Corona, another splash in the water, and erasing the images of old frolicking birds playing in the ocean.

Would you ever consider taking it off?

Snorkel Time in St. Thomas

March 12, 2011 By in barracuda, cruise, discovery channel, eastern caribbean, family vacations, Freedom of the seas, fun, funny, Humor, Life, musings, my life, random thoughts, Royal Caribbean, sailing, sea turtles, shark week, snorkelling, st. Thomas, sting ray, thoughts, travel, turtle cove, vacation Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 10 Comments

On our fourth day the cruise ship arrived at St. Thomas. It was the morning I had been waiting for and was extremely excited to hop off the Stifling of the Seas.  As we docked at port, I ran, grabbing my bag, sprinting down the stairs, ready to exit the ship!

We knew time was not an option so we booked a snorkel excursion, it was a sailing tour which took us to  turtle cove.  I love to swim and I am fish in the water.  I was eager to snorkel and check out the beautiful coral which rested at the bottom of the cove.

It was a fantastic afternoon of sailing, snorkeling, and enjoying the side effects of rum punch. Our tour guides were spectacular a group!  We spotted several sea turtles, a sting ray, beautiful array of fish, and one barracuda.It was one of the best snorkeling excursions that we have ever taken and enjoyed every moment in the water.

I found the sight of the barracuda a little off-setting as he happily swam about around us. I wasn`t testing the limits of this toothy fishes limits and  wasn`t snapping a photo. I kept my distance and went in the opposite direction.

As I begun to swim away, staring at the vastness of  the ocean, my thoughts shifted to the Discovery Channels Shark Week. I began to recall that sharks ate sea turtles. But I remembered it was  only two in the afternoon so they wouldn`t even be thinking about supper  until at least four o`clock.

I then thought of the  woman from shark week, wasn’t she out with a snorkel group, and a shark came out of nowhere and bit her in the butt. I calmed myself again because this happened in South Africa. You are bound to be bitten by something there…

 As, I swam underwater,  I began to think he  could be lurking anywhere, stalking us at this very moment…It was at that moment I decided my paranoia was getting the best of me. So I concocted a plan!

 I swam over to Mr. MBA , remembering sharks like to stalk the loner of the group. If I stuck with Mr. MBA,  I would be safe, and with that I was glued to his side. Besides, if the shark was going to  choose one of us for a chomp down he would go for the biggest rump roast…

It was with that I happily  snorkeled  until it was time to go! I was in my glory and didn’t want to leave! But then the rum punch called my name, I climbed back onto the sailing vessel, ready to head back to the island and explore a little bit more of St. Thomas.

Two Bobble Heads and One Rumpus Injury in the Bahamas

March 11, 2011 By in coco cay, cruise, eastern caribbean, Freedom of the seas, fun, funny, Humor, Jet ski, jet ski injury, Life, Marriage, musings, my life, random thoughts, Relationship's, Royal Caribbean, tailbone injury, the bahamas, thoughts, travel, vacation Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 10 Comments

The second morning of our cruise  I woke up at six in the morning! Ready for my run! I ran up the steps to the track! Only to gaze at the beautiful sunrise over Coco Cay. It was the perfect start to my relaxing day and it was dream not to run on the icy streets of Edmonton.

It was only after my delightful warm sweaty run - I ran back to the room and wrestled Mr. MBA out of bed!

“We’re here! We’re here get up!”

“It’s seven!”

“So! Get up! You can sleep on the beach!”

  I wanted off the ship! And ensured by getting up early we were  to be the first to be tendered out to this little tiny island of paradise. We wandered off the boat, headed to barefoot beach, it was secluded, and we quietly lounged the entire morning far from the crowds of people.

It was after this morning of relaxation we opted for  the Jet ski tour!  We arrived the Jet ski hut and were ushered into a room with seven other people. It was there we were given the run down on  jet ski safety.

Our guide warned us the water would be bumpy! I thought bumpy! Gesh! It’s always been fast and smooth when we went out on the river or lake. I never estimated how bumpy it could get…

We hopped on the jet ski, following our guide, as we left the island , we headed towards our ship and making our way to the back of the island. As, we hit the swells, Mr. MBA  pushed the jet ski to its limits. I cursed, swore, and held on for dear life as we bobbed up through the air.

As we pulled up to our guide, I could see he was laughing at us, and referred to us as two bobble heads, bobbing up in down in the distance. I was not amused…

 He then lured us around the island, where it was smooth skiing, fast, and fun.  We hit the turns hard and had an amazing time! I didn’t want the fun to stop!

That was until the guide informed us that we would be going back the way we came and if we thought it was bumpy before be prepared for even more jumps. My stomach lurched!  I looked at Mr. MBA, “You better go easy on me!”

And with that we took off, hitting the swells, at one point, we were off the waves, and ten feet in the air.I held on for dear life, and as I landed half on the seat, I felt a sudden pain shooting up my rumpus.

I let out a few loud explicit words and  knew from the crushing pain I had bruised my tailbone.

Mr. MBA ” Stop swearing at me!”

“I’m not! I hurt my butt!”

“You what?”

“It’s my tailbone!  I landed on it the wrong way!”

I could feel tears swelling in my eyes and just wanted a rum punch to take away the pain. My arms were sore, and I was getting tired of holding on. All I could think was ten more minutes and we would be back on land. It was a long ten minutes, I  cursed the swells, I cursed my husband, I cursed the jet ski instructor, and wondered how I would numb the pain of my rumpus!

The moment we got back, I wobbled off the jet ski, headed straight for the bar, one sore tailbone was not going to slow me down. I had my own medicine! And it’s known as Rum Punch! One, two, three, I was in the warm sun and feeling no pain.

 Mr. MBA warned me to go easy on the drinks.

I looked at him, “Easy! Easy on the drinks? Maybe you should have been easy on me?”

And with that I ordered a fourth!

Since, the jet ski incident I avoid hard chairs, and sit with cushioned pillow.  It has been almost three weeks and I have been patiently waiting for my rumpus to heal.

I still  wonder if my bruised tailbone, was worth the bumpy ride?  But I know  it could have been worse… I could have injured it slipping on the ice while forcing myself to run in this  cruel weather. It’s always good to have a little perspective! And right now as I look out my window, gazing at the bleak landscape, all I  wish is to be  back in the Bahamas nursing my  bottom  with another rum punch.

The Stifling of the Seas: It’s Just not for Me!

March 9, 2011 By in eastern caribbean, family vacations, florida, Freedom of the seas, fun, funny, Humor, Life, musings, my life, Orlando, random thoughts, Relationship's, Royal Caribbean, thoughts, travel, vacation Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 9 Comments

My husband and I were elated when we discovered his parents planned on being in Florida at the same time with us. They  thought it would be the  perfect way to escape the cold and spend time with their grand kids.

They also offered to watch the kids so Mr. MBA and I could go on a cruise!  It seemed like the perfect getaway! Seven days of  us time! Sailing out on the open seas!

Neither of us had been on a cruise before and everyone told us we would love it!Perhaps, our expectations were too high! But we didn’t love it! Don’t get me wrong – It was a great trip! We got to sample several unexplored destinations. 

 But on board the ship we  felt like we were herded cattle, waiting in line, showing our sea pass card every five seconds…You would walk to the pool to find no chairs, go to the top deck, to be crammed next to a gazillion other people, up, close, and personal with the all of their unmentionables.

Of course, the food and the service was amazing! But we realized we  like the feeling of being in one destination, exploring our surroundings, escaping the crowds by walking on the beach or in a park, trying off beat restaurants, and bartering in the neighboring market place.

Unfortunately, on a cruise ship you don’t have that opportunity to explore , instead  you wander down the over-priced promenade with the feeling of passing time at an airport.  I believe traveling  is about exploring unknown territories and escaping your own  cornered box. Freedom of the Seas didn’t feel like it  owned up to its name.  And it was a very stifling experience.

 It was great to escape the cold, spend time with my husband, but it also felt great to get back on land. Where I didn’t have to be told when to eat, when to be back on ship, or how much extra something costs. I guess cruising isn’t for everyone! But I’m glad I had the opportunity to test it out, visit the Eastern Caribbean, and begin making plans for next winter vacation.

 St. Martin here I come! And it won’t be just a six-hour stop!

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