Well this has to be a short synopsis of our 3 weeks before our cruise.
It was our turn to host Shanghai and that went well. I played Canasta the next week and didn’t win there either. Went to lunch with Stella, Jay, Tommy and Susan before we all got too busy with the holidays. I worked at the Hand Me Up shop for the first time in awhile and attended this year’s last Doc Talk. The subject was about Hot Flashes and HRT. They don’t say what the subject will be beforehand so I listened even though I never took HRT and haven’t had hot flashes for 20 years.
We left for our cruise on Sunday morning after having Lina arrive from Fort Worth. She had contacted us through Princess looking for a ride from the north Houston area to Galveston. She was single and traveling alone and had never been on a cruise. I gave her our info, she offered to pay half the parking and it all worked out. She left her car in our drive and it was still there when we got home! She said it removed so much stress she was anticipating with getting through Houston down and back (not a picnic), boarding and then disembarkation and through Customs. We all made it on and off with no problems except a long wait to get on.
We had two days at sea. I ordered coffee, OJ and danish at 8 am each morning from room service. We prepared for our day at leisure and then eventually had breakfast, brunch or lunch depending on how fast we moved! There were various things going on around the ship and we did whatever grabbed our attention. We played bingo and I won $44! We had 6 pm dinner and though we agreed to sit at a table of 6 to meet people, there were so many groups and families, the large tables were all reserved so we had a table for two no matter if we were early, late or on time. We did talk and meet with some other couples at tables next to us.
We had Princess Plus that gave us perks on the ship! We could attend two of the Casual restaurants that have surcharges normally, but not the Speciality with really big price tags. We had all drinks available, only regular coffee, tea or lemonade are “free.” Our tips and Wi-Fi were included and two exercise classes which we did not do! There were two specialty desserts that were 5 layer cakes and sundaes in a 10 inch glass and we could have two a day!?!. We had one ice cream each one afternoon. We were fine with the Main Dining Rooms. Uncharacteristic for us I had a glass of white wine and Ted had TWO vodka tonics through dinner. I had a cappuccino once but don’t tell anyone, the cappuccino at Flying J truck stop is WAY better. I started having decaf coffee with a shot of Bailey’s with my dessert. We got free water exiting the ship that would have been $2.50. We had Cokes at the pool and a margarita somewhere. All in all, we got great value buying the Plus.
In Roatan we hired a private driver who drove us over the entire island - the good, the bad, the ugly. There were beautiful vistas and shorelines but a lot of abject poverty. What our driver called Spanish town seemed the nicest. We did not see any mansions. We stopped at the Sanctuary to visit with monkeys, sloths and parrots. A must do apparently!
Belize was a port we have visited in the past. This time we took an open air tram around the area. I was impressed with their commitment to education. Every child, in their school uniforms, must be in school … or the police will come after their parents. Education is the answer to poverty,
We think this was our 4th trip to Cozumel so we have seen their attractions and we weren’t into snorkeling or even being bussed to a beach. When some came back with sand fleas we were glad we didn’t do that. We took a rickshaw bicycle from the ship to the new duty free stores, walked around a bit, got in the rickshaw and went back to the ship. I found it interesting that there were no warnings that even though cigarettes and liquor are federal tax free in certain amounts, all will be taxed by Texas when they arrive back in Galveston. I think I heard $1.50 a pack or $15 on a carton! We knew this from our trips back and forth to Mexico while staying in Mission,
We loved the adult only pool on the Regal Princess. No kids, no public areas around it with people walking by. A Retreat bar with roving waiters and a Sanctuary for massages, private meals. It was heaven!
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The last day we spent casino time in two slot pools with two different groups. Outcome was the same, bet it all away! The Bravo stage show highlighting the great choreographers had amazing song and dance routines, Broadway worthy.
Sunday morning was easy off, we were home by 11. We changed clothes and went to Mass at noon meeting Nancy at St.Luke hospital chapel. We had much to do at home so it was nice to be able to get that in.
Monday Ted got sick. I tested him for Covid but it was negative. He coughed constantly and had no energy. He literally slept until Thursday before he had enough energy to get up. I tried to get him to go to the doctor.but that was a no go.
While he was down I got all my Christmas shopping done on line and sent to Kara’s. I decorated the house a little because the neighbor ladies are coming here next week after lunch for coffee and dessert. I baked my cookies for the cookie exchange, hired a new cleaning lady and then got sick myself. But it wasn’t what Ted had. This involved gastrointestinal issues so I took to the couch! I am feeling better but have cancelled our country club Shanghai tomorrow just to be on the safe side.
Woo, a lot to cover this month!
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