Roberto is just about done with his cruise to Cozumel, Mexico, and he isn't too happy about it. He and his wife, M'Buti, as well as their six-and-a-half-year-old son, Jubaki, still have two days left of their cruise; they will leave for Galveston, Texas, later tonight, and they should be off the ship sometime tomorrow. Then they can drive home back to Tennessee.
Saturday, March 12, 2005, 4:23 p.m., C.S.T., aboard the Cruise Ship Ectasy~
I am so sad that our cruise will be but a memory soon; tonight, we head on back to Cozumel from Playa Del Carmen, in Mexico, and then we board our ship; and we should be home no later than tomorrow evening sometime (what I mean by "home" is Galveston, Texas, which is where we boarded the "Ecstasy" and started our cruise). We then find our car after we get through the immigration process, and we then start our long trek home back to Tennessee.
We had the best time (that is, once M'Buti got over the worst of her seasickness; I am happy to report that she is feeling much better now!): we went to the white-sandy beaches of Cozumel and Playa Del Carmen, where we swam in the rich Carribean-blue waters, played volleyball (Jubaki and I did that while my wife fell asleep in the sun..nad managed to get sunburnt quite badly!), went to a Mexican-style picnic, among other things, and now we are headed back to Cozumel. We will board our ship later tonight, like past midnight, and we should sail into Galveston sometimes tomorrow afternoon or later evening. We saw and did a lot of neat things that we may have not had the opportunity to do had we not gone on this cruise, and we ate like kings. We had so much food I am STILL full, and everything was just so good (let alone, rich; but I still tried everything on my plate!) and so freshly made. The food presentation resembled works of art, and what the chefs and cooks did with the food was nothing short of incredible or spectacular. My wife didn't eat all that much (but then, she has always been something of a picky eater!), but I told her it was okay, she oculd order somerthing else that suited her tastebuds more. Not surprisingly, she got a lot of veggies and fruit, and she drank milk instead of water, tea, coffee, or soda pop.
There were at least 2,000-3,000 people total on this cruise; and I was surprised to see a lot of families were on this cruise. There were children of all ages, and there was plenty of them (and us) to do. We also had two deck parties where the beer and alcohol flowed, and let's just say I got pretty well toasted. I was drunker than a skunk, and I was so drunk I could hardly walk without laughing my ass off or trying to walk on my weak sealegs. The next day I had a hangover to end all hangovers, and I was never so glad to crawl underneat the covers and go to sleep, so I could sleep off my alcoholic haze! When I woke up later that day, I felt much better, and it was kind of nice not having M'Buti and our son bothering me as I attempted to get some much needed sleep!
We danced, and we had contests of all sorts (I won $4,000 in the slot machine tourney! :) ). For my efforts, I got a gold medal! :) ), ate like piggies, and just generally relaxed. We took every advantage of this cruise, and by the time our journey had ended, both Jubaki and myself were VERY relaxed! So was M'Buti. She looked like she could melt off he seat, she was so relaxed, and she looked so adorable! :) We also took tons and TONS of pictures, and we were surprised to find out that we are on camera, not once, but SEVERAL times, actually! (We will have to see the video ourselves to see how we figured into the video production; this should prove to be quite interesting! M'Buti didn't dance so much or get involved in a lot of contests (she has always been a very shy person; it's just in her nature!), but she still had fun, and she entertained Jubaki while I danced the night away and enjoyed myself, evne if it WAS only for a brief time!
We met the captain of our ship (he was from Italy), and some of the other crew, and we had fun trying to do the dancing. (Do you know how hard it is to line dance when your partner uses a wheelchair? It is NOT easy AT all, friend!) The crew and captain were all very nice, and we kind of enjoyed being spoiled and pampered like we were millionaires!
I am only sorry the cruise is over; but I WILL plan on an Alaskan cruise nex time we go. All I can say is this: M'Buti, Jubaki, an dmyself had so much fun on this cruise that we are already making plans on taking another cruise next year, this time to Alaska!
I am sorry I haven't written more, but as you can see, the past five days have been packed and crammed with activity for people and guests ot all ages, and we had the best time! So we may be doing this again next year! But this time we are going to Alaska; it's closer, for one thing! :)
I will have Jubaki write in here next, to give you HIS perspective of the entire cruise; so stay tuned! He is a very smart and articulate little boy, and he is turning into a real delight and joy! He really enjoyed himself, and I only say that I and M'Buti will be doing this again next year when we get our next income tax refund! :)
Take care, and God bless!
I can't wait to do it all over again next year, but this next time we decide to go cruising, we will go to Vancouver, where we will then catch our flight back home to Tennessee after we have one stopover in Seattle!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your cruising friends, Roberto and M'Buti Sormiento (and Jubaki, our beautiful little boy--as well as our live-in housekeeper, Elena!). :)
An excellent write--but like my cruise, I hated to see it end. :) Well done!
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla. :)
Reviewed by Jerry Bolton
3/12/2005
All's well that ends well. Good for you and your cruse because it sounded like a good time was had by all. I'll tune in next year for the Alaskan cruise if the Good Lord is willing and the creeks don't rise.
Reviewed by Judy Lloyd
3/12/2005
Interesting and informative write and it is not unusual for families to go on a cruise. Me I would have to take my fur children. Ringo and Bear want to see a whale.
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