It's that time again, boys and girls.....time to get excited about my next cruise.
You should know that CruiserMel slaves away at a job just so she can cruise. And I don't mean cruisin' for men (though I'm guilty as charged), or cruisin' the blogs (though I'm guilty as charged), or cruisin' for a bruisin' (uh, nevermind.....this went too far).
No, CruiserMel likes to cruise the ocean blue. I have to have that sea air at least a couple of times a year. My personal best was three cruises in one 12-month period, but that was just the way the calendar fell. It was bliss, I tell ya.
Cruising is something people either love or hate. In my 35+ cruises in my lifetime, I have never met anyone who is straddling the fence on this topic. I happen to be on the pretty side of the fence on this one, the side that faces the ocean. The side that likes to sleep late, order room service, and make my way to the stern of the ship where I can read a juicy book and get a sunburn. The side that likes to watch those stupid hairy-leg contests by the pool. The side that likes to take a nap, or naps in the afternoon. The side that likes to dress for dinner, have a pre-dinner go at the casino along with a pre-dinner cocktail or three. The side that likes to meet new dinnertable-mates, eat pretty food, and be waited on hand and foot. The side that likes to have an after-dinner chocolate martini. The side that rushes off to the casino again to try to win back what was lost before dinner. The side that likes to be still standing (or sitting) when they actually close the casino at 4:00 a.m.
The side that starts it all over again the next day.
I like befriending the casino patrons and staff.....we're like a little club by the end of the week. Casino people rock. Hard.
One time, I had continually lost everytime I went to the casino all week. Continually. The last day of the cruise was a day at sea, and since I was sporting a good sunburn (and thus my coworkers at home wouldn't think I had spent every single moment of my vacation in the casino, which has actually happened before) I figured I didn't have much time to win back my dinero. I sat at the blackjack table after lunch. Hours later, my friend (a non-gambler) said it was about time for dinner and I poo-poo'd her away. My luck was back. Food? Phooey. I'll just order my drinks with fruit garnish. A few hours later, she dropped by and reminded me of the time. I closed my ears. What's that sound? Oh yeah, that sound is our tummies rumbling. It was after midnight! Luckily, someone sent their wife to the pizzeria and she came back with platters of pizza. The casino wouldn't let us eat at their green-felted tables, so the wife stood behind us and when we could, we'd run to her, snarf down a few bites and be back to the table in time to watch the dealer bust. It was divine. I made back all of my money and then some, which came in handy to pay off my bar tab. Before we knew it, it was 3:00 a.m. and they were kickin' us out. We had had the same 7 people at that table since lunchtime! Alas, we could see our homeport in the distance. The cruise was over. And that's the worst part of a cruise - leaving my new buddies. I'm getting choked-up right now just thinking of it.
But will that stop me from cruising again? Hell the eff no! It's booked. Sailaway is in March. I think I'll go get my suitcases out now.
24 comments:
Sounds more like you should be GamblerMel who likes the motion of the ocean.
I LOVE the ocean!! Do you have some good pictures?
I still haven't put my suitcases away from Xmas. I have to plan some travel so that I don't have to get out the step ladder and put them in the closet.
Sgt - 'tis true....but my parents would much rather say I'm a cruise-a-holic than a gambler. *eye roll*
Tug - ya know what? Not so much. They discourage cameras in casinos and since that's where I usually am, then nope. I'll try to make a special effort on this next cruise to take some pics to post here - just for you.
Mist1 - That's so funny you'd mention that....my suitcases haven't been put away since November because of all the wknd trips I've been making. I swear, I stub my toe on one of them every night. You'd think I'd just move it, but nooooooo.
old people in swimwear is not my idea of a good time.
Jeremy - that's why I avoid the pool except for those hairy leg contests. NOT into the belly flop contests, though.
Never been on a cruise myself, but you make it sound like fun times.
Tsk, tsk....I do believe you are leaving out the BEST part.
wow 35+ cruises?!? holey moley...I've never done one and am dying to, and yes, casino peeps rock!
See the hubby wants to go on a cruise, and I am not sure I want to..
Where are you going?
Bev - you missed the important part - people love em or hate em - but you should give it a try. Go for a shortie and see what you think. One of the good parts is the seeing of new places and unpacking only once. I'm partial.
kp - Isn't that in the coffin we've got nailed shut until our untimely deaths when we are hurled into the flotsam and jetso? And by we, I mean, we?
Golightly - I told you. We are sistah, somehow.
Random - Same as Bev. Give it a shot for a shortie. You know, a 4 day thingy. Embarkation and disembarkarkation are the sucky part, but all in between can be fun as hell.
It's really the best value for your vacation buck - NOT all inclusive, so you'll have to pony-up for the bar tab, but it's a good time. It's whatever you make of it.
jetso = jetsom
we = me
disembarkarkation = disembarkation (or getting of the dang ship) Okay, drinks utilized tonight. Shut up.
Well, someone needs to go with her to cut her off on her drinks when she is commenting...
Standing at the stern of the boat, looking down, about 20 - 30 feet behind the ship.... There are colors of blue there that have never made it into the crayon box.
Have a nap for me?
wow I am so jealous right now. Hey blackjack is the bomb. But I live in Las Vegas so I am more about the buffet tables.
Blakken - you're not kidding. I'm so embarrassed. I can't remember who's blogs I commented on last night. Who knows what all I said....or TRIED to say.
Williebee - Okay, I'll slate one special nap for you, baby. And yeah, I agree with the colors of the Caribbean. Breathtaking.
Starlet - You crack me up, girl. Your mind works in mysterious ways. Blackjack table morphed into a buffet table? I'm diggin it.
I am totally jealous. My hubby and I love to cruise also. Craps tables, midnight hottub drunkeness, and really great food for 7 days. Where are you off to this time?
THANKS! Looking forward to it. Not as much as you are, I'm sure, but I'll just have to settle for living vicariously for now.
I have never been on a cruise and I am DYING to go on one! My friend and I are talking about doing one this spring or summer.
Hehe...Jonesning 'eh?
oh boy. you need me to come with don't ya. i'll do it. you twisted my arm.
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