Cruisin

The trip had been in the works for over a year by the time we met in Miami and sailed off to the seas of the Gulf of Mexico. Lindsay, having been on 13 cruises took the initiative with offering several different cruises on different cruise lines and different dates and number of days. We finally settled on a 5 day cruise to Cozumel and Belize City. It was a good choice.

We left Miami on a Monday, after an all day rain but the skies were beginning to clear and stayed clear for the remainder of the trip.


Judi, my roommate gave each of us a hat so we could find each other on the ship. It just seemed so natural to spend time with and talk to my old friend, a friendship beginning 50 years ago.

The rest of our group met in the Windjammer restaurant on the ship. We all had our travel stories to tell. Susan had her flight canceled the night before at 11 PM. How does that happened? She and her husband were up until 2 AM getting another flight and now she has two return flights!



Well, it didn't take long to settle in and enjoy the sun and amenities on deck.


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Donna had a bit of a stumble on her first morning walk and spent day one in the stateroom. But, we were not going to let her miss dinner and the evening shows.

Each evening we changed seats at our table next to the window so each would have a different view and sit next to a different friend. I loved trying meals I would never take time to fix at home. And all the desserts! One night we asked and they gave us an extra key lime pie to enjoy later! Each night we went to a show, the ice show was in our opinion the best! Some tried their luck in the casino and others of us played "name that tune." When we reached the towns, each had a different plan; stay on the ship, shop, take a tour or snorkel. Although I don't have snorkeling pictures we saw beautiful coral and fish. We took this picture for our home news paper in Alpena. The hats we are wearing say "Divas at Sea 63" a gift from Donna and Ginny.

This last picture is my very first friend, Susan. Even though we can go for months and years not hearing from each other, we know we are forever friends.

After 5 days and many sea miles we have great memories and closer friendships. I thank God for each of you dear friends.