I would like to lead this column by saying; HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I will be seeing in the New Year by observing a giant fireworks
display off the waters of the Florida Keys. Pat and I will
reminisce about bringing 2010 to a close with an adventure
with our youngest daughter Lu, her husband, 16-year-old son
and 21-year-old daughter.
It
began when we met in Miami at the seaport four days before
Christmas. We turned over our luggage and boarded the 853-foot
Norwegian Sky then gathered on deck for a bon voyage toast.
We would spend the next four and a half days cruising to
the Bahamas Freestyle, defined as: “Do whatever you want,
whenever you want to.” If you want to hit the pool, jump
right in, there are no restrictions. If it’s too cool,
slide into one of five hot tubs and warm up. Order another
rum drink — soon you won’t feel cool at all.
Our cruise began by floating around in the Atlantic, bobbing
and rocking in the seas because of our slow speed, but in such
a large ship, it hardly mattered. Entertainment was all over
the place: Movies, art shows, piano bar and reggae dancing
on the pool deck. Another definition of freestyle applied to
the dinning: If you are hungry, you simply go eat. Food of
every variety was everywhere you turned.
Obviously, we could not keep up with the family, but the next
morning we met up at the Garden Dinning buffet. Choices were
any breakfast food you ever had heard of and some you never
had seen before. When we were sufficiently stuffed, we headed
for the disembarking area and our first port of call, Grand
Bahamas Freeport. I was quite amazed at how easily the ship
had turned around in the small harbor then backed up to the
dock. The Thrushman clan headed off to the beach and I found
the casino. Pat headed to the beach for a stroll, and of the
more than 4,000 people from the two cruise ships docked at
the port, the first people she saw was our family. They had
hiked about five miles of white, sandy beach and were worn
out.
Back
on the ship, we had a great dinner and afterward, we were
entertained by a great comedian-magician show.
It was
one of
the best we ever had seen and we all enjoyed it. Dancing
and music commenced after the show — from jazz to karaoke.
Our kids probably were big hits, but freestyle also meant, “Hit
the sack whenever you want to end the day.” We
headed back out to sea in much calmer seas and slept
soundly.
Our
next stop was Nassau, a very popular cruise destination port
with a population of more than 260,000. There
were five ships lined up at the dock and one of them
was the
newest
and largest cruise ship in the world: The Oasis.
Pat took some
photos and we headed to the Atlantis Resort we had
heard so much about. It was on Paradise Island, which
is a
play land
unequaled anywhere. As we toured the resort, we saw
the most opulent glass art display and sculptures
to be found
anywhere.
One blazing red ball of glass if stretched out would
go 27 miles — its value was more than $5 million.
Diamonds sparkled in every display window of the
shops: They can
be purchased for much less in the islands.
Back on our ship, we met up with the Thrushmans for a sit-down
meal, then enjoyed a Broadway-type show with sample tunes from
recent hits such as Wicked, Jersey Boys and Mama Mia. The next
day was to be spent on a private island, but the surf was too
high to risk taking tenders ashore. To compensate, the Casino
stayed open all day and, As I See it, perhaps loosened up because
the one-armed bandits spit out a few winners (thank you very
much).
There was more poolside dancing, hot tub lounging, an art auction
and shopping to fill the time until we met up again for a final
dinner followed by a farewell Christmas show by the entertainers.
When we returned to our cabin to pack to depart in the morning,
the ship was catching a few broadside seas and rocked us to
sleep.
Our
kids joined us in the Keys for Christmas Eve and Christmas
day, and we enjoyed more good
food
and family
time. When
we watch the fireworks tonight, we will be
thinking about Fourth
of July in Port Austin — and the temperature
will be about the same (sorry, had to mention
that).