Back from cruisin!

First, can I please send a message to the universe that while everyone's cancer is making a return visit, I would like to keep mine as far away as possible? Thank you!

The Cruise was awesome!

First the most amazing thing- we had a 17-yr-old boy come down with appendicitis about midway back to Galveston, in the middle of the Gulf. We diverted towards New Orleans, and the Coast Guard met us a few hundred miles out. There was a CG plane circling us the entire maneuver. We were all evacuated from the top two decks. The CG helicopter made 4 intricate hovers over the ship (between the Viking Crown Lounge and the Windjammer, for those who are familiar with Royal Caribbean). They plucked out the patient and the patient's father and took them to New Orleans for treatment. I got video. It was unbelievable. Like a Bond movie- because we were moving all this time, and the helicopter had to match our speed and such. SKEERY. But cool!

As far as cruising, we had a fantabulous time. (Who doesn't?) This was my 4th Royal Caribbean cruise, my 6th total. Our dinner tablemates were from New Brunswick, Canada. I want to get up that way in fall sometime.

We were known around the ship's restaurants and bars as "Sarah and the three Kathy's." It was like a girl group- Sarah and the Kathys- and I had a feeling I was doomed to be that forgotten backup singer- "which Kathy was she?"- just a mere mention on Sarah's True Hollywood Story. Hahaha.

Cathy did the splits for the infamous Quest game, a raucous in-lounge scavenger hunt for adults only. ("I need a female team member doing the splits right now on this dance floor!") Who knew she still had that going on? Not even she knew!

We did a snorkeling excursion in Cozumel that was probably the best shore excursion I've ever been on. They took us out in a catamaran to snorkel. The snorkeling wasn't very good, but they were hit by that hurricane not long ago, so it'll be several years. Then they took us to a beach where we hung out a bit. On the catamaran, they played party music. The guys on the boat were very nice, very funny. There was free booze and other drinks.

The ship's own singers and dancers weren't very good, but amongst the seasoned cruisers at our dinner table, we all decided that the small ships and short trips must get the suckier company performers. The hired performers were great though. The comedians were hilarious.

I had an entire medicine cabinet with me, just in case of anything. The only thing I ever needed was an antacid (awesome roasted garlic soup gave me hellacious heartburn), and I didn't have that! LOL. Sarah had some though, so I didn't have to pay $10 for it in the ship's "boutiques." No wonder she's the front girl...

Minimal sunburn. No hangovers. Not too much dessert. I think it was a raging success!