If the ship is rockin'

Then it must really be a rollin'!

It's hurricane season in the Atlantic and Caribbean. That usually means people are a little concerned about taking a trip to the Islands during this season. But, as my parents already pointed out in this post, it doesn’t have to be a concern. In fact, as we found out one year, it doesn’t have to be hurricane season to get the ship rockin’ and rollin’!

In December 1996 my parents decided to take us on a cruise. This trip was on the Carnival Inspiration out of San Juan, Puerto Rico. There little to no storms during our weeklong cruise, yet the seas were pretty rough. The ship kept rolling from side to side, making everyone look like they were stumbling drunk as they walked down the hallways. The stabilizers were out, but that didn’t seem to help much. Even the water in the pools had their own waves going. It would have been a great time to take knee boarding or body surfing lessons.

Dad and I never got seasick, that was always left to my mom and brother. The movement on this trip was so bad that I felt dizzy and queasy a couple of times. I still enjoyed the trip though. And one of my fondest memories in the night we were in the front of the ship dancing. That night the after-dinner show was a comedian. He did a family friendly show and said that he would be in a smaller lounge later that night (after midnight I believe it was). This show was more adult oriented.

My parents and I decided to attend. Before the show there was a band and dancing. We enjoyed the music and even got up for several songs. Then the band played “Macarena.” I know, there’s a lot of people groaning; but remember this was 1996. The song was on the downward slide of its popularity. And I can honestly say I have never danced to this or any other song quite like I did that night.

Remember, we’re in a lounge at the front of the ship. Typically with cruise ships they are more stable and any rocking is felt less more towards the middle. So we’re at the front of the ship and the ship is rocking from side to side. And Mom and I are on the dance floor dancing to the “Macarena”… in heels! Needless to say, we didn’t stay up there too long. It was too difficult to dance in heels (and no, they weren’t the type with the wider base) while the ship kept moving up and down like it did. But we sure had fun trying :D

Cruising the best vacation for your tight $.

Looking to be pampered on your vacation?

Smart Money Magazine reported the following this month:
"Cruises may be best travel value"
"The high price of gasoline and airline tickets may mean you've scratched land and air from your vacation itinerary. Fortunately, 70 percent of the Earth is covered by water."
The magazine also offered this advice: "Don't book direct. Use a travel agency instead."