This time our heroes went cruising with a different pack. Pam and Steve weren’t able to go when the Michigan gang had gone to Hawaii. Their (mostly) new friends in Florida all decided to cruise at a time when Steve and Pam could get time off. There were 14 of them for this trip.

Day 1 – Miami

They rendezvoused at the club house parking lot to consolidate cars and luggage. This is where some of them realized that they’d forgotten stuff. There was some tension as they tried to figure out where they left it.

After driving to Miami, they got on the ship around 11:00am. It was raining and cold (70 F). Steve and Pam’s usual experience with launch day was sunny and 85-90. They fed themselves at the buffet and then explored the ship.

Pam and Steve found a couple of spots to dance which was nice because they hadn’t done that since Pam had that fractured foot.

Day 2 – day at sea

Most folks slept well, although one of them mentioned that when they got up at night, they saw a ship that was lit up just like a Christmas tree. It’s possible that alcohol was involved.

Pam and Steve got up later than usual (OK, Steve was late) because they were up late dancing the night before.

At lot of time was spent at the “no kids allowed” pool.

Steve and Pam didn’t find anywhere to dance until 11:15. Unfortunately, the DJ was the type who jammed a bunch of thumpy songs together without a break so that you’re likely to have your heart explode. They did manage to do the hustle to a couple of songs.

Day 3 – Puerto Plata, Domican Republic

They awoke in Puerto Plata with 4-5 other cruise ships. Most of the the gang walked around downtown since it was only a 15 minute walk away.

Pam and Steve found a venue that played ballroom dance music for an hour or so. They got in a lot of dancing and some of their friends watched them and said very nice things about their dancing.

As they finished dinner, the staff brought out a birthday cake and sang “Happy Birthday” to Pam. Pam was taken aback since it wasn’t her birthday. The cake was still frozen so Pam suggested that they serve it on the following night.

No one admitted to calling in the cake.

Day 4 – day at sea

Some of the ladies went down the waterslides. One of them got disoriented when she got to the end, couldn’t see, and got her bracelet caught in her coverup. Fortunately, the lifeguard moved faster than Steve was used to seeing lifeguards move (he was fast as the dickens) and she quickly recovered.

Six of them found a mini golf setup on the thirteenth deck. They didn’t bother with scorecards, but noted that there was probably a penalty for balls leaving the course. Even bigger penalties for balls hitting the kitchen. Pam hit a hole in one.

Day 5 – Coco Cay

“A Pretty Good Day at Coco Cay”. The slogan is supposed to be “A Perfect Day” but it rained and was only 73 degrees.

8 of them rented a cabana for a day on the island. The staff plied them with drinks and some damn fine food. By the time they brought desserts around, some of them were so full that they couldn’t have any.

At this point, the staff figured that it’d be a really good time to give Pam another birthday cake.

It had been cloudy all day and and started to seriously rain around 1:00pm. The gang left around 2:00pm.

Day 6 – Miami

Getting off the ship was one of the easiest that Pam and Steve remembered. Customs consisted of standing in front of a facial recognition device and walking off – no fumbling for passports, remembering what you bought, of going through your luggage. They all quickly found themselves on a Miami street, walking toward their parking lot. They were home by 10:45am.

The cruise was considered by all to be a success.