“Cruising with the family”

While I have had many experiences in my  80 plus years, one of them was NOT ever cruising. Yes, I did try to do a cruise back in 1970, but ended up getting deathly ill “before” we even began to move, and the ship’s doctor suggested I take a pass, so I did. As I have grown older ( and I hope wiser), I have found myself anxious to try the things I never tried before. A few years ago, while celebrating my granddaughter Rebecca’s Bat Mitzvah in Israel, I found myself riding a camel. It was scary to think about, but once I got on and he rose up, I knew I had to complete the journey. I did! It is a memory that will be shared by my family for years.

This year, my grandkids asked Jane and I to join them on their winter trip, a cruise on the “Icon of the Sea”, the newest , and might I say, largest , of the ships owned and operated by Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.. As this was to be over the Christmas holiday ( with all three of the grandkids on break) all I had to do is find a replacement for my Santa duty on Christmas Day at St. James Church. I was able to do this and my co-host on WCPT, Frank took charge of all the other helpers needed for that day. Jane and I started taking pills to build resistance about a week before the trip. We also ordered “The Patch” that you place on your neck every three days. For some reason, this settles your body and you do not get seasick. It worked!!!!

We left O’Hare on a United flight to Miami. I was pretty nervous about it all, not wanting a repeat of my previous experience, especially in front of my grandkids. We arrived in Miami, took a cab to a hotel where we applied the patch and had a somewhat restful evening. The next morning, we checked out and prepared to be picked up and taken to the dock where this humongous ship was waiting. I could not believe my eyes! This ship was like a city on the water. We got settled into our cabin on the 8th floor ( aft, overlooking the water) and started to walk around to see what we were going to spend a week living in or on.

I must tell you, the food and all the dining spots were amazing and the venues that are on board are mind boggling. The Royal Theater is as beautiful as one can imagine, and the shows are musical with bands and game shows as well as one of the slickest musical versions of “The Wizard of Oz”! This show is a 90 minute capsule of the film version with outstanding sets and tech and an amazing cast of characters brought to life by some solid talents. When I say extraordinary tech, I am not kidding- we actually felt the wind that brought Dorothy to Oz!

The Aquatheater has a show called “Aqua Action” that is sort of a Cirque Du Soleil on water with a production that will amaze all ages. High dives from the tent top to what looks like a solid floor ( but opens to be a deep pool). Like I said, extraordinary! Absolute Zero is where the ice show takes place and there is a comedy club, a music hall, a jazz venue, and bars that have different and unique talent every night. Dueling Pianos is a bar where two powerhouse pianists play and sing requests and no matter how crazy, they get them all! They are truly special!. Tyzen a comic hypnotist is also one of the many shows, and he is very unique. I am one that is easily hypnotized, so I have to talk to myself and mumble ( quietly) so I do not go under, on my own. They also have Karaoke ( we did a private family one) and contests galore.

No matter what you might like, if you do one of these cruises, and open your mind to new things, you will find that there is always something special taking place and you will love being in this sort of city of its own. There are many dining spots and lots of activities. Mini-golf, water slides, a casino ( we did okay), lots of great food, retail shops, duty free shop, a kids playground area, and just about anything you might desire, including a few days where we docked and had some time to visit the local shops as well as the  last day, where we went to the island owned by Royal Caribbean. That was a hoot! We spent the day on their beach, where we had drinks and some lunch in our own private area, then back toothe ship for our last dinner aboard as well as a few shows.

I just got home and I already miss the stateroom, the sound of the ship going through water and wonder of all the happiness that I watched over the Holiday week. Christmas was a lot different for me this year, and while I missed being Santa on Christmas Day, I loved being with family and making some new friends on what was truly an amazing experience that I will never forget.

To learn more, visit  www.RoyalCaribbean.com