Cruising in my Big Lady Shorts

So we are one month back from the cruise and have jumped full on into the stress of everyday life. This does not stop us from wistfully longing to return to the easy sway of our balcony in time to the ocean or to be floating in the underground river in Playa del Carmen. We had an amazing time and I’m a bit sad that I didn’t write sooner when everything was fresh in my mind. I was, however, battling with the 3 hour time difference and spent most of the week trying to either fall asleep or stay awake – while my body seemed to want to do everything in direct opposition to the current time zone.

Oddly enough, the first week back was spent remembering how to walk off the ship. I have found my land legs again (I spent three days swearing that the ground was moving).  The rest of the week was getting reunited with California time.  It didn’t hurt that daylight savings time ended and gave us back an hour while we were gone.

Things that we learned on the cruise that hopefully will help for next time:

1. Don’t focus so much on your wardrobe – I was quite happy with my big lady shorts but the attire on ship ranged from sweats to ball gowns.  Whatever you decide to bring will fit right in.
2. When getting off a smaller boat, get in time with the waves.  Otherwise, as you step down, and the boat rocks up, you will invariably realize that the step you were taking just doubled in size…leaving you on your knees, clinging to the dock.
3. Remove the key from around your neck before you try to unlock your locker on your underground river excursion.  Actually, remove the key from your neck prior to accepting two shots of some delightful licorice flavored liqueur if you are a lightweight like I am. This will save you from having your new friends wonder how you manage injections as a nurse if you cannot reason enough to get your locker open.
4. Accept the delightful licorice flavored liqueur AFTER you have been introduced to the picture package….unless you want to purchase the ENTIRE picture package…and a bottle of the liqueur.
5. Listen carefully for directions while ziplining – since it’s difficult to hear anyone yell “BRAKE!” when you are facing backward and can’t figure out how to turn around.
6. Be prepared to meet new people, preferably not, however, while you are plummeting into them after failing to hear them yell “BRAKE!”  Try not to take the nickname “the one who tried to kill me” personally.   
7. If you are seeing groups of 6-8 getting tables quicker than you at breakfast, quickly make friends with the people behind you so you can be a group of whatever number is required to get the next table.
8. Lastly…have fun and don’t worry about being too fat…too pale…too anything. Everyone is on vacation and no one is judging you as much as you judge yourself.  Relax…and just enjoy the time away from the daily stress.

We will definitely go again.  Where have you cruised to?