Cruise the Caribbean!

Click here to view the cruise photo album.

Last November, 22 TSC members went to Galveston to board the RCCL "Rhapsody of the Seas" to cruise the Caribbean. They included: Homer and Sunni Wager, Raymond and Susie Kelley, David and Jan Daniel, Lane and Jamie Collier, Judy Saxbury and  Raymond Peltier, Christie Amos and Lisa Kaplan, Charlie Byrd and Anne Alexander, Ruth Obermark and Mike Hensley, Linda Marks and Carol Fortner, Jon Marks and  Kristen Easley, Linda Russell and Julie Willis, Lynda Constantine and Lee Benest.

Charley, Anne, Raymond, Susie, David and Jan went to College Station first to see O.U. whomp-up on Texas A&M, so the cruise began on a high note. As we were boarding the bus in Houston to take us to the port, Lisa broke the news to Christie about being pregnant . As Lisa got on board we all yelled Congratulations. She did a double take and rolled her eyes at Christie.

When we finally arrived in our cabins there was a gift from our tour arranger, Phyllis Brown, of a bottle of chilled champagne waiting for us. Very ice touch!

Our first day at sea was rough and knocked out about half of our group. We gamely dressed for our first formal dinner that evening, and just as we were seated, Jamie ran back to the cabin. "What a shame" we all agreed as it was also her birthday, so we decided to make her really nauseated and went down to sing Happy Birthday to her after dinner.

Jamie and Lane were on their honeymoon on this cruise and had only been married about a month.

Our first port of call was Key West. Some went on a Pirate Cruise, some of us went on a Sunset Champagne Catamaran Cruise, others just shopped and ate. Many of us went to Jimmy Buffett's Margaretville, had the obligatory margarita and bought the t-shirt.
During our days at sea Ruth and Homer learned how to play Texas 46, a domino type game. We all virtuously walked the jogging track on the top deck since 4 times around equaled 1 mile. In strong winds this was a challenge. Linda M and Carol made use of the exercise room for workouts.

The Casino was really a draw, and two of ours made it to the final 6 in the Texas Hold'em Tournament. Dave came in 6th and Christie 3rd. Anne won $300 on the nickel slots and Homer won $40.

The meals were really excellent and most of us were in the early seating. Both Linda's, Julie, Jon, Kristen and Carol opted for the later seating which meant that they got to see the entertainment first.

The comic and ventriloquist were really funny. On the last evening the balcony was bobbing around too much for my queasy tummy, so I missed that show.

Mike must have fallen asleep by the pool because he was cooked to a crisp on our return.

In Grand Cayman Linda, Julie, Ray, Susie, Charlie and Anne went to Stingray City and actually held one of those creatures. Christie and Lisa went snorkeling, Sunni and Homer rode the submarine to look at Cheeseburger Reef and later went to 7-mile beach with the white sand and turquoise waters.

Jan and Anne attended the shopping seminar on the ship and kept us informed of where the bargains were to be found.

Our final port of call was Cozumel. Several of us went to Tulum to see the ancient ruins on the cliffside. Those who stayed in Cozumel took the "party boat" and had plenty of time to shop but little inclination. The damage from last year's hurricane 'Wilma' was pretty well repaired along the tourist area of Cozumel.

Every night as we returned to our cabins, the turndown crew had put a mint on our pillow and created an animal out of towels. The towel 'art' was a dog, monkey, elephant, but the best was a stingray made with the blanket and towel.

It was nice to have a final day at sea to rest up and leisurely pack. The TSC Cruise was fun with lots of laughter, very beautiful scenery and worth every penny.

Submitted by Sunni Wager.