Done Crusing

We had a really great time and there was even drama included - more to come on this!  As planned we met Max and Corey in Houston.  One of our bags was delayed so Luke and I went back to the airport to pick it up and met Max and Corey at the same time.  As it turns out Luke and I were on the shuttle for three round trips from the airport to the hotel so spent a total of 90 minutes in the shuttle.  All worked out well and everybody was safe.

Saturday morning we were picked up at the hotel at 9:30 and dropped off at the cruise port terminal around 10:30.  There was a line and some waiting but we boarded the Caribbean Princess Cruise Ship at around noon.  It was a big beautiful boat and our rooms were very nice.  Mom and I had a room with a balcony while Luke and Sophie were across the hall in an inside room with no windows.  Max and Corey were just around the corner from us, also with no windows.  They said they really liked the no windows so it was always pitch black and they could sleep in.  Of course this means8:00 AM for Max and 11:00 AM for Corey - they were to compromise for the week.

So about the drama...  The ship was to leave at 4PM from port.  We were relaxing on the ship and getting our bearings when an announcement came over the loud speaker that there had been a barge/boat collision at the entrance to the Gulf of Mexico and the waterway was closed for brief time so we would be sailing later.  The good news is that we were already on the boat so all the services were available as normal - food, shows, movies, shopping, etc.  We were to have more information later in the day and on Sunday but the thought was from the Captain that the boat would leave on Sunday morning most likely.

Sunday morning came and the boat was still at the cruise terminal.  Fortunately with our balcony room we had a birds eye view of the terminal roof, the parking lot, an oil refinery and the port where containers are off loaded from ocean ships.  It was spectacular!  The word from the Captain was that we would hopefully leave that afternoon but might miss one of the ports we were going to (Cozumel, MX; Honduras; Belize) or might have to adjust the trip itself.

Luke and I played in the ping pong tournament that day, we hung out at the pool (kind of cold in Houston at 65 degrees) and enjoyed our time together.  We had great and plentiful food, (all you can eat at anytime) a lot of laughs, and saw a fun Frankie Valli and the 4 Seasons cover concert.  Again, we hoped in the morning to hear about the Cruise ship leaving.

On Monday morning we were still sitting at port.  The view had not changed with the exception that there was now no activity at the cruise terminal or in the parking lot to occupy our time.  Fortunately there was plenty to do on the ship.  (Look at the last paragraph but add a magician/illusionist show which you would have loved instead of the concert for detail.)  We were also told that the boat would now probably not be leaving until at least Tuesday.  I went on line on my phone and found the collision all over the local and national news.  170,000 gallons of oil had spilled in the bay and it was totally closed to all traffic going both ways.  Multiple cruise ships were waiting to get in after their cruise and were stuck in the Gulf of Mexico.  Fortunately we had not left the port so weren't stuck anywhere and had all the amenities needed.  The only negative was the 60 degree temperatures we were experiencing.

Finally in the afternoon they announced that we might get to one port of call or might have to just sail for awhile if we could get out on Tuesday.  On Sunday they had announced that all passengers would be getting a FREE cruise and 25% off a future cruise due to the inconvenience.  (This announcement had actually come on Sunday evening when they realized the severity of the oil spill.) 

On Monday afternoon they were informed that the port would open and we would get to possibly one port.  Princess rescinded the free offer, even thought it was already out in writing, and said there would be a 50% discount for a future cruise if you remained on the ship.  This got people all stirred up on the boat after having such good will the day before and postings all over the internet about how great Princess Cruises is.  Now, there were instantly postings all over the internet to the contrary.  We were OK either way - we were all together, had plenty of food and the activities were continuing on.  As mentioned, the only down side was weather (in addition to not seeing parts of Central America we had planned to see.)

Within hours they were informed that the port would remained closed as more oil had been detected under the surface.  The original offer of a free cruise was again put in place.  Mom said it must have been a couple really bad days for the President of Princess Cruises who sent the letters out through the Ship Captain.  Peace was again restored and the masses were happy (except for probably those who had left the ship).

Tuesday came and we were still at port.  We again enjoyed the same activities - plenty of food, time with the family, etc.  Mom and I had started playing hearts with Max and Corey every evening which was a lot of fun.  Finally at about 4PM they announced the opening of the channel and the boat left.  We were to be at sea all day on Wednesday, go to Cozumel, MX on Thursday and head back to Houston on Friday arriving this morning.

Cozumel was great.  Luke, Sophie, Mom and I went to the mainland of Mexico to check out Mayan ruins for the day.  The tour guide we had was fabulous.  He was 2/3 Mayan and knew all about their history.  (I am not sure how he is 2/3 at this point.)  He told us all about Mexican history, Mayan history, cleared up misconceptions about the Aztec period, etc.  We really had an enjoyable day.  Max will tell you, but he and Corey rented a motor scooter for the day.

Sophie and Luke loved the Teen zone on the ship.  They made a ton of new friends, spent countless hours hanging out with them, and got to know the ship really well since so much time was spent on it.  There were a number of LDS families on the ship also - there are more and more of around all the time!  Max and Corey said a number of people on their flight were going on the cruise.

So at the end of the day, we got a little sun, had fun with our family and had essentially a free vacation.  How could things be any better than that?  We are now in the United Club lounge waiting for our flight.

Mom and I continued reading scriptures every evening on the ship which was nice.  I know more than ever that God lives and loves us.  He wants us to be happy and provides so much opportunity for us to find joy.  We are so blessed in this world.