Volume 18 - Day 44/321, 2026 - Friday

Friday already, and in just a couple more days we will all be getting off this boat. It has been fun, four cabins of friends and neighbors, hanging out and buying t-shirts. I'm not sure everyone in the group bought t-shirts, but that is something that Mike and I excel at. In my case, it is t-shirts and hats, as if I need more hats. We got off the ship this morning at the Cayman Islands, George Town to be more specific. The Cayman Islands are considered part of the British West Indies. I get the British part, but I am not sure where the 'West Indies' part comes in to play, and Mrs. Google was no help with that. I did look up 'sedition' this morning, a word that seems to be bandied about more and more, and I am now clear about what this means. Whatever. The group spent several hours off the ship, and we all went our separate ways, and we all ended up at Johnny Rockets for milk shakes, the perfect ending to a couple hours off the ship. Later in the day, some of us went to a comedy-juggler act which was fun, and then we all met up for dinner. Lots of good conversation and laughing, and getting to know each other better. Now, back in the cabin, finishing this journal entry for the day. Tomorrow we dock at Cozumel and Mike and I will take the ferry to playa. That will be fun, and after Cozumel, we will be heading back to Galveston.

Volume 18 - Day 43/322, 2026 - Thursday

Really, it's Thursday? It seems that this week has gone by very quickly. Today, we docked at Falmouth, Jamaica. There is lots of evidence of the hurricane that hit this area in October, and even more when you get outside the port itself. Chas and I walked, we did six laps, not sure how far we went, maybe a little more than two miles. We (Mike and I) spent a couple hours and headed back to the ship. I bought a hat. I need more hats. Chas, Shelley, Marian and Ronny went their ways in port, and we all just did what we wanted. Richard and Marge went on a rum tasting excursion, and they got outside the port to a rum distillery. I am not sure that distillery is the right word, but they went to a place that makes rum, and they had a good tour. We all reconnected on the ship, bits at a time; Ronny and Marian, Mike and I found each other in the early afternoon, Richard and Marge, Mike and I found each other about 5, and we all got back together about 7 to go to one of the shows. Then it was time for dinner, and after dinner, we all headed back to the EFFY place to see what we could score for free. I am back in the cabin, I think everyone else is at a trivia night. I think we dock at Cayman Islands tomorrow, then there will be a day at sea, then Cozumel. When we get to Cozumel, I will catch the ferry to Playa del Carmen, just to go by the condo and have lunch. I am not sure who, if anyone, will go with me to Playa, but it will be fun.

Volume 18 - Day 42/323, 2026 - Wednesday

We sailed today, and it was a full day on ship. Richard, Chas and I walked about two and a half miles, and it is always interesting to walk while on ship. Our routine is to walk at 7:30 and have breakfast at 9. After that, the day is full of this and that. Stand in line here and there for free 'crap,' but of course, I will stand in line for free stuff anytime. As I remember, lunch consisted of ice cream and then a milk shake. After naps, it was time for dinner and then we stood in line for more free stuff. I am the early retiring person of the group, I am perfectly content to go to the cabin and be by myself earlier than the others, and that is (I think) okay with everyone in the group. Tomorrow we will dock somewhere (maybe Falmouth, Jamaica) and it will be fun to hang out in the port for a few hours. It is really windy, I thought we were going to be blown off the 12th deck this morning, but we made it back inside. I did finish my recent book this afternoon, Theo of Golden, and I highly recommend it. I think my next book is going to be Best Offer Wins, It sounds interesting, a little bit kind of about real estate, and an 8 hour listen. What could be better?

Volume 18 - Day 41/324, 2026 - Tuesday

Today, we docked at Costa Maya at about 8 o'clock in the morning. Richard, Chas and I walked about two and a half miles this morning, which is five loops on the fourth level of the ship. There is another track on the twelfth level, but we think that one is more for joggers. We all met for breakfast at 9 o'clock, and we 'disembarked' (see what I did there?) at about 10:30. We wandered around the port for a while, then we took a cab in to Costa Maya and had lunch at the Krazy Lobster restaurant. I have eaten so much on this trip, I had nothing but chips and guacamole for lunch. Later, once we were back on the ship, we met at 5 o'clock at Johnny Rockets for milk shakes. Apparently, I will be having a milk shake (cookies and cream) everyday, and this place makes (maybe) the best cookies and cream milk shake I have ever had. After that, Mike and I walked around for a while, then sat and watched people, before we met Richard and Marge for dinner. I had two wieners, no buns, and a couple small desserts. Then, I made it back to the cabin, and I am watching the news on tv. In case you know my friend Ben, make sure you congratulate him on a successful campaign for 2027 Secretary/Treasurer of Texas REALTORS®. In the photo...other than the natives...Marian, Ronnie, Richard, Marge, Mike, Me, Shelley and Chas.

Volume 18 - Day 40/325, 2026 - Monday

Monday, day three of the cruise. So far, I think we are all having a great time. Tomorrow we dock at Costa Maya, and we have a plan: Richard and I walk at 7:30, we all meet for breakfast at 9, and we get off the boat around 10 or 10:30. We are planning lunch at a place called The Krazy Lobster. Before and after, I expect there will be some retail therapy, and I am always in favor of therapy. Today was a day at sea, and we found plenty of stuff to keep us busy...standing in lines and tripping people that get in our way is right at the top of the list. Forgetting that I ordered cranberry juice instead of diet Coke in my cooler glass always kind of takes me by surprise. We went to a couple sales pitches, then a comedy magician show before dinner. There is nothing but food on this boat, and I will not be losing any weight while I am on this boat, but I will have stories to tell for every pound I gain. I did get a little bit of work done, too, and that never hurts. We have the door to the balcony open, and I am going to leave it open, I like the sound of the waves and I like the rocking of the ship. Overall, I like it, nothing much more to say.

Voolume 18 - Day 39/326, 2026 - Sunday

Today was a day at sea, tomorrow will be a day at sea as well. We all met for breakfast, and then we fought our way through crowds to get a 'free' bag and a couple charms. At some point, I think we will also fight our way through crowds to get more 'free' stuff, I think that is pretty likely. After the sales pitch for the different ports of call, we had a little bit of lunch, and then I headed up to the pool area for ice cream and to watch the belly-flop contest. The winner of the belly-flop was a man (with very little modesty) that weighed in at 410 pounds. Four Hundred Ten. I don't think he did the best flop, but he won the contest. After that it was time for a nap, and then we went to the Super Bowl Tailgate Party. Then dinner, and then we went to a show called Gallery of Dreams, about classic paintings coming to life. One thing for certain is, if you were not deaf when you boarded this ship, you will be deaf when you leave. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING is very loud. Tonight we will have a time change, which ought to be plenty confusing, and Richard and I are going to meet in the morning to walk. The only thing we saw in the Gulf today was this ship, and one oil rig. Otherwise, water, water everywhere, the horizon and a few clouds here and there.

olume 18 - Day 38/327, 2026 - Saturday

I am at the point right now where I have to think about what day it is. I know that today is Saturday, but I have to think about it. I got up early this morning and headed to a Ford Dealership in Galveston because they have a high speed charger and it was (supposedly) open 24 hours a day. I got to the place and all the driveways were blocked by their cars, but I did find one driveway between the Ford Dealer and their neighbor a Toyota Dealer, so I was able to access the charger. It was indeed a fast charger, five miles of charge per minute, I am not sure I have ever charged that fast, EVER! I got back to the hotel and Marge, Richard, Mike and I headed down to the 'complimentary' breakfast. With the 'complimentary' breakfast, you cannot have orange juice and coffee. You can have one or the other, but not both. You can walk to the lobby and get a 'free' cup of coffee and carry it back to the restaurant, but... Oh, and there is an $8 amenity fee charged. I asked what the amenities was for $8, and it is to pay for the in-room coffee service. Kind of a scam. And $15 to park the Buzz, and the Buzz thinks they should have paid him to park in their lot. PLUS, because we had two rooms, they charged for two parking fees. I hardly ever actually go and check out of a hotel, but I did this time, and disputed some of the charges. Whatever. We made it to the ship pretty easily, and we met up with all our group and had dinner. We will meet in the morning for breakfast, and see what happens from there. I am glad we are in a group, because that might encourage me to do more than just sitting in the cabin and having free soft serve ice cream and wieners! True dat!