Abby Schwent writes a weekly column for The Edwardsville Intelligencer.
My family was on a Caribbean cruise. Our itinerary included stops at several different islands as well as a few days at sea. When planning this trip, I was most looking forward to the days when we would be stopping at ports. I was excited to take in the sights and sounds of new cultures, like a real expedition. I hoped we wouldn’t be bored on the days at sea.
At breakfast in the buffet on our first day at sea, our oldest son, Jack, beamed as he showed me the schedule of events and happenings on the boat that was placed in the cabin each morning. He couldn’t be happier to stay on the ship all day. In fact, I think Jack would have been just fine never leaving the ship. He was having the time of his life.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
“Okay, so we have our Sushi making class at 10:00, then Henry and Oliver want to go to the dollar bill origami class at 11:30. Did you guys also want to go swimming? There’s music in the Bolero lounge in the afternoon, and trivia at 4:00 in the Schooner bar, dinner in the main dining room at 6:45, and a show this evening,” I turned to my mom, “and of course we have to go pick up our jewel.”
The jewelry store on board the Independence of the Seas gave out a complimentary different colored “jewel” each day that attached to a clip you put on your handbag. Mom and I thoroughly enjoyed getting these. It wasn’t looking like anyone was going to be bored at sea. In fact, we were snowed under! I realized that we were on an expedition without even leaving the boat. As a little girl, I loved to watch shows about explorers and had always wanted to keep a captain’s log of my own. Today was my day!
08:00: Breakfast in the Buffet.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
The crew fought the heavy tide of fellow passengers as we made our way through the room. Pops secured a table while the rest of us pressed on. Everyone found something to his or her liking.
10:00: Sushi Making Class
The crew split up as Jack and I embarked on a side mission to learn to make sushi. We made Nigiri and Maki rolls and were awarded certificates. Mission accomplished!
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
11:30: Dollar Bill Origami
The crew made our way to the Schooner Bar to learn to make origami out of dollar bills. This proved too much for some of us, but Grenna (the boys’ name for my mom), the twins, and I stuck it out. We managed to make a butterfly, a fish, and a heart, but don’t ask us how. We can’t remember the steps.
12:30: Fish and Ships
Hungry from our ordeal learning to fold dollar bills into different shapes, we searched for something to eat. Luckily, there is something to eat everywhere you turn on a cruise ship. There’s pizza on the promenade, ice cream on the pool deck, and the fish and chips shop, called Fish and Ships. Pops and I made our way there. It was pretty good!
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
14:00 Shuffleboard on Deck 4
Henry and Oliver became surprisingly good at shuffleboard. Chris and I enjoyed sitting in the deck chairs watching the ocean.
15:15 Ice Cream
I learned that Henry had consumed three ice cream cones today. Must make sure he eats some vegetables later.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
16:00 Trivia in the Schooner Bar
We did not win. Who wrote these questions?
18:45 Dinner in the Main Dining Room
What a treat! The food and service were both excellent. The boys (and Chris and Pops) were thrilled that they could order as many dishes as they wanted. Jack tried escargot!
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
20:00 Ice Skating Show
What determines whether you become an Olympian or a Royal Caribbean Ice Skater? Because these ice skaters were good!
22:00 Bedtime
The explorers fell into bed, exhausted from the day’s activities. Rocked by the sea, I slept like a baby.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
Getting ready for bed, I looked at my watch. I had managed to walk over 10,000 steps that day, all without leaving the boat. It had been a great expedition day, full of fun, good food, and good company. I think I could get used to life at sea!
You can reach Abby Schwent at byabbyschwent@gmail.com. Follow her on Instagram at @byabbyschwent
About
Contact
Services
Account
