Vacation on the High Seas

As I have stated before the only true vacation, is a Cruise for me. No computers, no phones and only those on the ship with me can find me. If they look hard enough that is.  My friends can usually track me down, if there is music and dancing, I am there.

This past cruise we were back with our Florida family and cruise buddies. When we are together you can expect a lot of laughter and practical jokes. It is always someone’s birthday or anniversary while on board. Whether the true date or not, we have to celebrate while together.  This trip was no different but we did have an actually upcoming anniversary for our new friends Kathy and Karl.  Nancy, for some reason, blamed me for her surprise birthday celebration. Go figure.

This trip I took a Waltz Ballroom class since I had already done a class in Tennessee.  I was surprised when they started on the wrong foot, then realized that they were teaching international version.  Now you would think they would tailor class toward those on board, we sailed from Ft. Lauderdale and not from a European port.

The line dance class I took was taught by a girl from England so I felt that I was back in Stella’s Class in Tamarac. I took up the back row and the ladies back there wondered while I seemed to know the dance already.  “Waltz across Texas”. Try doing those turns on a rocking floor, looked more like a drunken sailor turn.

Part of our group did an extreme Obstacle Zip Line course in St. Marten and we all succeeded in completing the course. The best part was watching an elderly couple, Helen and her husband Frank both in their 80’s complete the course and Helen stating it was not part of their Bucket List because they had already completed that list. Now that is a couple you want to be when you grow up.

It was a great 8 days with old and new friends and as usual we have all scheduled our next cruise together. The destinations really do not matter as long as we are all together and making the most of our time together. Whether sitting in the Schooner lounge playing cards on sea days, dancing, working out, and playing in the casino. We all do our own thing and eventually hook up throughout the day.  We are more than friends, cruise buddies, we are family.

Keep Dancin’   Larry B

Stress Relief!

We all need to find ways to relieve stress in our lives, especially work related stress.  Some like to go and commune with nature with camping trips, fishing or hiking. Others go for a more exciting avenue such as diving, sky diving or even rock climbing. Paul and I, we take cruises.

We cruise on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines whenever we can get a chance to get away.  Even though we may have been to the same port of calls, just being on a ship away from home and responsibility for a few days is the only way to unwind from the stress in our daily lives for the both of us.  

Vacations can be fun and relaxing but also they have a tendency to have their own way of creating stress.  I see so many trying to schedule out their time off to the point that it becomes a job in itself.  The whole point of taking a vacation is to get away from having a scheduled life for a few days.

 I have found that you can actually over book yourself on your own vacation. I now look at our vacations and plan only a few excursions. Depending on your likes and dislikes, you can always find an activity that you will enjoy and remember for years to come.  No reason to cram so many excursions in to your trip that you really don't get to fully enjoy the experience of each one.

Finding ways to relieve the stress in your life is so important in today's hectic lifestyle.  No matter what you may enjoy, just get out there and relax.  Of course, coming home is always the best part of the vacation because there is really no truer haven than your home.  We come home to a duo of four legged kids that shower us with affection and let us know how much we were missed. 

No matter what your choice of ideal vacation may be, remember the vacation is the time for family to re-unite, to bond and to enjoy time away from the so called normal routine of your daily life. So don’t over think the schedule of the vacation days, take the time to escape and enjoy the down time from your work and your daily routine.

As for me, I am counting the days till my next cruise vacation escape, that magic number is 15 days from the posting of this article.

Keep Dancin’ Larry B