Jan 18/19 The Exhausting Journey South – Diagonally
Mid-afternoon, we (Neil and I , Joe and Shelley) hopped on a flight to Vancouver. Naturally, we had the pleasure of a six-hour layover at the airport because what’s a trip without killing time in a glorified mall with airplanes? We meandered around, indulged in overpriced wine and snacks, and pretended to enjoy our lives. Finally, after wasting hours in the lounge, our flight departed at 11:30 p.m. – two of us in Premium (fancy!) and the other two shoved into the sardine section, aka peasant class. Sleep? What the hell is that?
We landed in Fort Lauderdale looking like zombies and picked up a rental car to begin our epic trek to the Florida Keys. First stop: lunch at the Turtle Inn in Islamorada. Obviously, we had to try the turtle soup (don’t judge) and conch fritters. Delicious. Then, we continued the painfully slow crawl to Key West, battling traffic and Florida’s strict “drive like a turtle” speed limits.
Eventually – finally – we arrived at the Hyatt Beach House. It’s a nice spot, but let’s be honest, we are dead tired! We hit the pool, soaked up what little sun we could, and may or may not have drowned our exhaustion in margaritas. Dinner was takeout from the bar because fancy dining was not in the cards tonight. We were in bed embarrassingly early.
Jan 20th Tourist Shenanigans
We kicked off the day with a lazy morning and a expensive Uber ride down to the heart of Key West. Cue the typical tourist agenda: early lunch at Thirsty Mermaid for wine and oysters, poking through shops, snapping too many photos (especially of roosters!), and hitting up all the clichés – Duval Street, the original Margaritaville, and the Southernmost Point (because everyone needs that Instagram shot, right?).
Happy hour at Ocean Grill was the real highlight: massive wine glasses (practically fish bowls) – house wine not that great paired with cheap but tasty appetizers. Especially the coconut cream of wheat (aka grits) (note for Dave J – no Nestle Quik 🙂 ) . We ended the day with a quick stop at Four Marlins to grab some Key Lime pie to-go because life’s too short to skip dessert. Back at the Beach House, we devoured half the pie! WTH were we thinking? We could of split these pieces. And they were incredibly expensive!
Jan 21 Lazy Morning
Ah, the joy of a lazy morning. First stop: Moon Dog Café and Bakery for Breakfast? Hit the spot, obviously. Calories don’t count on vacation, right? Next, we pretended to be literary enthusiasts and headed to the Ernest Hemingway House. The tour was interesting—though let’s be honest, the real stars are the cats. So. Many. Cats sleeping everywhere! But truly the Hemingway history was very very interesting. Totally enjoyed! The house is a beautiful old house itself with a pool and several little quaint corners of the garden. Gorgeous.
Then, feeling ambitious (and slightly guilty about breakfast), we tackled the 88 steps of the Lighthouse. The view was great, even if the clouds were totally photobombing our scenic moment. But hey, we all climbed it!
Post-cardio, we embraced the art of wandering and found ourselves back on Duval Street, where the Panama hats were calling. OK, so do you remember the Seinfield episode on the “Soup Nazi”? Well the owner of the hat store was like the “Hat Nazi“! Very particular. And I do get it with people’s sticky hands and how they handle the hats but don’t talk to us like we are kids. Anyway very unique hats. Lime green and hot pink? Iconic. Practical? Not so much. Also, yikes at the price tag. Joe almost bought a great hat but decided against it. Too hard caring for it while travelling!
Grand Vin bar was next for a much-needed glass of rosé and some cheese and crackers—because clearly, we’re fancy. Rejuvenated, we resumed our wandering spree. A few T-shirts, a cap and a Christmas ornament later (because who doesn’t need a tropical reminder on their tree?), we made it to the far end of Duval. Cue a scenic walk along the historic dockside seaport, where we stumbled upon a surprising number a restaurants. Lots of seniors enjoying happy hour which will be joining them shortly.
We circled back to a shop where I couldn’t stop thinking about a couple of skirts I had seen on the first day. Cha ching! Then, dinner at Alonzo’s, where we were shocked to see Beau Soleil oysters from New Brunswick. Obviously, we ordered them because #canadianoysters #eastcoastoysters #beausoleiloysters
And now, back at the Hyatt Beach House for one last night. Tomorrow, we reluctantly trade Key West magic for the chaos of Fort Lauderdale. Until next time, Hemingway cats and overpriced hats.
Jan 22 No Lazy Morning Today! With An Unexpected Adventure in Fort Lauderdale
Today started early—no time for lounging around. After a quick pack-up, we grabbed breakfast at McDonald’s and hit the road. The cool, windy weather made it a perfect day for driving. Highway 1, though scenic, was slow-moving with its many communities and speed limits. After about four hours, we arrived at the Hyatt Centric in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
The plan was smooth until… a mix-up with our room reservations! It wasn’t the hotel’s fault but rather an error from our travel agent. Thankfully, the hotel’s reservation manager, José Nicholas, went above and beyond to resolve the issue. Not only did he fix everything, but he also treated us to complimentary perks, including drinks at the bar—a perfect way to start unwinding after a long drive.
Sitting at the bar always brings unexpected surprises, and Alex, our bartender, didn’t disappoint. Friendly and full of recommendations, he told us about a hidden speakeasy with a secret room on the 9th floor. With only 12 guests allowed at a time, it’s so exclusive that it’s usually booked months in advance. But Alex worked some magic and got us a reservation for tonight! Room 901
The evening was unforgettable. We may have sampled a few cocktails, including Smoke & Mirrors, Gates of Eden, French 75, Trader Vic’s Mai Tai, Gin is In, Bourbon & Jam, Biscotti Old Fashioned, and Stormy Passion. Each drink was a masterpiece!
The food was equally impressive—octopus, carpaccio, gnocchi, shrimp, lamb—every dish was incredible. The room itself was stunning, with cool vibes and an intimate atmosphere. Jordan, the bartender at the speakeasy, made the experience even better with his expertise and charm with Billy? Brody? giving him a helping hand. (Sorry didn’t catch his name).
From unexpected hiccups to an amazing night, today turned into one for the books! Fort Lauderdale, you’ve been full of surprises.
Jan 23 Discovering Fort Lauderdale
Today, Joe and Shelley did their own thing, and we did ours.
Miracle of miracles—we actually made it to the gym today. Sure, we’ve been racking up 15,000 steps a day, but let’s be real: wandering aimlessly and stopping for wine every couple of hours doesn’t exactly scream “athleticism.” Felt good to actually sweat on purpose for once.
Post-gym heroics, Neil and I decided to go check out downtown Fort Lauderdale. After a quick look around, we headed to the beachfront. Not a bad day overall—cloudy, humid, sticky. The locals? Bundled up like they were bracing for an Arctic expedition. Meanwhile, we’re over here like, “What’s the problem? This is basically spring.”
The beach? Almost completely deserted, which was absolutely fine by us. We stopped to refuel with some ceviche, octopus, and—shockingly—a glass of wine. Because isn’t that what you have to do on vacation? Afterward, we strolled along the sand, eventually turning off the beach onto Las Olas Boulevard to make our way back to the hotel. That street? Seriously cool. Think canals lined with jaw-dropping yachts and even more jaw-dropping homes, with a ton of shops and restaurants sprinkled in as we got closer to the hotel.
Apparently, Joe and Shelley did almost the same walk today and got in almost the same amount of steps.
Now we’re back at the room, living our best lives with a glass of wine in one hand and a bag of Canadian Hawkins Cheezies in the other. Because what’s a vacation without a few guilty pleasures before dinner? This, my friends, is the art of vacationing done right.
The four of us head out for dinner, shivering dramatically in what these locals call cool weather—11 degrees with a breeze. We feel cold as well. Naturally, we didn’t pack for this because, you know, we’re clearly seasoned travelers who plan ahead (cough not). So, we keep the walk short and stumble into Timbanos, an Italian restaurant that promises to thaw us out.
We’re eating “light” tonight—because obviously, we need to save room for the cruise ship feast-a-thon waiting for us. Our version of “light” involves appetizers only – stuffed butternut squash blossoms, octopus carpaccio, salad, and meatballs. Then we split the pasta prepared in a parmesan wheel, which is technically meant for two people. Look at us, showing restraint (sort of). The presentation was OK but not like we have seen before. The taste – delicious.
And just when we think we’re being sensible, out comes the Bomboloni—a.k.a. Italian doughnuts—served dramatically under a smoked dome. Now that is presentation!
We call it an early night because, tomorrow we will be joining Dave and Liz , Ted and Bernadette on the cruise boat so let the decadence begin.
Jan 24 The Pier 😉 Pressure Cruise
Today is the day – our peer pressure cruise!
Step one: inhale hotel breakfast Step two: pack up and check out. Step three: head to the cruise terminal, which, to our surprise, runs like a well-oiled machine. Before we know it, we’re on board and officially at sea.
Reunite with Dave and Liz, then meet Bernadette and Ted—our new cruise buddies. Dave, self-appointed tour guide, whisks us around the ship, showing off everything from the multiple pools, entertainment areas and to the bars—most importantly. Honestly, they’ve thought of everything. This place is basically a floating city with a buffet addiction.
Speaking of buffets, we grab lunch in the Oceanview Café (a.k.a. the “food court of the seas” or “food hall”), where you can eat your way around the world. Since it is still cool outside, there will be no pool today so we continue on our personal guided tour.
Our suitcases arrived at our stateroom so we go and unpack. Stateroom is really nice with lots of storage and very well organized. Got to admit that it will be nice to unpack and stay put for 10 days.
Dinner is a fancier affair in Blu, the exclusive restaurant for Aqua Class guests (yes, we’re that fancy now). Escargots? Delicious. Snapper? Perfectly cooked. Beef? Tender. Wine? Limited, but drinkable—though the sommelier seems convinced we know absolutely nothing and is aggressively committed to pouring before we even glance at the menu. Slow down, pal.
Wrap it up with a ridiculously good dulce de leche dessert. If this meal is any indication, we’re in serious trouble. We’re definitely rolling off this ship heavier than when we got on.
Very entertaining show in the theatre tonight. The cruise ship entertainers are very talented.
January 25th Balancing Act: A Day of Rocking and Relaxing
Slept great, despite the boat doing its best impression of a seesaw at 4:00 AM. Still windy as hell. At sea day, today.
Started the day with breakfast, then hit the track for 8,000 steps—because apparently, we’re pretending to be active before the inevitable food coma. Gym was packed (because of course now everyone is into fitness), so we checked out the spa instead. The solar beds and swinging chairs? Surprisingly relaxing. Who knew being gently rocked like a baby was the cure for all life’s problems?
Spent the morning poking around the ship, because there’s always something new to find. Lunch with the crew, during which the wind picked up, and then the rain made an appearance—perfect weather for doing absolutely nothing. Dave gave us the green light to “do whatever we like,” so we took that as permission to nap. The rest of the gang? They played musical bingo and made new friends. Good for them. We chose sleep. No regrets.
Evening plans: drinks at the World Class Bar (appropriately named, by the way, great cocktails but no juice, right Liz?), then off to Blu for another fantastic dinner. The staff? Still ridiculously friendly.
Capped the night off with a live show, which was absolutely incredible. Honestly, cruise entertainment doesn’t get enough credit—these people are talented. Crystal Stark is the entertainer tonight, an American Idle semi finalist. A solid end to a day of… well, mostly eating, napping, and mild exploring. Living the dream.
January 26 – Another Tough Day at Sea
Started the day with a quick, light breakfast because, let’s be honest, the real eating happens later. Overnight time change—no idea what time it actually feels like, but this bed is ridiculously comfortable, so who cares?
Made it to yoga at 10:00 AM, which felt good. Nothing too intense—more “gentle stretching and deep breathing” than “sweat like a maniac.” Spent the rest of the day drifting around the ship, alternating between sun and shade like a lizard with commitment issues. The pool scene? Not our vibe. Too many people, and of course, the classic “chair hogs” are out in full force. Do they ever actually sit in them, or is this just a territorial sport at this point?
Afternoon nap? Absolutely. No shame. Then back to the pool for round two, where we soaked in the hot tub kind of shaped like a giant martini glass—great view, but unfortunately, not filled with an actual martini.
Later, we cracked open our complimentary bottle of champagne in the room, paired it with the most elite of Canadian delicacies: Hawkins Cheezies. Sipped, crunched, and stared at the horizon like we were in a travel commercial. Pure relaxation.
Meanwhile, Joe and Shelley were living their best lives with room service and NFL playoffs. Respect. The rest of us? Out to Blu for another fantastic dinner. Yes, I got escargot again. No, I will not apologize.
Another solid day of peak relaxation with just enough activity to pretend we’re staying balanced.
January 27 – Tortola, BVI
Today’s stop: the British Virgin Islands and the island of Tortola. Been here a couple of times before when we rented catamarans for a week (throwback to March 2019 and November 2022—check the blog, we were basically professional sailors). This time, we want to show the rest of the gang what charter life could look like, so we grab a cab over to Soper’s Hole with Voyage Charters.
First boat we see? An Elite 59-foot catamaran. Oh. My. Gawd. It’s freaking fabulous. Sleeps 14. Do we even have 14 friends who could survive a week together in close quarters? And more importantly, could we survive a week with them? Also, we’d need a captain. Minor detail. Then there’s the small issue of price—apparently, yacht charters have embraced inflation like it’s their job.
For comparison, we check out a smaller boat, similar to the one we had in 2019. Huge letdown. Smelled like it had been sealed up since then, too. Hard pass.
Back to the port. Neil and I decide to get back on the ship and enjoy the rare luxury of an empty boat. Meanwhile, the others go wandering through town, which turns into a full-blown adventure—tour, rum tasting, a quick beach swim, and even running into their new cruise friends. They had a blast. We had a blissfully quiet, relaxing day by the pool, swimming, and enjoying lunch on the Magic Carpet (because we are those people now).
Dinner time rolls around, and so does Wine Guy. Neil’s favorite. I said it before: This guy is in such a rush, he wants your wine order before you’ve even glanced at the menu. Pretty sure he just wants to check us off his to-do list and move on. (Reminds me of a former boss I had—shoutout to office life trauma.) On top of that, he assumes no one knows anything about wine. Super charming.
The wine selection? Decent enough, given we have the upgraded drink package. Could it be better? Sure. But at least we have something to sip on while rolling our eyes at Wine Guy.
January 28 – Snorkeling, Superyachts & Saxophones
Quick breakfast, then off the ship at Philipsburg, Sint Maarten (the Dutch side). Today’s activities are split: Dave, Liz, Neil, and I are off to snorkel, Joe and Shelley are getting their sailor creds on the Canada II, and Ted and Bernadette are living the dream on a beach. Solid plans all around.
We stroll over to Dock Maarten (not the boots) and meet up with our tour boat for the day. Dave and Liz have done this trip before with Captain Bob, but today we get Captain Bob Jr. Let’s see if the family business holds up.
First stop: a cruise through the lagoon, where we gawk at superyachts owned by the absurdly rich. Holy frick. Some of these boats are bigger than small towns. Meanwhile, just across the water, the French side of the island is still in rough shape from past hurricanes—talk about a jarring contrast. Nothing like sipping champagne on a billion-dollar yacht while literal ruins are in your peripheral vision.
We head to Île Tintamarre, a protected reserve where we had prepaid our “please-don’t-mess-up-the-ecosystem” fee. Snorkeling is amazing, and Liz and I spot a sea turtle! So cool. Plenty of little fish, too, but let’s be real—the turtle stole the show. Oh yeah, you can see St. Barts islands in the distance.
Next stop: Île de Pinel (check it out: Pinel Island). We eat lunch on the boat while sipping some suspiciously medicinal-tasting rum. If we want to explore the island, we have to wade through the water holding our valuables above our heads like some kind of survival challenge. Naturally, we do it. Neil picks up an SPF sun shirt with a hood—important for his delicate head—in a bright lime yellow, making him highly visible in case he drifts off while snorkeling.
Then it’s over to Cajun Rock (or Creole Rock, depending on who you ask)—a crazy rock formation off Grand Case, famous for its marine life. It actually looks like a guy sleeping on his back, which makes snorkeling around his “face” even cooler. The water is packed with fish: needlefish gliding near the surface, sergeant majors, blue chromis, queen angelfish, French angelfish, and groupers (basically the French bulldogs of the sea). Easily the best snorkeling we’ve ever done—even better than Huatulco, Mexico, which had been the reigning champ.
Next, we cruise over to Maho Beach, the legendary spot right under the airport’s flight path. Planes come in insanely low, barely 100 feet above the beach. We watch one land, and it is frickin’ awesome—equal parts thrilling and mildly terrifying.
Final swim stop: Mullet Bay Beach—crystal clear water, so transparent you can see the ripples in the sand 20 feet below. Unreal.
Then it’s back toward the port, passing by a former property of Trump’s the Château des Palmiers, his nearly five-acre estate. Good news was he couldn’t own the beach. Beach is public property. Gotta love French property laws.
Back at the ship, we’re greeted with cold wet towels and ice-cold water. A simple, yet glorious touch. Quick cleanup, then off to Blu for dinner, where Joe and Shelley tell us about their day on the Canada II—a real racing sailboat from the 1987 America’s Cup. They actually got to race against the U.S. Stars & Stripes! Assigned roles as Main Grinder and Main Sheet Trimmer, they fought through five grueling legs and even led most of the way—until the U.S. boat edged them out at the finish. Brutal. But still, they’re almost seasoned sailors now, so we are honoured to dine in their presence.
Oh, did someone say escargots again? You already know.
Tonight’s entertainment: a saxophonist. Tommy Proulx Incredibly talented, and apparently, one saxophone wasn’t enough—he played all the sizes. Who knew a night of saxophones could be so good?
Another packed, ridiculous, and amazing day.
January 29 – Volcanic Views, Sulfur Smells & Scoring Escargots
Today’s adventure: Dominica, the lush, mountainous, volcanic island that smells slightly of sulfur but makes up for it with insane natural beauty. Our private tour guide, Hazel Jean Marie, (contact information get-taxi@yahoo.com) meets us at the port in Roseau. Right off the bat, Hazel is a character—clearly knows his stuff and, just as importantly, knows everyone on this island.
First stop: a scenic lookout with a fantastic view of downtown and our cruise ship. Classic tourist photo op—cue the dramatic “I’ve conquered this land” pose. Along the way, Hazel introduces us to some interesting trees, including the sausage tree (no explanation needed) and a baobab tree (native to Africa, I think). This particular baobab landed on top of a bus—which, fun fact, was donated by the Canadian government—during a hurricane years ago. And there it still sits, like an accidental monument to nature’s sense of humor.
Next, we venture into the rainforest, where we recognize plants that, back home, only exist as tiny decorative annuals in flower pots. Here? They’re massive and thriving. Also, we find almonds in their protective shells, which is weird to see just lying on the ground instead of in a plastic bag at Costco.
Fruit stand break! Hazel takes us to his friend’s stall (clearly a well-oiled routine), where we sample coconut, papaya, and other tropical treats. No complaints—good fruit, great grift. Respect.
Then it’s off to the hot sulfur pools, which are equal parts amazing and nose-wrinkling. The smell? Pure rotten eggs. The look? Steaming, bubbling pools straight out of Jurassic Park. The water is hot hot hot, but feeling the warmth in such a natural setting is pretty cool. Definitely worth the temporary suffering of our nostrils.
The drive back down the mountain and along the west coast is scenic, leading us to Mero Beach, where the sand is a unique black-grey color that literally sparkles in the sun. Also, fun fact: it is frickin’ HOT. Like, instant foot-burning hot. We wisely pay for some loungers in the shade, because we are delicate creatures.
Lunch is local cuisine at Hazel’s recommended spot—a plate filled with starchy vegetables and slow-stewed chicken. It’s hearty, delicious, and exactly what we need. After that, we wade into the ocean, which is gloriously warm but features an unexpectedly steep drop-off. Surprise! We survive, enjoy a swim, dry off, and eventually head back to the ship for our debrief of the day.
Evening routine: Blu for dinner—because why mess with a good thing? The menu changes nightly, but of course, you can still get escargots if you ask. Tonight, I make the bold decision to skip them. But Dave orders them, and well… let’s just say I put on my best puppy-dog eyes and score a single escargot. Victory.
No show tonight. Too damn tired.
January 30 – Rihanna, Rogue Waves & A Fast-Food Surprise in Barbados
Today’s adventure brings us to Barbados, where our private tour guide, Sanjay, (contact information Barbadosfun@gmail.com) kicks things off with a stop at Rihanna’s childhood home. Because, obviously, when you’re the island’s “diamond in the sky,” you get an unofficial celebrity tour. She truly came from humble beginnings, but don’t worry—she’s got a massive mansion on the island now.
From there, we head to Speightstown for pastries and a beach stop—a perfect little morning interlude before making our way north to the Animal Flower Cave.
Animal Flower Cave – AKA The Day We Almost Got Swept to Sea
Located right on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, this cave is spectacular—with natural rock pools, vivid coral, and breathtaking ocean views through its naturally formed windows. You can even swim in one of the pools, which sounds like a fantastic, peaceful little adventure. Spoiler: It was not.
Neil and I are the only ones in our group who decide to take the plunge into the largest pool. It’s cool, not too cold, and the whole experience is almost tranquil. That is, until a massive rogue wave crashes into the cave.
Cue instant chaos.
- Neil? Slammed against the rocks.
- Me? Dunked twice like an unwilling teabag.
- Glasses? Almost lost to the Atlantic.
- Saltwater consumption? An ungodly amount.
Meanwhile, our friends are standing there in equal parts awe and horror, torn between rescuing us or recording it for posterity. (Thanks, guys.) We somehow manage to scramble out of the water, soaked, slightly traumatized, but very much alive. The entire group promptly decides they’ve seen enough of the cave and retreats to safety. Whew. That could have gone very differently.
Exploring the East Coast & An Unexpected Fast-Food
Back in the van, Sanjay takes us along the rugged east side of the island, where we see beautiful homes and dramatic, rocky beaches. Swimming? Not recommended. The waves and undertow here are no joke.
We make a stop at Bathsheba, where the coastline is dotted with cool rock formations sculpted by erosion. A few local vendors are set up nearby, so naturally, we support the local economy with a little shopping before continuing our journey.
Bernadette and Ted are craving Roti and suggest a place for lunch. We’re all picturing a quaint little West Indies spot—maybe a cozy beachfront café. Sounds perfect, right?
Well.
Turns out, their “authentic” pick is… Chefette. The fast-food chain of Barbados. Hilarious. But you know what? The roti is delicious—stuffed with meat and potatoes, and honestly, no regrets.
Beach Time & Back to the Ship
Post-lunch, we cross the street to Accra Beach (aka Rockley Beach)—a gorgeous stretch of soft, light sand and warm turquoise water. The waves are still big, but once you swim out far enough, it’s actually pretty calm. A perfect afternoon dip.
More local shopping follows (because, obviously), and then it’s back to port, where we do some duty-free damage—namely, a new SPF top for me, because Caribbean sun protection is no joke.
Evening Routine – Cocktails, Blu, & My Ongoing Escargot Hustle
Back on the ship, the group grabs some shade for our daily cocktail debrief—where we laugh, rehydrate (kind of), and relive near-death experiences.
Dinner at Blu is its usual delicious, ever-changing delight, but some traditions remain intact: Tonight, I sit beside Joe and successfully hustle my way to an escargot. 😊
Theatre entertainment is all about illusions. Incredible!
January 31 – 365 Beaches, Clapton’s Mansion & Fish lunch in Antigua
Pulling into port, we see the Queen Mary 2. Cool.
Today’s destination: Antigua. Fun fact: this island boasts 365 beaches—one for every day of the year. Not that we’ll have time to see them all, but still, solid bragging rights for the locals.
Our private tour guide, Lawrence, (contact information 1-268-464-4438 also Lawrence of Antiqua on Trip Advisor) kicks things off by taking us to Nelson’s Dockyard National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site with historic fortifications dating back to 1725. Originally built as a British Naval base, it was abandoned by the Royal Navy in 1889 but still holds a ton of history. Admiral Horatio Nelson himself lived here from 1784-1787.
Also, Lawrence casually points out Eric Clapton’s mansion perched on a nearby point. Because of course, if you’re a rock legend, you need an oceanfront estate in paradise.
Shirley Heights – Views & Crowds
Next stop: Shirley Heights—known for its stunning panoramic views of English Harbour and the Dockyard. The scenery? Unreal. The number of tourists? Also unreal. Too many people, not enough chill. Time to move on.
Lawrence gives us the option to stop at a rum distillery, but the group quickly votes “hard pass” in favor of lunch and beach time instead. (Priorities.)
We head to OJ’s Beach Bar and Restaurant on Rumbus Beach in Picarts Bay, where you can see Montserrat and St. Kitts in the distance. Now THIS is what we were picturing—a laid-back, outdoor café with a shady spot to eat. Slightly quirky decor choice: a full-on wooden dining room table and chairs—like someone’s grandma just relocated her formal dining set to the beach.
Most of us order snapper and a bottle of wine, only to realize we could have easily split a plate—because it’s an entire fish. Oops. Not complaining, though.
Post-lunch, we take another glorious dip in the ridiculously blue ocean. Soft sand, warm water, total bliss.
Back on the ship, we squeeze in one last duty-free stop—because apparently, I can’t resist buying SPF sun shirts. (A wise investment, honestly.) Final Port Stop – Mission Accomplished. Check!
And then it’s time for our daily debrief—drinks in hand as we watch the ship sail away from St. John’s port. That wraps up five straight days of port stops—grueling, but absolutely worth it.
Evening Plans – Blu & A Cirque-Style Show
Martini night just because we haven’t fit this particular activity in yet. Check!
Dinner at Blu (no surprises there), and then only Dave, Neil, and I muster the energy to hit the evening show in the Eden dining room. Think Cirque du Soleil, but on a cruise ship. The performers? Absolutely incredible. A perfect way to close out our last big adventure stop.
February 1 – Gaining an Hour & Gaining Calories
Overnight, we gain an hour, which means we luxuriously sip espresso and nibble on a Danish, listening to the soothing sound of the ocean swooshing outside our open window. Not a bad way to start the day.
Breakfast at Blu (as per usual), followed by a walk around the track—because we like to pretend we’re active before lounging in the sun.
A “Must-Consume” Wine Picnic! By midday, we round up the crew for a makeshift picnic in a quiet corner of the ship. Turns out, Dave, Liz, Ted, and Bernadette have some extra bottles of wine that “need consuming.” Naturally, we step up to help with this very serious problem.
Ditching the Captain for the Pool! While the rest of the group heads to the Captain’s Show (which, by all accounts, was excellent), we opt for a more hands-on aquatic experience—the pool.
We strike up a conversation with a couple from Massachusetts, whom we met on our Sint Maarten snorkeling tour. Nice people, but their knowledge of Canada is absolutely tragic. I think they think it’s cold year-round—not just in winter. Sigh. Even worse, they’re geographically challenged. When we tried to explain where in Canada we were from, we used North Dakota, Montana, and Washington State as reference points—and they still struggled. At this point, we’re just grateful they at least knew Canada was north of the U.S.
Breaking the Routine – Daniel Boulud’s Fine Dining! For dinner, we shake things up—no Blu tonight. Instead, we’ve booked a fancy meal at Daniel Boulud’s restaurant, featuring multiple courses and wine pairings. The food? Phenomenal. The wine pairings? Surprising but excellent. The portion sizes were small but there were many? We waddle back to our stateroom, completely stuffed, and call it a night. An extra hour of sleep and a belly full of gourmet food? Still Living the dream.
February 2 – The Final Sail
Last day at sea, so naturally, we take it slow. A lazy morning, a walk around the track, and a failed attempt to get Neil to do a Merengue lesson. We watched instead—purely for research purposes, of course—so we can pretend we know what we’re doing when summer dance lessons start in the park.
Met up with Joe, Shelley, Dave, and Liz at Raw for a seafood feast—fresh oysters and sushi. Absolutely delicious. Nothing like top-tier sushi in the middle of the ocean to set the bar impossibly high.
Our final dinner at Blu, and it’s a big night of tipping the incredible staff who have taken such great care of us over the past 10 days. They hustle hard, and it shows. Even the wine guy who has tested Neil’s patience to the limit—but hey, we’ll survive.
Tomorrow, we’re off the ship early, so it’s early to bed. Time to face reality (aka, land).
February 3rd – Goodbye, Escargot. Hello, Reality.
Disembarkation day. Also known as the least fun day of any cruise. We’re unceremoniously kicked off the ship in Fort Lauderdale at an ungodly hour and say our goodbyes to Dave, Liz, Ted, and Bernadette. It’s been real. Joe, Shelley, Neil, and I head back to the Hyatt Las Olas (where we started this adventure 10 days ago) to stash our luggage and kill time before our flight.
Since we’ve spent the past 10 days consuming an embarrassing amount of escargot, cocktails, wine, and desserts, we figure a long walk toward the beach is a good idea. Balance, right? Plus, we need to feel somewhat productive before returning to real life.
Next up: the Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi—basically a hop-on, hop-off bus, but on the water. It’s $33 USD per senior (yes, we shamelessly took the discount), but honestly, it’s worth it. Floating through the “Venice of America” while gawking at billionaire mansions and their absurdly oversized yachts is a peak tourist activity. We would have loved to do the full loop, but time is not on our side, so we bail early and head back inland.
Back at the hotel, we grab our bags, hop in a taxi, and make our way to the airport. While waiting why not open the last bag of Canadian Hawkins Cheezies. A moment of silence, please.
The flight to Calgary is long and boring. What happened to in-flight entertainment? Oh, right—everyone is now responsible for bringing their own device. And food? Forget it. We’re given the choice of cookies or pretzels. Amazing.
We part ways with Joe and Shelley in Calgary (they’re staying overnight), while we prepare for our 11:30 PM flight to Kelowna… which is promptly delayed. And then delayed again. And again. Side note: We see the Liberia, Costa Rica flight boarding. This is the exact flight we will be taking on March 25th. Yep, another red eye but this time we will be in the comfy seats and not cattle class. Back to the late night situation: At this point, the terminal is basically a ghost town, with all the vendors closing up for the night. We claim a nice green couch for an impromptu nap—except apparently, one of us snores. (Not naming names, but I have my suspicions.)
Finally, at 2:00 AM, we board. By 4:15 AM, we touch down in Kelowna and step into what can only be described as a frozen hellscape. The kind of cold that makes you question all your life choices. We may have grown up in Saskatchewan, but after a couple of years in BC, we’ve gone soft. Snow. Wind. Absolute misery. Unseasonably cold for Kelowna. Welcome home. We stumble through the door, collapse into bed, and call it a night. We survived the peer pressure cruise.
A huge shoutout to our amazing travel crew—Dave, Liz, Ted, Bernadette, Joe, and Shelley—for not only being the best company but also for willingly (or maybe unknowingly) providing endless material for this blog. Your antics, questionable decisions, and general willingness to embrace the chaos made this trip! We wouldn’t want to explore the world (or be mildly traumatized by rogue waves) with anyone else.
Although, thinking about this…….. our next trip will be all different travel companions. Our catamaran buddies for days gone by – counting down the days!!! 🙂
Cheers!
Wine and Cheezies Travels 