March 12, 2010
Cruise Departure
Last August, I received information that my high School Alumni were going on a cruise. I thought that it sounded like a good diversion from my rigorous chemotherapy schedule and it would give me something fun to look forward to, so I decided to go on the Cruise which was to be in February.
I called a classmate that I sat near the last few class reunions. I can get along with anyone and most people are flexible when rooming with others and since she has travelled a lot, I thought that she would be a good travelling companion for that reason. We decided to room together on the cruise.
Well, the Alumni part of the cruise was cancelled. I called my roommate and asked what she wanted to do. She said that she had not purchased the travel insurance (which I had purchased) and so she was locked into the cruise. She told me that if I cancelled she would be responsible for the entire cost of our cabin herself. I didn’t want her to have to bear that cost and decided it still could be fun, so I decided to go even if our school mates would not be there. Secretly I hoped that some of them would keep their reservations and show up on the cruise anyway, but none did that I could find.
In November, I told my Doctor about my intended trip and we worked my Chemotherapy schedule around this trip. I would have Chemo three weeks before the trip and then have chemo the day after my return. One has to do what one has to do!
I had fun deciding what clothes to take for the cruise. I checked the weather at our destination ports and packed accordingly. I had to fly to California where the cruise departed . I’d be spending the night before my flight at my Son’s and he took me to the airport for my early morning flight. I was met on the other end by a dear childhood friend and we spent the day together visiting before she dropped me off at the ships terminal. After boarding the ship I found my cabin and my roommate was already there. I had chosen to schlep my luggage myself ( I am learning to travel lighter these days ~ lighter being the operative word ~ not light) so I could unpack immediately which was really nice because I felt settled in for the week and had only been on board for less than an hour!
We made our way up to the buffet to have a snack before we sailed and we sat and visited for several hours. During that time, I saw a ferry boat leave for a local island. My Daughter and her Number One were on that Ferry boat and she called me as they passed by our ship! It was a beautiful day and soon the ship was ready to set sail. I hurried out onto our balcony to watch the departure and saw the harbor slip past us. It was my first time on a cruise ship in over 25 years and I wanted to enjoy everything about it.
