I Was Once Royalty

Royal Caribbean International "Freedom of the Seas"

The Gore Good Life Cruisers

Nov 11-18 2007

Quite tired from late night packing.

The anxiety of traveling alone is starting to wear on me. You know how it all started...we went on a bus trip to see The Color Purple on Broadway! It was great and we (Audrey, Winnie, Mardy, Charlene, and Brenda) had a ball. The director and trip coordinator was Darlene Gore, who also orchestrated this cruise trip. Everybody wanted to go except Winnie (she doesn't do boats). Reasonable down payment and monthly payments for a year! Who could ask for more?

I was the only one to pay to reserve my spot!

Thus, going alone, or to make lemonade... going with new friends.

I just talked to Nikki, who is having a bit of drama of her own. I seems one of the dogs, Strega, knocked the medal screw-pin in her foot the wrong way and she is hysterical and in great pain.

Sorry babe, gotta go! Calm down and call me later.

I'm at Winnie's house and James is fast assleep. He is to take me to the airport in the morning before the break of day.

SLEEPY!

The flight to Miami is uneventful. Our bus driver is from Jamaica by way of England and is quite charming.

1:59

For my shipboard picture the photo assistant motioned for me to wipe my head. Sweating profusely already. It was funny because I didn't know what he was doing at first.

I made it through the maze to reach my stateroom. Sixth deck, room 509.

Hey!!! it's two of us and only a single full size bed. Arghhhh.

I've never met my room mate and now I have to sleep with her too!

Like magic the crew separated the beds. Now I feel better.

Michele, my room mate showed up just in time to get me out of bed for the mandatory safty check. The life jackets velcro stuck to my hair. Ouch!

Leaving port was Beau-ti-ful. Of course I didn't have my camera with me. Miami is gorgeous.

Whew! the elevators were crazy crowded so I took the steps and then walked the entire ship from stem to stern. Many more of these long walks are in store.