Jun-1992

With the extra perks one receives working for the airline, discounted cruise rates surely makes that list. Mind you, at the time, we had to share the same cabin with my sister and her husband to benefit the sale. This surely posed no issue and June of 1992 we flew to Miami for our very first Cruise. Majesty of the Seas from Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.

We flew in the day before to ensure all would go smooth and a great opportunity to have dinner with Nick and Elaina from Naples.

I can remember clearly that the first time we boarded the ship and found ourselves in the main atrium, we were in complete shock on the grandiose stair case and the level of detail everywhere. We couldn’t believe that this 5 start hotel on water would be our home for the next 7 days.

As we were in shock of the size of the atrium, we were equally surprised on how compact our room was. Looking at each other and the four walls closing in on us, we all made a remark that we would only use the room for sleeping. Honestly, it wasn’t that bad at all, and establishing certain rules ahead of time, made the accommodations hassle free.

The fog horn sounds aloud, the confetti is sprung all over and the ship cautiously pulls away from the pier. Our very first cruise vacation has started. We waste no time as the welcome aboard cocktail party gives us the ability to meet new guests.

The ships itinerary would carry us over to Playa del Carmen, Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios, Labadee and back to Miami. As their ticket stipulates in fine print that locations may be averted should they be faced with challenging weather or political unrest, we did miss Grand Cayman and Labadee. To compensate, they did add their private Island Coco Cay in Bahamas before completing their run.

We definitely created such synchronicity that the morning procedures were completed in record timing. Likewise, the evening preparations were staggered to allow no wasted time. Suppers were delicious and with every different dish you can think of, we had it at one point on the cruise. The waiters were friendly and professional while the service was exceptional and quick.

We were truly impressed of this self contained village floating in the Caribbean ocean. The routine of strolling along the promenade deck, taking pictures, dinner and show would repeat itself nightly. It may sound boring in speaking about it, but on the contrary, it kept getting more exciting. The ability to walk freely in every bar, cafe and show, along with the mysterious view of a star-filled sky from the top deck, cruising is a vacation that one can get used to very easily.

During the week, professional photographers would roam the decks taking pictures of guests to later display them at their photo center. It became part of our routine that before dinner, we would filter some of those pictures to remind us of  our daily events.

We decided in taking the Dunn’s River Falls excursion to Ocho Rios. We were ready for such an escapade as we brought our own water shoes in preparation for this. The ability in walking along a waterfall immersed in a jungle setting couldn’t be closer to nature…….and one might add refreshing!

In many of my blogs, I keep mentioning that trips are a constant, never ending memory builder that will one day serve as topics of discussions. It’s all in what we do today that we can talk about tomorrow.

More pictures are taken, more fun is had and the last day of cruising arrived way too early. I believe Anna tries her luck in the Casino to hopefully win a trip on another cruise.

We were truly impressed of the cruising experience and vowed to ourselves that it wouldn’t be the last one we’d venture on. In writing this blog over 25 years later, we definitely have taken other cruises and as the Majesty of the Seas still exists today, the improvement, size and locations have come a long way.

Jun-1992