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THE JOURNEY TO BOARD THE  MINI CRUISE

I had asked for a wake up call at 8am, as it happened I needn't have bothered. I was going on a Caribbean Mini Cruise the next day. I was excited mostly because I would be on the sea which I love. Having gone to bed at a very early hour 8 o'clock to be exact, I was already awake when the call came through. "Thank you" I said until I realised that I was talking to a machine.
Smiling I continued drinking my coffee knowing my packing was already done. I relaxed and thought of the day ahead of me. I prepared my bath and enjoyed the luxury once again of soaking in the warm water. I don't have a bath at home anymore (and no that doesn't mean I don't shower!) Any opportunity to bathe I greatly appreciated. Dressed and taking a last look around, I leave the room and give in my room key. Then I  go to wait for the shuttle van driver to collect me from the lobby. I find a comfy chair and just people watch. It's interesting watching people I think to see how they respond in communications especially and it's fun.
My shuttle arrived and being the only passenger suits me well. As the driver takes my ticket he see's that I am only booked one way. He then asks me if I need transport anywhere for on the way back,"I will need it yes. I am probably gong to book a train. I need to get back to Summer Bay Resort In Orlando" I smile. "You can book a taxi with us to your hotel door from the port for just $65."
Another bigger smile this time from me. The train which I would need to get from the Port would be $41, I had checked that far. Added to that a taxi to the train station and then another taxi to Summer Bay Resort would be over $100. You see now why I am smiling?  THE JOURNEY TO BOARD THE  MINI CRUISE

I had asked for a wake up call at 8am, as it happened I needn't have bothered. I was going on a Caribbean Mini Cruise the next day. I was excited mostly because I would be on the sea which I love. Having gone to bed at a very early hour 8 o'clock to be exact, I was already awake when the call came through. "Thank you" I said until I realised that I was talking to a machine.
Smiling I continued drinking my coffee knowing my packing was already done. I relaxed and thought of the day ahead of me. I prepared my bath and enjoyed the luxury once again of soaking in the warm water. I don't have a bath at home anymore (and no that doesn't mean I don't shower!) Any opportunity to bathe I greatly appreciated. Dressed and taking a last look around, I leave the room and give in my room key. Then I  go to wait for the shuttle van driver to collect me from the lobby. I find a comfy chair and just people watch. It's interesting watching people I think to see how they respond in communications especially and it's fun.
My shuttle arrived and being the only passenger suits me well. As the driver takes my ticket he see's that I am only booked one way. He then asks me if I need transport anywhere for on the way back,"I will need it yes. I am probably gong to book a train. I need to get back to Summer Bay Resort In Orlando" I smile. "You can book a taxi with us to your hotel door from the port for just $65."
Another bigger smile this time from me. The train which I would need to get from the Port would be $41, I had checked that far. Added to that a taxi to the train station and then another taxi to Summer Bay Resort would be over $100. You see now why I am smiling?
That shuttle was booked within minutes and the relief that now I had nothing to think about, except enjoying the cruise was huge. The journey was pleasant about an hour long and we travelled in companionable silence.
At the port the ship was in and the driver took me right up to the gate for customs. I gave him a  monetary tip happily and felt respected for doing this.
I sat and ate my lunch and the coffee from my flask before going any further. I moved on and gave in two pieces of luggage to be labeled. The next job was form filling and then passport control. Here I had to relinquish my 2/3 full bottle of Gordon's Gin! Absolutely no alcohol was allowed if opened. It had to be disposed of. Now that I found was tough to do!
 They could save my bottle of water and tonic I was told as they were both ok and unopened. I could collect them later on arrival back at the Port on Tuesday. With a sign I accepted this and moved through to the bubbling excitement and happy music that was all around me. We were given our 'credit card' a list of excursions we could buy for tomorrow and a menu to order our sit down dinner for tonight.
Sitting down comfortably I decided to write this recap of the events of this morning.
 In what seemed like no time at all we were called on board where a buffet meal awaited us. I enjoyed a hearty meal of salad with beef and cous-cous  and followed that with vanilla ice cream.
 I went on deck feeling slightly troubled and stood looking out to sea. The sun was shining brightly with a gentle wind blowing my hair and momentarily there was a sadness in my heart.
The last time I was on a cruise you see was with my husband Steve who died last year. He loved cruising. We had enjoyed every moment of that holiday together. I had to respect my pain and loss and momentarily thought I had made a mistake in coming here alone.
Just at that moment a vision of Steve smiling came into my mind. I smiled back through my tears at him. The pain passed and I had Steve back in my heart again with that loving smile urging me on to enjoy this moment. As ever his guiding presence comforted me and gave me the courage to be content in the moment.
I walked around the deck with a lift in step and my spirits renewed with his love. I was not alone.
Sue Gaskelluk-Barlow August 2015


That shuttle was booked within minutes and the relief that now I had nothing to think about, except enjoying the cruise was huge. The journey was pleasant about an hour long and we travelled in companionable silence.
At the port the ship was in and the driver took me right up to the gate for customs. I gave him a  monetary tip happily and felt respected for doing this.
I sat and ate my lunch and the coffee from my flask before going any further. I moved on and gave in two pieces of luggage to be labeled. The next job was form filling and then passport control. Here I had to relinquish my 2/3 full bottle of Gordon's Gin! Absolutely no alcohol was allowed if opened. It had to be disposed of. Now that I found was tough to do!
 They could save my bottle of water and tonic I was told as they were both ok and unopened. I could collect them later on arrival back at the Port on Tuesday. With a sign I accepted this and moved through to the bubbling excitement and happy music that was all around me. We were given our 'credit card' a list of excursions we could buy for tomorrow and a menu to order our sit down dinner for tonight.
Sitting down comfortably I decided to write this recap of the events of this morning.
 In what seemed like no time at all we were called on board where a buffet meal awaited us. I enjoyed a hearty meal of salad with beef and cous-cous  and followed that with vanilla ice cream.
 I went on deck feeling slightly troubled and stood looking out to sea. The sun was shining brightly with a gentle wind blowing my hair and momentarily there was a sadness in my heart.
The last time I was on a cruise you see was with my husband Steve who died last year. He loved cruising. We had enjoyed every moment of that holiday together. I had to respect my pain and loss and momentarily thought I had made a mistake in coming here alone.
Just at that moment a vision of Steve smiling came into my mind. I smiled back through my tears at him. The pain passed and I had Steve back in my heart again with that loving smile urging me on to enjoy this moment. As ever his guiding presence comforted me and gave me the courage to be content in the moment.
I walked around the deck with a lift in step and my spirits renewed with his love. I was not alone.
Sue Gaskelluk-Barlow August 2015

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