It appears that February cruising may also become an annual activity. Suddenly I’m feeling a little less like a tourist and more like a routine traveler. I don’t know if that’s good or bad, but I’m enjoying my life so it really doesn’t matter. Back in the fall, our friends, Priscille and Ronnie invited us to join Dillard, Laurie, Mike, and Pam to go on a very reasonably priced western Caribbean cruise out of Tampa. We’d already planned a trip for Italy in April, but when we saw the price, we thought, what the heck.

Our cruise friends are all Diamond status cruisers meaning they’ve been on lots of cruises. But I’m finding that once it gets in your blood, it doesn’t matter if you repeat a stop because you can always find something new and interesting to see or do. There are always new stories to tell, and new people to meet.

This cruise departed on Sunday from Tampa. We arrived on Saturday and had booked rooms at Clearwater Beach. CB is really a beautiful part of Florida and we enjoyed a gorgeous sunset over the Gulf while standing on the pier, and a stunning sunrise from our marina side room.

Rhapsody of the Seas is a class smaller than last year’s Jewell of the Seas. I didn’t know if I’d like this ship as there were not as many amenities on board. Through the week I found that what this ship may have missed in amenities, it made up for in spirit and overall fun. With fewer passengers, the crew interacts more with the guests. We took part in many of the trivia games, Zumba classes, and dance parties that made this trip really entertaining. As always, I arise early at least one day of the cruise to get pictures of the sunrise. Happily, I’m never disappointed.

Our first stop was in Grand Cayman where we immediately took part in the Sting Ray City excursion. We got to pet the sting rays and Janet even fed one. Afterwards we roamed around the town to do a little shopping before heading back to the ship. Grand Cayman is beautiful, and it is no wonder that five ships were anchored in its turquoise waters that day.

The second stop was Cozumel, Mexico. Janet and I went snorkeling on the reef and through the star fish sanctuary. We met a young couple from Maine who enjoyed receiving my personalized lesson on how to take the perfect selfie. As the ship departed at dusk that evening, the full moon hung over the city casting its reflection in the water and we were treated to one of the most romantic scenes I’d ever witnessed.

Our third stop was in Belize City, Belize. At first glance, the place does not appear to be a tourist destination. Six of us from our group traveled together on a river cruise to see indigenous wildlife. Our guide pointed out every iguana and monkey along the two and half hour ride that ended at one of the most primitive eateries I’ve ever been to.  After lunch we boarded a bus to the Altun Ha Mayan ruins. This was truly the highlight of the day and worth listening to our guide talk for about four hours. Our bus was the last to the port and we made the final tender back to the ship.

Our final excursion was a beach club in Costa Maya Mexico. Our entire group enjoyed basking in the sun, being serenaded by the roaming beach musician, and enjoying the saltwater pool with free bar. We strolled down the roadway past stalls where locals would work extra hard to get you view and buy their wares.

The last day was at sea and included more parties, art auctions, towel folding demonstrations, backstage tours, and baking by the pool. It appears that at least for one more year it will be a tradition, as Janet and I booked a balcony room on Oasis of the Seas for next year.

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller