2023 Veterans’ Day Group Cruise

Buckle up, folks! I’m about to spill the beans on my latest escapade while the memories are still doing the cha-cha in my head. Fresh off my 1st Veterans’ Day Group Cruise – where I had the honor of hosting 43 veterans and their families. Now, attempting to capture the sheer awesomeness of our five-night Western Caribbean escapade aboard the Carnival Breeze is like trying to catch a firefly in a jar. A challenge, but oh-so worth it. So, grab a comfy seat because I’m about to take you on a rollercoaster of sea shenanigans, and this might take a minute.

Picture this: folks from Ohio, Texas, and Louisiana converging on Galveston for a cruise kick-off. To dodge traffic snarls and unforeseen snafus, we decided to bunk down in Galveston the night before. But before I spill the beans, a quick pitstop – picking up Jae, Ley Ley, Ebony, and Creighton. After a Tetris-level suitcase loading session, we navigated through foggy Galveston roads, despite my vehement disdain for being behind the wheel. Our destination? The welcoming arms of Tru by Hilton.

Now, I admit, my hotel-picking nerves were doing the tango, but the Tru by Hilton turned out to be an delightful surprise! After check-in, the plan was to freshen up and hit the boardwalk unfortunately the rain changed those plans. No worries, though. Cards, laughter, and maybe a little friendly banter replaced our outdoor rendezvous. And dinner? We headed to a place called The Spot however; we settled into the Tiki Day next door due to Happy Hour taken place there. We had a delightful server that offered excellent food and drink choices. About 4 1/2 hours later we headed back to the hotel.

Day 1, the official embarkation day – or as I like to call it, the day we set sail and waved our worries goodbye. Post a scrumptious breakfast that came with the room, we loaded up the Pilot, checked out, and fueled up for the journey ahead. Port of Galveston, here we come! Faster to Fun passes, a lifeline for the impatient, whisked us through the boarding process. A small hiccup – a fellow cruiser’s expired passport and a missing birth certificate. Queue the travel advisor hat – crisis averted, all 43 of us made it on board.

Safety briefing done, backpacks dropped, and it was time for my Carnival cruise ritual– a Guy’s Burger, fries, and an adult beverage. Sail away at 4 pm, and the party commenced. Dancing, laughter, and a bit of people-watching, just the warm-up before we checked if our luggage beat us to our rooms. Spoiler alert: it did. Dinner at 6 pm, a group affair that set the tone for the nights to come.

Post-dinner adventures varied. Some dove into card games and live music; others explored the comedy scene. Midnight marked the rendezvous with pillows and blankets, but not before Creighton and I stealthily dropped scavenger hunt cards at everyone’s doors.

Day 2, an At Sea Day, translated to seaside brunch – a Carnival cruise rite of passage. Some went for brunch, while the nocturnal opted for extra beauty sleep. Post-brunch, we dived into our private Rush Hour, a dance/fitness class led by our very own Lisa Rush. Sweat, laughs, and a dire need for showers – check.

Shower scene disrupted by a knock, a scavenger hunt team at my door, eager to submit their photos. Team Jae, Aleyah, and Mali claimed victory – prizes distributed, and off they went. A cornhole tournament, elegant night dinner, and a night of games, laughter, and maybe a comedy show or two – Day 2 was a success.

Day 3 – Cozumel, land of divided adventures. Paddleboarding for Jae and Ley Ley, 4x4s and tubing for the Alfaros and clan, while the rest of us descended onto Mr Sancho’s All-Inclusive Beach Club. A special shoutout to the garlic shrimp – a must-try. Damon and Sherry opted for a fish spa, and Ebb treated herself (maybe Creighton paid for it) to a massage. Post-shopping and a quick return to the ship, showers were the order of the day, with a sneaky afternoon nap for some and a spa visit for others.

Dinner diversity reigned on Day 3, but the real madness began afterward. Deal or No Deal cards were acquired, yours truly became a contestant, and $1 was won in the game of chance. Pre-show drinks set the stage for the Love and Marriage show, where Mali and Garrett emerged as stars, answering questions with finesse and extreme laughter.

The night didn’t stop there. Our group dash to the next lounge for the Carnival Quest – an adult-only scavenger hunt shrouded in secrecy. Strict no-photos rule, hilarity ensued, and we nabbed 2nd place.

Day 4, Progresso – a day of individual pursuits. Excursions, downtown explorations, and even a nap – everyone charted their course. Late departure from Progresso created a laid-back dinner vibe, but my personal choice was an early nap to prep for the 80s Glow party. We glowed, sang, and danced on the lido deck, followed by more games and a late-night casino rendezvous.

Day 5, an At Sea Day and a well-deserved sleep-in for most. The ship’s military appreciation event, a heartfelt rendition of service songs, and heartfelt stories followed by a cornhole tournament – the day’s highlights. Dee and Greg snagged 2nd place, and the group reconvened for a cocktail party and dinner.

Cocktail party perks – free drinks for an hour, laughter, and camaraderie. Frances, the ship’s group coordinator, led us to dinner, capping off our last night together. Post-dinner pursuits diverged, signaling the end of our cruise adventure.

Day 6, embarkation day – time to disembark and head home. A chance meeting with Cruise Director Amber, a last-minute selfie, and a salute to her surprising prowess. She showed up, showed out, and made our journey all the more memorable. And with that, we bid adieu to the Carnival Breeze, a ship that hosted our laughter, adventures, and maybe a tad bit of organized chaos. Until the next sea escapade, let the post-cruise blues commence!

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