On Cruise Control

20th to 30th March 2018 – The Caribbean 

From Costa Rica we were heading to Cuba to hop on a cruise in the Caribbean on MSC. Things did not begin well when we missed the plane because they moved the gate and we did not hear the call. So we sat there at the wrong gate until it was clear nothing was happening. On inquiry we were told the gate was moved and we were too late to catch the plane. We were put on another flight, losing over 3 hours, our lift to the boat and a leisurely boarding. Luckily on arrival at Cuba we were able to find a coach to take us to the boat cheap, after a 2 hour wait for luggage. Aah traveling, you really need to be ready and flexible for anything to happen. 

Cruising is really the closest I imagine to being royalty. We always go for an internal, no windows cabin because they are cheap, dark and the most stable on the ship. Considering we only use the cabin for sleeping and are running around filling the day with activities, we do not see the point in paying for anything fancy. Every morning is spent going through the day's program and trying to schedule in as many activities that we enjoy as possible in the day ahead. Our favorite activities including dancing, learning a language, quizzes and the like. The day always starts at the gym before breakfast and will finish with a Broadway quality show or 2 in the evening before bed. We really get our money's worth.

Broadway quality shows nightly

Food is generally continuously available during the day with a rotating buffet and morning and afternoon teas. At MSC dinner was always at the same restaurant on a set table with the same set of passengers. You had the option of doing buffet or going to one of the fancier restaurants for a fee, but why bother? Food on MSC was not of the same quality or options for a gluten free traveler as we were used to on our other cruises but we got on very well with the passengers at our table and so dinner was always pleasant and filled with interesting conversations. 

Our dance troupe

We enjoyed the many dancing opportunities with the cruise instructors Katiuska and Ariel. They included specific dance lessons to more line dancing activities. We turned up late to a dance lesson on our second day and were unaware it was practice for a coming show focusing on the talents of passengers and crew, a talent show so to speak. When we realised what was happening we (meaning Michael) were mortified and tried to back out but were convinced to stay. We learnt this dance over the course of the cruise and against Michael's better judgment, became part of the entertainment. It was Michael's first, last and only ever time in a stage show.

 

Dancing for our supper

Besides the many days of cruise only travel we also stopped at many countries around the Caribbean where we had the opportunity of leaving the ship and having day trips at these other locations. I will elaborate on our excursions on the next post but here I would like to focus on one day when we went into port in Mexico and decided NOT to leave the ship. Most people leave so the advantage of staying is that you get the run of the ship and are able to do many activities that are normally too busy. At the nightly dinner we would normally pass around photos and share stories of our day, so we decided to document our day on the ship. Enjoy the movie below of our day.

 

The last full day on the boat was filled with dancing, eating and watching shows. Aaahh, nothing quite like cruising to relax and forget the wider world, where shall we sail to next...does it matter?