We traveled en masse

This time, in First Class,   

To Florida for 3 days,    

Leaving behind the thick haze, 

In hopes it would pass. 

III

We came to the sun.

No surprise to anyone

To get on a cruise ship.

For a 21-day trip

Of Caribbean fun.

We did check out the lobby, then pool. 

It was inviting, shady, and cool. 

We saw a gecko or two.

On the deck it was true

Don’t feed the animals, is the rule.

Otherwise, we didn’t do much,

With great friends, we got in touch. 

Before dinner, Tad bought drinks 

And we shared our old hijinx, 

But for dinner, we went Dutch. 

We met Sue and Tad, 

Of this I am glad. 

We first met in Germany. 

Friends forever certainly. 

A great time we had.

We’re excited; left hotel sleepy. 

Waited in the lobby with sweetie. 

Transfer to ship was fast, 

Though terminal was vast, 

We were on the ship quite speedily. 

Priority: our cabin we’re bound.

Corner room, and deck that wraps around.

Then we stopped for some food,

And I drank something brewed.

Then pool, bar, and cabana, all found!

We dined early at Club Orange. 

The menu was great, no challenge. 

Roses finally came;

I was about to go insane. 

The ship I was prepared to scavenge.

Fortunately, our sleep was great;

Conversely, our breakfast was late. 

Room service called to check. 

I said, “What the heck!” 

They said, “Sorry for the long wait.” 

Celebrating our lucky number. 

Tonight will be a sushi supper. 

Next month it will be eight;

Ninety-six will be great. 

I love my life with no other.

There is plenty of room in this suite. 

Everything is put away. A treat! 

Now where did I put it? 

I can’t remember shit. 

When I find it, we can go to eat.

Today is a quiet day at sea.

We will take in a movie at three, 

As we cruise by Cuba, 

On our way to Aruba. 

By the way, the movie was “Barbie”. 

After movie, we had a smoked drink.

One negroni made a big stink. 

Then the Old Fashioned 

Was made with passion. 

We raised a toast and glasses went “clink”.

We could have done a catamaran.

Stay in the room was our better plan. 

Room service was great. 

I’m telling  you straight,

It’s harder that way to get a tan.

From the cold, rainy days we did run, 

Longing for the Caribbean sun. 

I think it’s ironic

With a gin & tonic, 

One hour in the heat, WE’RE DONE!

You see, the sea is perfectly flat, 

And the land, we’re very far from that.

Funny, this may sound dumb, 

Where did these bugs come from? 

“Why is there a moth and a gnat? “

For me, first time on this continent.

Heat and humidity are constant.

Old city walls are coral. 

And the people cordial

Cartagena is great in my judgment. 

The old town is very colorful. 

Cathedrals, churches, it’s cultural. 

We cruised the city bay, 

And danced the day away. 

The vendors are very commercial. 

For sale: rosaries, water and shirts, 

Women with fruit hats, colorful skirts. 

“No, thank you”  won’t matter, 

They don’t hear your chatter. 

Persistence, each vendor exerts.

Panama Canal is not Venice. 

The water here is not a menace.

Three locks we take, 

Up to the lake. 

An engineering feat, in fairness. 

Twenty-six meters from ocean to lake. 

Carefully tugged with hardly a wake. 

Locks open and shut, 

Through the new cut. 

Two and a half hours the trip will take. 

Once on the lake, we cruise around

Lush forests and jungles surround. 

We stay here awhile

In luxurious style

Turn about and we’re Atlantic bound. 

To transit the Canal, it’s not free. 

Plan ahead, a date and time, the key. 

Just to hold a spot, 

In dollars, it’s a lot! 

35k is the reserve fee. 

Back to Agua Clara locks we go. 

As before we will take it real slow. 

A big tug in the rear, 

And one in front to steer. 

I’m very glad we don’t have to row.

Supply of bananas, coffee, ample. 

Exotic fruit here is pink pineapple. 

Where do you buy this fruit? 

It could cost lots of loot. 

Amazon can provide a sample. 

The landscape is full of lush trees.

It’s warm, but thanks for the cool breeze.

Here in Costa Rica

They say “Pura Vida”. 

It’s a common greeting if you please.

We made a stop in Montego Bay.

Canceled the dolphins; still had to pay. 

Anne hurt her back;

She stayed in the sack. 

We’ll come back to swim another day.

A day at sea after Jamaica

To return to good ole Florida. 

This day we’ll dedicate

The time to celebrate

Anne, ‘fore we go to Aruba. 

After we returned to the shipyards. 

The birthday started with gifts and cards, 

Flowers for Queen Anne,

A little cash to play. 

Everyone else sent their best regards. 

Post dinner we hit the casino. 

We had better odds than Reno. 

We played the magic slots, 

Winning like hotshots

Enough to buy a cappuccino.

The crystal water is blue and green. 

I got that line from my birthday Queen. 

Tonight we have dinner;

It won’t make me thinner. 

Kukoo Kunuku Dinner, the scene. 

Aruba nightlife is not benign

The isle is colorful by design. 

We’ll walk a little bit. 

Then, gratefully, we’ll sit

For dinner and a glass of wine.

The Aruban dinner was super. 

Drinks after could’ve caused a stupor. 

The music was loud, 

So we left the crowd, 

And they called us the party pooper.

Signed up for a scenic cocktail tour. 

The Curaçao liquor was the lure. 

They were blue, green, and  pink, 

That’s three, not just one drink. 

On board, a gin & tonic, the cure. 

Another visit to Curaçao. 

Willemstad is colorful and wow. 

All the buildings were white. 

Ole Mayor said, “Too bright.” 

New law: only color they allow. 

Colorful buildings are very quaint. 

How did they come up with all the paint? 

The mayor’s mastery

Hid he owed the factory. 

So, it seems he wasn’t a saint. 

The very curious word “Dushi” 

Conveys a certain pleasantry. 

It is very charming

To call your sweet darling

That word, but not your enemy.

We are rounding Cuba once again. 

On our way home, Bahamas, and then

The Florida airport. 

We may need our passport

To board the Seattle plane. AMEN.

At the airport, and we are camped out. 

We found a seat, more comfy, no doubt. 

Wait eight, fly for seven, 

With luck home at eleven. 

Finally, “HOME!”, I’m sure we will shout.

We are currently at the Sky Club

For a rest, charge, and a little grub. 

We’re waiting three hours, 

But this space is ours. 

Quieter than the terminal hubbub.