I am back from the Rhapsody of the Seas, sailed Oct 9 thru Oct 17. We had 6 in our group, 2 are 80ish, 3 are 50ish and 1 is 30 something. Here goes.

Day One, Sunday -- Got to the ship at 4 PM. Absolutely no lines, we were the only ones (and last) boarding. If we had been 30 minutes later, gee, I don't want to think about it. The reason for the tardiness: We drove from Dallas, starting at 8:30 am. Loaded an enormous amount of luggage in and ON the van. Remember, 3 ladies and their shoes!! Made great time till we got halfway to Houston. Rumble noise coming from top of van. Look out back window. Two bags bouncing down the freeway. No other car hit them. Stop van and retrieve suitcases. My "stash" of sodas are unscathed. Can't say the same for the bags. Throw remnants of bags inside van and tighten remaining top bags. Continue driving (slower now) because, the planned "tinkle" stop is only one mile further. BAD decision. Rumble from roof. Look out back. One more bag bouncing down highway. Large Mac truck with an attitude goes out of his way to hit the bag. I see the bag explode. Stop van to retrieve bag. Very little to retrieve. Shoes come out fair, but covered with hand lotion. Bag is dead, left on side of road. Worst thing, all of Mom's medications were inside. All I could find were the plastic bottle caps. When the critters find and eat those pills, there will be more road kill. Drive on to tinkle stop. Repack bags on top. Tinkle. Continue on to north Houston. Rumble from side of van. Louder. Extreme crunching sound. Stop. Left rear tire has lost its tread. It tore off the van's rear quarter panel and half the bumper. Install stupid doughnut spare. It is now 2 pm. Drive the last 60 miles on a wing and a prayer. Much praying. Cellphone pharmacy in Galveston for replacement meds. Cellphone friend in Galveston to pick up replacement meds. Driver dropped 5 of us at dock and goes to get meds and park the car with friend. He returns at 4 pm. Prayers answered. Will buy new tire when we return next Sunday.

I had Sail Pass only, no other boarding documents (other than ID and B Certs). Give luggage to porter (sans one bag, of course). Go thru X-ray and Scanner. My Mom and I with pacemakers, and our friend in wheel chair, pass around. I get a hand pat. Feels good. Go through again, they throw me out. Go to counter. Show docs and get SeaPass card. Board ship. 10 minutes in terminal. World record. On board in time for Mustard Drill. Fellow Mustard pax ask why I look like poo poo. Tell them. A few "aw, poor guy" but mostly laughter. I'm not amused. An adult beverage of choice calms me down. Read more