The weather for this cruise began with gale force winds and waves forcing the Captain to bypass the "private island" due to unsafe conditions. We continued to sail toward the next port of Ochos Rios. Enroute, there was an injury to a passenger who apparently fell in the rough seas the second night and had to be airlifted to a hospital in Miami. This was accomplished by the Coast Guard flying to the ship and sending down a basket for the injured passenger and immediate family to transport them to the nearest island and then for them to meet a jet to fly to Miami. It was quite and amazing and tactical procedure you usually only see on television. The Coast Guard was magnificent in dealing with heavy winds to complete the mission flawlessly (or so it seemed to me).

When I mentioned this to the crew the next day and how it was quite a feat, I was told it had happened the month prior for the same situation, (an older passenger losing footing and falling during rough seas and either suffering a head injury or broken hip). I felt very sad for family affected but proud the Coast Guard was able to assist them all to a place where medical attention could be obtained for the injured guest.

The Captain was able to revise the itinerary to get to Ochos Rios a day early and also Grand Cayman to avoid weather that ended up closing the Grand Cayman port on the day we were originally scheduled. It was nice in Ochos Rios but rainy and overcast in Grand Cayman. Two more days at sea (both rainy and overcast and windy) before we docked in Key West for our 2nd sunny day!!!!! Read more