This trip was sponsored by a local radio station and there were about 100 of us on this cruise. The average age of our group was 55. We arrived in Ft. Lauderdale around 1:30 pm and headed for the ship. Boarding went well but we did encounter many long lines and went through lots and lots of security. That's OK though, it's just the way things are nowadays.

We had gotten up very early to make our first flight and we were very tired. However we still happily checked out the pool, went to dinner and attended a welcome party in the 70's lounge for our group.

Monday was Key West day and it was fabulous. My friend and I are both avid gardeners and we spend the day with some fellow gardening buddies from back home who spend the winter in Key West. We visited the southernmost marker, the Key West Garden Club's volunteer garden (gorgeous) and the absolutely beautiful butterfly house (located near the southernmost marker). We had lunch at Santiago's and ate tapas. We avoided the over-crowded Duval St. and enjoyed touring this pretty city. It was a great day. Read more