On Day One of the Novelists, Inc. (#NINC2025) 2025 conference, my friend Janice Hardy and I checked into the Tradewinds Island Grand Resort at St. Pete Beach. I’d attended this writers’ conference many years before and remembered this resort with fondness. The Grand Colonnade main hall is still impressive and was the site for many … Read more
Today we arrived at Coco Cay in the Bahamas after another amazing sunrise. On the island, we browsed among the native craft market shops, sipped our favorite drinks (a rum punch for me), and lazed in a lounge chair while admiring the ocean view. This island has lots of attractions but Ann and … Read more
Today was a sea day. I had my early morning croissant then watched the sunrise. We had a full breakfast in Johnny Rockets. Then we walked around looking for ducks and exploring the ship. We discovered a card room on one deck and a shuffleboard court along the jogging trail on Deck 5 … Read more
Today we visited St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands for our cruise on RCCL’s Wonder of the Seas. First we awoke to another glorious sunrise with the island in sight. I had my early morning coffee with a chocolate croissant in the Promenade Café before a full breakfast in Windjammer. This … Read more
We arrived at the port on St. Maarten on Day 4 of our cruise on RCCL’s Wonder of the Seas. Ann and I had been here before, so we chose to take the water taxi into Philipsburg to shop around and have lunch. After another spectacular sunrise, we ate breakfast in the Windjammer Café. Then … Read more
Day 3 on RCCL’s Wonder of the Seas was another sea day. The sunrises are glorious across the ocean. We ate breakfast in the Main Dining Room. Later we attended a Top Tier event for Crown & Anchor loyalty members in the Aquatheater. We sipped champagne while listening to the Captain talk about his experiences … Read more
Day Three of our 3-night cruise on Utopia of the Seas was a beach day on beautiful Coco Cay in the Bahamas. After a bountiful breakfast, we headed off the ship, our skin slathered in sunscreen and our faces shielded by hats. A sign welcomed us to this tropical paradise. Near the entrance was … Read more
Back onboard Utopia of the Seas after lunch in Nassau on Day Two of our 3-night trip, we had a brief rest in our cabins before exploring Central Park on Deck 8. We searched for rubber ducks, evidently a Big Thing on cruises, and only found one hiding in the shrubbery by the Solarium. Some … Read more
On Day Two of our 3-night voyage on Utopia of the Seas, we visited the Port of Nassau. Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas. Once a pirate haven, today the islands are a popular tourist destination. The tropical weather and natural wonders bring in many visitors. Since I’d been here before, I didn’t need … Read more
We ate in the Main Dining Room early seating on Utopia of the Seas for dinner each night. Our server was excellent, being prompt with the menus and the food and making paper origami designs for my grandson. For this first night, I chose a crab cake appetizer, prime ribs and this yummy chocolate … Read more