1997 was a very hectic year for us. My wife's mother passed away on Thanksgiving day. Her father came to live with us for the winter. Our oldest one also came back home for the year to save a few bucks. Our 'pregnant' daughter and her boyfriend were also with us......needless to say, it was a very stressful period for us. SO.....i talked to people whom had cruised before.....i wanted to do something really nice for her after all the crap she had to deal with. Christmas day, there was her gift, a 7 day western for April of 98.....i hit a scratch ticket for $400, so i put that in a card for her to get whatever clothes etal for the trip.
We really got pumped for this.....doing the shopping, the tanning....all cruise related stuff....counting the days........
then the big day arrives where we fly down,......flew right over the ship.....left a c-c-cold 30 and got off a plane to 85....took a cab over from FLL....10 minutes....30 minutes later, we're onboard....we head up topside to check things out......she orders a saltydog....with about 1-2 hours until we sail and still tied to the pier, she, now 'feeling real good' , turns to me and says....."we have to do this again"....and every April, we're off to catch a ship...
We had the week of our lives.....Cozumel, Grand Cayman....Jamaica....sea time.....on the go....taking everything in....the last day, we went to the promanade deck, wooden chaise chairs n all.....she out ot nowhere breaks into tears......me thinging i mucked up somewhere, but the week finally caught up with her.....she was overwhelmed with joy about the week she just had.....
We usually wait about a month after we get back to start looking for the next one......i go online, call other agents.....get booked early so we can get exactly what we want.....then the flights as soon as they pop....usually June....
best thing 'we've' ever done for ourselve's.....
every April now.....one week a year we claim for us and only us........
makes the cold and shoveling snow much easier, knowing that soon we'll be back "out there"