There are snobs and then there are wine snobs. Fortunately, neither Margo or myself falls into either category but throwing up a photo like this to capture an important time for us both seemed to be the right thing to do. It’s a season that includes our wedding anniversary, Margo’s birthday and then my own. Enjoying a Penfolds Grange that had lost a little of its “body,” slightly watered down through the years, accompanying Margo’s cooked chicken – with the wine, there was no need for sides – a 1996 vintage bottled in 1997, mind you, and the year 1997 was the year we became engaged.
Around this time of year, we like to plan an escape from the chilly temperatures of the Florida panhandle. When we witnessed the thermometer dropping below temperatures being registered at our old address in Colorado, it was cause for considerable head-scratching. What were we thinking? Familiar as we were with Florida’s Keys, we thought these would be what we would encounter in the panhandle but no, not the case at all. Some nearby areas recorded snowfalls yet again.
The
call of the sea has been ever present across the years we have been married. We
have now officially lost count of how many cruises we have taken but enjoy the
tease that comes with trying to recall these voyages. This is not a post about
recalling them all, but rather, a pleasant retelling of a cruise we found
delightfully surprising. Travelling with good friends and former business
associates with whom we have remained in contact for two decades – Robert and
Randy Rosen – we chose a seven-day cruise on the Sphere-class, SUN Princess.
With
the guidance of the Rosens, we chose a mini-suite in the Sanctuary category and
were so glad we did. If you are looking to book a trip on this latest class of
Princess cruise ship, make sure you check the box for Sanctuary category as the
benefits fitted well with our lifestyle and may matter to you too. Sanctuary
comes with its own dining room, its own pool deck, bar and refreshment stand,
as well as unlimited access to specialty dining. If your budget stretches far
enough, try the full suites or even the penthouses of Sanctuary for even more
benefits.
It’s
as though, through customer demand, Princess now has phased in a class system
whereby there is an emerging separation between the casual cruising passenger
and the more seasoned passenger, where the option to travel first class is
appreciated. While not up to the specialty small ships we support – Seaborn,
Windstar and Viking – the gap has closed significantly. It’s like Princess has
dropped-in a small-ship experience even as the overall number of passengers has
increased.
This Sanctuary category is unrelated to the status gained – whether elite, platinum, etc. – Sanctuary is quite separate where restricted areas are well signposted. So, if your travels call for a cruise, again, check it out. The cabins were among the highest aboard the ship so looking over the railing, observing the decks far below, proved to be a surreal experience. The “infinity pool” looked so small barely warranting the moniker of infinity.
There
was a little confusing branding aboard the SUN. Forward, there was an
adults-only area under the new glass dome, called the Sanctuary. We have seen
it on the former flagship Royal-class vessels such as the Majestic Princess.
Whereas apparently you could purchase day-passes to the forward Sanctuary, you
could not buy day-passes to the Sanctuary Category restricted areas. Didn’t
bother us too much and we found the new Dome of the Sphere to be nice enough
but temperature-wise, it proved to be hot during daytime and really cold at
night.
Of
course, for Margo and me, finding a quiet spot to read was always a priority
whenever we were aboard ships. And we were aboard the SUN quite a bit as we
didn’t go ashore. This has become a pattern of late as we cruise the Caribbean.
We have visited all the major tourist islands and find the relative solitude of
a partially empty ship therapeutical. The Shops of the Princess may be closed
while at port but this only gave us more time to “graze the glass-topped
displays!”
Partially
asleep under a sunny sky (but with a protective screen above), Margo took
advantage of the opportunity to snap a quick photo. Somewhat symbolic as this
was the first time in cruising-memory that I had ever stepped into a pool or
spa. Then again, that we had the idea behind the Sanctuary Category – relax in
a non-competitive (for pool presence), treating it like your home. The minimal
amount of color I gained was gone by the next morning. Like fine wine, I am
clearly aging but with no intention to look more like a fine red!
Before
boarding the vessel in Ft Lauderdale, where we had driven a couple of days
prior, we were able to dine at one of our favorite restaurants, Mastro’s Ocean
Club (of Ft Lauderdale). This is a venue we have often visited but this time
around, we were served by a waiter who knew who we were down to the cocktails
we liked. By the time dining ended we were greeted with a Mastro’s tradition
for us – a mix of desserts! We enjoy a
two-decades long association with Mastros but being presented with a Welcome Back
treat was new for us.
But
I digress. Specialty restaurants ashore are amazing just as they can quickly
become be big-ticket items. What transpired aboard SUN lacked but one thing –
the price points of their peers ashore.
Dining
aboard the SUN at the various specialty restaurants didn’t fully prepare us for
the occasion; we enjoyed at The Catch, by Rudi. There was an option to enjoy
giant shrimp as a main course – OK, entrée according to US customs - but when
it arrived table side, it was shelled by the waiter. When we mean shelled, we
mean exactly that. These giant shrimps were larger than the lobsters being
served and they too were substantial.
It’s
hard to describe the looks on our faces as they wheeled these monsters from the
kitchen. Were they any good? Well, let’s start that I for one, couldn’t finish
eating it all and happily gave a portion to Margo who has been enjoying a
lobster tail. Unfortunately, and better eaten than left in the sea, these
invasive 12-inch plus giant tiger-striped prawns were likely introduced to the
Atlantic in in the late 1980s, possibly near South Carolina. Yes, that’s a
main-course fork next to the shrimp.
Obviously,
these shrimps didn’t age well as ending up on plates didn’t help with extending
the longevity. For Margo and me, taking advantage of any time to be at sea is
an opportunity too hard to pass up. We may have lost count of the number of
voyages but for us both, stepping aboard whichever cruise ship we have chosen
always brings with it a sense of freedom. It’s a chance to unwind during the
time aboard even as we could likely experience something similar by just
spending a week in a hotel.
However,
this hotel moves and it is watching the passing waves where the true enjoyment
of sailing lies. We have never been overcome with boredom at any time just as
we look forward to each day at sea. We have sailed the Atlantic from the
Caribbean into the Mediterranean. We have sailed the Pacific from the West
Coast to Australia. We have sailed to Alaska even as we have sailed into the
Arctic to the very top of Norway. We have even sailed up the Mekong River just
as we have sailed through the vineyards of Bordeaux and along the Rhine and
Danube.
As
we step ashore following any cruise, we always have one more cruise already
reserved so there is never any sense of finality. And yet, as is the case with
fine wine, stronger with each year and with no sign of losing our body. It’s
official for this family, our retirement plan is firmly based on no retirement
and even with the passage of days, working from a home office, becoming tiring
at times, for as long as our clients appreciate our efforts we will continue to
enjoy this working life. Thank goodness for being able to enjoy BizCations! Thank goodness for great WiFi connections to be found
on cruise ships today!
Time
for one image of Margo after truly enjoying the week of her birthday, our
anniversary, and the presence of good friends. Here’s to our next trip and, as I
like to say, stay tuned for more to follow in 2026!
Comments