Personal Reflections on Segment 1

The first segment of the 2012 World Cruise from Ft. Lauderdale through the Panama Canal to San Diego is the shortest with only 15 days versus 29 to 32 days on the remaining three segments. When I checked the notebook I had developed for the world cruise, I had absolutely no information on any of the ports that we visited. My research started with Honolulu, the first port on the second segment. Of course, I blamed that on breaking my ankle with that bone obviously connected directly to the brain resulting in the 3S syndrome--stupidity, sarcasm and skepticism. Obviously, planning in short supply must be another symptom.

I have realized that breaking my ankle has slowed me down more than I ever expected. An article that Ken read stated that the three stages of retirement are Go-Go from 60 t0 75, Slow-Go from 75 to 85 and No-Go from 85 onward. I now have been treated to a glimpse of the Slow-Go. We have been told by more mature retirees and the semi-retired, such as I who teach college part-time, that we should travel as much as possible while we are physically able. After falling in early November, being diagnosed with a bad sprain but having the loan of the big black boot that is a family heirloom in Ken's sister's family, suffering from pain and swelling that resulted in a new diagnosis of a broken ankle in early December, still failing to heal after Christmas, having a CT scan to determine what was wrong, being told that I had flat feet by the foot and ankle specialist (which I informed him I inherited from my father), learning that having flat feet causes a degenerative condition of the tendons and ligaments that I exacerbated in my right ankle when the tendon stretched and broke the bone, and being downgraded to a tie-on ankle brace the Monday before we boarded the ship on the Friday (that I considered an upgrade because I can now wear a regular shoe with good support on the right foot), I am not looking forward to the health concerns that inevitably accompany aging.

On the ship, we met Jim, who stood out like a "sore thumb" but in his case was a broken tibia bone in a big, black boot. The crutches also were a giveaway of his condition. When he was golfing a week before the Pacific Princess set sail, his right foot got caught in a hole while his body continued forward. I definitely feel his pain! Jim debarked in San Diego to look forward to many future visits to his doctor. However, even with a boot and crutches, he did enjoy the cruise! (And what a story he will have to tell his family and friends back home.)

I had told Ken that if I did nothing more than sit on our balcony with my foot propped up on the table, had most meals delivered to our room and read books on the Kindle Fire or from the Pacific Princess Library during the first segment, I would still be happy to be on the trip. But I am so glad that thanks to friends from Cruise Critic and luck, we had fantastic adventures in four ports and our best of five transits through the Panama Canal. If you are planning a cruise, our recommendation is that you join Cruise Critic at cruisecritic.com. There you can join the thread of a forum for the cruise ship on which you will be sailing. You can ask any questions that you have, inquire about what to do in a specific port or ascertain if your future fellow passengers would like to join you on a tour that you are arranging.

Our fearless, capable and extremely organized leader Bryan came on board with dates for Meet and Greets for each segment, Port Meetups before each port so we can share ideas about what to do and a Fantastic Fifteen Foto showing at the end of each segment. As secretary for the group, all I have to do is keep track of new members, arrange for a Cruise Critic luncheon at the end of each segment, and deliver notices about upcoming events to the cabins of our group members. At our luncheon on Friday, Chef Antonio prepared a special penne pasta with shrimp that was served by the him and the Master Chef Commendatore Alfredo Marzi with assistance from the Maitre d'Hotel Carlos De Rosa and head waiter Rui. Where else in the world could anyone receive this level of service? We also celebrated the birthday of Sergio who gratefully accepted a Gold Medal from Bryan (who had won it for placing first in ping pong) for being the best male Zumba dancer on the ship. Sergio also requested and received hugs from all the female members of our group and some of the males.

Many people do not receive the credit that that they deserve for their work. In this case, I received more. I was the beneficiary of numerous compliments from the group for organizing such an exceptional luncheon when I only set up the date with the Club Restaurant and then created and distributed an RSVP form. The special pasta dish and the presence of the chef and master chef were their ideas that we appreciated enormously. To meet my obligations so I deserved the credit that I received, I wrote heartfelt thank-you notes as my mother had taught me.

Now I need to "get on the stick" about what we are planning to do in future ports. We have arranged or signed on with other Cruise Critic members for tours, will take some ship tours and look for tours on shore in other ports. Third time does seem to be the charm!