posted 09-22-2002 02:57 PM                    

To start with, it was our 15th year anniversary so I wanted to do something special (man, was that an understatement)
So I booked the largest suite the Royal Carribean "Rhapsody of the Seas" had to offer. It was about 1400 sq. ft., sunken jaccuzi tub, his/hers vanities, a shower with three heads (it also was a steam room too), a king sized bed in it's own room, a formal dining room, a den, a fully stocked bar, disappearing T.V.'s, and oh, yeah, a baby grand piano. Awesome.

Well, going to Key West was nice and calm and a delight.
Upon departure of Key West, we were told that due to Isidore, the Caymans were out and we would make a run to Belieze to get out of it's path. We did and it was smooth sailing.

After a day in Belieze we steamed back to Cozumel which I thought odd as Isidore was bearing down on Cuba. Once in Cozumel, we had a great day (now it starts to turn into the adventure).

By 7 that night, winds were up to about 30 knots as we left the pier. The captain told us were were to have a rough time of it for the next 10-15 hours and we were going to try to outrun Isidore back. We were going to do what???Great!!!

By 8, the seas were choppy and confused, winds up to about 45 knots and a hard rain started. We were in the middle of a gale (outter fringe of Isidore and still needed to motor more towards it.)

By 10, the seas were ALOT worse and you also had the big rollers which measured 15-20 ft high. While that doesn't sound like alot, that is from the median to the crest, so add another 15-20 from the median to the trough (in essence, a 40 ft. wave).

By midnight, it was at the absolute worst it could be, the boat (all 920 ft.) was listing back and forth about 10-15 degrees, surfing down some of the even bigger rollers and everything was soaked. We were getting water splashing over our balcony from a number of the waves. Not a big deal till you realize thta we were ont he 8th floor!!!!! The next day we found a dead flying fish on our balcony. Geez!

The kids and I slept through most of it, their mom was convinced the boat was going to come apart. Judging from some of the sounds and the way the boat was literally slamming down, it at least seemed a possiblility.

By 4 on Saturday afternoon, alot longer then the predicted 10-15 hours, we had outrun Isidore and were steaming back as fast as possible.

None of us got seasick but, we heard that most did.

What an adventure, what a ride. I only hope some of the pictures come out.

posted 09-22-2002 10:10 PM                    

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Originally posted by Blue Kat:
WOW!!!! Glad you survived! We leave for Jamaica (Hedo 3) in two weeks. Hope we have better weather by then.

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Well, we may be bringing Isidore home as it has stalled over the Yucatan and will turn north or possibly northeastern tomorrow.

Texas and Louisiana are the best bets right now (or is that worst bets????)

posted 09-23-2002 08:54 AM                    

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Originally posted by ed monahan:
I think that is part of the reason that cruises in that area are a lot cheaper at this time of year. The weather is pretty iffy.

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Been vacationing in Carribean, Cozumel, and cruises in this area for twenty years in the Aug-Nov timeframe. This is the first time we even came close. It was fun though, made it a real adventure. The kids love it, even the storm!!!

posted 09-23-2002 08:57 AM                    

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Originally posted by johnny:
Yellow Fever, We just did a cruise with Rhapsody of the Seas over the Labor Day weekend, we sailed out of Galveston to Keywest, Grand Cayman and Cozumel and on our way back we had Fay out at sea. From what the Captain said we would get at port afterwards, and he was right. Was your sea Captain name Cpt. Olaussen? If so, he was one funny guy.

Yup, and his humor was hysterical especially with that Norwegian twang to everything. His wife joined him on this weeks adventure and we got to meet her too.

We were also on the 8th floor but we had a stateroom. Did some snorkeling in Keywest, Cayman but did something called snuba in Cozumel which was very enjoyable.

We just shopped in Key West, watched the sun go down, and saw a huge waterspout form about 7-10 miles from us. Awesome.

This was our second cruise and we are planning a third for next year.

How bizarre can that be, this was our second too! And definitely not the last.

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