Return to the Caribbean

FRIDAY, JULY 13: A last minute decision will see me and my wife back out in Caribbean waters this weekend.

We’ll be returning to Royal Caribbean’s floating amusement park/resort, the Oasis of Seas.

We were on the ship back in April and it’s the quickest we’ve ever returned to a ship.

It will be our 14th cruise (our 15th is already booked for next year — although it may end up being 16th if we take another one at Christmas time) and our seventh on Royal Caribbean.

It will be our first cruise as Platinum members of Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society.

The coupon books we’ll get in our cabin will give us discounts on the ship.

That includes 15 per cent off a spa treatment, something I’ll definitely use (and I’ll probably steal my wife’s coupon too).

But we’ll also get 15 per cent off our Internet package.

One of my favourites is the two for one milkshakes at the Johnny Rockets on the Oasis.

In total there are over 20 coupons and we’ll probably end up using half of them.

There is so much to look forward to even though we were just on it.

My wife missed the comedy show last time so I’ll enjoy holding her hand as we laugh at whoever happens to be on stage.

I certainly am looking forward to seeing Hairspray again as it was one of the best musicals I’ve seen in person, regardless of being on sea or land.

The Central Park area with trees and plants is my favourite neighbourhood on the Oasis, as it was the hotel director’s when I spoke to him last time. It’s a great place to read a book — it’s easy to get lost in the atmosphere and not even feel like you are at sea.

The hotel director told me the original concept was for it to be a grass covered dunes area, but Royal Caribbean ended switching to lush vegetation and trees as being a better idea. I’d have to agree on that.

Of course, I’ll embarrass myself on a surfboard again on one of the ship’s two Flow Rider machines.

I did not get to try Izumi, the Japanese restaurant, the last time and that will be one of my first day priorities.

Our itinerary will include Nassau, Saint Thomas and Saint Maarten. All three have special meaning to me.

Saint Thomas was the first stop on our honeymoon cruise, which brings back fond memories.

My grandmother was born in Nassau and I’ve always hoped to trace the family roots there and get her birth certificate but we always seem to be there on a weekend on during Junkanoo.

I love Saint Maarten as I get to watch my wife use her French and barter for good deals, plus some of the food is amazing.