Five Days Until Radiance of the Seas 🌙🌊
Only five days to go! I’m looking forward to being out on the ocean, watching the waves roll by, then sitting on the balcony at night and gazing up at the stars or moon. Those quiet moments at sea are a big part of what makes a cruise special.
Mom is still in a skilled nursing facility. I hope things stay steady from embarkation day until I return. My brother is nearby and can help if needed, and I’ll be reachable while I’m away.
The countdown is on for the next cruise, too: 83 days until MSC Seaside sails from Miami on January 15. I’ll be heading to the Bahamas for what I think will be my fourth visit, including a stop at MSC’s private island, Ocean Cay Marine Reserve. I’ve read and watched videos saying it’s phenomenal, and I’m excited to see it for myself.
MSC Seaside is supposed to be gorgeous. Reviews of the food and service seem mixed, so I’m curious to experience it firsthand. Two cruises to look forward to—one day at a time. 🚢
12 Days Until Cruise Time! 🚢
Twelve days to go until I’m aboard Radiance of the Seas for a four-night Western Caribbean cruise! I’ll sail from Tampa, enjoy a day at sea, visit Cozumel, have another relaxing day at sea, and then head back to Tampa.
I’m already looking forward to the little things: bacon, awesome food in the Main Dining Room, decaf Americanos, Coke Zeros, and Pellegrinos.
I also put in a RoyalUp offer for both a Grand Suite and an Owner’s Suite. The RoyalUp site shows these categories at 80% off their usual rate, so I went with the lowest bid: $200 total per suite. If I win one, I’ll be very surprised—but it’s fun to dream while I count down!
A Weekend Stay at the Hilton Garden Inn in Downtown Columbia
This past weekend, I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Columbia, South Carolina, arriving Friday and leaving Sunday afternoon. I was in town for an event at the University of South Carolina’s Rice Law Building, directly across the street. I was also part of a large group of more than 100 people. The Hilton Garden Inn shares several facilities with the neighboring Home2 Suites, including the pool, lobby space, restaurant and bar, and parking.
Check-in was easy: my key was ready, and I was in my room in no time. The property is clean, bright, and modern. The front desk staff was friendly and helpful throughout my stay. The manager, whose name I didn’t catch, was especially kind and attentive.
A comfortable room, with a lighting drawback
My room was clean and well appointed. The bed was comfortable, and the HVAC system kept the temperature steady with very little fluctuation. The bathroom was spacious, too.
The room did feel quite dark, though. The switch near the door turns on a light by the entrance, but there isn’t a convenient light closer to the sleeping and living area. A little more lighting would make the room much more comfortable.
A helpful response to an accessibility issue
After checking in, I realized I hadn’t been assigned an ADA room with a roll-in shower and bench. I had a traditional shower with a door, and asked the front desk whether the hotel had a shower chair. It didn’t.
The event organizer arranged the room block, so I don’t blame the hotel for the original assignment. The manager offered to move me to a room with a roll-in shower and made sure I was comfortable with the change. She gave me new keys for the new room, along with a replacement key for my previous room, and offered to come upstairs to make sure everything worked. I told her I was fine, and the move went smoothly.
I appreciated how thoughtfully she handled the situation. At the same time, the accessible room itself could be more usable. The mounted body wash, shampoo, and conditioner were under the showerhead and out of reach from the bench, especially for someone with short arms. Towels weren’t placed near the roll-in shower, and the room was far from the elevator. The room was accessible, but these details made it feel as if the design met a minimum standard without fully considering how guests would use it.
Parking, housekeeping, and dining
Parking can be difficult when the shared lot is nearly full, though several ADA spaces are available. On Saturday night, during torrential rain, I temporarily parked close to the Hilton Garden Inn entrance. Later, the manager noticed I had moved my car to a spot much farther away and told me I could have left it closer. I appreciated the gesture—and told her I didn’t want to take advantage of her kindness.
There was no daily housekeeping during my stay. I’m not sure whether that’s standard or related to the group booking. After I spilled something on the bed, I called down for fresh linens. The “0” guest services button on the room phone didn’t work, but once I reached the front desk, the linens arrived in about 20 minutes.
I also ordered a salad from the hotel restaurant and ate it there. The salad was acceptable, though serving it in a plastic takeout box felt a little tacky.
Would I stay again?
The hotel’s location was excellent for my event; the property was clean, and I slept comfortably. The staff—especially the manager—made a strong impression with their helpfulness and kindness.
I may stay here again. I’d be glad to see the hotel improve the practical details of its ADA rooms, particularly the shower setup and placement of toiletries and towels.
33 Days to Go: Buying Peace, Quiet, and Sparkling Water
The cruise countdown now says 33 days to go.
On October 29, I’ll board Radiance of the Seas for four nights in the Western Caribbean. Between now and then, I need to finalize a few important details.
How am I getting to Tampa? Undecided.
What will I be drinking with dinner? Already planned.
Some people organize transportation first. I apparently work backward from the Pellegrino.
In a few days, I’m planning to purchase two add-ons: The Key and the Refreshment Package. For the way I like to cruise, I think both are worth the money.
I’ve reached the stage of vacation planning where I’m willing to pay for fewer things to think about. My brain has requested shore leave.
The Key comes with several benefits, including:
Priority terminal access during the designated arrival window.
Carry-on bag drop-off and delivery to the cabin.
An exclusive welcome lunch in the Main Dining Room.
Fast-lane access at select onboard activities and priority ship-to-shore departure at tender ports.
Dedicated seating at shows.
VOOM internet for one device per guest with The Key.
An exclusive à la carte breakfast and choice departure on debarkation day.
There are also select dining, sports, and spa discounts, with conditions attached. Benefits vary by ship and sailing, so I’ll check the details for mine before purchasing. Royal Caribbean’s current benefits
All very nice. But what gets my attention is sitting down for lunch on embarkation day.
I want to board, take a seat, and have someone hand me a menu. I do not want to begin my vacation balancing a plate while searching for a table like I’m scouting real estate in a highly competitive market.
“Lovely location near the windows. Unfortunately, another family has already made an offer with three backpacks and a cardigan.”
The buffet has its place. I will almost certainly visit it. But on boarding day, when everyone arrives hungry and towing their belongings, I prefer a lunch that doesn’t require evasive maneuvers.
The same goes for the sit-down breakfast on debarkation day.
Leaving the ship is disappointing enough. I don’t need to combine that disappointment with a crowded buffet, luggage, and a hunt for somewhere to put my eggs.
Let me have a calm breakfast before returning to a world where nobody makes my bed or asks whether I’d like another pastry.
The internet, priority access, and other benefits are welcome extras. My main interest is starting and ending the cruise seated comfortably, with food arriving at my table.
Apparently, my idea of VIP treatment is being allowed to chew in peace.
Then there’s the Refreshment Package, which covers drinks such as fountain soda, bottled still and sparkling water, premium coffees and teas, fresh-squeezed juices, and mocktails. Royal Caribbean’s package details
My personal beverage itinerary is already taking shape: San Pellegrino at dinner, possibly lunch, Coke Zero, and a decaf Americano at breakfast and after dinner, subject to what’s available onboard.
Yes, decaf.
I want the coffee experience without lying awake at midnight mentally reorganizing my garage.
Pellegrino makes dinner feel a little more special. It’s water with bubbles and enough confidence to arrive in a nice bottle. I respect that.
And Coke Zero remains a dependable travel companion. No complicated preferences. No disagreements over excursions. Just show up cold.
What I really like about the package is being able to order an included drink without mentally adding it to a running total. I don’t want every dinner to come with a small accounting assignment.
“Would I enjoy another sparkling water?”
That should be a question about thirst, not the opening meeting of the budget committee.
For me, the value is in both the drinks and the convenience. I’m paying ahead so I can spend less time thinking about individual beverage charges and more time staring at the ocean with absolutely nothing useful happening in my head.
Meanwhile, driving versus flying remains unresolved.
The options still involve roughly seven hours in the car or a 5 a.m. flight from Charleston that reaches Tampa via Miami. One requires highway patience. The other requires being dressed and functional at an hour when even my bad decisions are usually asleep.
I can confidently select my after-dinner coffee 33 days in advance, but choosing how to reach the ship apparently requires further deliberation.
And for anyone following the other ongoing search: no future ex-wife has been announced.
The Key offers quite a few benefits, but matchmaking does not appear to be one of them.
So that’s where things stand: two add-ons planned, beverages selected, transportation pending.
I may not know how I’m getting to Tampa, but once I’m onboard, I intend to be seated, hydrated, and very difficult to hurry.
Six Months Abroad, Six Months Stateside—and Mom’s In
With all the personal adversity lately, spending six months in Southeast Asia and six months back in the States looks more appealing every day. A change of scenery won’t solve everything, but an ocean view certainly wouldn’t hurt.
A big thank you to David Foreman for sharing information about a friend who already lives this way. He’s spent time in various parts of Southeast Asia and enjoys his life there. David is also arranging an introduction to an expat with a business that helps people navigate the entire process. The idea is starting to feel a little more real.
Then I told my mother what I was thinking—and casually added, “Let’s move you there, too. We’ll survive the 30-hour flight, get a condo overlooking the ocean, and arrange a 24-hour caretaker.”
She’s for it.
Apparently, Mom didn’t need a PowerPoint presentation. Just an ocean view and a plan.
There’s still plenty to work out, especially healthcare and dialysis, but now I have another reason to keep exploring—and possibly a travel partner.
Keep it moving forward! 🌴