After declaring a bacon intervention earlier this morning, I figured I'd write about today's food encounters. If you missed the earlier post, scroll back a few entries to find out why I decided I needed to slow down with the bacon.

Today was my last full day aboard Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas, and I managed to squeeze in some relaxation, a couple of excellent meals, an accidental public nap, and the not-so-glamorous business of packing up.

Deck 5: Ocean Waves and a Little Afternoon Therapy

I spent some time on Deck 5, stretched out on a chaise lounge, watching the waves go by.

There's something incredibly relaxing about being that close to the ocean. You hear the waves, feel the ship move, and let the gentle rocking of Radiance of the Seas do its thing.

I was being rocked like a newborn.

It was peaceful, relaxing, and exactly what I needed.

Eventually, though, it was time for lunch.

Lunch: The Bacon May Be Gone, But the Shrimp Has Arrived

Lunch was awesome!

My selections included:

Mozzarella sticks
Coconut shrimp
Shrimp risotto
Spaghetti Bolognese
Coke Zero

That's a pretty respectable lunch lineup.

I managed to resist dessert. Not because I didn't want any, but because there simply wasn't any room left.

Apparently, the bacon intervention doesn't necessarily mean a complete intervention from all the other food options aboard the ship.

The Nap That Wasn't Supposed to Happen

After lunch, I returned to Deck 5 and reclaimed my same chaise lounge.

I figured I'd relax a little longer, listen to the ocean, and enjoy the afternoon.

Well, I passed out.

And I mean REALLY passed out.

I actually heard myself snoring!

At some point, I woke up and discovered that I'd been drooling.

That's when I decided this wasn't just a little rest. I needed an actual nap.

I made my way back to the stateroom, found the towel animal waiting for me, and crawled into bed.

Apparently, the combination of good food, ocean air, and the ship's gentle rocking had done its job.

Packing: The End-of-Cruise Reality Check

Before I knew it, it was 5:45 PM, and dinner was about an hour away.

Time to shower and start getting organized.

The luggage pickup was scheduled for around 10 PM, when the bags would be collected and transported to the cruise terminal.

After my shower, I started packing.

I had about 15 pounds of clothes I never wore, along with the clothes I did wear and now needed to wash.

I put everything into two separate vacuum travel bags, compressed them, and stuffed them into my suitcase.

Then there was the tequila I purchased in Cozumel, along with the other gifts for Airica.

And, of course, I had picked up a Royal Caribbean hoodie pullover for myself.

At this point, my suitcase was becoming a little overweight.

I'm not sure whether I packed for a four-night cruise or relocated my entire wardrobe.

Dinner: One Last Food Adventure

Down to dinner!

The final dinner aboard Radiance of the Seas was another winner.

Here's what I had:

French onion soup
Coconut shrimp
Pork bao tacos
Jerk pork chops with plantain, red beans and rice, and a dumpling

I started with the soup and appetizers before moving on to the main course.

The jerk pork chops were delicious, but I couldn't finish them. I was simply too full. I didn't even touch the rice.

And, once again, no dessert.

I washed everything down with a Pellegrino and a Coconut Lime Refresher, which contains zero alcohol.

For someone who started the day talking about a bacon intervention, I certainly didn't take it easy on the rest of the menu!

The 8:30 PM Gift Shop Drawing

After dinner, I headed to the gift shop for the 8:30 PM drawing.

The event was presented as an opportunity to show appreciation to customers, which sounds nice.

However, it also turned out to be another way to encourage people who had already purchased merchandise to buy even more.

I passed.

I didn't win the drawing either, so that was that.

I made my way back to the stateroom, started removing things from the cabin safe, and settled in to write this blog.

Tomorrow: Homeward Bound!

Tomorrow morning, it's time to leave the ship.

My flight out of Tampa International Airport (TPA) is scheduled for around 12:30 PM.

As a Key member, breakfast begins at 7:45 AM, with a nice, calm sit-down breakfast before disembarkation.

That's one of the things I appreciate about The Key. Having a little breathing room in the morning instead of fighting the crowds for breakfast is a nice way to wrap up the cruise.

Then it's off to TPA.

Hopefully, the flight goes smoothly, everything works as it should, and there are no engine fuel leaks.

Yes, I'm going to be paying attention to that one!

One Last Look Back

This cruise has been quite an experience.

I've had unexpected conversations with strangers about my prosthetic, encounters with a prosthetics professional and a military veteran, Halloween festivities, towel animals, Cozumel shopping adventures, and plenty of food.

I've also had some opportunities to relax, enjoy the ocean, and appreciate the people who make the cruise experience what it is.

And, apparently, I've eaten enough to require a formal intervention.

The bacon and I may need some time apart, but I'm sure we'll reconnect eventually.

For now, it's time to pack up, get some sleep, and head home.

Thanks for following along with my Radiance of the Seas adventure. There's still more to come!

Stay tuned!

Bacon Intervention, Food Comas, and Packing Up: My Last Full Day on Radiance of the Seas