Cozumel, Bacon, Tequila, and a Little Shopping Adventure: Day 4 on Radiance of the Seas
Today was a port day in Cozumel, Mexico, and it turned into quite the adventure. There was bacon, a little walking, some bargaining, a tequila shopping mission, a secret purchase for Airica, and a return to the ship that involved surrendering a rather impressive amount of alcohol.
But I'm getting ahead of myself.
Breakfast: Did I Mention Bacon?
I was up early today. Couldn't sleep, so I was out of bed around 6:15 AM.
For breakfast, I asked for the usual.
Bacon. And more bacon.
For a moment, I thought the bacon would win. I may have underestimated just how much I love bacon. Sorry, piggies!
Along with my bacon mountain, I had pancakes, decaf coffee, cranberry juice, and a strawberry granola parfait.
Did I mention I got a lot of bacon?
With breakfast out of the way, it was time to get off the ship and explore Cozumel.
Getting Off the Ship: Not Exactly an Easy Exit
I headed down to Deck 2 to disembark.
The gangway presented a bit of a challenge. The angles were fairly steep, and there wasn't much to hold onto as I made my way up or down.
As an above-the-knee amputee, these little things matter. What might be a routine walk for another passenger can require a little more planning and concentration for me.
I also felt like I was holding up the people behind me who were eager to get off the ship and enjoy their port day.
Eventually, I made it down, presented my SeaPass card to register that I had left the ship, and started the very long walk through the customary maze of the tourist port shopping area.
You know the one.
T-shirts, shot glasses, souvenirs, jewelry, and enough tourist merchandise to outfit an entire island.
I had a mission, though.
Mission #1: Authentic Mexican Tequila
I wanted to bring back some tequila for the folks taking care of Mom.
I wasn't looking for a huge quantity, just something authentic. My requirements were pretty straightforward:
100% agave tequila.
No sugar added.
Approximately 375 ml bottles.
I walked into one of the shops and explained to the owner/manager how many bottles I wanted.
He started at $30 and eventually came down to $25.
I passed.
I'd done some research beforehand and had a pretty good idea where I wanted to go. I wasn't interested in paying tourist-port prices just because I happened to be standing in a tourist-port shopping area.
So, onward!
The Long Walk to Mercado Soriana
Before I could make it out of the shopping maze unscathed, I had to navigate the rest of the port.
There were pedicabs available, but I declined. I figured I could use the exercise to work off some of that breakfast bacon.
After approximately 45 minutes of walking, I decided enough was enough and asked for a taxi.
The first vehicle offered was a 10-passenger van. Not a particularly large one, but one of those smaller Central/South American-style vans.
I passed.
It was just me, and I didn't want to take up an entire vehicle when another passenger might need it.
The next taxi was a small sedan with a manual transmission. Perfect. We were off!
Destination: Mercado Soriana.
When I arrived, I had a little trouble finding the entrance. I used some of the Spanish I'd picked up while working in Gourmet Delis and eventually found my way inside.
I had to check my backpack before entering. Apparently, they take theft prevention seriously.
Once inside, I got down to business.
I found what I was looking for and purchased enough tequila to supply a pretty substantial party. The kind of party where everyone attending might be nursing a headache the following morning.
The funny part?
I don't even drink.
But that's not the point. This was a shopping mission for other people, and I was determined to finish it.
Mission #2: A Little Something for Airica
With the tequila mission accomplished, I had another stop to make.
I needed to visit the other Cozumel cruise port..
I negotiated the fare with the taxi driver, reached an agreement, and off we went.
This time, the destination was a Pandora store.
Since Radiance of the Seas wasn't docked there, I had to check in as a guest. I presented my SeaPass card, was allowed through, and started what felt like another 30-minute walk to the store.
Eventually, I made it.
I went inside, bought Airica, and headed back out.
She knows I stopped at Pandora, but she doesn't know exactly what I bought.
I'll leave a little mystery for now.
The Return Trip: As Close to the Ship as Possible
After finishing up at Pandora, I made my way back to the taxi stand.
There were a few speed bumps along the way, but nothing particularly unusual.
The driver asked where I wanted to be dropped off.
My response?
"As close to the ship as possible."
I was dropped off near the crew entrance/exit, which was super convenient because it was right by the pedicabs.
I asked one of the pedicab operators how much the ride would cost.
"Tips only."
Awesome!
I probably should have taken one of these on the way out instead of walking for 45 minutes while working off breakfast.
Lesson learned.
Customs, Security, and a Lot of Tequila
I made my way back to the passenger entrance, checked in with my SeaPass card, and placed my bags on the X-ray machine.
Because of my prosthetic, I went through a slightly different screening process.
Meanwhile, my backpack, which was now considerably heavier thanks to all that tequila, went through the machine.
The security crew asked whether I had alcohol.
I said yes.
They confiscated it.
Now, before anyone gets concerned, I'm familiar with this from previous cruises. Royal Caribbean doesn't allow passengers to bring purchased alcohol directly back to their staterooms. They hold it and arrange delivery toward the end of the cruise.
So, I checked it in for delivery tomorrow.
One of the crew members looked at the collection and commented:
"That's a lot of tequila."
My response?
"Yeah, I know, and I don't even drink."
They laughed.
I thought it was a pretty appropriate ending to the shopping adventure.
Back to the Stateroom
I finally made it to the elevator, headed upstairs, and returned to my stateroom.
First order of business: check in with Airica and let her know I wasn't sitting in a Mexican prison somewhere.
Then it was time for a shower.
After all that walking, negotiating, shopping, and navigating, I felt really good.
I'd accomplished both shopping missions, managed the challenges of getting around Cozumel with my prosthetic, and made it back to the ship with everything I intended to purchase.
Not a bad port day!
What's Next? Halloween at Sea!
Tonight is Halloween aboard the Radiance of the Seas.
I'm back on the ship, cleaned up, and ready to see what Royal Caribbean has planned for Spooky Day.
Plenty has been happening on this cruise, and apparently the adventures aren't slowing down.
Stay tuned!
Radiance of the Seas: Day 1 – A Little Chaos, Some Great Food, and Sailing Under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge!
Well, I made it!
After the morning's adventures at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, including the American Airlines maintenance delay, I eventually made it to Tampa and boarded Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas.
Not exactly the smooth start I had envisioned, but hey, I'm on vacation now!
Apparently, the day wasn't quite done testing me.
Getting to the Ship: The Adventures Continued
Let's just say the ride from the airport to the cruise terminal wasn't exactly confidence-inspiring.
My Uber driver drove a 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid. From my perspective, he didn't seem particularly comfortable driving it. I wasn't thrilled, but I eventually made it to the terminal.
Then there were the missing sunglasses.
A pair of Oakleys that I really like. Gone. I have no idea where they disappeared, and I was already annoyed.
Then came the moment when I thought I had lost my cell phone.
Cue the minor freak-out.
Thankfully, it was safely tucked away in my backpack. Crisis averted!
Eventually, I made it onto the ship. Later than I wanted, but that's okay. Timing isn't always up to me, and I'm learning that I'm not in control of everything.
Sometimes you just have to roll with it.
The Key: A Pretty Nice Way to Start a Cruise
Once onboard, I took advantage of the special lunch associated with Royal Caribbean's The Key program.
My selections included:
Caesar salad
Shrimp cocktail with three absolutely enormous shrimp
Sweet and sour tofu
That tofu was awesome!
I finally sat down, ate, and started to feel like I was actually on vacation.
Muster Drill: Thank You, Modern Technology!
One thing I really appreciate about cruising these days is the muster drill.
If you've cruised before, you probably remember the old routine.
Everyone had to report to their assigned muster station, stand around in tight quarters, wait for everyone to show up, listen to the captain's instructions, and eventually get dismissed.
And there's always that ONE passenger who doesn't seem to understand that showing up is mandatory.
Thankfully, things have changed.
With the newer process, you can review the safety information and check in at your assigned station without the old-fashioned mass gathering.
Much quicker. Much easier.
On the way to my muster station, I also passed some Halloween decorations around the ship. Since today is October 29, the timing is perfect!
My Cabin, Missing Oakleys, and a Nap
After completing muster, I headed to my cabin.
Naturally, the first order of business was another search for my missing sunglasses.
I dug through the backpack, hoping those Oakleys had magically reappeared.
Nope.
Still missing.
I waited for my luggage, unpacked, met my room steward, and finally got to do something I'd been looking forward to all day.
Take a nap.
There is something wonderful about finally getting into the cabin, putting my belongings away, and knowing I don't have to drive anywhere, catch another flight, or navigate an airport.
I'm on a ship. Someone else gets me somewhere.
I like this arrangement.
The Sunshine Skyway Bridge: A First for Me!
The captain announced we'd pass under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge at approximately 6 p.m.
He mentioned we'd have about six feet (two meters) of clearance.
Well, that got my attention!
I set an alarm for 6 p.m., got up, cleared my head, and headed outside.
What a sight!
I've driven across bridges plenty of times, but watching a cruise ship pass underneath one is an entirely different experience.
I'd never done that before, and I'm glad I made the effort to get outside and see it.
It's one of those little travel experiences that I didn’t necessarily plan for but end up remembering.
Definitely a highlight of the day.
Dinner: Let the Vacation Eating Begin!
By around 7 p.m., it was time for dinner.
And if there's one thing I intend to do on this cruise, it's enjoy the food.
Tonight's dinner lineup:
Roasted tomato soup
Crab cakes
Caesar salad
Chicken saag
Pellegrino sparkling water
And because dinner isn't complete without dessert:
Boston cream pie
Decaf coffee
A pretty good way to wrap up the evening!
Between the Key lunch and dinner, I've made a respectable start on my cruise dining adventures.
And there's still plenty of bacon to come.
Tomorrow: A Day at Sea!
Tomorrow is a sea day.
No airports. No Uber drivers. No luggage drama. No rushing to get somewhere.
Just the ocean, the ship, and whatever adventures I manage to find.
The main dining room starts serving brunch at 8:30 a.m. Will I make it? Who knows!
I'm officially on cruising time now.
Maybe I'll get up early. Maybe I'll sleep in. Maybe I'll wander around the ship, find some entertainment, eat something I probably don't need, and do a little people watching.
That's the beauty of cruising.
I don't have to plan every minute.
Today had its share of frustrations, but I made it aboard, enjoyed some great food, saw something I'd never seen before, and am finally settling in.
Tomorrow is another day, and I have absolutely no idea what I'll do with it.
Check back tomorrow to find out what I didn't do!
Parking Like You're Riding a Harley? This Ford Escape Missed the Mark!
Sometimes I wonder if driver's education needs a refresher course in parking.
I was staying at a Fairfield Inn about 15 minutes from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT). I'll save the details of my hotel experience for another blog post, but this little adventure happened when I got up and headed out to my car.
And then I saw this beauty of a parking job.
A black Ford Escape was parked diagonally across the parking-space line, its front end intruding into the neighboring space. A handicap symbol is even painted on the pavement nearby, making the whole scene a little more interesting.
Now, I noticed the Harley-Davidson placard on the front bumper. So naturally, my imagination started working overtime.
Maybe the driver thought they were parking their HOG and figured the passenger side was the center of the motorcycle? Perhaps they were still mentally cruising down the highway and forgot they were driving a four-wheeled vehicle.
Okay, I know. That explanation makes absolutely no sense. Neither does this parking job!
Come on, people! The lines are there for a reason. They're not decorative suggestions, and parking spaces aren't a game of automotive Twister.
As someone who lives with a disability, I pay attention to how people use parking spaces. A little consideration goes a long way, especially when accessible parking and enough room to get in and out of a vehicle matter.
I'm not suggesting every parking mistake deserves a public investigation. We've all had moments when we needed to straighten up. But there's a difference between being a little off-center and leaving your vehicle straddling a line like it owns the place.
The takeaway? Take five seconds, check your parking, and straighten the car before walking away. Your fellow drivers will thank you.
And to the driver of this Ford Escape: I hope you enjoyed your stay. Next time, let's leave the Harley-Davidson parking technique for the motorcycle!
Parking Between the Lines: A Radical Concept?
I headed to the Regal Palmetto Grande to catch a movie and, before I even made it to the theater, I got today's "parking performance review."
As I was looking for a spot, I came across this previous-generation Toyota RAV4. It wasn't just a little crooked. It was parked right across the access aisle next to a handicap space.
Now, because I'm a right above-knee amputee with a prosthetic leg and I rely on handicap parking when I need it, I pay attention to these things. Before I get out of my own vehicle, I almost always take a second look to make sure I'm centered between the lines. It takes maybe five extra seconds.
Those painted blue and striped areas aren't decoration. They're there so people using wheelchairs, walkers, prosthetics, or other mobility devices have the room they need to safely get in and out of their vehicles.
Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I still think staying between the lines is a pretty good idea.
What's next? Maybe I'll start stopping at red lights too.
Sometimes the smallest acts of courtesy make the biggest difference for someone else.
Thank You for Reading My Internet Garbage
There are moments when I stop and look at the analytics for NielFlamm.com, and I honestly have to laugh a little. When I started this little hobby, I figured the only people visiting would be a handful of friends, family members, and maybe someone who clicked the wrong link.
Instead, something unexpected has happened.
I've started seeing steady movement in the site's traffic, especially through the RSS feed, and visitors are coming from places I never imagined. A huge percentage of readers and viewers are coming from Asia, with China and Vietnam leading the way. The United States continues to be a strong audience, and across Europe, Germany has become the largest source of visitors.
I have no idea what resonates with everyone. Maybe it's the movie reviews, the health journey, the recovery stories, the Nextdoor commentary, the random observations about life, or just the collection of what I affectionately call Internet Garbage.
Whatever the reason, I'm incredibly grateful.
Over the last 30 days, the site has received more than 800 unique visitors, over 1,000 page views, and more than 800 visits overall. I'm still learning what all these analytics mean, but every number represents a real person who took time out of their day to stop by my little corner of the internet.
That's pretty amazing to me.
If you've read a post, watched a video, or listened to a podcast episode, thank you. Your support means more than you probably realize.
I'd also love to hear from you. Tell me what you enjoy, what you'd like to see more of, or what I could do better. This website is a hobby, but like any hobby, I want to keep improving and evolving.
And if you enjoy the content, please share it with someone else. Don't gatekeep the Internet Garbage—spread it around!
Thanks again for stopping by, and I look forward to bringing you even more Internet Garbage in the weeks and months ahead.
See you on the website!
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