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