One Last Night at Sea: Waves, Darkness, and a Little Bit of Spooky
I really enjoy certain things about cruising, and one of my favorites is sitting out on the balcony at night, watching and listening to the waves as they pass by.
There's something about being out there in the darkness, with nothing but the sound of the ocean and the occasional movement of the ship. It's peaceful, relaxing, and, depending on how you look at it, just a little spooky.
And that's exactly what makes it awesome.
Since this was the last night of my cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas, I decided to take advantage of the opportunity. I grabbed some time on the balcony, sat back, and watched the ocean roll by.
Unfortunately, Mother Nature didn't quite cooperate with the evening's entertainment. The sky was cloudy, so no moon shone down on the water and no stars were out to admire. That was a bummer. A moonlit ocean would have made the experience even better.
But even without the moon and stars, something about being out there felt special. The darkness, the sound of the waves, and the feeling of being surrounded by the ocean are hard to replicate anywhere else.
It's one of those moments when you don't need an excursion, a show, a fancy dinner, or even a towel animal waiting in your stateroom. You just need a balcony, a little quiet, and the ocean.
The cruise was coming to an end, and tomorrow would mean packing up, heading to the airport, and returning to everyday life. So I was happy to spend a little time enjoying one last night at sea.
I may not have gotten the moon and stars, but I got the waves.
And sometimes, that's more than enough.
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!
Delta Airlines Wants My Travel Opinion? Apparently, I'm Worth Up to $100! 😂
My inbox has another opportunity for me today.
This time, I'm apparently being invited to share my travel experiences with Delta Airlines in exchange for a chance to receive offers worth up to $100.
Well, isn't that generous?
The email arrived with the subject line:
“Valued Feedback Opportunity: Travel Offers Included”
The sender identifies itself as Delta Rewards Survey Info, but the actual email address is:
Wait a minute.
Delta Airlines... and Home Savers Card?
Something doesn't quite add up.
The Offer: Tell Us About Your Travel and Get Up to $100
The email features the Delta logo and a message inviting me to share my thoughts about my travel experiences.
It says completing a short questionnaire will help the company better understand my needs.
And here's the reward:
Participants are eligible for a selection of offers, including values up to $100.
There's a big red link encouraging me to:
Proceed to Survey
The message is short, polished enough to look like a promotion, and uses a familiar airline brand.
But the sender's actual email domain doesn't appear to have any connection to Delta.
That's my first red flag.
Delta? Home Savers Card? Who Is Actually Sending This?
Here's what we have.
Display name: Delta Rewards Survey Info
Actual sender: service@homesaverscard.com
Subject: Valued Feedback Opportunity: Travel Offers Included
Offer: A survey about travel experiences
Potential reward: Offers valued up to $100
Call to action: Proceed to Survey
The email uses Delta's branding, but the sender address raises a very reasonable question: who is actually behind this message?
I can't identify the sender or the survey link's destination from the screenshot alone. I also can't confirm whether the advertised reward exists.
But I certainly wouldn't click the link to find out.
If Delta wants my feedback, I'll go directly to Delta's official website or app and check for a legitimate survey or promotion.
I don't need an unrelated-looking email domain as a middleman.
Scammers, You Need to Do Better!
Here's something I've been thinking about as I keep documenting these messages.
Some of these scammers are making it far too easy to recognize that something is wrong.
If the goal is to convince people that a message is legitimate, why are there so many obvious inconsistencies?
Delta Airlines using a Home Savers Card email address?
A free Medicare Kit from a random Gmail account?
A USPS Cart offered through an unrelated survey domain?
A recruiter promising a six-figure opportunity without identifying the actual job?
Come on!
At some point, the lack of effort becomes the biggest warning sign.
I'm not suggesting criminals need coaching or that I want to help them succeed. Quite the opposite. I'm pointing out how frequently these messages fall apart under even a little scrutiny.
Think About the Movies: The Criminals Who Actually Planned
I recently mentioned movies like Ocean's Eleven, The Italian Job, and The Town when discussing a suspicious recruiting message.
Those fictional capers involved planning, preparation, coordination, and attention to detail.
The characters didn't just show up, announce what they were doing, and expect everything to work out.
And that brings me to a broader observation.
Criminals who attempt bank robberies, pass counterfeit checks, or use stolen identities to purchase expensive items can get caught because they make mistakes, overlook details, underestimate the people investigating them, or leave evidence behind.
Being involved in a crime doesn't make someone clever. And getting away with something temporarily doesn't mean someone has a good plan.
The same general principle applies to these suspicious emails: the more obvious the inconsistencies, the easier it is for recipients to recognize the warning signs.
The real objective here isn’t to help scammers improve. It's to help potential victims recognize the nonsense before they lose money or personal information.
The Problem With These Messages
A familiar brand name can make people let their guard down.
When someone sees Delta, MyChart, USPS, PayPal, or another recognizable organization, they assume the message deserves attention.
Then comes the offer:
Complete a survey.
Claim a reward.
Receive a free gift.
Confirm an account.
Resolve an unexpected charge.
The next step often involves clicking a link or providing information.
That's where I want people to slow down.
A logo is not proof of legitimacy. A familiar company name is not proof of legitimacy. A professional-looking email is not proof of legitimacy.
And an offer worth up to $100 doesn't mean you're actually receiving $100.
What I'm Doing With This One
I'm not clicking the survey link.
I'm not providing personal information.
I'm not giving the sender access to my travel preferences, accounts, or payment information.
If I want to participate in a Delta survey, I'll verify it through Delta's official channels.
And if the offer can't be independently verified, it can stay right where it belongs: in my suspicious-email collection.
The Bottom Line: Don't Make It Easy for Them to Fool You
I know these emails can be convincing to people unfamiliar with phishing tactics. That's why I keep sharing examples.
Not everyone has the time or experience to examine an email address, inspect a link, or recognize when a familiar brand is being used in a questionable message.
That's also why these messages deserve attention.
I don't want people to lose money because they thought they were claiming a travel reward, receiving a medical benefit, or responding to a legitimate company.
As for the supposed Delta offer, I'll pass.
My travel feedback isn't worth handing over my personal information to an unverified sender.
Have you received a similar survey or reward offer using a familiar company logo? Send me a screenshot at niel@nielflamm.com. Please remove personal and financial information first.
I'll keep collecting these examples and sharing the warning signs.
And to the people sending these messages: if your email falls apart the moment someone looks at the sender address, perhaps it's time to rethink your business model.
Actually, no. Better yet, find something legitimate to do.
I'll keep watching. And I'll keep sharing.
Halloween on Radiance of the Seas: Costumes, Thriller, and a Centrum Gone Wild!
Halloween aboard Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas was quite the production!
If you thought a smaller cruise ship meant a smaller Halloween celebration, think again. The Centrum, the ship's central gathering area, was an absolute madhouse.
Radiance of the Seas may have fewer passengers than some of Royal Caribbean's larger ships, but it certainly doesn't skimp on Halloween entertainment.
And yesterday, I got to experience it firsthand.
The Costumes Were Already Out!
Earlier in the day, while I was blogging and enjoying the activities around the Windjammer, I started seeing some incredible costumes.
Most of the early sightings were the kiddos, and there were some fantastic creations. You could tell people had put some thought and effort into getting dressed up for Halloween.
After spending some time watching the costumes and taking everything in, I headed back to my stateroom for a bit before getting ready for dinner.
Little did I know what was waiting outside the Main Dining Room.
The Insane Asylum Outside the Dining Room
At about 6:45 PM, I headed down to dinner.
Just outside the Main Dining Room was what could only be described as an insane asylum.
People everywhere, showing off their costumes, checking out everyone else's outfits, and generally having a great time.
The costumes were impressive. People were creative, funny, and clearly enjoying themselves.
During dinner, Halloween participants continued coming and going. I'd see someone walk by in a particularly ridiculous costume and find myself laughing.
I have to give these people credit.
Unlike me, they weren't self-conscious about wearing something completely funky. And by funky, I mean funny!
They were out there having a good time, and I was enjoying watching every minute of it.
9 PM: The Centrum Takes Over
Around 9 PM, the Halloween festivities officially began.
Now came the challenge: finding somewhere to actually see what was happening.
The Centrum was packed.
I initially considered the fourth floor, but there was absolutely no way I was going to get a decent view from there. It was wall-to-wall people.
I decided to try the fifth floor.
I took the elevator up, and while there was a little more room, I couldn't find a suitable spot near a banister where I could comfortably watch the festivities.
So, back to the elevator.
This time, I headed to the sixth floor.
Success!
I finally found a spot where I could watch the costume parade without fighting through the crowd.
As someone with a prosthetic leg, finding a comfortable place to stand and watch isn't always as simple as it might be for everyone else. I was happy to find a spot where I could settle in and enjoy the show.
The Costume Parade
The costume parade was underway, and I got to see even more creations that I hadn't spotted earlier in the evening.
Some costumes were genuinely creative, and the participants' enthusiasm was contagious.
After the parade, they awarded prizes to some of the participants.
Then came the evening's musical highlight.
Michael Jackson's Thriller!
Next up was the much-anticipated "Flash Mob" performance to Michael Jackson's Thriller.
Now, technically, it wasn't much of a flash mob.
Why?
Because we were all expecting it!
A flash mob is generally supposed to be unexpected, with people suddenly breaking into a choreographed performance. When everyone is standing around waiting for it to happen, the surprise element is somewhat diminished.
But I'm not going to take anything away from the performers.
They did a fantastic job!
The choreography, the energy, and the overall presentation made it a lot of fun to watch. And let's face it, Thriller is practically mandatory listening during Halloween.
The Balloon Drop!
After the performance came the balloon drop.
I don't remember whether Freedom of the Seas had a balloon drop when I sailed on her. If it did, I don't remember it being quite like this.
One thing that makes Radiance of the Seas different is the size and layout of the Centrum.
Freedom of the Seas has a much larger main lobby area, with considerably more room. Radiance has a more compact central gathering space.
That makes a difference.
With everyone packed into the Centrum, there were fewer places for the balloons to fall and spread out. It was a much more concentrated experience.
Between the costumes, music, cheering, and dropping balloons, it was a fitting way to wrap up Halloween night.
Halloween 2027? I'm Already Thinking About It!
All in all, it was a really fun Halloween experience.
Radiance of the Seas may be one of Royal Caribbean's smaller ships, but the crew and passengers certainly made Halloween feel like a major production.
I enjoyed watching the costumes, seeing the creativity, laughing at the outfits, and experiencing the parade, Thriller performance, and balloon drop.
And now, naturally, I'm already thinking about Halloween 2027.
Perhaps I'll bring Airica along so she can experience the insanity firsthand.
I wonder what costume we could come up with?
One thing is certain: if this year's Halloween celebration is any indication, next year could be even more entertaining.
Happy Halloween from aboard the Radiance of the Seas!
The Bacon Intervention: When the Bathroom Mirror Tells You to Slow Down
Today, I had to make a difficult decision.
I had to calm down with the bacon.
If you've been following my cruise adventures aboard Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas, you already know that bacon and I have developed a pretty serious relationship. Breakfast has become less about ordering a meal and more about determining just how much bacon can reasonably fit on a plate.
But apparently, there is a limit.
The Bathroom Mirror Doesn't Lie
After my shower, I got up to brush my teeth.
Now, some people brush their teeth before showering. Others do it afterward. I'm firmly in the after-shower camp. We can debate the merits of both approaches another time.
So there I was, standing in the tiny cruise ship bathroom, using my Oral-B spinning toothbrush, when I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror.
And what did I see?
Someone who looked at least six months pregnant. Maybe seven.
I stopped for a moment and thought:
"Niel, we gotta slow down."
Apparently, all those bacon breakfasts were starting to show up in places I wasn't expecting.
The Difficult Breakfast Decision
I made a difficult decision.
No Mount Everest-sized plate of bacon today.
Instead, I opted for a fruit plate and a strawberry parfait.
To drink, I had cranberry juice, decaf coffee, and a few sips of water.
Look at me, making responsible decisions!
Was it easy? Absolutely not.
Was there bacon somewhere on the ship calling my name? I'm sure of it.
But sometimes you have to recognize when it's time to change, even if that change means temporarily distancing yourself from one of life's greatest breakfast pleasures.
January 2027 Is Coming!
Another cruise is coming up in January 2027, and I have to think about the bigger picture.
I can't spend every cruise treating the breakfast buffet like an all-you-can-eat bacon championship.
There's still plenty of cruising ahead, and I'd like to enjoy it without having to negotiate with my bathroom mirror every morning.
So, for now, I'm going to exercise a little restraint.
The bacon and I aren't breaking up. We're just taking a little time apart.
Until the next breakfast buffet, bacon. Until the next breakfast buffet.