There are always the most interesting people on a cruise. This vacation style is inviting to a variety of walks of life. RC seems to have drawn an even wider cast of characters compared to Princess. Here are some of the colorful characters we have met during our journey:
1. The Cruise Pros: while we have often met people who have cruised before, we had the pleasure of sharing the van ride from the hotel with a couple of truly versed cruisers. A married couple from somewhere on the east coast, they cruise at least 2 times per year, always on RC and took their maiden voyage over 14 years ago. She was a surprisingly youthful 50 year old with red/blonde hair who gave out great tips while he was a 40 something African American with fewer words but still useful. We followed them through the terminal, reasoning that they must know what they were doing. We have seen them a few times since and they always have a smile on their faces.
2. The Speedy Spaniards: we encountered these speed racers on our wave runner adventure. He was a late 50’s clad in nothing more than indecently small black European speedos and a white do-rag on his bald head. She was your typical 50+ Spanish woman, mostly classy but with a little edge (including her own sporty red do-rag). Either they did not understand or chose to ignore the instructor’s consistent pleas to stop and slow down because they routinely came cruising into the group at a not so safe speed. They rammed the instructor at least 3 times. Always charming, they smiles and apologized and finally got the hang of driving the ski by the last leg.
3. The Woman Who Wrote Checks Her Body Could Not Cash: this lady was something else. She was already at the desk for the wave runners when Steve and I arrived to sign up. She is a healthy, short black woman with enough attitude to make Nell Carter take notice. He was more quiet, gentle and clearly not interested in the wave runners but doing it because she wanted to. She had been engaged in an argument with the man behind the desk, who had initially told her the 11:05 trip was booked and was working to get her on the noon trip. When a very helpful young Slevinya stepped up to offer us a spot on the 11:05, WWWCHBCNC made a stink about wanting on that. After Slevinya booked them and us, WWWCHBCNC informed those still listening that SHE would be driving and that she could not wait to ride. She also went on a diatribe about how incredibly bad the service of the other gentleman had been.
When we arrived for the safety orientation, WWWCHBNC was talking again about how fast she was going to go. She wanted to be #4 in the line up but somehow ended up with #5 (while we were granted #4).
We started by sitting on the skis and having some of the dock workers push us out, then idling out to meet the instructor. Even getting WWWCHBNC off the dock was a challenge but they eventually made it. However, once we started the trek it was instantly apparent that this lady was ALLLLLL talk. She could not keep up with our wake and actually got bumped to nearly last in the food chain (being surpassed by the timid mother/daughter team from Norway who ended up loving the adrenaline rush). We saw little of WWWCHBNC for most of the trip as she was nearly last and looked petrified most of the time.
The funniest part was when we had to park the skis by pointing the nose up with the slanted dock “trough” and then hitting the throttle to move it up. This reminded me a lot of driving snowmobiles into the truck but much, much easier. Anyway, every ski made it up into the trough on the first try with the exception of WWWCHBNC who was on her 3rd attempt as we finally walked away.
The Moral of her story: do not make statements about your ability until you actually try the activity!
5. Conveniently Confused Chair Napper: lounge chairs are a premium on the ship, especially on days at sea. Some people arrive early in the morning just to grab the prime lounge spot. We had arrived later in the day and went searching for some lounge chairs when we spotted a couple who was leaving. We asked if they wouldn’t mind if we snagged their chairs and they happily agreed. As we made our way to the lounges, however, a Spanish woman put her towel on the lounge. Steve explained to her that we were taking those spots, at which point she conveniently did not understand English any longer. Steve argued with her for a minute and we were about to give it up when 2 chairs nearby became available. These new chairs were in a better spot so she spontaneously began speaking English to convince us to switch with her. Very funny interaction.
6.Allen the Amazing Bartender: Allen is the main bartender in the Champagne Bar. We met him on the first day of the cruise and became frequent customers of his. This bar has not only premium champagne but also a lot of scotches and bourbons that Steve has enjoyed trying (Basil Hayden, Knob Hill, Johnny Walker Blue and Green, and some others I can’t remember). Allen is from India and even though he is only a few years our senior, has this wisdom about him. He is of the old British Indian school and grew up in the Indian countryside. He is obviously a well-traveled man and has been working on cruise ships for 6+ years. He is a very funny (dry humor) and intelligent man and we have truly enjoyed sharing time with him each night before dinner. Allen gave us great advice on the trip, including some pointers about getting around in Jamaica. Ladies – Allen is single and available so if you are interested, let me know……
7. Tony and Audrey: our Irish newlyweds who have become great pals at dinner. They are so funny, witty and in many ways a lot like us. We have truly enjoyed bantering with them at dinner. Tony is the epitome of an Irish man and has the driest sense of humor. He had us crying from laughing so hard during a discussion of whether or not their room was on the port or starboard side of the ship. He is an actor with a day job working for Amazon. Great fellow and head over heals in love with his new bride. Aubrey is a highly intelligent and engaging woman who makes the best conversation. She is as competitive as I am and we have managed to share other similar likes (including shoes and the necessity of having several pairs, shopping, murder mysteries and the passion of reading, Soduko, trivia, working in a men-dominated field, and the willingness to participate in silly cruise boat game shows). Both Stephen and I have had so much fun at dinner mainly because of these two wonderful people.
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