A Family Cruise - My Fathers Last Cruise
by Cleveland
(Brentwood)
Our family cruise begins after rescheduling a year later due to a family emergency involving my father.
After being diagnosed with cancer he was promptly scheduled for surgery in efforts to remove cancer from his throat before it had a chance to spread. This left my "pop" digesting liquid foods through a feeding tube planted in his throat, and no longer able to swallow solids food. Obviously, at this time the vacation furthermost thing from our minds, and was postponed. We didn't take out travel insurance for the cruise, and we weren't certain of getting our money back.
Royal Caribbean Steps Up
Royal Caribbean nicely offered to refund the majority of our cruise payments after my Father's diagnosis. My father however, decided otherwise.
We tried to persuade him to reconsider and cancel the trip. However; when my father makes a decision we normally fall in line. The surgery may have changed his method of eating, but his will and determination were even stronger than before. So... we agreed to go on the trip a year later. That year went by very fast.
The night before our Family Cruise
So on the day before the cruise, the family got together dropping off suit cases at my parent's house. Unfortunately my sister could not go this time, however she was there to wish us a great time. My brother, My Aunt, and I dropped off our luggage, and with each passing moment anticipation for this trip grew stronger. We spent that night at my parents. To me this was a special trip given all that we as a family had endured with my father throughout that year.
Cruise Day
As the morning ushered its way in, we waited patiently for the shuttle that was scheduled to pick us up and transport us along with our luggage to the BWI airport. There I am seeking to assist my father when I see him up early in the morning sitting in his favorite recliner smiling at me as I video taped him. Then a horn is heard from the Super Shuttle van outside. We all loaded up and hopped in the van ready for the trip. As it is still dark outside at some 6AM in the morning, I'm shocked at the number of vehicles on the road getting ready to cause a traffic jam. Luckily our driver was able to take an alternate route on the advice of my father.
The Flight and Bus Ride
We arrive at the airport 2 hours ahead of schedule. After checking in our bags we find ourselves trying to keep up with my father's pace as he strolls his way to the designated airport terminal. My thought at this time was he's determined not to let anything or anyone stand in his way of having a great time. That's my "pop".
Now, our cruise is a Hawaiian cruise in which we must travel by flight then board a bus in Seattle that takes us across the border into Vancouver, Canada where we'll board the Royal Caribbean ship "Adventure of the Seas".
Now the flight was great and but the 4 hour bus ride was not so cool. Especially since we boarded the bus in Seattle in the damp cold rain. Yes, we did get wet but we all laughed with other riders as the bus pumped out heat drying everyone off.
The Ship
After the 4 hour bus ride, signs are seen directing the bus driver to the harbor. In the distance is what appears to be an average cruise liner but becoming larger and larger the closer we got to it. My mother wept upon seeing the towering cruise ship docked. My very thought was how could a ship of this enormous size stay afloat.
Now, mind you, this is my third cruise. I've seen huge ships from Norwegian and Royal Caribbean before. But this ship was huge. The biggest I've ever seen. I was thinking I'm going to get lost on this ship. To describe my father's face would be priceless. At that moment, I believe I felt what he continuously preached to his children about living everyday as if it was your last. If this was his last, he was going to enjoy it to the very last breath.
The bus was then emptied and all luggage was then move to a holding place. The great thing about cruises is that at this moment you won't have to lug anymore luggage until you get to your cabin on the ship. They deliver it to your cabin's door.
Processing
So we all entered in the processing stations for those boarding the ship. Though we entered the processing stations together we all did not get processed together. For those who don't know, this is where you hand over your boarding passes, passport information, obtain your cruise identification card, sort of like when you check in to a hotel. And even though we are early for being processed to board the ship, there are a number of people ahead of us. But my parents get preferential treatment. Not because of my father's situation or my parents age...nah, they are platinum members. Platinum members get to go ahead of the crowd and board first. So my parent's wave and smile as they are escorted to an area for express check-in. Once again, to describe my father's face would be priceless. Smugly they waited for us and we all boarded together.
The Cruise
There we are my parents, my aunt Rose, and my brother and I standing on the side of the ship marking another exciting family moment as the ship prepares to leave the docks on route for a 13 day Hawaiian cruise. We spent the first of four days at sea and the rest of the cruise touring 5 Hawaiian Islands with an overnight stay in Maui.
From the time the ship left Vancouver we spent the first four days at sea. For me, my time at sea was well spent video taping all parts of the ship, family moments in the pool, and crazy fun-filled events setup by our cruise director. I think I have a future at this video taping but my brother thinks otherwise. In between the vast amounts of food and drinks served throughout the day and exploration of the ship's activities I still do not believe I covered all parts of the ship.
The ship is just huge and there's always something to do. And just for the record, "POP" and I played a few games of checkers while at sea, and though he's very good at playing, I think we ended in a tie. He and my mother state otherwise. When I confronted him about my winnings he'd humorously grin and say "Set um up if you want play". Now that I think about it, with the rolling seas, rushing winds, and awesome oceanic scenery I may have been distracted a few times which may have resulted in me losing a couple of games. May have I say...
Everyone on the ship was awesome. Now I did miss not dining together with my parents on this cruise because the food was great. They had served oysters, lobsters, and clams on one night and this has always been his favorite. "POP" always fed in his cabin with the assistance of ether mom or me. But then after feeding we'd hang out on deck, or catch a Broadway-like show after dinner.
I thank GOD for moments caught on video or by camera of our times together. The photos taken on formal dress nights were priceless. Even today I get giddy and philosophical thinking of how handsome my father looked. Though he was recouping from surgical cancer you'd never know it from the videos and photos. Though he loved the Broadway type shows, I sort of loved the shows on ICE and occasional cognacs in the Jazz clubs frequented at nights.
Can you believe it!. They had an ice show on the ship. I remember one evening we had to rush back from an Hawaiian excursion just to catch an early ice show before dining. I thought "POP" would have been tired but the parents came knocking on my cabin asking me am I ready. Ok, I wasn't...so I ended up joining them later. Video cameras are not allowed so all I can say about the shows is "WOW".
Some Day...
Some day I'll be taking this family cruise again with my wife and daughter. I wasn't married then but I am now. And if the Lord blesses us to be able take a trip like this I hope that I'll get to know the feeling my father felt spending this last cruise with his family.
My father passed away 2 years later but he got to live out his dream and share it with his family.
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