Cruising the Caribbean

Travel Notes

Five Days at Sea

We sailed from Miami on a five-day cruise to The Bahamas, settling quickly into a wonderfully relaxed rhythm: buffet meals, unlimited cocktails, and tabletop games with friends. Avalon became our nightly tradition, usually carrying us well past the point when anyone should have trusted anyone else.

We spent two days at Ocean Cay, a beautiful island surrounded by transparent Caribbean blue. We swam and dove into the water with friends, laughing until we were exhausted. Heavy wind kept the paddleboards and kayaks on shore, which was our one regret?but the water was so inviting that it hardly mattered.

The sun left its own souvenirs. I got burned after our first island day, and one friend turned impressively, almost comically red. When the cruise returned to Miami, we stretched the trip a little longer with a visit to Everglades National Park, where we were lucky enough to spot two alligators and all kinds of other wildlife.

It was an unhurried trip full of simple pleasures?sea air, games, drinks, clear water, and good company. I would happily do it all again. I think I fell a little in love with the Caribbean Sea.