Now I'm Cruisin'!

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. I have had a lot of catching up to do, for example, reacclimating myself back into the world in general. I am FINALLY caught up after being railroaded with a) a back injury due to a nasty go-cart accident which we are not ready to laugh about yet, and, b) skin cancer surgery that 3 weeks later I am finally feeling a bit better from. I have looked like this quite a lot for the month of August and some of September. And Gracie, who acquired Kennel Cough during my whole health drama, looked like this as well:

The Invalids

So, my first excursion out of the house a few weeks after my surgery was a CRUISE! Unfortunately and sadly the ship did not leave the dock, but I still got to board and pretend I was Rose in Titanic, except without the big hat and the Louis Vuitton Steamer Trunks. My Mom (who likes to remain anonymous, so again we shall call her Mo) got invited to a charity luncheon on board the 'Eurodam' and invited yours truly. Our adventures include finding nasty notes and illegal drug paraphernalia, pics at the jump:

Attempting to board. Notice the plethora of umbrellas. It was pouring cat and dogs and made for an unpleasant experience. Mo got her hands on a ship map and immediately hones in on a place called 'The Silk Den'. It is at this point, long prior to boarding that she starts her obsession with finding it.

Finally through security and safely onboard. A purple boobie shaped light fixture greeted us in the Grand Atrium. Mo asks where the Silk Den is.

Our first left turn out of the Grand Atrium leads us into the Art Gallery. Since every piece in the Gallery was dreadful, I offered Mo a challenge called, Select One or Die.

Mo contemplates the selection and wonders if death might be a better option. That's how bad this art was.

She finally selects a sailing motif pastel with cracked glass. It is a fine choice.

I select a sailing motif pastel as well. And we both shall live......

Mo, thinking "Gaudy art be DAMNED!" And then, "Let's go find the Silk Den!"

One of the decks. Mo taught me how to spit off of the railing here, like Jack taught Rose in Titanic. Mo abruptly ended our lesson by continuing on her obsessive journey to the Silk Den.

Mo peering over the balcony in the Theater. Probably looking for the Silk Den. I wonder so what is stoking her imagination?

Theater seat big enough for one and a half. I find this to be a thoughtful design feature to accommodate the huskier theater attendee.

Stop being so bossy.

A looooonggg corridor where the state rooms are.

A note to the guests in StateRoom 7014, from a 'neighbor'. It reads:

"To our neighbors in 7014,

We would greatly appreciate it if you could keep your noise level down after 10:30 pm. If the noise was not you, please accept our apology. Thank you."

Mo and I squealed with delight upon finding this note.

Mo being nosey and peeping into a Stateroom.

A pool. But alas the inclimate weather does not allow us to partake in a dip of any kind. Plus we didn't bring our suits.

A private cabana at the outdoor pool. It is costly, but comes with champagne, chocolate covered strawberries and a cabana bitch.

Two more of the outdoor cabanas. Mo wonders if these are better than being in the Silk Den.

The indoor pool, with retractable roof. Also some hottubs and lots of steamer loungers.

The indoor cabanas.

A row of cabanas at the indoor pool area.

A bar at the pool. Am LOVING those bar stools.

Can you find the familiar word in this photo?

ALAS!!! The SILK DEN!

Mo silently celebrates her arrival at the Silk Den by quietly investigating every corner, nook and cranny. I wonder what she is looking for.

A private little curtained-off section available for use in the Silk Den. The yellow and black warning tape on the stairs is necessary, however takes away from the magic of it all.

Mo wastes no time lounging and falling into some sort of Silk Den fantasy. I question the appropriateness of photographing her, but do anyway.

And of course I have to one-up her by dramatically laying on the Silk Den purple crushed velvet chaise and feigning a faint.

Another view of the Silk Den. It looks rather innocent, no?

Wait a minute.........

Opium Pipes! I am shocked. Mo is thrilled. It just adds to the sexiness of it all for her.

Well at that point, finding the Silk Den was like summitting Everest, so we disembarked and discussed the possibility of booking a cruise on the Eurodam. We both agreed that we would and since the ship travels all over the place the opportunities really are endless. All in all we had a fabulous afternoon!