The people you meet along the way

1/17/26

Cruises are filled with a disproportionately higher share of outgoing, chatty people.  I’m one.  I admit it. Perhaps that’s why I enjoy a cruise.  I meet a lot of people who can genuinely hold up their end of a conversation, which means I don’t feel so compelled to fill the void.  It’s hard to believe but I’m a better listener on a cruise.  I love people’s stories, well, most of them anyway.  Cruisers' willingness to share more than just the where they live and what they do or did for a living is refreshing.

I met 2 people today who left an impression as we bounced from the fitness center to breakfast to the Lotus pool.  At breakfast, we sat next to a woman wearing an N95 mask.  She was gazing out the window before she started her breakfast.  I suspect we may have broken her train of thought when we asked if we could join her.  BTW, when the buffet is crowded, it’s perfectly acceptable to share tables.  There’s a communal element to a cruise….it’s a closed system of sorts. But I digress. 

She removed her mask so she could begin her breakfast, or so I thought, when she apologized, as if wearing the mask was somehow rude.  She explained that prior to the cruise, she was given a terminal diagnosis, and she needed some time away to sort out her plan.  She said the doctors were telling her one thing and her kids were telling her another.  But she was determined this was her decision.  She impulsively booked the cruise to give her some time away from all the noise.  After telling her we were sorry about her circumstance, we praised her decision that it was, in fact, her decision. 

It got me thinking that end-of-life everything is so difficult for humans.  It’s baffling to me that something so inevitable for everyone is so difficult to discuss.  We’ve had very open and honest discussions with our children about our end-of-life wishes so when that time comes, there’s no angst.  For me, it’s easy because I’ve always believed we aren’t guaranteed tomorrow.  When my quality of life is below a certain level, I want the right and the privilege to go on my terms.  

Then I met Jimmy on our way to the pool.  Jimmy was too young to be on a scooter, but he was heavy set with big scars on both knees that told his story, or so I thought.  Jimmy’s had quite the life traveling America in a motor home and then a 5^th wheel for the last 20 years.  He went to his wife one day and said he’d love to sell everything and see the world.  Calmly and supportively, his wife asked, “Are you sure?” and after he said yes, she said “Let’s do it”.  My chin nearly hit the floor.  He assured me that was how it happened.  Wow!  Suddenly the shoe was on the other foot and I was thinking “I could never do THAT”.  Of course I didn’t say that.  How awesome though on many levels.  Even if I could do it, my lovely wife would help me revisit the timing of my suddenly very imminent end-of-life wishes.  Enough said.

There were other meetings, elevator chats and the like, but those two had me mulling or day-dreaming the “what if’s” of life the remainder of the day.

We had a sea day between Huatulco and Puerto Vallarta, which was needed.  Both are very walkable cities with lots to see and do.  But knowing I wouldn’t be power walking a Mexican Riviera beach community today, I spent my first hour of the day back on the treadmill but this time with 2 @ 5lb dumbbells to layer in some upper body exercise as well.  I enjoyed it and felt I’d made my fitness time even more effective.  All while listening to the 6^th rule in Jordan Peterson’s 12 Rules for Life.

On my way to get a drink of water, I was passing through the Spa where they were offering an unadvertised special.  You could select 3 of 5 ($79 and 45 min) or all 5 ($99 and 75 min) of the following:

·       Head and neck massage

·       Hand and arm massage

·       Foot and leg massage

·       Facial

·       Anti-aging eye treatment.

Even on land, that’s a great deal.   On a cruise, that's unheard of as it’s normally $229.  I checked the Princess app for my wife’s location (more on that amazing feature in a later blog) and she was close by doing her laps on deck 15.  After confirming with her, I booked it for 2pm.  This was shaping up to be a GREAT sea day.

I headed up to the Pickleball court for an hour, another great time had by all the “picklers”.  Then breakfast, which was a healthy bowl of fresh fruit, yogurt and granola.  Just as I’m finishing, they announced a special BRUNCH in the MDR (main dining room) starting at 10.  Well, it was already 10, so I had to contemplate my options, one of which was no longer to skip lunch. You see, when they offer something special, it’s usually….well….special.  It really is.  One might say they go overboard, but as this is a cruise blog, I won’t say that.  But they really do a nice job on these “surprises”.   

These brunches were “a thing” pre-covid but apparently weren’t resumed post covid.  I suspect they might be “testing the waters”, so hopefully we’ll have 1 per segment if a sea day and a weekend day coincide. We went to the brunch at noon and I’m sorry I couldn’t take pictures.  It was too crowded to get a good view of everything, but suffice it to say, it did not disappoint.  Multiple stations, which I love.  They had:

·       a carving station with prime rib and salmon. 

·       A breakfast station with classic quiche Lorraine and eggs. 

·       A savory station with lasagna and chicken in a cream sauce. 

·       A pasta station with homemade arrabiata sauce (the chef did not spare the garlic)

·       A bread and roll station (fancy stuff, not wonder bread)

·       And a HUGE dessert station with at least 15 cakes and other sweets all ceremoniously arranged.

In the latter station, I tried a Filipino dessert that was one of the best things I’ve ever eaten.  It was both savory and sweet.  It was a buttery yeast roll with cream cheese icing and orange zest….no wait, it was actually cheddar cheese I later found out.  I googled it and found this, which I’m documenting so I don’t forget.

Ensaymada is a much-loved, irresistible sticky and sweet Filipino bread dish of sticky buns covered in buttercream and topped with cheddar cheese. A favorite Filipino snack paired with milk or Filipino coffee. This year-round fluffy bread is enjoyed as a breakfast treat or an afternoon snack. You can find it everywhere from humble bakeshops, malls and even high-end hotels. Ensaymada is a sort of cheesy, buttery brioche roll and is easy to prepare.

So, suffice it to say, Brunch was a hit.  I rolled myself back to our stateroom to get ready for our couple’s massage, which was outstanding.  I had requested we be in the same room figuring we’d be in lounge-type chairs, chatting away while the masseuses worked their magic, but it was much more immersive and serene.  Soft Asian Zen-like music played in this cocoon-like treatment room with 2 bed-like tables, pillows and all.  We got comfortable in our respective beds, under a sheet for privacy.  The masseuses entered, lowered the lights, put a weighted eye mask on me and then began with the left foot and leg and then……I woke up 75 minutes later.  I was aware of what was happening but was in such a zen-like state, it was awesome.  Sherri had the same experience.  We’ll definitely do that again if they offer it.

By now it’s 3:30 and the day has FLOWN by and it was practically time for dinner, which makes it sound like we just go from meal to meal to meal.  Today that may have been true but it’s not normally that way.  Dinner was pleasant as we sat with folks we had been seated with several times before and so the conversations flow well past the where-do-you-live questions.  We skipped the 7pm show and headed to the Universe lounge early for the 8pm Princess version of the Newlywed game.  It’s always a hit.

And then, as evenings tend to do, it came to an end and we headed back to the stateroom to recollect the day and prepare for much needed slumber.  It was the perfect day of food, fun, entertainment, relaxation and conversation.  This is why we love cruising so much.