The Gratts Cruise the Caribbean Day 7: Last Sea Day then Home

We were up at 8:00 and went and had cereal on the Lido for breakfast as we weren’t hungry enough for brunch.  Ben and I decided to browse the Fun Shops since we hadn’t seen them.  I told Ben I found my Christmas present—a pink Rolex for $8,500.  I don’t think I’ll be seeing it under the tree, however.

Ben and Nick wanted to stay out of the sun and Nick wanted to pack of all things.  So that left me to my own devices and I thought about going to the spa and seeing if I could get a spa pass or maybe go lounge on the Serenity desk.  But on a whim, I went to Deck 11 to see if I could score one of the coveted cushy chairs in the shade that overlooks the pool.  And what do you know, there was one on the end with my name on it—perfect!

 

I camped out here for the day, reading and people watching.  I decided to stay there and then watch the pool games that were going to start at 1:00.  Eventually of course, I got a Twilight Zone, although this one was a little icy and not as good:

 

The boys joined me eventually and saved my chair while I went and got some pizza.  We stayed and watched the pool games and I thoroughly enjoyed my day there, but around 2:30, I was tired of loud music so we went back down to the shade on Deck 5 where we had been the day before.  It was less crowded this time and a lot quieter, maybe because it was cloudy.  I got another Twilight Zone from the casino which was much better:

 

Nick and Ben were drinking virgin drinks by this time.  They said they tasted just as good and were cheaper!

The clouds rolled in and it started to rain which chased us away from our lounge chairs.  We went to Red Frog and then to the Pixels gallery on Deck 4 to look at our one measly picture on Elegant Night where my eyes were closed.  We wandered down to the casino but someone was camped out at our WOF machine so we gave up.  We went to the room and started packing (bummer) and Ben laid down and fell asleep and I didn’t have the heart to wake him just for sunset so Nick and I went down together and saw what was probably the prettiest sunset of the whole trip:

 

Nick was skipping dinner since he didn’t want to eat heavy before our long car drive home the next morning.  So Ben and I went to the dining room alone so we could see our waiters one last time.  We tipped them each $20 and they were so grateful but they had done so much for us, we wanted to give it to them. 

 

For dinner, I had panko crusted jumbo shrimp and Ben had the bacon mac & cheese topped with chicken.  Dessert was grand mariner soufflés and it was all good and we enjoyed it.  The dining room definitely ended on a high note.

 

Back in the room, we had our lovely swan waiting for us.  We left our room steward a $20 tip also for all the great service.

We set the alarm for 6:45 am.  Since we were on Deck 1, we did self-assist, so we could leave the ship at 7:30 am.  So that is what we did and we were off the ship by 8:00 am the next morning and on our way home.

 

Goodbye Magic!

 

Overall I enjoyed cruising more than I thought I would.  I never felt claustrophobic or trapped, and I loved relaxing all day and the beautiful Caribbean weather.  Ben, Nick and I have a Royal Caribbean cruise planned for February 2016 going to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel.  We will have a balcony room on that cruise and I’m looking forward to relaxing and watching the sunset from our balcony!  Until then, Bon Voyage!