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 FEATURE STORY |
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Love on the High Seas
Date.com Inaugural Caribbean Singles Cruise
Celebrity Cruise Line: Century
June 7-14, 2003
When hearing about a cruise as a vacation choice, people's reactions are typically mixed. Some swear by them, and others consider it the thing you put off until you and your spouse are planning your golden anniversary. My opinion was always the latter, until, that is, I got the chance to experience a Caribbean cruise with 60 Date.com members.
It first hit me when I stepped outside of the Ft. Lauderdale airport and felt that rush of humid June air envelope me like a warm blanket. Coming from California, where we don't experience this type of humidity, it was a bit of a shock. Looking down at my jacket and socks, I realized I was in a different world. And it was only 5:30 in the morning.
That evening, I met the first 20 or so of the arriving Date.com members at a local beach hotel. Spending an enjoyable evening getting to know one another, we dined on tropical-style dinners in an open air restaurant. We were all set for an exciting vacation on the Century, one of the deluxe ships from Celebrity's fleet. This cruise was touted as an adult-only cruise, meaning that no one under the age of 18 would be allowed.
After boarding the ship, a mandatory life boat drill, and some time to freshen up, Date.com members were treated to a cocktail party, where everyone was given a 'dating survival' gift basket and a party itinerary for the week.
The ship itself was quite impressive with so many things to do onboard. The entertainment ranged from a wealth of Broadway shows, comedy shows, karaoke nights and live bands. The ship also hosts a casino for your gambling pleasure. There were gift shops, espresso bars, an art auction, and, my personal fave, a gorgeous spa at the back of the ship that featured a hydrotherapy pool, massage, facials, and full service hair salon. You could dance the night away, sip your favorites at a special martini or champagne bar. There were many theme parties to attend. From 80's night in what I dubbed the "Miami Vice" ballroom, to Island Night by the pool, where folks laughed and danced around, sipping tiki drinks from coconuts and groovin' to the sounds of the live reggae band.
You've heard the rumors that on cruise ships that the food is delicious and you can eat as much as you want, when you want, haven't you? Well, I'm here to tell you that it's all true. The delicious breakfasts and lunches were made even more enjoyable by miles of ocean views under the sun, while gentle breeze blows back your hair and you laugh with new friends.
And dinner was something else. Each evening we received a ship newsletter that informed us of the next day's and evening's activities, which included the style of dress for dinner. There were two formal nights, two semi-formal nights and three casual nights. It was quite the spectacle to see people dressed up in their gorgeous evening wear. I felt as if I had stepped back in time.
The grand dining room was exceptionally beautiful, surrounded by large windows that showed off the sunset as it sparkled on the crystal and silver. The wait staff gave consistently impeccable service serving dishes from an impressive menu. We chose from five sumptuous items; soups, salads, entrees, and desserts that were out of this world. And yes, you could sample them all. You're wise to leave your diet on the dock when going on a cruise like this.
Our first stop was Ochos Rios, Jamaica, where a bunch of us jumped on a bus for a leisurely drive through the rain forest and Fern Gully, as well as to the beautiful Coyaba River Gardens and Museum. Then we climbed the Dunn's River Falls, where the clear mountain water cascades down a natural 600 foot rock staircase into the turquoise Caribbean waters. After that, it was shopping followed by a traditional Jamaican lunch in a lovely outdoor restaurant overlooking the beaches, thanks to a tip from our tour driver.
Next up was Georgetown, Grand Cayman. Most of our members chose the snorkeling at Stingray City where they could actually swim with fascinating undersea creatures and watch them frolic with the guides. Before I forget to mention, the weather was hot!
We then docked at Cozumel, Mexico. Some Date.com members chose the 4x4 jeep caravan tour, which traveled through the center of San Miguel, along the eastern side of the island. There, they got to see the Mayan ruins of La Palma - to acquire an understanding of Mayan civilization. I opted to sink 100 feet in a submarine ride after a delicious lunch of ceviche and sangria.
Our last port was Key West, Florida, a tiny two by four mile island dotted with historic homes, sandy beaches, quaint restaurants and local pubs. Key West is famous for its tours of the home and gardens of the late Nobel Prize winning writer, Ernest Hemingway. I thought this place was beautiful and I have to say, I can't wait to visit it again.
We at Date.com wanted to make sure our members had an exceptionally enjoyable time. So we hosted a handful of cocktail parties, where we played meet & mingle games, a fabulous martini tasting party (in the Miami Vice room), a fun scavenger hunt with the help of fabulous cruise director Mike Witte, and a riotously fun karaoke night, with prizes given to those who were brave enough to belt out their favorite tunes. On the last evening of our cruise, we held a raffle and treated four lucky members to a free cruise!
The members who came on this cruise had such a good time, as so many friendships were forged and love connections sparked that there is talk of a reunion cruise next year. But if you can't wait to attend that cruise, we have few other surprises on the horizon, so keep checking our weekly newsletter for details on upcoming events! In the meantime...
Need a plan for New Years Eve? Ring in the New Year with your new and old friends from date.com. Book your vacation time, mark it in your calendar and set your stopwatch because we're going to Las Vegas! The trip that you'll always remember is set for December 30th through January 2nd. Included will be unforgettable shows, delicious dinners and wild parties. So, check back for complete details to be released soon and get ready for the biggest party of the year!
- by Brenda Ross
 Check what date.com members had to say about the cruise
View the cruise photo gallery
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