Rock Cruise

A rock band we like booked a portion of that Carnival cruise that goes 4 days, with a one-day stop in Cozumel. Couldn't have cared less about Cozumel (although the submarine ride along the barrier reef was terrific), but there were only about 150 people at the concerts. The band also brought in some spectacular guitar players from elsewhere (one who had played with the Flying Burritos and the Grateful Dead). Besides nightly concerts there were workshops and round table discussions during the day. We also had access to all the food and entertainment that the other cruise guests enjoyed.

Entrees at dinner for me over the 4 evenings:
filet mignon, lobster and shrimp, mahi mahi with a light white sauce and finely cut, almost shredded raw veggies (surprisingly delicious), and mixed seafood (fish, shrimp, calimari--the last very light and tender and tasty). Engineer chose chilled fruit soups (strawberry and mango) on two evenings as his appetizer. He said that they were very tasty, but it felt to him as if he were eating melted ice cream with a spoon. The salads were the stars at lunch, especially chilled ratatouille and one consisting mainly of shredded beets and turnips. Breakfasts were more mundane, which was fine. There was the abundance of food for which cruises are famous, but part of that abundance were many choices for those of us who tried to eat as healthily as possible. It one overindulged it was because it was a conscious choice, and not because there weren't healthy options.

One couple at our table celebrated a 30-something anniversary on our last evening. They met when she was hitchhiking and he picked her up, all those years ago. As a surprise, he ordered a special cake, mostly chocolate, and fantastically delicious. There were two candles, and a patch of white on top, on which where written the following words: "Hey, Lady! Do you need a ride?" The other two couples at our table were also excellent company. We were most fortunate.