Chapter 19

We left early to drive to our house and catch a private jet to our cruise’s sailing point. Karen and I had splurged on this vacation with no limits on luxury. We had a two-bedroom suite with a balcony! It wasn’t cheap but we would be gone for over a week. We would see all the Caribbean with a number of interesting stops. Mister and Missus Mason knew that it was a cruise and that it would be nice. It started with the chartered jet whisking us off to south Florida and a limo ride to the ship. We were welcomed aboard without waiting in line and shown to our suite. [Author’s Note—This is made up. I wanted to tell a story. The itinerary doesn’t match any cruise line nor are the rooms to be found. I have taken a few cruises and some experiences that the characters have will be from my own experience though highly fictionalized. Don’t look for correct details. It’s a modern day fairy tale!]

Karen and I assumed we would be treated well but this was a bit more than we could have assumed. Karen’s parents were almost in shock. A very attractive woman in her early thirties entered our suite after knocking. She said, “I am Annette. I will be available to see to your every desire while on this cruise. It is my job and the jobs of my associates to make sure you are all happy and totally satisfied with your experience.” She looked at Karen’s parents and added, “You must be Mister and Missus Mason and,” looking at Karen and me, “you must be Mister and Missus Gillis.” We all nodded weakly. “I also note that all four of you are celebrating anniversaries.” We nodded again.

There was a knock and Annette said, “Enter.” Two younger people entered, a man and a woman. Annette said, “Ah, Trevor and Sheila are your cabin stewards. They will see to your luggage when it arrives. Let’s be seated. I will need to take your passports and check you in.” The four of us sat down after pulling our passports and handing them to her. She said, “I will be back shortly. Trevor and Sheila will see to your desires while I’m gone.” She smiled and left.

Trevor said, “May I prepare drinks for any of you??”

Mister Mason said, “Please, I think I need one. I would like a rusty nail preferably with Teacher’s.” Trevor nodded and smiled.

Missus Mason said, “I would like one of those coconut drinks with the parasol?” She had a question in her voice.

Trevor said, “It’s a pina colada. I will be glad to fix one for you.”

Karen said, “I would like one also.”

“And you, Sir.”

I think I will join my father in-law with a rusty nail.”

“Excellent. I will prepare them all now.”

He did. The pina coladas were first and Sheila brought them to Missus Mason and Karen. She said in a cultured, low voice with an English accent, “I think you will enjoy these. They are quite refreshing.” Karen and her mother whispered their thanks.

Trevor brought our drinks over serving Mister Mason and then me. His voice had a distinct island lilt to it. I sipped mine and it was excellent. Karen was happy with hers.

Karen said, “Please sit with us. My parents and we are not comfortable sitting while others stand.” They looked at each other and moved to chairs. Sheila said, “We are not really supposed to but it’s permissible though we’re on duty to help you in any way.”

Karen said, “Where are you from? We’re just small town Georgians.”

Sheila said, “I’m English, born and raised in London.”

Trevor said, “I’m from Georgetown in the Cayman Islands. There wasn’t much opportunity there. This is my third voyage as a Senior Cabin Steward. That means that I only have one cabin assigned. Annette has a staff of four including the two of us to look after your every desire.”

I said, “You keep mentioning our desires and not our wants or needs?”

He smiled, “Sir, your wants and needs will always be satisfied on this voyage. We try to go beyond that to your desires. The staff of this suite is charged with helping you in any way to find this voyage absolutely and completely delightful. When the ships makes port at Grand Cayman, I will be your personal guide and show you my island.” He said it with pride. Mister Mason and I smiled at that.

Sheila said, “I will be your guide at Ruatan. I live there now and enjoy the water. I am a licensed SCUBA instructor and will be glad to teach you and take you for a dive as well as for snorkeling.

“Annette is an expert on pre-Columbian history and will be your guide for Tulum when we dock day after tomorrow at Cozumel. Benjamin is Jamaican and will be your guide at Ochos Rios. Isabella will be your guide at Aruba. We are all knowledgeable about every port and, of course, the ship.”

Trevor said, “Annette said both of you are celebrating anniversaries?”

Mister Mason said, “It will be our thirty-first but it will be Karen and Brad’s first! Helen and I want their celebration to be extra special. They have been spreading joy and love to all since they met and, while we’re their guests on this trip, it is their anniversary that needs to be celebrated.”

Sheila said, “It will be our privilege. They are a wonderful looking couple.”

There was a knock on the door. Both Sheila and Trevor rose. Trevor went to the door. Our luggage had arrived. Karen and Missus Mason stood and quickly chose bedrooms. They then directed where the bags should be placed. Sheila said, “Now, sit down please. I will unpack your bags with Trevor’s help.” She grinned at my wife and her mother. “You will find it difficult to do anything for yourselves on this voyage other than have a good time.” Karen and her mother resumed their seats with us. They did unpack us.

Annette returned with our passports. “You are now checked in.” She gave us our passports and golden cards with our names on them. “These cards are all you need on board ship. There is little that you can buy since all your food and drinks are included in this package. It’s also your identification for that and for entrance when needed. Any payments you make are with them also. When we leave the boat at ports, I will offer advice about what to carry and what you might expect on shore. There is a private balcony for your use. It’s also a good place to watch the sea as we voyage. Above us one level, is the pool deck for these suites. It takes a gold card to enter it.” She smiled. “The persons staffing it will care for you. They will even apply tanning lotion and will definitely supply it including the brand you like to use. I am available at any time you have a question or care.” Trevor and Sheila returned to the main room.

It was quiet. Trevor asked, “Does anyone’s drink need refreshing?”

I said, “I would like a lemonade. I’m not much of a drinker.” Karen nodded.

Trevor said, “What are your soft drink preferences? We will stock the refrigerator here with them as well as the bar upstairs.”

“I like lemonade.”

Karen said, “Me, too.”

Missus Mason said, “I like Diet Coke. Don usually drinks regular Coke. I expect that we can get non-alcoholic fruit drinks on board?”

Trevor said, “Yes, Ma’am. The lemonade will be freshly made rather than bottled or canned. However, it will be ready up top. Here, we will make it for you on order and keep a pitcher in the refrigerator for when we aren’t available to pour for you.”

Karen looked startled. “Will you be tucking us at night?”

Trevor grinned. “We can but I would think your husband would prefer to do that for you.”