Saturday, December 11 - Departure Day - Baltimore. MD

Celebrity X Cruise Ship Mercury

Upon arriving at the Baltimore Port and seeing the Cruise Ship Mercury towering over 100 feet high and over 800 feet long, I was excited to get on and get moving.  The checkin process was smooth and getting on the ship was effortless. My curious nature had me wandering around the ship until I made my way to the top for the sail away. It was a chilly day, so I decided it was smarter to head indoors and find a latte.

Latte with my key packets

In that time, I met my favorite new Barista  at the Cova Cafe.  She took care of me the entire trip, supplying me with my daily doses of espresso, and thanks to the package I purchased, it was all included. This was a perfect time to study up on the ship decks, entertainment and other features, which were plenty.

We left at 4 pm and it was just in time to kick back and watch the sunset as we cruised down the Chesapeake Bay into the Atlantic Ocean. Little did I know during this onset of relaxation and smooth seas, that there would be rocking and rolling coming, and not from the cheesy band playing in the lounge.


When we hit the Atlantic Ocean, the waves were 5-10 feet, the ship was swaying pretty good.  I decided to take my chance and not medicate to see if I am prone to sea sickness. Luckily, I am not, but there were plenty on the ship that were. I did find the rocking of the ship made me fairly sleepy, so after time in the Dining Room, I chose to watch the Welcome Aboard show in the theater and turn in early....until more rocking in the early hours jarred me out of bed...

Sunday, December 12 - At Sea, Headed South

Apparently as we were heading south around Cape Hatteras the waves increased to 10-15 feet and 20-30 mph winds. I shot this little video out of my cabin window...

(play with hovering the mouse to the left of the box to find the play button...it doesn't appear to be centered correctly?!?)




After my first round of espressos, I headed to the morning session of Trivia game hosted by the Activities Staff.  I joined a team with a nice couple from Newport News, VA.  These two became my surrogate parents during the trip as they were seasoned cruisers and answered many of my newbie cruiser questions.  We won our game and even hung around and played a little Pictionary...the Activities Staff was fun and I became a regular at their events throughout the rest of the cruise.

The remainder of my day was spent wandering the ship and met another solo cruiser from DC.  She and I would have many thrilling conversations throughout the entire cruise, as we were like minded and seemed to be on the same mission to enjoy everything the cruise and time off work had to offer.  We spent time at the Cova Cafe (which came to be my favorite place on the ship), not only because it was the coffee bar, but because it had a good mix of people wandering through as well as it was not as rocky as higher places on the ship.

Cova Cafe

It was a formal night, so I decided it was a perfect night to test room service and watch a movie in bed. The ship was still swaying, which made it a good night of sleep....which I loved and appreciated.

Monday, December 13 - Charleston, South Carolina

By day two I already had a routine of Cova Cafe for espresso, then onto the morning Trivia Game. This was our first port day with our stop being Charleston, SC. This was a historic city going back to where the first battle of the Civil War occurred at Fort Sumter. Considering the temperature wasn't supposed to rise above 35 degrees...I bundled up and headed out.

I wandered to the Civil War Museum which was informative and had a nice view of the new bridge to the north and our ship docked to the south.

Cooper River Bridge

Charleston, SC - ship can be seen in background

Found a nice place to have lunch and then back to the ship for the afternoon Activities and anywhere that I could warm up. Catching up on sleep was still a priority, so another early night. The room was quite cozy and comfortable....

Tuesday, December 14 - At Sea, Headed South

Suggestive Ice Sculpture

Another day at sea. Another day of espressos and Trivia. Another day of rocky seas. Don't get me wrong, the rocking did not get to me, but there were surely a lot of other passengers that seem to enjoy to complain about it. Complaining about the weather seems to be one of the most pointless complaints....ever. There is no way to change it...so just adjust and adapt then move on with the vacation. I also got a slight enjoyment out of the challenge in walking a straight line and not spilling the drinks. Anyone observing me walk would swear I was drunk, even though I know that I haven't consumed it in years.The ship was decorated for the holiday season and the lobby looked very pretty. Also, they had a very talented Ice Sculpture and this one was seen at the Brunch, and I am sure it is clear what was on his mind that day.

Every day there is a "What's Happening Aboard" and I found myself looking forward to reading it. It was full of facts about the ports, ships, shows, activities, etc... There was also a printed page of News so I could keep up with the outside world, but I really enjoyed being 'unplugged' for the nine nights. No cell phone, no email...but there was CNN, FOX, BBC and other news channels, but I purposely avoided them since I preferred to not be attached to the TV and be more social.  I did bring a small xmas decoration to keep in my room that kept me company.  So, off to the Sushi Bar....yum!

Endless Sushi

It was another fun day that was spent in my (seemed to be) usual routine as described above, but this evening was a dance production that interested me, so off to the theater I went. The name of the production was "Dance Around the World" and the featured singers and dancers were quite impressive. Simon Cowell always like to try to degrade American Idol contestants by saying they could be a Cruise Ship Entertainer, well, I honestly liked the singing and dancing. The costumes were a bit of a different story since maybe the designer or budget had restraints, but a tux without sleeves (but did have cuffs) made me giggle.

Dance Around the World Production - USA section

Also impressive....their ability to dance on stage during a rocky ride.

Wednesday, December 15 - Key West, Florida

Sunrise in Key West from the 12th Deck on the Mercury

The obligatory shot with the ship Life Saver                

Me, Weird Dolphin and Magic arriving at Key West Dock

Hemingway House Registry

Hemingway's Bed.  Cats have full run of the house.

Almost in Communist Territory

Walked through Key West Cemetery,
they should have listened to him

Lunch at Blue Heaven restaurant...Crab..yum!

Cock of the Walk (sidewalk, that is)

Attempt to use 'panorama' option on camera...we had to be back on board before 230pm.
Ships have to be out early so they do not block the sunset for the Key West residents.

It was a fantastic day in Key West.  The weather was still a bit cold, but it was perfect for strolling around the island.  As you can see, I made it through a cemetery, to the southern most point, and to a favorite of the locals food spot.  I also toured the historic Hemingway house which was an interesting glimpse into a time past and see some great old personal photos and belongings of the disturbed writer.  I made it back to ship early and took a nap....best thing about a vacation....naps!  There was the usual round of activities, shows and an early night, since the next day we are headed to Nassau, the capital city of the Bahamas.  On one additional note of the day....while leaving the port...there was an escort by the Coast Guard, not sure why, but still an odd thing to see outside the stateroom window...

Thursday, December 16 - Nassau, Bahamas

We spent a gorgeous day in Nassau touring the island.  It was a 'See & See Tour' that started on a bus which took us the the highest point, then was followed by a boat tour, and finished with a submarine type boat which was a view of under the water.  The 'host' of the boat had been sampling the local rum and was quite repetitive, but entertaining.  His favorite joke, "Why are fish so smart? Because they are always in school"...we got a chuckle out of it the first time, but by the fourth time he said it, we knew he was just a bit off kilter.  A beautiful day all in all, seeing the island and its' natives.

Cannons at Fort Fincastle

Fort Fincastle

Hand carved 'Queens Stairs'

Atlantis Hotel on Paradise Island

Bahama version of our White House...it is a Pink House..with statue of Christopher Columbus

The Submarine Boat

Smart School of Fish

Yellow Fish

Lots of Yellow Fish

Lion Fish - one of the most venomous fish in the sea

'Seasoned Sea Man' - working for the drink

Stone aka Puffer Fish - they can blow up 10x their size

Leaving the Island - Straw Market (yellow building) and Capitol Residence-Pink House (on hill)

Friday, December 17 - Coco Cay Island, Bahamas

Coco Cay Village - a few shops and BBQ area

Coco Cay is a privately owned island by the Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.
There were lots of activities to do; Wave Runners, sailing, snorkeling, and lounging.
I chose lounging.  This was the view from my chase lounge and I swam in the water until my fingers were pruney.

Sitting on the lounge, covered up so I did not get too much sun.
Didn't want to get sunburnt...well, I did get a little, but loved the warmth!

I will use this image to
remind me of the great
day I had in Coco Cay.
Especially during the cold winter!

We took tenders into Coco Cay and this was the view as we came back to set sail.

Saturday, December 18 - At Sea, Headed North

Started the first day of the trek back to the cold north with the usual activities of espresso and trivia.  I also enjoyed some fruity drinks, room service and an evening show called "A Touch of Broadway" where they performed numbers from The Producers, Nine, Hairspray, Mama Mia, Jersey Boys and Rock of Ages.  It was very entertaining....I actually went to both of the performances.

Fruity drink (non-alcoholic)

Spent time relaxing in the room

Room Service.  It was ordered through the interactive TV,
and by a slip up I got a chicken sandwich, and a NY strip steak,
it was all good I am on vacation...right?

Sunset from my stateroom, windows streaked from the spray from high seas.

Sunday, December 19 - At Sea, Headed North

Ah...the last full day at sea.  I chose to get breakfast in the main restaurant and enjoyed Eggs Benedict and some fresh fruit.  The trivia games were coming to an end and I was surprised to see I had earned 5th place on the overall Activities Participation points and won a nice package of prizes.  Overall it was a 5 star trip.  I got to see new places, eat scrumptious foods, and meet some great people.  I got to take naps and sleep as needed.  It was also interesting to learn about the life on a cruise ship from some of the staff who came from all over the world.

My Activities Prize Package. Travel mugs, luggage tag,
pillow, t-shirt, keycard laniard and a bronze medal.

On the last day of the cruise, there as a 'Mercury's Got Talent' show performed by some of the crew and then the Captain came out with about 100 of the crew and thanked us all for sailing with them.  Although, I would like to thank him for getting us through the rough seas and not ending up on any news telecasts.

Captain and Crew Final Thank You

Monday, December 20 - Debark Baltimore

The last morning....it all moved so quickly!  As I got off the ship it was a bit sad because for the previous 9 days we had a small floating community and it was all ending.  Only a few hours after we leave, another 1800+ people would be getting on and starting their new adventure on a 14 day trip to the Eastern Bahamas.  For a first cruise, this was a complete pleasure.   Although it was sad the trip was over, i was looking forward to picking up Zoey and spending a week with her at home.  Now that I have warmed the house and got re-aquainted with my bed....it still feels as though the house is rocking.  I am told this will go on for a few days, but for now it is a small reminder of the feeling I had for 9 days.