Anyone who tells you getting up at 5am to catch a flight isn’t that bad is a liar and not to be trusted. However, when your final destination is a cruise ship sailing on the winds of Bud Light to a tropical paradise, that 5am wake up call is almost welcomed.
I arrived at JFK airport groggy and half awake, ready for the TSA full body scanners that big brother had laid upon America. As I sat at my gate waiting for my flight’s boarding, I scanned the area, curious who else might be a future shipmate of mine on Bud Light’s Port Paradise III. I was ready to leave behind the cold December weather and couldn’t get down to Florida fast enough.
After my plane touched down in Orlando I synced up with Rick Lee, Heavy’s video guru, we grabbed our luggage and found a charter bus full of two dozen or so happy passengers ready to hit the high seas. It was evident the Bud Light people had created an atmosphere of fun from the get-go. As we boarded the bus a cooler of ice cold beer (or water) was a welcome sight sitting right up front. Oh yea, this was FREE beer – always a plus.
Everyone on the bus was in high spirits. And why shouldn’t they be, they and 7,000 other lucky people had won a free party cruise destined for clear waters and sandy beaches. Leading into the terminal, I spotted our ship, a great white behemoth docked in the Florida waters beckoning for us to come aboard. Upon boarding the ship, my first priority was checking into my cabin, followed by hitting up one of those legendary buffets cruise ships are known for.
Opening the door to my cabin, I wasn’t really sure what to expect – maybe one of those small nautical windows or perhaps no window at all. Not the case, my friends – we’re talking king size bed, couch, flat screen, balcony and a welcome bag with free swag courtesy of Bud Light. Score!
Next, the buffet. There’s something you need to know about cruise ships before you go on one – they can be dangerous. Not because of flip flop wearing pirates or floating icebergs, but the food. There’s lots of it… all the time. All you can eat buffets are an American way of life and on a cruise it’s an all you can eat buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner. And sometimes they even try to slip one in at midnight, so pacing yourself is crucial unless you want a small child to mistaken you for a buoy during that afternoon swim.
I strolled the ship’s upper deck as the sun dipped down past the Florida horizon and we pulled out of port. Our ship, The Freedom of the Seas is a massive sight from a distance and the scope of its size isn’t lost once on board either. Several restaurants, bars, a casino, theater, probably a dozen pools and hot tubs and sports deck complete with basketball court, miniature golf and rock climbing wall. It’s a floating resort, mall and nightclub all in one and truly a marvel of ship building.
Night settled in and people made their way from the store and restaurant lined promenade up to the ship’s deck for the White Party. Attendees were encouraged to wear white, but of course it wasn’t necessary, a party attitude was all you needed to bring. People mingled and talked getting to know each other over complimentary beer as the DJ kept the music and energy constant. Nearly every hot tub on the deck was full by 9:30 and a blast was had by all. As I took in my surroundings and chatted with other guests, I thought about what the next two days had in store for us… then asked the bar tender for another beer.
