
When you have family in the Virgin Islands, vacations to a tropical location can start to look the same. No complaints, but I do like to see different parts of the world whenever possible.
Luckily, one summer my parents decided to take the family on a cruise. I don’t remember having any say in the destination. I don’t remember having a strong opinion either.

Bon Voyage, Baby
It was our first (and so far only) ocean liner adventure. After flying to Miami, we set sail for Key West, Florida and then on to Cozumel, Mexico before heading back to the States. There was one day completely on the ship, and if you’ve ever been on a cruise, you know there’s plenty to do without ever stepping foot off the boat.
Since this trip took place before everything was documented on Social Media, I don’t remember all of the details. Thankfully, I made a scrapbook. It includes the daily reports we’d get detailing the activities for the day, available tours, and shopping recommendations. The rest of my album is filled with pictures of the animal-shaped towels housekeeping would leave on the bed, a few local postcards, and photos of family members looking like we didn’t want to be in another photo. But from what I can remember, fun was had by all.

Playing Tourist
In Key West, we did the touristy things, like hike to the Southernmost Point of the Continental USA. Since I was a teen at the time, I may have blocked out the exhaustion from this long walk. But the pictures seem to confirm it was not an easy stroll. We also stopped at some popular sites like Sloppy Joe’s Bar and shopping on Duval Street.
Once we got to Cozumel, I do remember having to walk passed the long stretch of vendors selling their wares on the dock. We also took a catamaran to a private beach for a BBQ and some snorkeling. This may have been the first time I used an underwater camera. The fact I had to add colorful stickers to the photos goes to show either the camera quality or the scenery didn’t live up to expectations.

Making up Lost Time
Certain trip memories have a way of evolving over time. Like one particular instance at a Hard Rock Cafe in Cozumel. The receipt is documented in the scrapbook, so I know we went. But there’s a recollection of dancing on the bar at this establishment, fully sober (I wasn’t even old enough to drink in a foreign country). There’s no pictures of this, so some may say it never happened. But it lives on in my memory.
Another part of cruising as a young adult was that there were opportunities to mingle with other minors. There are a few snaps of some friends I seem to have made on the boat, but the one thing that sticks out in my mind did not make it to the scrapbook.
Younger Siblings May Relate
Traveling with an older sister meant I wanted to do whatever she was doing. We’re not that far apart in age, but we are on the opposite personality spectrum. She’s outgoing—always was. I started to come out of my shell after college. But I knew I didn’t want to spend my entire time on board with my parents. It took becoming a full-on adult to realize hanging with my parents is actually kinda cool.
So meeting other cruisers around my age was a blessing and a panic attack waiting to happen. Especially when some of these acquaintances were attractive males. My sister didn’t seem to have the panic problem. In fact, she attracted these young fellas like a kid to a midnight sundae bar. Most of my sister’s friends back home were guys, which already sparked some jealousy. So seeing her run off with cute boys and leave me to play Win a Cruise bingo wasn’t exactly thrilling.

Note to Self
If I could talk to that shy, but bar-hopping, girl back then, I’d suggest she take in more of the sights and sounds of her surroundings. Look past the pimply boys. See the palm trees, vibrant markets, and take some time to breathe in the sea air.
Yeah, I know it’s easier said than done when words sometimes go right over a kid’s head, but it’s what I wish I did back then. And while I always worried that I was too introverted, I also apparently danced on a bar fueled only by a carbonated sugar rush, so that’s gotta say something. Sometimes it’s also better to be shy than to run off on a ship with a stranger when you’re underage. But this may just be my adult conscious talking.
It’s boyfriendless memories like this that stick out in a teenage brain. Forget the freedom of a parental-paid trip to paradise on a floating playground with round-the-clock, all-you-can-eat options. No, I remember not talking to guys and maybe, probably, dancing on a bar in Mexico. I’m not sure this is what parents hope making memories is all about, but I’m sure it’s still a reality when traveling with teens.
Safe travels.
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