Cruisin' The Caribbean With Tim: Departing and Cocoa Beach

Sunday, October 2nd

Disembarkation

and

Cocoa Beach

We got into Port Canavarel before sunrise, and I went out onto our balcony and got this shot of the Disney ship that had just come in.

All week I'd meant to take a picture of the carpet in the elevator.  On my first RC cruise in '09, the idea struck me as silly, but then I realized there is something to be said for reminding people on vacation exactly which day of the week it is.  The carpet insert changed daily, and was the first thing you saw when you entered the elevator.

The night before we had put our suitcases out in the hallway, and all we had to do on this last morning was pack away any last minute items in our carryons, eat breakfast, and go to our assigned waiting areas.  Our group was called to disembark at about 9:30, and by 10:00 we had retrieved our luggage and were outside waiting for a cab to take us to the Doubletree hotel in Cocoa Beach.

Pretty nice hotel, maybe a little close to needing some renovation, but clean, and best of all, right on the beach.  Our driver informed us that it was one of only two hotels there with direct beach access.

Nice room.

Some pretty comprehensive free products in the bathroom.

A small balcony with an ocean view.

An astronaut-related display in the lobby.  Pat had hoped to meet one, but alas, they are all long gone.

A small but quiet and relaxing pool area.

And a beautiful, uncrowded beach to walk on.

That night we were treated to this beautiful sight from our balcony.

And the next morning, this wonderful sunrise.

I'm so glad we decided to stay one extra day after the cruise.  Aside from being very relaxing, and loving the Cocoa Beach atmosphere, it kept us from the huge crowds that usually are at the airport any day that ships come into port.  We got through security in minutes, our flight was on time and uneventful, and I was home before I knew it, already missing my artsy friends and Tim and Mario and having someone else prepare and serve my meals, not to mention a balcony with an ocean view.  Sigh......