Trooper Cruise, Day Seven, 04/22/2011

They say what happens on the ship, stays on the ship. I say what happens on the ship, goes in the Blog. The next time you see Jane Conrad, ask her about her tattoo. The next time you see me, ask me about the dancers. Last day on the ship. This means Baked Alaska, the Congo Line and the Maitre'Ds gratuity.

This has been a great trip. A chance to renew old acquaintances and make new friends. Make plans to join the group for the next trip.

This is the last entry for this blog. Everyone arrived back safely and returned home. Thanks go to Captain(ret) Roy and Pam Smith for setting up this trip.

Trooper Cruise, Day Six, 04/21/2011

We sailed away from Nassau last night on our way back to New Orleans. Two days at sea. Good company, good food, good entertainment. Plenty of time to read and relax. Internet connections were not the best in the world. The reason this blog is posted so late. We had breakfast with a guy from New York. He was traveling alone. He met his girlfriend at LaGuardia airport to fly down for the cruise. She told him she was not going, she had cancelled her flight. I suspect their relationship is going through a rough period at this time.

The "Newlywed Game was hilarious. There was a couple who made a fool of themselves. They would not say where they were from, except Alabama. When they walked by, I asked where they were from. The lady said Atmore. Linda told her I was from Atmore. The woman then said she was from Montomery. When we told her we lived in Montgomery, she then said she was from Birmingham. I don't know where she was from.

Trooper Cruise, Day Five, 04/20/2011

Don Kimbro

James Bond, Nicole Smith, pretty water, PinaColadas, snorkeling and carriage rides and Senor Frogs. What the Bahamas are all about and much more. It had changed quite a bit since the last time I was there. We decided to take a carriage ride around Nassau. The driver showed me a map and explained where we were going and how long we would be gone for our one of a kind tour. A trip through history, for only $40.00. We started our journey. It lasted all of 15 minutes and covered 1/2 of the map. (I have had lessons on map reading). When we arrived back at the carriage shed, I raised the question, "Is today the day to take advantage of the tourist? The driver apologized profusely and refunded half of my money.

We had a nice day in Nassau. A good lunch of Conch at a local restaurant and went to the Straw Market. Rolex watches were only $60.00. I always thought they were more expensive.

Trooper Cruise, Day Four, 04/19/2011

We cruised into Freeport around 8:00am. After breakfast we took a taxi to Port Lucaya. This is a shopping center built to separate the tourist from his dollar. A nice place, but how many straw hats, key chains, or refrigerator magnets do you need? Cuban cigars were plentiful. After an hour ashore, Linda and I returned to the ship, eagerly anticipating the next leg of our journey. One thing I enjoyed was watching the ship release its mooring to sail away from the dock. While this was not in itself exciting, what was, was watching the tourists who were late in boarding the ship, run to the ship as the gangways were being withdrawn.

Trooper Cruise, Day Three, 04/18/2011

Ernest Hemingway, Pirate Treasure, Jimmy Buffett, Key Lime Pie, Margaritas, Conch Chowder, Conch Fritters, End of the road. All this and more. What you expect in the Conch Republic.

After a day at sea, we made landfall in Key West. The day was spent sightseeing, eating and just enjoying being on dry land. Be sure and take the trolley tour. Spend 2 to 3 hours listening to corny jokes by the tram operator. We took the hop on and hop tour, so we had to hear the same jokes twice by different operators.

Trooper Cruise, Day Two, 04/17/2011

There are 27 DPS Retired and Active employees with their friends and families. Roy and Pam Smith, Fred and Donna Brown, Bessie Bruce, (Her niece and family, Suevaughn & Robert Hice, with their sons, Alexander and Joshua), David and Jane Conrad, Mary Anne Douglass, Betty Pinkston, Tommy and Florence Giles, Jerry and Linda Hatfield, Danny and Janet Junkins, Don and Minette Kimbro, Loretta and John Moseley, Bill and Dee Mueller, Kevin and Steffanie Patterson (Fred's son and daughter in law).

A great group of folks. If you are not here you are missed and hope you can make the next trip. After everyone checked in and we got underway, Roy and Pam hosted everyone at a get together in the Piano bar. A great way to start the trip.

We spent all day cruising the Gulf of Mexico. We rested, explored the ship and made plans for the next days activities in Key West.

Trooper Cruise, Day One, 04/16/2011

Retired DPS Employees along with family and friends met in New Orleans to begin an adventure on the high seas, aboard the Carnival Cruise Liner, Triumph. Everyone had a safe journey to New Orleans, in spite of the horrific weather that went through the South on Friday. This cruise was organized by Retired Captain Roy Smith, under the direction of Pam Smith.