Obviously my cruise is over. I really considered paying the extra money (.50 a minute) for internet while on the ship, to post a blow by blow account...but I was on vacation and I REALLY wanted to stay away from my life support/nag called "The Computer". However, since I have been graced with and phenomenal memory (Did you hear that? It was the sound of my nose growing.) I will deliver my vacation escapades in vivid detail.

Monarch of the Seas with Royal Caribbean was our cruise boat. Our voyage began Monday Feb 23 2009. My chic friend, (a wonderful women that is my platonic friend. We had to make that clear to the cruise people.) Cycles joined me for the cruise experience. And THANK GOD she did! Good Girlfriends can make anything spectacular!

Before I begin the tales of my travels, Lets do a bit of prep work.

When traveling on a cruise there are a few things you need to know.
1) There will be days you will probably be at sea (check your itinerary). That means you can't get off the boat unless you want to swim home. So make sure you bring some entertainment if you aren’t crazy about bingo.

2) You can't always predict the weather, so be prepared (unlike Cycles and I).

3) Your cruise companions are important.

4) Make sure you bring the necessities.

Cosmo's List of Necessities
- A good book (or two). I brought Eat Pray Love (More on that book later).
- A pair (or two) of club clothes. Ya never know when parting will happen.
- A camera with extra batteries. Important for those drunk pictures.
- Bring Meds. Allergy, Sea sick, aspirin... any medication you think you might need. But keep in mind, don't take your whole medicine cabinet
- A beach towel. You don't want to pay for the ship's beach towels if you loose it!
- Sunscreen... A MUST!
- A collapsible bag. Ya never know what goodies you might by on the islands. **I brought this back. It’s strong, very small and doubles as a shopping bag. **
- Your common cents. In many countries, if a foreigner and a citizen get in an accident. It doesn't matter if the citizen runs over the foreigner, the foreigner is in the wrong. So be careful! Your in their country!

Cosmo’s Two Cents:
- If you are single, bring Condoms. Ya never know when you might get lucky and the Bahamas’ STD rate is staggering!
- Well drinks (vodka, gin, rum…ect) are cheaper than the “Tropical” drinks.

Cosmo's List of things to NOT bring
- Your cell phone. Leave it at home. International charges are expensive, and besides this is YOUR vacation.
- Drama.
- Stress. Try to leave your stress at home. Don't worry about the kids, your job, or your newest fling. Just try to enjoy yourself.
- Lots of cash (or at least cash for the boat). Don't spend your money at the Casino. The win rates are horrible on a ship! Remember, cruise ships follow international laws, not US laws.
- Too many sun dresses when the weather is below 70. (Cosmo made this mistake, more about this later) Just because you want it to be warm, doesn't mean it is. (Again, a Cosmo mistake)


Stay tunes for Day 1 of Cosmo's Cruise Escapades!
Crusin' Cosmo