SEA SCENES

I was able to share something truly unique last night. My sister Marcia is on a cruise to Panama over the next ten days. She is, deservedly so, indulging herself with a seaside suite complete with balcony. I receive a call shortly before 5 pm and she is calling from her balcony!

She first, at my insistence, describes that the railing is "boob high" with pexi-glass covering the openings. There is a small canopy over the top. This is in response to my insistence she tie a rope to her ankle and the railing to assure no "woman overboard" incidents while enjoying her cocktails on the veranda dutifully and frequently supplied by William the cabin man.

She yells excitedly "we're moving". We hear the bells and whistles and I yell BON VOYAGE several times while telling her I am pitching virtual streamers from dockside. We watch as the pilot boat takes them down the channel describing the mansions that face the water in that area of Fort Lauderdale. She is accosted twice by a coast guard boat who are also part of the water parade. The second time as she is happily waving to the crewmen I tell her "Pay attention!" "They're yelling, find your life jacket, the boat is sinking!" Eventually I give up and we wave at the handsome crewmen together. Should be a spectacular disaster.

With a final, long and in my opinion, totally unnecessary blast the ship is set free from her tethered pilot boat and they are alone on the high seas. Best of journeys to my own Sister Princess on the aptly named "Coral Princess".