Take The Trip by Brian

They say time flies when you’re having fun, and today proved it. Day 7—our final sea day—came crashing in with bigger waves and a whole lot of rocking and rolling thanks to Hurricane Melissa churning not-so-far away. If there was ever a perfect excuse to sleep in, that was it… and sleep in, we did.

While my wife got ready, I grabbed my camera and took one last lap around the ship to film for my YouTube channel. Or at least, I thought I did. We’ll get to that heartbreak in a minute. For now, let’s talk breakfast.

Breakfast, Rocking Seas &… Late Toast

We headed to the dining room for a late breakfast, and I ordered the Express Breakfast—solid choice, great flavors, zero complaints… except one tiny thing. The toast. It arrived about ten minutes after everything else, which meant by the time it showed up, I was already halfway through my eggs like a man on a mission. Not the end of the world, but hey, toast and I have a special relationship, and timing matters.

Shopping, Tattoos & The Great Footage Disappearing Act

After breakfast, we wandered the ship, browsed the shops, and then met up with our buddy Rich at the tattoo parlor. If you’ve been following along, you know Rich is a true Parrothead. He already had a LandShark tattoo (Jimmy Buffett’s beer brand), but today he was getting a new one: a parrot. Naturally, I filmed the whole thing… only to later discover that a bunch of my footage somehow vanished into the digital Bermuda Triangle. Including the tattoo content. Pain. Real pain.

Lunch: Cheeseburger in Paradise, Because… Obviously

When lunchtime rolled around, there was only one option for a day like this:

Cheeseburger in Paradise.

Perfect choice. No regrets. We ran into our cousins-by-fate Bob and Kencis, which is always a highlight, and after lunch we made our way to the Flip Flop Bar where they were holding a tribute to the veterans on board.

It was powerful, emotional, and full of pride. I stood for the U.S. Army, Bob and Kencis represented the Marine Corps, and our dear friends Vera and Rich stood for the Air Force. A beautiful moment of unity at sea.

Packing, Vow Renewals & Caribbean Night

Then came a sad realization: it was time to pack. Tomorrow morning, they kick us off. Can you believe it?

But the night was far from over. It was Caribbean Night, so we dressed for the theme and met (where else?) at the Flip Flop Bar. Tonight was extra special because Vera and Rich were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. They had hoped the captain could renew their vows, but he wasn’t able to—so I stepped in. Since I’m an ordained minister, I led a simple and sweet renewal ceremony in the quiet Coral Lounge. It was a moment I’ll never forget, and I’m honored they asked.

A VIP Feast to Remember

Dinner tonight was something truly extraordinary. The ship’s Hotel Manager, Amith, who is from India, arranged a special tasting menu of dishes from his region. The flavors were rich, fragrant, and unforgettable. It felt like being invited into someone’s home—not just a dining room. Huge gratitude to Amith and the amazing culinary team.

Final Drinks, Final Goodbyes

We wrapped up the night with a stop at the piano bar, then one final round at Flip Flop. Drinks in hand, surrounded by friends who started this cruise as strangers, we laughed, hugged, and promised to keep in touch. And then… it was time for bed. Early wake-up. Walk-off disembarkation. Reality approaching fast.

So… Was the Cruise Perfect?

No.

We had weather issues, lost footage, rocky seas, and a few little hiccups along the way.

But Was It Worth It?

Absolutely.

We had an incredible week, made unexpected friendships, celebrated love, honored veterans, and created memories that will stay with us long after the ship reaches port.

If you’re looking for a fun, affordable, relaxing escape with great vibes and even better people, consider taking a trip on the Margaritaville at Sea Islander.

This cruise?

100% worth the trip.

And I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Brian’s Trip Tip of the Day

If you’re filming for YouTube, back up your footage every day. The only thing worse than losing content is realizing you lost content of a parrot tattoo.

Thanks for sailing along with us. Until next time…

Take the trip. Make the memories. Live the story.