Happy Saturday!

 Wow, it is already the second Saturday of August and I really don't have anything on my schedule.

Sweet. 

I have almost exhausted writing about our cruise on Allure of the Seas as I can't think of anything significant and really interesting to write about. I just have two images that I will share today and then I believe the cruise will be a wrap.

Central Park
Allure of the Seas
July 25, 2026

As a side note, I received the graphic at the right from a friend and just had to share it. It makes me smile!

And for future travels, our next adventure will be a trip to Virginia and Maryland during Labor Day weekend. 

The first image I am sharing is a view of Central Park. The ships is so large that there is a park, complete with green living plants in the middle. The park hosted musicians and activities throughout the voyage. Some of the speciality restaurants line Central Park. The wine restaurant is also situated along the park as is one very nice cafe. The park is a relatively quiet place to sit and enjoy a light meal or some coffee and escape the busier areas of the ship. When selecting a stateroom with a balcony, cruisers must be careful not to select a room along wither Central Park or the Boardwalk area in the aft of the ship if they want an ocean view. 

1936 Mercedes Benz 500K Replica
Allure of the Seas
July 26, 2026

The other image I'm sharing is of the antique car positioned on the Promenade Deck.

Each of the Oasis-class ships had a signature car at one end of the Promenade Deck. The one on Allure is especially awesome. The cars on each Oasis-class ship are there for photo ops. And they are all beautiful. We have cruised on every ship in the class except Symphony of the Seas. Purists will note that the actual Mercedes on Allure of the Seas does not have the license tag on the bumper. That was added by Chat GPT when I asked for a specific identification of the vehicle. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Chef's Table - Allure of the Seas

 

The Table
Chef's Dinner, Allure of the Seas
July 31, 2026

Chris and I were fortunate to get a seat at the Chef's Table on Allure of the Seas for a sumptuous dining experience. The highlight of the dinner was, of course, the wine pairings. The wine pairings set the Chef's Table apart from the specialty dinners offered across the ship. Additionally, the explanations of the wines by a sommelier and the preparation of the courses by the chef make this dinner truly special.

Chef's Table
Allure of the Seas
July 31, 2026

This is for all the foodies that I know.

We enjoyed six courses and we also enjoyed the other 9 people seated at the table. We all jelled quickly and engaged in wild, fast moving conversations. 

We also thoroughly enjoyed the wine pairings. I was especially intrigued by the pairing of the Sauvignon Blanc with the Lobster Salad--it worked. Pairing the Leviathian with the Grilled Filet Mignon was also a bit unexpected. 

Scallop Carpaccio
Served with Italian Pinot Grigio

I will try to mention a bit about each course.

Smoked Tomato Soup 
Served with Conundrum

Maine Lobster Salad
Served with New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

Roasted Branzino
Served with South African Chenin Blanc

Grilled Filet Mignon
Served with Leviathian

The World
Served with Salted Caramel Espresso Martini

The scallop carpaccio was one of my personal favorites. The thinly sliced scallops on a cold plate worked very well with the yuzu vinaigrette. 

The smoked tomato soup surprised both Chris and I. It was smooth with a lightly smoked flavor. I would not have chosen Conundrum as a pairing, but it worked very nicely. 

The Maine lobster salad was a genuine treat. Even though I am allergic to shrimp, I am fortunate that I can still enjoy other shellfish and crustaceans. Again, pairing a Sauvignon Blanc with the dish was unique, but it worked marvelously.

Roasted Branzino paired with a nice South African Chenin Blanc was perfect. I am not a huge fan of roasted fish, but the Chenin Blanc made this dish more than acceptable. 

The filet mignon was perfectly grilled to medium rare and it was tender and no knife was needed. I would have usually paired a Cabernet Sauvignon with the filet, but the big bodied Leviathian worked nicely. I think I would still go for a nice Cab Sauv in the future. 

And then there was the dessert. I have already described the dessert in a previous blog. But it was divine. The only problem, there was too much of it coming after the other five courses and I could not help myself. I ate it all!

It has been a few years since Chris and I attended a true wine dinner and we had forgotten how much we enjoy the pairings of wine with each course! 

We will likely avail ourselves of future Chef's Table experiences on future cruises! Yes, they are pricey--but worth it. 

 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

I am Diseased

 I can't hold back this morning from political commentary. Get ready.

My Ford Mustang Mach-e EV
Tequesta, FL
July 12, 2025

I learned, from his speech in Vegas yesterday, that President Trump believes that I am diseased because I drive an electric car.

I am truly offended.

What this charlatan continues to offer the American people is similar to the sign that people see upon entering Florida: The Free State.

The true meaning of the sign is that the State is free to tell us how to live, what to read, and what we are not free not to express. We are not free to color outside the predefined rabidly conservative lines.

We are victims of the most elaborate "bait and switch" in the history of America.

It is election season. Chris and I will be voting in the Florida Primary next week, in early voting. We are excited because we believe that in November the American people will begin to throw off the shackles of redefined freedom and restore true inclusive, working freedom for everyone as envisioned by "We the People!" 

Why does Trump hate EVs? I believe it is because he hasn't figured out how to make gross amounts of money from the vehicles and the energy they use. 

So my response to the president?

Yes, Mr President--you are correct, I am diseased! 

I believe in an inclusive America where people coexist in a supportive and environment and countervailing ideas are not labeled communist, socialist, dumocrat, or whatever childish name of the day you prefer. I believe in a America that works for all people, not just the rich. I believe in an America where the president can be questioned about his policies and receive cogent answers. I believe in an America that protects children, feeds the poor, provides medical care to those who need it, respects each individual, and protects natural resources looking to create a future that is better than what we have now. 

If you believe I am diseased because of what I believe, then I'd really appreciate it if you would look for a new job. You are making a mess of our country and, for that matter, the world.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Highs and Lows of our Cruise on Allure of the Seas

 

Allure of the Seas
Basseterre, St Kitts & Nevis
July 28, 2026

Chris and I cruised on Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas from 25 July until 2 August 2026, sailing from Ft Lauderdale's Port Everglades. 

Here are my thoughts on portions of the cruise:

Highs:

The main show: Mama Mia

The Aqua Show

Our Stateroom

Morning Room Service

Anniversary Chocolate Strawberries
Allure of the Seas
July 28, 2026

Chef's Table

Service everywhere was excellent

Weather

Bow & Stern Pub

Orient Beach, St Martin

Trunk Bay, St John

Cleanliness of Allure of the Seas

Anniversary Love Birds
Allure of the Seas
July 28, 202

Fellow passengers

Veterans Recognition and Celebration

Breakfast on the Veranda every morning

Chocolate Strawberries to celebrate our anniversary

Towel Animals

Lows:

The Mason Jar food

The Mason Jar Country Band 

CocoaCay

St Kitts Caribbean Railway Tour

Rightway Parking

Bread served at meals - not warm and often hard and stale

Ship's Elevators

Trying to get a table for 8 on the same day

My Time Dining doesn't take reservations

Kinda middling:

Dining Room menu diversity and selection

Giovanni's Table

Observation: The debarkation and embarkation processes for port days was uneven. There were lines to get off the ship and when returning there were also lines because not all of the scanners were in operation. 

It was a wonderful trip and we had a lot of fun. We were busy, but also enjoyed some free time. We logged a new destination in St John. We look forward to our next trip.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Last Day on the Allure

Last Full Day Breakfast on the Veranda
Allure of the Seas, Bahamas
August 1, 2026

 It is my opinion that the saddest day of a cruise is the last full day on the ship. Actually leaving the ship on debarkation day is sad, but there is so much activity crammed into a short few hours that there really isn't time to think about the day until already off the ship and traveling home. 

Our last day began, as did every day of this cruise, with breakfast on the veranda. I read somewhere that is it believed that for most people paying extra for a veranda/balcony stateroom is a waste of money. Why? Because, allegedly, most people only spend about 15 minutes of the whole cruise on the veranda. Well, I spend a lot more time than that on the veranda and so does Chris. We start the day with room service delivered breakfast. On our last full day of this cruise we were able to watch the ship arrive in CocoCay, Bahamas. 

Wonder and Allure of the Seas
CocoCay, Bahamas
August 1, 2026

Following breakfast we headed off the ship to spend time with Beck and his parents on CocoCay. CocoCay is not my favorite stop on any cruise. But, having a grandson or other family to enjoy makes the port call palatable. And we had fun!

As I previously wrote, two Oasis-class cruise ships were ported at CocoCay on August 1st. That meant about 12,000 passengers were on the island. It was a gray and overcast day, which made the weather enjoyable.

Happy Hour at the Bow & Stern
Allure of the Seas, CocoCay, Bahamas
August 1, 2026

After playing with Beck and eating on the island, we made our way back to the ship for showers, nap, and packing. Packing is a necessary evil of the last day.

About the food on CocoCay--avoid if possible! My burger was grossly overcooked and sat in my stomach like a rock for the rest of the day. The corn, well it looked like corn, tasted like field corn. It was terrible. 

The evening began with a trip to the Bow & Stern Pub. The pub was the unofficial meeting place for our family. We got to know the service staff there really well over the course of the sailing. Then we collected for a last-night dinner. All eight of us were able to dine together. It was our third family dinner of the cruise and we had an enjoyable time. 

Dinner ended about 8 PM and we went our separate ways to finalize packing and prepare for the upheaval of debarkation which was yet to come.

It is still hard to believe that the cruise is over. We had been planning for months and it was all done after eight too-short days which rocketed by at hypersonic speed. 

I have a few more blogs to write about the cruise. The highlights and the low-lights are still to come. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - August 3, 2026

 

Our Spot on CocoCay
CocoCay, Bahamas
August 1, 2026

1. The first Monday of August has arrived. July is over and done. There are 5 months remaining in the year, but only 21 Mondays. 

2. Travel day, yesterday, was wild. Getting off the ship and getting home was the easiest part of the day. The weather from Florida across the south and to the northeast was not conducive to air travel and our families from Maryland experienced hours long delays. Jeremy and Julie finally made it to their home about midnight. Patrick, Jen and Beck (PB&J), gave up about 8 PM and they returned back to our house with flight reservations for this morning. It was great having them here for the night.

Patrick, Jen, and Beck
CocoCay, Bahamas
August 1, 2026

3. Perfect Day at CocoCay, wasn't spectacular. It was nice that the sky was cloud filled preventing the sun from baking us. We shared the island with Wonder of the Seas meaning we were there with 12,000 of our new best friends between the two ships. I witnessed a very interesting accident as Wonder was preparing to depart. The ship eased away from the quay while one forklift was attempting to get the last gangway aboard. The gangway slipped off the forks and fell into the water banging against the hull of Wonder before falling. Someone is likely buying Royal Caribbean another gangway. There are a number of videos on YouTube. Gangway falls off Wonder of the Seas.

4. As a fitting end to the cruise, we enjoyed a big family dinner. All 8 of us gathered together and had a great time enjoying the food for our last night together. 

5. I took PB&J plus 1 back to the airport this morning and they made the 7:25 AM flight that took off at 7:42! Yay. 

6. At exactly 2:30 this afternoon [Sunday, 2 August], the President of the United States stopped to share an important message with the world from his private golf course in New Jersey. He had spent the entire weekend there, isolated from the press, but this moment was important enough to break his silence. Donald Trump proudly announced on Truth Social that he had made “The Winning Shot in the Bedminster Club Championship!” He won his own tournament on his own course and needed everyone to know. He went into more detail on this historic win, writing, “Unlike the rest of the field, I’m given very little time to practice, because I’m focused on many other things. It’s called TALENT, and I have it, and they don’t! President DONALD J. TRUMP.” (Hope for America) My thought--does anyone remember when Trump pilloried Obama for playing golf? Also, with everything happening in the world that's his fault, should he really be playing golf. Like Nero playing the violin.

7. Today in History. On August 3, 1958, the U.S. nuclear submarine Nautilus accomplishes the first undersea voyage to the geographic North Pole. The world’s first nuclear submarine, the Nautilus dived at Point Barrow, Alaska, and traveled 1,830 miles under the Arctic ice cap to reach the top of the world. It then steamed on to Iceland, pioneering a new and shorter route from the Pacific to the Atlantic and Europe.

The USS Nautilus was constructed under the direction of U.S. Navy Captain Hyman G. Rickover, a brilliant Russian-born engineer who joined the U.S. atomic program in 1946. In 1947, he was put in charge of the navy’s nuclear-propulsion program and began work on an atomic submarine. Regarded as a fanatic by his detractors, Rickover succeeded in developing and delivering the world’s first nuclear submarine years ahead of schedule. In 1952, the Nautilus’ keel was laid by President Harry S. Truman, and on January 21, 1954, first lady Mamie Eisenhowerbroke a bottle of champagne across its bow as it was launched into the Thames River at Groton, Connecticut. Commissioned on September 30, 1954, it first ran under nuclear power on the morning of January 17, 1955.

How Iran is widening its pressure campaign to force US concessions - ReutersCapital One says it closed Trump Organization's accounts after antimoney laundering probe - ReutersActing US Attorney General Blanche rescinds 'anti-weaponization' fund before confirmation vote - Reuters
About 60,000 ordered to evacuate from fires in Spokane, Washington - Reuters
US military asks troops for ‘creative and unconventional’ ideas to punish Iran - CNN
Another eclipse is coming. Make sure to view it safely with these ISO-approved glasses - CNN

A brutal new poll for Trump shows why Democrats must run against his corruption - MS Now

How Trump just hung nearly 25 million seniors out to dry - MS Now

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Last Sea Day

Veterans Recognition
Allure of the Seas
July 31, 2026

 The last Sea Day of our cruise was anything but boring.

We had planned a pub crawl with the family, but that got interrupted as we all decided to avail ourselves of the double points that Royal Caribbean was offering for a booking before the end of the day. 

So we have another cruise planed for late-March 2027!

We also attended the moving Veterans Recognition ceremony. It is always good to see how many other brothers and sisters who were in service to our nation are sailing. It almost makes on forget that we are on a ship registered in the Bahamas. 

The World Dessert
Allure of the Seas
July 31, 2026

We started the pub crawl after the ceremony, but as I wrote, it got interrupted by planning another cruise. We resumed after booking, but in the end we only did about 3 of the 18 bars/pubs on the ship. So we failed pub crawl 101.

Chris and I were excited about dinner at the Chef's Table. It truly was special. The food was perfectly prepared and the wine pairings were perfect. I enjoyed all of the courses, but the dessert was most spectacular. I have never before enjoyed The World, which is Peanut Butter Ganache, Vairhona Chocolate Mousse, and Salted Caramel Gelato. OMG! And when they poured the hot caramel over the chocolate globe, WOW!! Did I mention that it was paired with a Salted Caramel Espresso Martini?

I had to get a video of the big reveal!

-- Bob Doan, CocoCay, Bahamas

St John - Trunk Bay

 We made our first visit to St John yesterday as part of an excursion to Trunk Bay. Jeremy has visited Trunk Bay on other cruises and calls it the best beach in the world. 

It may be. 

Getting to Trunk Bay from St Thomas is no small task. It requires a 30-minute boat ride and then about a 25-minute bus ride to the beach. The total travel time from cruise ship to beach and return is about 2.5 hours--including loading and unloading time, which was exactly the amount of time we were allotted on the beach. 

Chris at Trunk Bay
St John
July 30, 2026

That the beach is part of a National Park was an added benefit.

The beach is a beautiful lagoon. It reminded me of Hanauma Bay in Hawaii. The reef was, reportedly, filled with fish and marine animals to include a turtle. 

And there were other fine sights to enjoy on the beach. 

The water was crystal clear and the temperature was perfect. The only negative was the Saharan Dust sucked the life out of the sky making it more gray than blue. 

Crystal Water
Trunk Bay, St John
July 30, 2026

The boat to St John and return did experience some rough water that most were not prepared for. And I mean waves well over 6 feet. People sitting near the bow were wet--as if they had been swimming, by the time we docked. 

I was disappointed in the shortness of the trip which was because the Royal planned only a 7 hour port call. The back on board time was 2 PM. And we were on the pier by 7:15 to head off to St John. Chris and I would have liked more beach time and time to explore St John as well as St Thomas.

-- Bob Doan, Atlantic Ocean headed for Coco Cay near 214242N 0700901W

Orient Beach for the Day

Orient Beach
Saint Martin
July 29, 2026

 Chris and I did a beach excursion to the world famous Orient Beach on Saint Martin for the day with Jeremy and Julie. Our ship docked in Philipsburg, St Maarten, and we went to the French side for the beach.

Having spent some time on St Maarten and St Martin, we thought we would enjoy time on the beach.

Jeremy and Julie Getting onto the Boat
Orient Beach, St Martin
July 29, 2026

We were treated to a glass of prosecco upon arrival and then to a more private portion of the beach. We were besieged by the pesky Saharan dust, which moderated the Sun's rays, but also robbed us of a beautiful blue sky. But, the beach was in good condition, even with the rough surf.

Jeremy and Julie did parasailing, while Chris and I watched.

Chris Dressed for Country Night
Allure of the Seas
Atlantic Ocean

The evening was devoted to Country Dress-up Night and we attended the Aqua Show.

We had a lot of fun with both. The interpretation of Country Music was a bit strained at time, but the melodies mostly came through.  

Today we are in St Thomas, but we are doing another beach day on St John. It is a very early and short day. We muster for our beach time at 7 AM, and the ship departs the port at 2 PM. 

Bob Doan, St Thomas, USVI

St Kitts 2026

Chris Preparing to Board
La Valle Transfer Station, St Kitts
July 28, 2026

 Chris and I made a return visit to St Kitts, we had previously visited on my birthday cruise last year. Last year we did not do an excursion, while yesterday we did the Caribbean Scenic Railway around the island. 

The Quill on Sint Eustatius and
Closed Westin Resort
St Kitts
July 28, 2026

Although the day was mostly bright and sunny, the Saharan Dust muted the sky and colors. The railroad is narrow gage and the cars and engine, frankly, look too big for the tracks. But, it has been operating successfully for almost two decades and we put our faith in the operators expertise. We had both thought the railway would be fun and it is fairly long, I think the trek covers about 30 miles. We were treated to great views of the island, the mountains, and the ocean during our trek. We also learned a lot about the island's history--some of it in not very pleasant. There were many, and I mean a lot, of burned areas from the hot, dry summer. The island is not green, it is brown and blackened.

Chris with the Monkeys
Basseterre, St Kitts
July 28, 2026

The mountains are intriguing, both on the island and just off the northwest coast on Sint Eustatius. Much of the rail journey was through open country and small towns. We were treated to some authentic island dancing and an open bar. Chris and I chose to ride in the air conditioned portion of the car, while most of the kids went for the second level open air part of the trip.

I'm not sure the Caribbean Scenic Railway provides as good product for the price, but it was a fun way to spend the morning. 

As we returned to Basseterre after the train, Chris found a couple monkeys to play with. She really enjoyed the monkeys and they seemed to like her as well. 

Today we are sailing into Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, and planning to spend the day at Orient Beach on the French side, Saint Martin.  

-- Bob Doan, Philipsburg, Sint Maarten