Prelude to the Sea Escapade - Planning to Takeoff (Pt. 1)
By Ashonté S. Lyles
In the quiet corridors of the Carnival Dream cruise ship, amidst the celebration of my mother-in-law's 60th birthday, we planted the seeds of a plan — a plan that, on the surface, seemingly lay dormant for nearly a decade before sprouting into the vibrant tapestry of a most incredible trip of a lifetime.
In November 2013, we set sail on a tantalizing 7-day cruise through the enchanting Western Caribbean. That trip, dubbed "Moms Cruise," served as a testament to the lasting bonds that travel can create and prompted our desire to extend the experience to include my father and bonus mom. This celebration not only etched indelible memories in our hearts but also marked the genesis of our next adventure— 'Cruising the Mediterranean: A Multicultural Family Odyssey.'
When we first conceived of this escapade, our squad members for the journey included me, my husband, Marlon, my mother-in-law, Margaret, my father, Melvin, and my bonus mom, Kimiyo. Guided by my husband's meticulous planning over the years, our initial tasks involved preparing the parental units for the journey — securing time off for my bonus mom, budgeting initiated by my mother-in-law, and ensuring everyone understood the logistics of traveling from three different cities and states to Europe, then boarding a cruise ship. Little did we know that this trip would unfold in ways none of us could have anticipated.
Best Laid Plans
We only planted the travel bug in our parents' ears about five years ago, though planning began much earlier. With COVID and the unpredictability of other life and world events, it became paramount to make this happen as soon as possible. This year seemed the most fitting because my father and mother-in-law celebrated their platinum jubilee (70th birthday). Unfortunately, injuries prevented my mother-in-law from setting sail with us. Although she could not accompany us, we still felt it was a rare opportunity that may not present itself again considering my father's age and the volatility of the world, it could not be missed.
Who Ya With?
This voyage was an experience of a lifetime, made even more memorable by my father and bonus mom's unique perspectives. Being Japanese, my bonus mom offered a viewpoint shaped by a culture nearly three millennia old, raised in Tokyo, where ancient Imperial Japan and the modern metropolis collide much the same way as the places we visited. My father, a 70-year-old African American/Louisiana Creole retired U.S. Marine and artist, was a wealth of knowledge about history and culture. My husband, Marlon, and I are both retired from federal service. and are also military veterans, who served in the U.S. Air Force. Marlon hails from St. Louis, Missouri and I am originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, as is my father. He and I both have lived abroad and traveled extensively, so one can imagine how our various experiences colored this tour.
Though the four of us had been to Europe before, this trip was a rare opportunity to travel as an adult with my father; it was my bonus mom’s maiden cruise and my father’s first time on a non-U.S. Naval vessel. Between eight flights, five countries, 17 cities (Encompassing the six total cities where we had connecting flights or started from,) a mega-ship cruise, countless train, bus, Uber, and taxi rides, and the many miles hiking through thousands-year-old streets, we experienced many firsts during this voyage.
Where Y'at?
The vacation commenced on September 7, 2023. My father and bonus mom flew from Las Vegas, Nevada to Denver, Colorado, their second leg stopped in Frankfurt, Germany, and finally, they landed in Barcelona, Spain. My husband and I traveled from Orlando, Florida to Atlanta, Georgia, Hartsfield International is an experience in itself, and then we had a straight shot to Barça.
We explored the stunning cities on the Mediterranean Coast of Spain, France, and Italy, and marveled at the architecture, food, and art. From the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona to the unearthed ruins of ancient Rome and the city frozen in time, Pompeii, we were constantly in awe of the beauty around us. One of the trip's highlights was the food. Every meal was a culinary adventure, from the Michelin-rated dining on Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas to the motherland of pizza, Naples, to tapas in Barcelona.
The historical impact of these three countries is enormous. We could see, hear, and feel the melding of ancient history and the modernity of the swiftly approaching architectural, political, technological, and ethnic changes of current times.
But what made this trip truly unforgettable was the company. Our diverse backgrounds and experiences enhanced our mutual passion for travel and shared sense of adventure. We laughed, learned, and created memories that will last a lifetime.
Our itinerary:
Thu, 9/7 – Sat, 9/9 - Barcelona, Spain
Sun, 9/10 - At sea on Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas
Mon, 9/11 - Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Tues, 9/12 - Marseille, France
Thu, 9/14 - Civitavecchia, Vatican City, and Rome, Italy
Fri, 9/15 - Naples (Napoli) and Pompeii, Italy
Sat, 9/16 - At sea on Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas
Sun, 9/17 – Thu 9/21 - Barcelona, Spain
Next Stop: More Uncharted Tales
Curious about the adventures that unfold when a diverse crew of Boomers, Gen X'rs, and military vets cross the globe on a Mediterranean quest? Dive deeper into 'Cruising the Mediterranean: A Multicultural Family Odyssey' – come back to The Horizon Calls for your front-row seat to cross-generational, cross-cultural journeys!
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