Only a Few Thinly Veiled Complaints

A friend told me that a cruise is good for about five days. I tend to agree with her. It's nice to get away from it all, but after a while the novelty wears off and I miss some of the comforts of home. Some of the things I'm looking forward to are:

• My own bathroom
• Drinking unlimited amounts of water from the tap
• Doing laundry in a washer and dryer
• Eating meals when I choose to eat them
• Wearing clothes outside of my travel color scheme of black and white
• Being with my friends
• Hugging my bunnies
  

As I am typing this, one of the Ugly Americans in our group (a grouchy New Englander) approached and started complaining about EVERY SINGLE THING. A few minutes later, a couple we know approached and joined in the bash-fest, trapping my mom and I in the couch. There was no escape. They found fault with the food; the service charges; having to pay for coffee, tea, and bottled water; the tour guides; the sometimes-flaky internet; the decor; the LINT ON THE CHAIR IN HER ROOM(!!). This negativity is killing me. It makes my little list of "thinly-veiled complaints" downright laughable.

Overall, my mom and I are quite pleased with the MSC Magnifica and her crew. Mrs. New England calls it an "Italian racket" and says she doesn't like getting nickel-and-dimed. Well, Lady, it's a business!! Of course when you order drinks you will be charged the price in the menu plus an automatic gratuity (which is widely posted). It must be insanely expensive to run a cruise ship. Just do your homework and read everything you can get your hands on before and during your trip. If you get an unpleasant surprise, learn from the experience for the next time.

Today's lesson learned: Many of the things we encounter is a result of the choices we make. If we are unhappy with the result, that is also a choice we make. Be positive!