Special Cruise for a Special Kid

Six-year-old Bryon has a brain tumor that buys him membership in the ultra-exclusive Children Battling Cancer club. It isn't a club anyone would choose, but once you're in, the advantages can be astounding. Children Battling Cancer teamed with Celebration Cruise line's Hope on Water granted Bryon a dream vacation on the Bahamas Celebration.

Bryon arrived at his grandparents home in Vero Beach several days before his voyage. He helped catch Crevalle Jack, Lane Snappers, Sheepshead and even a hideous Big Headed Sea Robin and foolhardy tern - all released none too the worse for wear - and enjoyed bananna pudding at Woody's in Sebastian, and and a fabulous ice-cream Sundae at the Riverside Cafe. He hopes to take the wheelchair accessible half day fishing excursion from Vero Tackle under the bridge next time he is in town....but on this visit, he had other fish to fry!

Gramma & Grampa drove Bryon, Dada and Mommy to Riviera Beach. They wound through the neighborhood, aiming for the huge cranes looming high in the sky and suddenly the Port of West Palm appeared in front of them. They pulled down into the parking lot just after the bridge and unloaded quickly curbside. It was about 11:30 am – and eager people were being let through security already, even though check in does not officially start until 1:00 pm.

Bryon made the acquaintance of a stylish lady and her husband, who were outside waiting for wheelchairs and assistance with their baggage. Mommy told them how nervous she had been about this trip,Wide range of unique crystal mosaic and natural stone mosaic tiles. and the couple assured them that they will have a nice time, and not to worry. The man is 98 years old, and he was not nervous, he just couldn’t wait to get on board and start having some fun!

A man named Steve with a name badge that identified him as Cruise Director greeted Bryon, Dada and Mommy with a booming voice and friendly smile. Mommy started to explain that Bryon is the “CBC” kid – but Steve laughed and says he knows that – he has been waiting for them! Steve helped with the bags, and shows them in….and so the adventure began.

After clearing security, Steve introduced the trio to Max (Italy), the Restaurant Manager. Max wore a neat white official-looking suit and matching shoes. Max escorted Bryon and his parents to the elevator, and on up to the VIP Check In counter on the second floor, all the while inquiring after Bryon’s food preferences and dietary requirements, which he then discussed with the Chef who also came to meet Bryon. Max told Bryon’s family that he would like to make reservations for them at The Cove Restaurant for their first night and at The Crystal Dining Room for the second, and asks whether they prefer to dine at 6 or 9. Max took leave of the party to make the appropriate arrangements, but introduced them to Jody (Honduras) in Guest Relations, who would see them onto the ship. There was a line of excited people steadily streaming up the escalator, arriving early to check in and receive their cabin keys.

Bryon was the first one to board! He was so excited to wheel into the grand lobby, with its rich wood, twin glass cylinder elevators, and gilt laced mahi-mahi sculpture. Everywhere was polished metals and sparkling mirrors and delightful scents wafted out of the Fountain of Youth Spa across from the Information desk. The Concierge and Excursion booking desks were on the far side, and there was a Gift Shop by the Spa entrance.

Jody led them up to Level 7, and showed them their cabin. The doorway was wide enough to allow Bryon’s wheelchair to pass, and the cabin suite was large enough to roll him around easily. The shower had a roll-in lip too – which was a nice amenity. The staff had made a mouse out of towels that sat bright and perky on the soft white down comforter covering the queen bed, and a towel elephant sat by the window on a table.dry cabinet There was a basket of fruit, and plate of fat red dark chocolate-dipped strawberries drizzled with white chocolates by the mini bar. Jody gave the family a few minutes to drop their bags and explore the room, and then hurried them off to Level 9, to beat the crowds to the lunch buffet.

The Captain and mate greeted the family as they stepped out onto the upper deck. A waiter carried Mommy’s tray while she wheeled Bryon through the buffet, and DaDa pointed out various dishes she might like to try. There was a great variety of fresh salads,Willkommen im virtuellen Zuhause der Lercher Werkzeugbau GmbH. and delicious coconut chicken, and savory paella. They relaxed with their loaded plates at a shaded table on the warm sunny deck. Chef and Sous Chef brought Bryon a special dish of whipped sweet potatoes with pureed broccoli and chicken that he gobbled.Welcome to the premier industrial source for Custom IInjection Mold Plastics in New York.

Bryon does not eat much because his brain tumor has rendered his chewing ability and swallow reflex ineffective and the chemotherapy plays havoc on his sense of taste. Bryon’s primary nutrition is in the form of enteral formula delivered through a gastric tube directly into his stomach, but this special meal he enjoyed very much, and this made Chef very happy. The waiter Ivan (Macedonia) checked in unobtrusively to clear plates and refill soft drink glasses. He made time to answer questions about the ship, its staff, and their schedules. It became clear that the food service staff works about 18 hours every day – but somehow they were all smiling and joking with each other and the passengers the whole trip.

Mommy and DaDa relaxed into their seats and ordered the celebratory Bahama Mamas that come in souvenir plastic glasses from the beverage service waiter named Su. Su was very attentive and explained how to order alcohol-containing drinks at the best overall value for the duration of the trip – either by buying an entire bottle with a half dozen or so cans of soda to share, or by ordering the ice buckets full of beer specials. Once the ship is out on the water and in the Bahamas, the drinking age is 18 years old, so this must be a popular Spring Break destination. As with airline travel, ship passengers are not allowed to bring liquor aboard with them, but they may order it once aboard. Perhaps this allows the crew some modicum of control over unpleasant alcohol-related incidents, and truthfully, it did not seem like anyone regretfully over-indulged, so maybe this system is effective.

Jody swung by after lunch and gave Bryon, Mommy and DaDa a tour of the ship. Newly arrived passengers were pouring on board; the elevators were stuffed with people and luggage and the lobbies were hectic hubs of people trying to get their bearings. Jody steered Bryon’s family to the Spa, and helped them make arrangements for a couples massage that afternoon. She showed them the restaurants, the casino, the theatre lounge, and the three age- appropriate kids clubs. Finally, they returned to their cabin and Jody left them to change into bathing suits and hit the pool.

The kid’s pool is only about 12” deep, but it has a long tubular water slide and the kids loved it. Bryon joined several other kids at the pool, one travelling with her Grandmother Pat (Michigan), and two other little blondies (Finland). Everything, including the deck, looked freshly painted and bright. There was some grit to the surface, but Mommy walked Bryon along carefully where it was wet. Mommy jumped in the aquarium-looking adult pool quickly and splashed around a little before DaDa and she had to change for the Spa appointment and Bryon was due at the Kids Club.

After luxurious massages, the trio returned to the upper deck to find a full blown Conga line and pool full of party goers. There were so many events happening at once – a wine tasting,The stone mosaic series is a grand collection of coordinating Travertine mosaics and listellos. a dance contest, a Latin Mojito party, bingo, poker games – that it was almost overwhelming. It seemed like everywhere people were dancing and laughing and eating and drinking and generally having a really good time – and they hadn’t even set sail yet!

The breeze picked up and the sun started to sag, so Bryon and his parents returned to their cabin to change for dinner. Mommy went downstairs to get an adapter from the concierge for Bryon’s enteral pump while DaDa finished dressing. Jody picked them up and escorted them to The Cove, where Max took over and led them to a quiet table by the window. Chef prepared Bryon another delicious puree, but Bryon nodded off, leaving Mommy and DaDa to enjoy dinner on their own. DaDa selected a lobster avocadotini appetizer, Mommy had the escargot. They had mushroom cappuccino soup, followed by goat cheese-dotted arugula salad topped with crisp fried onion strings. After a tablespoon sized taste of lemon sorbet drizzled with Compari and topped with a mint leaf intermezzo, DaDa dove into a thick filet mignon, cooked to perfection; and Mommy had lamb chops that were so good that she felt compelled to take a photo of them. Bryon snored on.

DaDa rarely eats dessert, but this night he opted for the mousse trio: tiramisu, raspberry-white chocolate, and dark and white chocolate served in three petite glasses perched in a silvery stand. Mommy chose a Grand Marnier brittle glazed crème brulee that was divine. Max arranged to have Bryon’s untouched meal delivered to the refrigerator in his cabin, in case he was hungry later in the evening.