We had a few free days last week and wanted to take a short getaway. After considering MANY different destinations, which proved to be either too costly or too much travel time (thanks to the remote location of Key West) – we decided to take a cruise. Even though we enjoy the water, we had always thought cruises were not for us. The idea of being “trapped” on a boat with a thousand other people didn’t seem like a vacation. However, after speaking with our friend Ben, owner of the International Cruise Center, we decided to give it a try. Our only criteria was a short cruise on a newer ship that departed from either Miami or Fort Lauderdale. The destinations didn’t matter. Ben recommended the Norwegian Jewel departing from Miami for a 5 day cruise with stops in Cozumel and Grand Cayman. We splurged and booked a mini-suite with balcony located at the back of the ship. This was the best part! We loved just sitting on the balcony, reading our books and looking at the sea. Also, by coincidence, some friends from Key West were on the same cruise. So, when we tired of the peace and quiet of our cabin, we met up with our friends in one of the MANY bars. One evening, we even had a sunset happy hour in our cabin. It was really a perfect getaway.