My wife and I just returned from a cruise and I'm glad to be home.  This was our eight cruise out of Galveston and probably will be our last as I'm tired of the Caribbean ports of call.

When we were getting ready to depart Galveston I go out on my balcony only to see a 45 RBM armed and I think a 33 ft boat also armed.  While I was watching them, a fast small boat came at speed down the channel.  It was an interesting sight to watch as the 45 saw them and went from idle to warp speed  and shepherded the small boat past the cruise ships.  Then they escorted us out into the ship channel.

Then there is Jamaica.  The US State Department, The Canadians and the Brits have travel advisories warning their citizens to stay on the resorts because of criminal violence.  So having been to Jamaica before and I wasn't impressed then, we decided to stay on the ship.  The security of the dock consisted of two unarmed men in yellow vests. 

Next stop Grand Cayman.  Its like being in England, clean and a safe place to be.

Last stop Cozumel Mexico. I've always enjoyed Cozumel.  As we are approaching the pier the Captain comes on and says the State Department has issued an advisory about the ferrys and because of this Carnival has cancelled all excursions to the main land.  Note, violence in Jamaica yet the Cruise Lines didn't canx anything.  So my warrior being kicks in and I get hold of my Coastie and ask him to find out why.  I didn't have internet so I couldn't do the research.  He comes back and tells me a bomb exploded on a ferry on 2/27 where US Citizens were hurt and more devices were found on 3/1.  So now I'm in DEFCON 1 and start to pay attention more to my surrounding.  So what did I see?  Business as usual.  Zero increase of security.  No beefed up police presence.  Five cruise ships moored up, at least 12,000 passengers on the island and some one planting bombs on ferrys and its business as usual.  I asked one of the unarmed security guys what happened to the ferry and he tells me, old boat, old engine exploded no one hurt.  Right.  I board a boat to take us to a beach and I'm looking at it wondering when the last time it had a safety inspection.  Probably never.

So I'm so thankful for our Coast Guard and the missions they perform. At home I know I'm as safe as I can be and if we need help our men and women will be there to help.  Not so in the Caribbean.

We are very lucky to live where we do... even when people poopoo on us, there is no place I would rather be than here. I hope the trip was good otherwise. I saw the ferry explosion on the news, all I've heard was exactly that, older boat, engine explosion, nothing more. Interesting.

Stay semper, keep your head on a swivel always.