The biggest surprise on Halloween was just how seriously so many people take the day. Really, that always surprises me at home also. At home its elaborate yard displays- here it was elaborate door decorations. It felt to me like the door decorating contests in elementary when each class put a lot of effort into adorning their classroom’s door. The door directly next to us even had battery powered lights to top off their Halloween themed door. But it didn’t end there. The majority of the passengers showed up for dinner in costume. Some of the costumes were indeed creative. Zombie- like titanic survivors, beetle juice and his bride, cruising Barbie and Ken dolls (INSIDE the collectible boxes!) We were amazed at the variety and at the work people put into these costumes. We kept saying “how’d they have room to pack all that?”

There was a parade and costume contest at 11pm (which the titanic survivors won). Although most of the contestants were over 70, they clearly have the ability to stay up later than me. We marveled at the costumes before and after dinner, but no midnight Halloween parties for us.

Other than the Halloween distractions, the sea day was restful and of course beautiful. I was able to catch the sunrise (which explains my inability to stay up till midnight) and the sunset both. The Caribbean is beautiful under a bright sun, but it’s an entirely different beauty when the sky is streaked orange, pink, and red over the pristine water. We even got a quick shower followed by an incredible rainbow that continued into the water uninterrupted.

Tomorrow is Grenada, which may be one the few islands that I have no pre-conceived notion of. It will be a complete surprise, whatever the day holds.