New Orleans-Mexico cruise: days 1-2

Last month when we were drowning in work we decided we needed to take a break while Congress was in recess for Easter. At first we couldn't find anything in our price range, but just as I had given up hope Lelaine sweet-talked Air Tran into letting us use vouchers during a blackout date and found a great deal on a five night cruise from New Orleans to Mexico.

Last Monday morning we set the alarm for 3am and drove to BWI for an early flight to New Orleans. When we arrived we had several hours to kill before getting on the ship so we did what Team Purple House does best: eat. First up was Cafe du Monde for beignets. We walked around the French Quarter for a bit and then hit Mother's, which claims to have the world's greatest ham. Lelaine tried it on a po boy while I went for jambalaya. A good meal, but the ham claim is erroneous, although they do get bonus points for letting us put our luggage up front with someone watching it so we didn't have to lug it around to our table.

In the early afternoon we headed to the port to get on the ship, which was newer, and much nicer, than the ship we were on two years ago for a three night cruise to the Bahamas. It took over an hour to actually get on board and we noticed an interesting crowd waiting in line, ranging from the family of 36 in front of us to a lot of college kids on spring break.

The second day was spent at sea and I did what I do best in the sun: got a sunburn. I was smart enough to put on sunscreen but not smart enough to rub it all over, so I ended up being pale with bright red splotches. Before we left Lelaine told me to bring aloe, since a sunburn was inevitable, but I told her no need. As with most things I should have listened; just over 24 hours after we boarded, I had already made one trip to the gift shop for a $12 bottle of aloe.