Pearl the Otter’s ‘Norwegian Jewel’ Cruise Adventure At Sea

<h2><a href="https://www.tortugatwins.com/members-only-journal/ronnbauman/2014/pearl-the-otters-norwegian-jewel-cruise-adventure-at-sea" target="_blank">Let me introduce you all to Pearl the Otter</a></h2>
My Daughter Scarlett has until recently, not really bonded with or felt the need to sleep with any of her legion of stuffed animals. Until recently. Now she utterly refuses to sleep without clinging tightly to a stuffed sea otter she’s named “Pearl”. Pearl had her own '<strong>Norwegian Jewel' Cruise Adventure that I was smart enough to document.</strong>
<h2>Pearl was apparently more impatient to go on this cruise than we were</h2>
Heather, Scarlett and I had lots on our plate and packing, organizing and generally getting prepared for this trip slowed us down.  Pearl was anxious to get going.

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<h2>Pearl was just chock-full of advice as the journey began</h2>
Though she was a bit challenged by not actually being able to see over the steering wheel. Not-to-worry; we were all used to that since I learned to drive in the Tampa Bay region of Florida “God’s Waiting Room”.  Some of her advice was quite good – but some seemed to be a bit condescending. She also wasn’t interested in nap time…

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<h2>She kind of lost her mind as soon as we hit New Orleans.</h2>
Maybe it was because the luggage took too long, maybe it was the humidity in the crescent city, and maybe it was because it was her first real trip. Whatever it was – she got crazy really quickly.  She was supposed to be on “Scarlett duty” but instead went straight for the champagne. Things got a little hazy after that!

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<h2>Heather and Scarlett went to bed, but for Pearl – the party was just getting started.</h2>
I’m not certain where she got all of her “get-up-and-go” from but she was talking fast and drinking hard. I must admit, I felt more-than-a-little awkward when she crawled into bed with me … apparently what happens in New Orleans goes right on the internet. I tried to ignore her but… Otters are irresistible! Luckily for my marriage she quickly excused herself to the bathroom sparing me any further embarrassment.

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<h2>Pearl paid the price that night – and the next morning</h2>
Fortunately, a bunch of Excedrin, some coffee and a period of introspection seemed to help get her mind right.

Pearl skipped breakfast; something about her upset stomach – and while we sallied forth to dine on some of the Crescent City’s breakfast grub,  she verified the packing, read a book on her kindle and eventually went to wait for us , impatiently in the rental car.

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<h2>Soon enough it was time to board the ship.</h2>
Pearl was not pleased with the embarkation process and the long lines. She sought solace in the arms of my beautiful daughter. When that didn’t get her the results she hoped-for, up into my arms she climbed, squirming the whole time. In the fullness of time we were all aboard the well-appointed ship and staring wistfully out the windows at the banks of the Mississippi zipping rapidly past.

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<h2>So the cruise-life started out fine… but soon enough the “Thug life” reared its ugly head.</h2>
Before you could say “Yo Ho Ho” she’d settled-in to the cruising routine and took full advantage of the relaxation opportunities it afforded. It didn’t last. Soon enough pearl found herself bored and going to the pool was out of the question – especially since there was a mishap trying on Scarlett’s water-wings.

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<h2> Sometimes all it takes is breaking the seal… taking that first little indulgence.</h2>
When you have an addiction, even the slightest thing can set you off.  It started innocently enough... a little Dramamine to fight the sea-sickness, then the pills, then the powders… before we knew it she’d gotten into the Mini-bar.  The pricey, pricey mini-bar. Before you could say “tragic hipster” it was sunglasses, a Kangol hat and hanging out - literally hanging out - with a towel-monkey who the steward let in. Kids, let this be a lesson to you – say no to drugs or you find yourself on a deck chair on a cruise ship balcony having a lot of fun with an attractive towel-monkey that you just met. Which, I guess, isn’t really so bad. Eventually - all partied out - Pearl and Scarlett finally succumbed to exhaustion.

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<h2>Unfortunately Pearl learned too-late about the consequences of her actions.</h2>
Apparently Towel-monkey/stuffed otter hybrids have a remarkably quick gestation period…  Now as she returns home Pearl has to face life as a single mother with an addiction. We wish her the best of luck.

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