AAA Traveler Apr/May 2022 ACG - 35

Rick Hamrick and his grandson
The Hamricks at dinner
a marvel of entertainment and cruise
ship engineering, like the rear of the
ship was basically a high-tech lounge
with theater, bar, dining, anything you
can think of, " describes Rick. " There
were six robotic giant-screened
televisions that could be controlled to
perform dances or light shows-I've
never seen anything so technologically
advanced in my life. We watched the
New York Philharmonic Orchestra on
the widescreen robotic TV. "
Every night, the whole family
gathered in the grand dining room for a
formal dinner. " That was Sally's favorite
time. We watched the kids trying new
dishes and foods they'd never
experienced, " Rick laughs. " Some doing
it comfortably and enjoying it, and
others asking for chicken nuggets. It was
fun to see them all sitting together,
politely, in a formal dining setting. We
were so proud. "
After dinner, the older kids made a
beeline to the karaoke lounge, while the
younger children took in the magic acts.
" Sally and I like a little more subdued
entertainment, so we enjoyed the
lounges with piano music, " says Rick.
" Every time you turned around, there
was a different entertainment option
Another highlight was the brand-new
Dominican Republic port. " Everybody,
except Sally and me, booked a shore
excursion to the zoo and came back
raving about holding baby alligators and
swimming with dolphins, " says Rick.
available in one or more of the lounges. "
All seven of the Hamrick's
grandchildren loved the bumper car
arena and the skydiving simulator,
where they could experience the
weightlessness of an astronaut in a
rocket ship. " The ship also had a giant
globe attached to a hydraulic arm that
lifted into the air so you could scan 360
degrees over the ocean as you're cruising
along, " says Rick.
Sally Hamrick enjoying the
bumper cars
" Sally and I got off and walked
around-that's what we love to do when
we come into new ports. "
In the quaint port town of Puerto
Plata, the couple stumbled upon a 16th
century Spanish fortress. " We loved the
history and meeting the local people,
who were so proud of the new port
facility, " says Rick.
At Perfect Day Coco Cay, Royal
Caribbean's private island in the
Bahamas, sunny skies shined over
North America's tallest waterslide, the
anchor of the island's water park, and
every generation relaxed and
decompressed on the beach. " It was a
calming experience, especially after
everything we'd been through during
COVID, " says Rick. " A welcome
reprieve. "
Of course, all this wouldn't have been
Royal Caribbean's
Odyssey of the Seas
possible without the assistance from
Beth Tople, the Hamrick's AAA Travel
Advisor in Canton, Mich. " We can't say
enough good things about her, " says
Rick. " She has assisted with every
vacation for the last 10 years-including
the all-inclusive family trips, as well as
the personal vacations we've taken in
between. We would have a hard time
doing it without her and her expertise. "
When you're ready for your seven days at sea, call your local AAA Advisor or visit AAA.com/Cruises. And for
more information, listen in on our Well-Traveled with AAA podcast.
TRAVELER APR/MAY 2022 |
35
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE HAMRICK FAMILY; ROYAL CARIBBEAN

https://travel-booking.acg.aaa.com/cruise/cruises#passengerCount=2&cruiseLine=RC https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/well-traveled-with-aaa-cruising/id1491534962?i=1000532267490 https://open.spotify.com/episode/6zVMglnmb7wPL3DLMvmR5H

AAA Traveler Apr/May 2022 ACG

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