By Lee Jetton
South Seas Resort and Marina was the March cruise destination of the Cape Coral Cruise Club, with 17 member boats joining in the fun and activities. South Seas is always a popular destination, and Cruise Leaders Phil & Lyn Quick hosted a record 38 members and guests on board their vessels participating in the cruise. Although 21 boats had signed up for the cruise, 4 dropped out due to illness, business, or mechanical issues.
The cruise began on a Tuesday and, after all boats had arrived in somewhat windy conditions with choppy seas, members relaxed aboard, swam or relaxed around one of the three South Seas pools, or enjoyed the beautiful beach. One group of 12 decided to have lunch beside the pool, and as fate would have it, Cruise Leader Phil Quick was the last to be served.
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At 5:00 pm, it was time for “docktails” and snacks on the marina terrace, before the gang boarded the free trolley for a trip to the Captiva Island location of Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille for a group dinner. Everyone enjoyed a variety of meals, coupled with tall tales and lots of laughter. The group was seated at three tables at Doc Ford’s, and as fate would have it, Cruise Leader Phil Quick’s table was the last to be served. Word then quickly spread that if you wanted your food in a timely manner, you should not sit with or near Phil Quick. A packed trolley provided the group with a ride back to the South Seas Marina for after-dinner beverages aboard several boats, or some needed rest.
A marvelous breakfast was prepared Wednesday morning by our cruise Leaders and served to the group in South Seas “Sextant Room”. Everyone filled their plates with scrambled eggs, link sausages, and mixed fruit. No one left hungry.
This was a day of leisure to enjoy all the many amenities of South Seas Resort, play games in the Sextant Room, or to ride the trolley into Captiva for lunch, shopping or exploring. The Sextant Room was the site of “docktails” and snacks at 5:00 pm before a dinner of “grill your own” New York strip steaks, with sides provided by the first mates. The steaks were delicious and since each boater grilled his or her own steak, no one could complain if they were overcooked or not seasoned well. The ladies deserve a pat on the back for the lip-smacking side dishes everyone enjoyed with their streak.
A special surprise was a huge Birthday Cake prepared to celebrate member Becky Karam’s birthday, with cards, balloons and a “Happy Birthday to You” serenade. The cake, along with member Lynn Engel’s beautiful hand-made chocolates, pecan pie and key lime pie became delicious dessert for the group. Then, member Lee Jetton read a humorous parody he had written of the life and times of our Cruise Leaders Phil and Lyn Quick. Dark secrets and long forgotten deeds were the focus of the parody, and Phil (Homer Phillip Elwood Quick) & Lyn (Sofia Francesca Lynette Impellizzeri) were good sports to be skewered in a “This is Your Life” parody.
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The final day of the Cruise, Thursday, began with a Continental Breakfast of pastries, muffins, fruit and hard-boiled eggs provided by our cruise Leaders, followed by a day of leisure to enjoy all that South Seas resort has to offer. As the weather had turned quite cool, not many members ventured into the pool. Cocktails, snacks and stimulating conversation in the Sextant Room at 5:00 pm was followed by “dinner on your own”, with some members dining aboard and other gathering at the on-site Harborside restaurant’s bar for ½ price drinks and appetizers. For reasons never explained, Cruise Leader Phil Quick was NOT the last person to be served, so perhaps that will allow others to sit with him at future dinners.
Friday morning dawned bright and sunny with calmer winds and smoother seas for member boats to leave South Seas and head for home. A few boats decided to stay an extra day or two and continue to enjoy the fabulous resort. Thanks go to Phil and Lyn Quick for hosting a wonderful and well-attended Club Cruise. Their efforts made this a fun-filled, enjoyable cruise for Cape Coral Cruise Club members.
The Cape Coral Cruise Club is open to new members who own a boat with overnight accommodations and reside in the Cape Coral / Ft. Myers area. For membership information please contact Phil Kryger at 239-541-0236. Read additional Club information on its website, www.c-c-c-c.org Like us on Facebook.