Official Packer Fan Tours Cruise

Sometimes good things come in small packages, and sometimes small groups can be really, really loud. Such was the case with the Packer Fan Tours Caribbean Cruise March 1–7. We were told that we were a smaller collection than usual, but the 43 of us refused to let that matter.

From the welcoming cocktail party Sunday evening, March 1, to the farewell party the following Saturday, Packer fans led by William and Brie Henderson and our two little Henderson mascots, Mason and Molly Crosby, and Daryn and Megan Colledge, along with Packer Fan Tours guide Nanci and husband Tony Denissen, made their presence known.

Monday morning found the group doing an autograph and photo session (as though there weren't plenty pictures already taken) in the Conference room. This was also the time when Nanci's famous scavenger hunt was revealed and the group divided into the blue, green, and orange teams to see who could collect the most odd assortment of items by Saturday. Assignments were loosely laid out, especially just who would collect the rubbing of a police badge and not get jailed in the process.

Tuesday was Questions and Answers. Why does the time go by so quickly? Ninety minutes totally shot, and we were just getting warmed up. Unknown talents emerged: Daryn showed his command of the piano Monday, and Molly displayed her lovely voice as well as her expectation for Mason to always kick a touchback before the group made its way to the lobby for a group picture and numerous rounds of "Go Pack Go." A resounding cheer went up when someone yelled "Go Pack" from an upper floor, and a series of boos rang out when another person had the gal to yell for the Cowboys. That person was never found afterwards, but the Ft. Hood soldier who had yelled "Go Pack" was sincerely thanked that evening.

Wednesday through Friday were busy days with the islands of Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel to visit, but there were plenty of Packer small group gatherings at meals, in bars, or on deck. Garsh, some of us were even spotted in the gym working off the dinner calories, and a rather noisy group disrupted the staid late dinner seating with more "Go Packs" and cheers as the dining room broke into music and dance. Let's just say that the Packer crowd did not disappear mid-week!

All too soon, it was Saturday and the judging of the scavenger treasures by the Packer players' wives. New talents were exhibited here as well as we learned that our football stars were also pretty creative thinkers. Daryn told a dramatic story of a child who, at the very last minute, tossed the blue team a Henderson jersey before being tragically swept away by the cruel sea, and Will tried to talk the daughter into giving up her blanket to use as an orange team find. And a new team, the Cozumel Giants, emerged with hand-carved, wooden tickets! Even attorney, or was it umpire, traits were shown as Mason accused Mr. Colledge of numerous rules violations. In a very close match, Colledge's blue team won, which was pre-destined as the neat, picture-frame prizes had a blue background.

Farewells, not goodbyes, were said later Saturday at the cocktail party which, as all good things, went into overtime but ended up successfully. Hugs, addresses, and handshakes were exchanged along with promises for future sightings at games and other tours. One can definitely get hooked on cruising with the Packers!

— Betty

Packers Cruise

• Overview