Vacation maybe

In a round-about way, I recently learned of somewhere I might decide to go next January. I sometimes take calls at work when someone's vehicle as been damaged on one of the state roads in this area. A lady called in, and I recognized her name. She performs, has some music books in print, and has recorded some music. I asked if she played autoharp. She said she did, and asked if we knew each other. We had never met, but I knew her name. I did not know she lived in Alabama. We have since been in touch by e-mail. She told me that last January was the 7th "autoharp cruise". The travel agent arranges for classes in autoharp and Appalachian dulcimer, mornings on the ship, then afternoons you have time to go ashore awhile, then jam sessions back on board in the evenings. I was told there's usually about 75 in the group. Last January they sailed from Fort Lauderdale to St. Thomas, San Juan, and 2 or 3 other ports, on a Holland America ship. Next January, they will sail from my "2nd home" (Tampa) to Key West, Belize, and 2 or 3 other ports. I am seriously considering going. I figure I'd enjoy that more than the trip I made in 2006 to Hawaii. The agent said she can usually find a cabin-mate for a "single". While we may not room together, she has already put me in email contact with a lady who has been on several of those cruises, who lives in Tampa and, like me, is legally blind. One problem would be getting to Tampa with a suitcase, an autoharp, an Appalachian dulcimer, a tote bag, and a white cane! I do not like to fly, Greyhound is a real pain as well as is crowded and uncomfortable, and Amtrak no longer has a convenient train from here to Tampa. If I decide to go, I'll see about getting a ride with someone and share expenses. Of course having lived in Tampa for years, I have friends where we could leave the car, as well as have a ride to and from the port. It's something to think about!