When our family decided to plan a reunion, choosing a cruise seemed like the easiest part. We are a loud, joyful bunch from Nashville, Tennessee, used to country music, southern cooking, and hospitality—cruising just felt like the perfect setting for our style of family chaos. What we didn't anticipate, however, was that our custom T-shirts would quickly become the star of our trip.
It started simply enough. My Aunt Betsy had seen an ad for the newest Royal Caribbean ship, Icon of the Seas. "It's got everything," she told us excitedly. "Pools, waterslides, restaurants, theaters, and even a swim-up bar!" That last detail sold Uncle Hank immediately. "Anything that brings drinks closer to me," he said, "I'm in."
With the booking finalized, our excitement grew as we counted down the days to departure. But then my cousin Kelly brought up the idea of matching shirts for everyone to wear onboard. At first, it was met with groans. My brother Jake, in particular, rolled his eyes dramatically. But eventually, the enthusiasm won over even the skeptics, and the family committee—comprised of our most spirited aunts and cousins—got to work.
We spent weeks deliberating slogans. Ideas flew around our group chat constantly, ranging from sentimental ("Family: Anchored Together") to playful ("Sea You at the Buffet!"). But nothing seemed quite right until Grandma Millie, in a burst of inspiration (or maybe frustration), jokingly suggested, "Lost at Sea. If found, return to the nearest buffet."
The chat exploded with laughter and unanimous agreement. With the design finalized, we reached out to Takehold Printing, a local Nashville screen printer conveniently located close to our neighborhood. They were incredibly helpful and quickly brought our vision to life. The shirts were printed bright teal, with the hilarious slogan emblazoned proudly on the back. On the front, smaller letters read, "The Jenkins Family Reunion, Icon of the Seas 2024." We ordered every size imaginable, from toddler tees for the youngest cousins to comfortable shirts for the grandparents.
The day finally arrived, and as we boarded Icon of the Seas at the Port of Miami, our family of twenty-five caused quite a scene. It wasn't just because of our numbers; the shirts were an instant hit. Fellow passengers chuckled as they walked past, and the crew members complimented us as we posed for group photos. Even Jake, initially resistant, couldn't stop laughing when strangers stopped us asking, "Have you checked the buffet yet?"
Once aboard, Icon of the Seas lived up to every expectation. Our younger family members raced off to explore the Category 6 waterpark, shrieking down slides and splashing happily. The teens immediately took to the Hideaway, a hangout space that felt like their own private paradise. The adults, meanwhile, gravitated toward the numerous bars, including Uncle Hank’s favorite—the swim-up Lime & Coconut Bar, where the bartenders learned his name by day two.
Our shirts had an unexpected benefit—they made it nearly impossible to lose track of anyone. "Has anyone seen Grandpa?" someone would inevitably ask, only for a passing stranger to point us in the direction of the buffet, chuckling, "He's following the shirt’s instructions perfectly!"
Dining onboard Icon of the Seas was another adventure altogether. From the casual grab-and-go options at Windjammer Marketplace to elegant dinners in the Main Dining Room, our family sampled everything. Each evening at dinner, servers greeted us warmly, having grown familiar with our shirts and antics. "Did you get lost again?" they'd tease.
One night, during a particularly festive dinner, a crew member approached us with a sly smile, handing Grandma Millie a note. Curious, she unfolded it, reading aloud: "Your shirts have caused quite the stir—you're officially invited for a behind-the-scenes kitchen tour tomorrow!" The table erupted in cheers. Our silly shirts had secured us VIP treatment!
As the cruise continued, our reputation onboard only grew. Passengers from around the world knew us by our shirts, waving enthusiastically whenever they spotted teal from across the deck. We felt like minor celebrities. One family from Canada jokingly asked if they could adopt our slogan for their own reunion.
When we reached our first port, CocoCay, the shirts made an even bigger splash—literally. We commandeered lounge chairs near the beach, our teal attire standing out vividly against the white sand. Even the lifeguards couldn't help but grin, nodding appreciatively at our matching ensemble.
Back onboard, the onboard activities provided endless fun. Grandma Millie conquered mini-golf, Aunt Betsy impressed everyone with her skills at karaoke, and cousin Kelly, the mastermind behind our shirts, won the trivia contest wearing, of course, her "Lost at Sea" tee.
By the final day, it felt like the entire ship knew us. We had made countless new friends and cherished memories, all thanks to a little bit of humor printed on cotton. The crew asked us to pose for one last photo on deck, commemorating our trip. As we gathered, Grandpa insisted, "Let's wear these shirts every year!" And despite the initial resistance, even Jake agreed enthusiastically.
As we disembarked, one of the crew members waved goodbye, laughing, "See you at the buffet—next time!"
Indeed, our family cruise aboard Icon of the Seas became legendary, not just for the ship's amenities or stunning destinations, but because we embraced the joy, laughter, and connection symbolized by our custom t- shirts. It turned out that sometimes the smallest decisions—like a funny slogan—could truly say it all.
