Lakewood Ranch's MVP Sports and Social hits the high seas

While the rest of the cruise passengers were dressed up for the ship’s formal night, the 250 MVP Sports and Social members had a different idea — they wore pirate costumes. 

Lakewood Ranch’s Kelly Harmon said they weren't just talking about t-shirts and eye patches for those representing Lakewood Ranch's primary sports and social group. They went all-out. 

Leading the way were MVP Sports and Social founders Chris McComas and his wife, Jessi McComas. McComas wore a 10-foot pirate mascot costume while Jessi McComas brought Mr. Smee from Disney’s “Peter Pan” to life. 

Harmon said the photos of members dressed up were posted on MVP Sports and Social’s social media so members not making the trip could vote on best costumes and still feel like they were part of the event. 

Whether it was Pirate Night, Karaoke Night, Comedy Night, the Super Bowl Watch Party, or even during the excursions around Cozemel, those who attended the Royal Caribbean cruise on Feb. 8-12 said it is one they’ll never forget. 

McComas said he and his wife always are looking for ways to provide new opportunities for Lakewood Ranch residents to connect. The cruise was an immediate hit.

Lakewood Ranch’s Melissa Hueser said she got to know other members of her cornhole league as well as those who play other sports in the social group. For example, she said she met those who played in MVP's volleyball, cornhole, disc golf, and mini golf leagues all in one trip to a Jacuzzi.

Through much of the trip, those with the MVP group carried cutouts of Chris McComas’ face during their their various adventures whether it was swimming with dolphins, snorkeling, touring a distillery or drinking at a local bar. McComas joked he was able to see all of Cozumel without actually being there. 

Although MVP organized games and events, Hueser and Harmon said the beauty of the cruise was that none of it was required but no one wanted to miss out on the activities. 

On the first day, all 250 members wore their MVP Sports and Social cruise shirts. They gathered on the helipad of the ship for a group photo. McComas said the group photo brought him an “incredible feeling of community.”