Sunday, February 3, 2013—
Port Canaveral/Sunny and 72F
Because
we are now “Platinum” on Carnival, boarding the Sensation was a total breeze.
By noon we were having lunch in the Seaview Bistro (TK) and the Lido Grill
(JK). Our luggage was delivered early and we were unpacked and organized by 1
p.m. The ship has been updated several times since we were on her 15 years ago.
It did not take long to acclimate to the ship. Our cabin (ocean view) is E 59,
Empress Deck just steps away from the main atrium, elevators, guest services, and
lobby bar with music nightly, a great location. Our Fantasy Dining Room is one
deck above us, and the Fantasia Show Lounge is just two decks straight up. We
are thankful that our cabin is “normal” compared to the NCL Epic. Our bathroom
is normal, too. There is plenty of space
for both of us, with ample closets and drawers, a desk/vanity, good lighting,
and a flat screen TV.
Janie’s Take:
Heavily scented people could eat at
a location far far away from me.
TK’s Take:
He said that Port Canaveral was a good port to embark from—he would not mind
sailing out of that port again.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Freeport, Grand Bahamas IslandSunny/mid-70s
We did not hurry off the ship to go to Freeport. These two cruises are about warmth and sun. We teamed up with another couple, Chris and Eva from Florida, and Chris’ mother from Watertown, NY to get a taxi tour of the island. Grand Bahama Island is 96 miles long, but we only saw a small part. The island is “famed for its quiet beaches, dolphins, sharks, and old fishing settlements.” Some Pirates of the Caribbean scenes were filmed here. I particularly wanted to tour “The Perfume Factory” (www.perfumefactory.com). Even though I am not so fond of heavily perfumed people, I do like small factories with pleasant smells. This factory was founded about 40 years ago—the owner built the “factory” to look like an island home in the 1800s. All five of us were glad we stopped here—such a delightful atmosphere and many scents to explore!
We
also visited a flea market, the International Bazaar, Port Lucaya Marketplace,
and Junkanoo Beach. (A “Junkanoo” festival is held annually on December 26 and
January 1 and celebrates the Bahamian culture. It is thought that the word
Junkanoo comes from a corruption of John Canoe, the name of a former African
king. Revelers are masked and dressed in elaborate costumes.) The markets were full of colorful beach
dresses, beaded jewelry, t-shirts, and straw purses/bags. The beach was soft
and sandy, but the blue clear water was quite cold.
Tonight
was formal night so lobster and prime rib were served. Tonight’s show “Curves,”
with dancers, singers, and a live band was very good. I will say that the
colorful costumes were the skimpiest
we have ever seen in 32 cruises. There
was an announcement before the show that it was PG-13 and that the female
performers would be wearing g-strings. No kidding.
TK’s Takes:
Our driver did not seem too optimistic about the economy in the Bahamas. (They
experienced hurricanes back to back in 2004—we saw two 10-14 story hotels empty
and abandoned, as well as many other buildings. The oil refineries are gone, but
holding tanks full of Venezuelan oil are plentiful. The oil will be shipped to
refineries in America.)
Janie’s Takes:
As we basked in the total warmth in the Bahamas, we were amused at a vendor at
the market who said she was cold!! It’s all about perspective!
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Nassau, BahamasSunny/80s
After
a leisurely breakfast, we took a very short walk to downtown Nassau. We browsed
the jewelry, watch, the Straw Market, and souvenir shops. I especially liked
the shop that had soaps and candles made by the local artisans, “My Ocean.” (www.myocean-bahamas.com)
I bought a couple things for friends and family.
Nassau
is the capital of the Bahamas, an independent island group formerly a British
colony until about 40 years ago. Today that means traffic still stays to the
left in the Bahamas. Policemen (Bobbies) wear “white jackets, navy pants with
red seams, and pith helmets, a tropical version of their London counterparts.”
The buildings in Nassau are predominantly pink-hued. The walk to center city is
very short and pleasant.
We
returned to the ship about 1:30 p.m. for pool/reading time. Tonight’s dinner
featured chilled mango cream, soup, roast turkey, gravy, dressing, cranberry
sauce, and pumpkin pie. The turkey tasted very traditional without the usual
cruise ship spice or herb to give it an odd taste. The pumpkin pie tasted
familiar, but had the consistency of jello????
We
thought this 4 day cruise would have a lot of young people, but actually the
passengers’ median age is probably 70 with a few children and younger couples.
We shall see what a 3 day cruise brings.
TK’s Takes:
He was amused by the aggressive sea birds at the deck rails coveting leftovers. He also remarked that we have a good cabin
steward, Arvyn and his assistant Supardi.
Janie’s Takes: An unlimited Coke card for 4 days cost
$29.95. To my delight they serve Coke Zero which is light years ahead of Diet
Coke as far as taste is concerned.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
At Sea Sunny/high 70s
We had a fun day at the pool all day long-I’m reading Andy McDermott’s Return to Atlantis, an action story that is a follow up to one I read before about discoveries at a site believed to be Atlantis. Tim is a people watcher. At 6 p.m. we went to “cruise casual” dinner---tomato and mozzarella salad, veal parmesan, and baked Alaska. Excellent. After buying a photo (my 4th this trip—I can’t help myself), we went to tonight’s show, “Far From Over.” There are 14 very professional dancers onboard and quite frankly, Carnival always has a good show. Tonight the theme was songs of the 80s. Some featured songs/singers included “Sweet Dreams”/Eurhythmics, “Thriller”/Michael Jackson, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, and more, with pyrotechnics and mostly fabulous costumes. Two extra dancers were really really good at break dancing.
Most
of the passengers are leaving tomorrow, but we get to stay on board! Luggage is
outside in the hall, but not ours! J
TK’s Takes: This is the smoothest sailing we have ever encountered.
Janie’s Takes:
I think one of the reasons I like cruising so much is how I sleep with the
gentle rocking of the ship. I didn’t even hear the ship leave Nassau at 1 a.m.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Port Canaveral-Reprise/70sAfter breakfast in the dining room (very rare for us) and while other passengers disembarked, we waited with 4 other couples at the atrium bar for a ship’s officer to take us off the ship for customs and then bring us back on for new key cards and more fun! With only 10 passengers onboard this morning, we enjoyed having the Serenity area (aft--cushioned lounge chairs, adults only) completely to ourselves for two hours. On this ship, there is no cost so the area is always full.
I
spent the rest of the afternoon at the pool reading until we had the safety
drill. Shortly after the drill the ship slowly left the port. We tried some
silliness and called Randy, Brian’s work, and Tom to tell them to watch the
Port Canaveral webcam (on the Internet) to see us waving as the ship went past
the restaurant, FishLips. We had to
turn our phones off so we don’t know if anyone saw us. I think we should have
been on the top deck anyway.
Back
at our stateroom we made a distinct discovery. Our “passageway” was filled with
college age “boys” and “girls.” The
noise was deafening. Just what we were
afraid of. Cabins on down the line, both sides, were full of raucous
people.
On
the way to dinner we asked at guest services if there was anything we could do.
They said if we heard intolerable noise to contact them and they would send
security. That gave us some relief. (in hindsight--ha ha ha. By the time security arrived, the kids were gone again, partying somewhere else)
During
the last cruise we requested a certain table for two and so we are enjoying the
same dining stewards each night, Savio (India), Christopher (Philippines), and
Yustiawan (Indonesia). I think they are enjoying us too, because such short
cruises do not foster getting to know diners.
Savio, MJ, Yustiawan, Christopher, Tim in the Fantasy Dining Room
We
went to two evening comedy shows—both Butch Bradley and Darren D.S. Sanders
were funny, even though the shows were “family friendly.”
Our
towel animals have been a bunny, a monkey, a turtle, and a dinosaur. Arwyn
showed us how to make a turtle when we returned to the cabin.
TK’s /Janie’s Takes:
We were not sure how the night would turnout, noise-wise, but it was quiet as
we turned in.
Friday, February 08, 2013
Nassau/sunny/high 70sWe awoke from a very good night’s sleep. In other words, the young people contained their noise after 11 p.m. thank goodness. When we left the cabin though, we saw new mattresses in the hall for a room down the way. (it turned out that one of the young men in that particular room “sang in the bathroom” and other places, directly quoted from our dear cabin steward).
We
actually had breakfast in the dining room again and then I lounged by the pool
area while Tim watched the ship pull into Nassau and dock at noon. We did
decide walk into go into Nassau for a little while.
Tonight
was “elegant” night again and instead of lobster we had prime rib. The
nightclubs were not as busy because the ship is not leaving port until 5 a.m. We
went to the Punchliner Comedy Club again—some good laughs about flight
attendants (getting older and older—like Wal-Mart greeters) and family trips to
Disney World cost $700 million, for example.
The
news on CNN is focused on a big snow storm in the northeast. It looks like Erie
escaped most of it.
The
“boys” are in rare form, but we hope they are going to party off the ship in Nassau
tonight.
TK’s Takes:
He did not expect to go ashore today, but he accommodated me by going to
Diamonds International. He also said he
discovered a 9 hole putt putt course on
the 14th deck.
Saturday, February 09, 2013
At Sea/sunny and warm-70sWe were awakened four times last night, 3 times by our partying neighbors and once by the ship’s leaving Nassau. We could not expect too much more from a 3 day cruise with at least 4 bachelorette parties and 2 bachelor parties, as well as all the college age people. There are a lot of young families, too, but they are not a problem.
We
spent most of the day at the pool and now we have begun the inevitable packing
to leave tomorrow.
We
were sad to leave Savio, Christopher, and Yustiawan—they were so sweet and attentive.
The veal parmesan was fresh and tasty.
Our
final show was the comedian Butch Bradley. He was really playing to the
children, but we had a few laughs. He asked Tim where we were from and his
occupation. He said Erie, Pennsylvania and retired. I piped in that he was a
firefighter. Bradley had a quip for wives who speak up, then said he thought
firefighters should never have to wait in line for anything. He also said that when
firefighters see a fire, they go in.
When he sees a fire he calls a firefighter. Even though that got laughs,
he was clear that he respected the profession.
We finished packing and hoped for a night’s sleep. Tonight's towel feature was a big heart--so sweet!
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Lakeland, Florida/70s/Starbucks of I-4.We were off the ship and it our truck in less than an hour, by 8:30 a.m. traveling toward Dade City and Mary Lou and Scorchy. Tim has already observed that gas has gone up. And, we had an email from our Wisconsin friends that they want to do a Mediterranean cruise in 2014. If the cruise goes to Marseilles, we are in!
I
hope I have some access to Internet at Mary Lou’s. I really really miss my
family! I hope that friend H has been able to take her several trips for Medal
of Honor despite the weather, too. Lots to be thankful for.
TK’s Takes:
He is glad we are off the ship. The boys were making noise until 5 a.m. this
morning. No more 3 or 4 day cruises, ever. Unless we are with family.
Janie’s note: We only took these two cruises so we would be
Platinum. Carnival upped the ante on Platinum and we were so close that they
offered two short cruises and we would be upgraded. Otherwise, we would be far
away from Platinum. And the cruises were
reasonable and going to warm places!
No comments:
Post a Comment