Goodbye Mickey, Hello Freddy a Carnival Cruise Report-Update 4/1 Final Thoughts Pg10

[anewmac]

1 iguana, 2iguana, 3 iguanas,... watch as mom hits the floor​

When we were done with lunch we went back on the pier and found a cab to take us to the nearest beach since we only had a couple hours to enjoy it left and still shop. We were taken to Morning Star, by the Marriot. The cab cost $6 per person we gave $25.

It was a nice area but the water was really choppy, so the boys enjoyed jumping waves

but E couldn’t see anything for snorkeling

I had read about all the places that charged for chair usage. So I was thinking we would just cop a squat in the sand and call it a day. But there were TONS of chairs available and no one in sight. So we grabbed 2, the boys all headed for the water and I headed for the bar!

This place too was covered with iguanas and they freaked me out. Standing at the bar they just came right up to get their order placed too.. EWW. I got the boys a soda, E a rum and coke and a mango margarita for me.. and they were not stingy on the alcohol. I liked them.

Look what I see on my walk back.. thank god that wasnt my chair

Having a great time in St Thomas

The beach to ocean was very small so it was nice, pretty clear water looks like a nice hotel to stay at also

Look for this on our next xmas card

Whats funny about this one is that right after I snapped this pic, I turned around and J puked, poor kid swallowed a gallon of water.. I am still laughing (ya I know bad mom LOL)

Soon it was time to head back to do a lil shopping. They had taxis’s there so we jumped in with a few others and $25 later again we were in the heart of St Thomas. E again shopped for tshirts, boys found some pens to use for school. Got me a shot glass, mom a thimble and then some post cards to mail. When we went to mail them I found a shop with some dresses that also sold alcohol (that’s my kind of place) So I thought oh lets pick up another bottle of wine to take on the ship... since we can take wine on board I read...we saw some gals we met in the comedy club the night before doing the same thing. More on this later.

I found a cute dress, mailed the post cards, then made our way back to the pier. On the way we found a cute lil St Thomas sign and stopped to get our pics.

Boys were getting thirsty as was I, so we stopped at this lil refreshment stand in front of the Carnival Dream (boy is that ship big, it’s the newest and the boys so wanted to go on it as it had multiple slides.) Boys got a soda, and I got an authentic Caribbean beer Caribi. By the time we walked a 1/2 block back to the main center E had made new friends and they gave him a beer (he does that every time we are in port LOL)

You are here

We chatted with them for a bit then eventually it was time to say our good byes as we were the 1st boat in and 1st to leave. So we made the 5min walk back.

As we are going thru security we get flagged to go over to the naughy table to turn in our alcohol. But Im fighting it going no your online content says you can bring on wine at the ports… apparently I don’t read correctly and its no alcohol and only one on embark. So 2 bottles of wine down to security.

Well ok ill be honest here… at my own expense you all can have a good laugh. E STILL DOES. So when we got flagged to turn in our (my) alcohol E grabbed a bottle out of the bag and Im hooting and hollering the whole time about it. The poor guy is just trying to get our room number and name, and Im being a royal pain in the you know what. So then he goes just 1 bottle… and DUMMY me goes.. No 2 and I reach into the bag that E has and pulls out the other bottle… ya I know.. I know I KNOW!!!. E gave me a look like you RETARD. I get my receipt to pick it up and we get in the elevator. E is laughing and goes so you were pretty much free to keep the 2nd bottle. I didn’t know you had it and he didn’t know you had it. I just stood there with my mouth wide open going oh shnap. Yes folks, I was so P.O.ed I gave my alcohol away.. Basically. Whats funnier is our “friends” that we saw buying alcohol, bought bottles of rum/vodka with non metal caps that could fit into their pants pockets/bathing suits and got it in no prob they said…. Note to self. Oh well it’s a fun memory.. NOW, well mostly still for E lol.

Once in the room, J took a shower and then decided to nap. E went to the gym.

P and I went on to deck 10 to watch sail away since we were docked opposite of our balcony and to catch people do the WALK OF SHAME! In case you dont know what the WOS is, thats when after the captain sounds the horn that you have a few mins left to board,and they start calling names of those still not on board you stand at the sides of the ship and watch them RUN to make it on board in time.

Time for a DOTD today a Caribbean Breeze.

There we saw TONS of runners that were late to the boat. Even the Senior Frog worker guys came over to egg us on with bull horns. It was great, I love egging on people even better when others around you join in.

Click here to Watch The Runners

Except for one passenger.

So if you read these boards lady with the 2 piece bathing suit talking on your cell phone. Next time please take your loud and expletive enhanced conversation to your room. There was no need for it on deck where tons of kids were. Even mine walked by and said mom that lady is cursing a lot. But we didn’t let her ruin the experience.

Good bye Paradise until we meet again

Eventually we got some food to take back down to the room to hold us over till dinner. Once P and I showered and got ready we took J to his club and P went to his and E and I went to dinner.

About the clubs, Ps club wasn’t open till 5pm when everyone was due back on ship. J’s was open all day. So something to keep in mind. Tonight J was doing free play on the video games, then camp out with storys and smores right up his alley, then relay games. After 11pm it doesn’t mention what goes on in the clubs I think it all depends on how many kids are left to babysit. I know he came back with sometype of art work.

P had a trivia game of famous sayings, Karaoke via the PS2, and then Rock N Roll party at the 70’s disco (guess who tried to peep him out again … yup worlds most embarrassing mom award right here!) They finished up the night with watching Twilight3. He said all the boys checked them selves out tho as they were tired of the girls giggling and sighing LOL. So they went up to the Lido deck to catch Cats & Dogs 2 on the Jumbo Tron.

E had caeser salad (surprise surprize surprise)

I had the French onion soup, yummy

We shared a quesadilla of some sort

I had the pasta it was delish

E had the orange glazed chicken, he was thinking it was going to be like Panda express boy was he disappointed but it was good he said.

Only a Texan would know to take a pic of a longhorn on a knife (yes doing a total hand smack to the head)

Dessert was just me this time, strawberry cheesecake. It was eh

After dinner we went to the comedy club in the International Club. it was a great show. Funny as heck. Very adult only material. We missed the Comedy/Juggling act in the main theater, but the adult comedy kept us rolling. After the show we called it a night and picked J back up from his club and went back to the room. P had a curfew of 11 tonight since we had another early morning the next day. But he called asking to get some pizza, of which we told him to bring back some for J he was hungry again.

I put out the same breakfast ticket we had last night, set the alarm and call for a wake up from Freddy lol. Did a quick run down of notes for this trip report then called it a night myself.

Tally
Freddy- 1
Mickey-1


Up Next: Tarzan, Jane and 2 Georges of the Jungle

 

[portocall]

Yay, an update! I have been enjoying your trip report since I stumbled upon it a few weeks ago. Even though it is a llloonnngg way away, I have finally started pricing cruises since my son decided he would rather cruise than theme park it for his 15th birthday. (two younger ones got to go to Disney for their 5th but the oldest didn't get a trip, hence his 15th) Since many moons ago both DH and I worked for Carnival on the ships we decided to stick with what we know (that and Disney cruises are expensive!) and I appreciate your honest review.

 

[mousetravel]

Loving your TR! I would die if I seen that lizard thing on my chair. Glad it wasn't yours, too!!!

I finally got a TR started from our recent cruise.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hey Drea! Welcome Back!

1 iguana, 2iguana, 3 iguanas,... watch as mom hits the floor​

I got up early as usually and was out on deck by 645am, I think its just my nature to not sleep late on vacation afraid Ill miss something. I figure I can sleep when Im home or when I die LOL. When I was out on the balcony I saw us slowly pulling into port.

I started getting ready and once E was up he noticed that it was already 7 and our room service ticket that we hung on our door the night before hadn’t been picked up. It said put out by 5am... we did it at 11pm the night before. So now we had to rush even more to get ready and head up to lido to get some chow. (1 Point for Mickey they always came) I had originally planned for us to do the helmet dive at Coral World on our own, but after weeks of not hearing back from Coral World I gave up and just booked with the ship. It was only about $25 more a person. But gave me peace of mind a few others from my meets thread had the same issue and booked via Carnival also. So we had to be on the pier by 830am. (Point for Freddy here, no having to go to a certain room to get a sticker to wait around to then go to the pier... We just went straight to the pier and saw the big sign that said CORAL WORLD)

Suffice to say without our coffee I was peeved to say the least, as the call for room serve wait was over 45mins and we didn’t want to chance it. We were in the buffet line by 720. Cereal for the boys. Omelets for E and I and down on the pier by 825. Wow talk about cutting it close. We do that for most of our excursions we figured out. lol yeah for consistency.

Hey, you're not late if you're not the last one, right?

Once we met up with our group we waited for one more family (awesome we werent last LOL) and then walked over to the open air vans to be taken to coral world.

After a 20min drive we were there, wow and we thought we were paying a lot for gas back in March. (were almost paying that now in Cali)

We opted to be the 2nd group to do the dive so we went and explored the aquariums to see all the fish and animals they had. Easily can do in about 20mins we even hit the gift shop for a postcard of the place.

That turtles huge (ya I know that what she said)

Baby sharks

E petting starfish

So perdy

We basically had the whole place to ourselves

Love the fish hat!

Once we were up on deck (sorry baseball term) we headed back to the meeting area and signed our life away on the health/permission slips. Our tour guide showed us how the helmets worked and what to do and expect down there. I was worried about how the boys would do. Well P in particular is who I was worried about. He is my timid one and he didn’t want to do this at first but I talked him into it.. Ok more like E and I kept saying your lil brothers gonna do it, you cant let him do it and you not do it LOL. Ya we are awesome parents like that LOL.

Becareful where you walk, as these BIG ol suckers are everywhere..

And they feed them so they keep coming back, I was out of there.

I don't mind them, except if they look big enough to eat me!

There was a couple, then 3 friends then us in our group. The girl in the couple chickened out as soon as she stepped on the ladder. Her man was NOT happy. Neither was I was worried it would make P chicken out. I went down 1st then J then P and E in the rear.. you sort of go in panic mode at 1st until you get the feeling of it. Your ears plug so you put your hand up thru the mask and try and hold your nose to pop them.

Once all of us were down we started making our way around the underwater village thingy, they had given us hand signs before hand and I kept doing the ok sign to the boys to make sure they were good to go. Of course they were I was just paranoid about it. We had a great time with it and the boys thought it was SOOO cool. J wanted to take the video in to show his class. P said he will put it on youtube and show his friends… love how the technology has advanced lol.

Click Here To Go Under The Sea

Great video! It looks like something I've always wanted to do! The fast mo is funny!

We rinsed off in the showers, then waited and waited for the shuttle to take us back to the pier. We could have gone down to the local beach and had a drink for as long as it took for them to get ready and take us back.

MAN those roads are narrow

But the views are worth it

Back to the ship to eat some lunch, drop off the wet towels and check out new ones

E wanted to eat here.. (he’s from Texas LOL)

Boys had burgers, hot dogs and nachos. I had the Taste of the nations Caribbean flare. Cant comment if it was great or not since I didn’t mention anything in my notes so I guess it was nothing to write home about.

*** Continued on Next Post Too Many Pics***

You had Texas BBQ with a Caribbean flare? No wonder it was not notable!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

1 iguana, 2iguana, 3 iguanas,... watch as mom hits the floor​

When we were done with lunch we went back on the pier and found a cab to take us to the nearest beach since we only had a couple hours to enjoy it left and still shop. We were taken to Morning Star, by the Marriot. The cab cost $6 per person we gave $25.

Looks like a great place!

It was a nice area but the water was really choppy, so the boys enjoyed jumping waves

but E couldn’t see anything for snorkeling

I had read about all the places that charged for chair usage. So I was thinking we would just cop a squat in the sand and call it a day. But there were TONS of chairs available and no one in sight. So we grabbed 2, the boys all headed for the water and I headed for the bar!

There you go!

This place too was covered with iguanas and they freaked me out. Standing at the bar they just came right up to get their order placed too.. EWW. I got the boys a soda, E a rum and coke and a mango margarita for me.. and they were not stingy on the alcohol. I liked them.

Look what I see on my walk back.. thank god that wasnt my chair

Cute little baby one!

Having a great time in St Thomas

The beach to ocean was very small so it was nice, pretty clear water looks like a nice hotel to stay at also

Look for this on our next xmas card

Whats funny about this one is that right after I snapped this pic, I turned around and J puked, poor kid swallowed a gallon of water.. I am still laughing (ya I know bad mom LOL)

Poor guy!

Soon it was time to head back to do a lil shopping. They had taxis’s there so we jumped in with a few others and $25 later again we were in the heart of St Thomas. E again shopped for tshirts, boys found some pens to use for school. Got me a shot glass, mom a thimble and then some post cards to mail. When we went to mail them I found a shop with some dresses that also sold alcohol (that’s my kind of place) So I thought oh lets pick up another bottle of wine to take on the ship... since we can take wine on board I read...we saw some gals we met in the comedy club the night before doing the same thing. More on this later.

I found a cute dress, mailed the post cards, then made our way back to the pier. On the way we found a cute lil St Thomas sign and stopped to get our pics.

Cute "Wish You Were Here" postcard pic!

Boys were getting thirsty as was I, so we stopped at this lil refreshment stand in front of the Carnival Dream (boy is that ship big, it’s the newest and the boys so wanted to go on it as it had multiple slides.) Boys got a soda, and I got an authentic Caribbean beer Caribi. By the time we walked a 1/2 block back to the main center E had made new friends and they gave him a beer (he does that every time we are in port LOL)

You are here

We chatted with them for a bit then eventually it was time to say our good byes as we were the 1st boat in and 1st to leave. So we made the 5min walk back.

As we are going thru security we get flagged to go over to the naughy table to turn in our alcohol. But Im fighting it going no your online content says you can bring on wine at the ports… apparently I don’t read correctly and its no alcohol and only one on embark. So 2 bottles of wine down to security.

Well ok ill be honest here… at my own expense you all can have a good laugh. E STILL DOES. So when we got flagged to turn in our (my) alcohol E grabbed a bottle out of the bag and Im hooting and hollering the whole time about it. The poor guy is just trying to get our room number and name, and Im being a royal pain in the you know what. So then he goes just 1 bottle… and DUMMY me goes.. No 2 and I reach into the bag that E has and pulls out the other bottle… ya I know.. I know I KNOW!!!. E gave me a look like you RETARD. I get my receipt to pick it up and we get in the elevator. E is laughing and goes so you were pretty much free to keep the 2nd bottle. I didn’t know you had it and he didn’t know you had it. I just stood there with my mouth wide open going oh shnap. Yes folks, I was so P.O.ed I gave my alcohol away.. Basically. Whats funnier is our “friends” that we saw buying alcohol, bought bottles of rum/vodka with non metal caps that could fit into their pants pockets/bathing suits and got it in no prob they said…. Note to self. Oh well it’s a fun memory.. NOW, well mostly still for E lol.

Oops! You forgot that you were running the distraction ! Sorry.

Once in the room, J took a shower and then decided to nap. E went to the gym.

P and I went on to deck 10 to watch sail away since we were docked opposite of our balcony and to catch people do the WALK OF SHAME! In case you dont know what the WOS is, thats when after the captain sounds the horn that you have a few mins left to board,and they start calling names of those still not on board you stand at the sides of the ship and watch them RUN to make it on board in time.

Good job on the encouragement! I'm Proud!
Time for a DOTD today a Caribbean Breeze.

There we saw TONS of runners that were late to the boat. Even the Senior Frog worker guys came over to egg us on with bull horns. It was great, I love egging on people even better when others around you join in.

That's

Click here to Watch The Runners

Except for one passenger.

So if you read these boards lady with the 2 piece bathing suit talking on your cell phone. Next time please take your loud and expletive enhanced conversation to your room. There was no need for it on deck where tons of kids were. Even mine walked by and said mom that lady is cursing a lot. But we didn’t let her ruin the experience.

How Rude!

Good bye Paradise until we meet again

Beautiful shot!

Eventually we got some food to take back down to the room to hold us over till dinner. Once P and I showered and got ready we took J to his club and P went to his and E and I went to dinner.

About the clubs, Ps club wasn’t open till 5pm when everyone was due back on ship. J’s was open all day. So something to keep in mind. Tonight J was doing free play on the video games, then camp out with storys and smores right up his alley, then relay games. After 11pm it doesn’t mention what goes on in the clubs I think it all depends on how many kids are left to babysit. I know he came back with sometype of art work.

P had a trivia game of famous sayings, Karaoke via the PS2, and then Rock N Roll party at the 70’s disco (guess who tried to peep him out again … yup worlds most embarrassing mom award right here!) They finished up the night with watching Twilight3. He said all the boys checked them selves out tho as they were tired of the girls giggling and sighing LOL. So they went up to the Lido deck to catch Cats & Dogs 2 on the Jumbo Tron.




Only a Texan would know to take a pic of a longhorn on a knife (yes doing a total hand smack to the head)

Hook 'em Horns, I guess.

Dessert was just me this time, strawberry cheesecake. It was eh

After dinner we went to the comedy club in the International Club. it was a great show. Funny as heck. Very adult only material. We missed the Comedy/Juggling act in the main theater, but the adult comedy kept us rolling. After the show we called it a night and picked J back up from his club and went back to the room. P had a curfew of 11 tonight since we had another early morning the next day. But he called asking to get some pizza, of which we told him to bring back some for J he was hungry again.

I put out the same breakfast ticket we had last night, set the alarm and call for a wake up from Freddy lol. Did a quick run down of notes for this trip report then called it a night myself.

I hope you get your breakfast tomorrow!

Tally
Freddy- 1
Mickey-1


Up Next: Tarzan, Jane and 2 Georges of the Jungle

Well, it looks like Freddy and Mickey are holding their own today! Thanks for coming back to tell the story! I was just thinking about you today.

 

[disneymarie]

Thanks for the great report. Miss finding non Disney cruises, the cruise critic had some threads., but not like the dis family...lack the down home passion of passionate mouse folks.

We just had our first cruise and all had a blast. No flights, direct to NY port, and had the time of our lives. I think at $1,050 porthole though we could have had one this fall on Disney Dream same room,

Did a Norwegian the GEM and Sinan the cruise director, was a true hoot. tons to do, all free styling. The booze was crazy $$$.

DD wanted to go back again as soon as we left.

 

[podsnel]

I'm the same way on vacation- I wake up alot earlier than normal, I don't want to miss anything!! (Well- except for the last cruise- with that noisy kid next door with our 6am wake-up call). Coral World looked really cool! I liked in the video how P pulled back from that little shrimp thingee- I would have too, even though I've gone scuba diving and snorkeling plenty- that thing just looked like an underwater spider.

And what's with the mango rita??? In STT you need to have a BUSHWACKER- it's like a liquor milkshake- you would LOVE it- or a Painkiller- also very yummy. I'll be drinking BOTH when I get there next month- one day in STT on our cruise, we're spending it with Thomas.

How could we not? Here's some Bushwackers we had in STT at the Ritz Carlton on our way home this year-

YUMMMMM!!!!!

Great update- gets me psyched for my own vacation!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I'm the same way on vacation- I wake up alot earlier than normal, I don't want to miss anything!! (Well- except for the last cruise- with that noisy kid next door with our 6am wake-up call). Coral World looked really cool! I liked in the video how P pulled back from that little shrimp thingee- I would have too, even though I've gone scuba diving and snorkeling plenty- that thing just looked like an underwater spider.

And what's with the mango rita??? In STT you need to have a BUSHWACKER- it's like a liquor milkshake- you would LOVE it- or a Painkiller- also very yummy. I'll be drinking BOTH when I get there next month- one day in STT on our cruise, we're spending it with Thomas.

How could we not? Here's some Bushwackers we had in STT at the Ritz Carlton on our way home this year-

YUMMMMM!!!!!

Great update- gets me psyched for my own vacation!

Look at that frozen deliciousness!

 

[anewmac]

Yay, an update! I have been enjoying your trip report since I stumbled upon it a few weeks ago. Even though it is a llloonnngg way away, I have finally started pricing cruises since my son decided he would rather cruise than theme park it for his 15th birthday. (two younger ones got to go to Disney for their 5th but the oldest didn't get a trip, hence his 15th) Since many moons ago both DH and I worked for Carnival on the ships we decided to stick with what we know (that and Disney cruises are expensive!) and I appreciate your honest review.

Do it, you have to price early for a good price.. well sometimes.. Ours actually went down$200 and I suggest with carnival you book direct with them unless you know a good travel agent. He will love it 15 is a great age I think for a carnival cruise. oh to be 15 again LOL

Hey Drea! Welcome Back!
oy thanks.. man its been rough being busy lol


You had Texas BBQ with a Caribbean flare? No wonder it was not notable!

haha ya its like having a mexican cook authentic italian.. oh wait I do lol but im not authentic either really lol

Well, it looks like Freddy and Mickey are holding their own today! Thanks for coming back to tell the story! I was just thinking about you today.

ya we werent on the ship much today. it started rough withno breaky delivered but got better quick

Thanks for the great report. Miss finding non Disney cruises, the cruise critic had some threads., but not like the dis family...lack the down home passion of passionate mouse folks.
I agree thats why i came here to post.. plus their forum on the cruise critic is odd.

We just had our first cruise and all had a blast. No flights, direct to NY port, and had the time of our lives. I think at $1,050 porthole though we could have had one this fall on Disney Dream same room,
Nice I think we might do a mexican riveara if we could find it cheap enough that way we dont have to do flight hotel etc. But I just priced the disney kids free mexican and was $10,000 for a balcony HA ya right.on the WONDER

Did a Norwegian the GEM and Sinan the cruise director, was a true hoot. tons to do, all free styling. The booze was crazy $$$.
thats where they get ya. How did you like the Norwegian style. Im dying to get on the Epic

DD wanted to go back again as soon as we left.

Im with her!

I'm the same way on vacation- I wake up alot earlier than normal, I don't want to miss anything!! (Well- except for the last cruise- with that noisy kid next door with our 6am wake-up call). Coral World looked really cool! I liked in the video how P pulled back from that little shrimp thingee- I would have too, even though I've gone scuba diving and snorkeling plenty- that thing just looked like an underwater spider.
Im surprized I did it.. i hate bugs.. and fish but guess i thought what the heck im under whater walking around im friggen super women LOL I touched a bug and i liked it (sing with me to the toon of katy perrys i kisseda girl LOL)

And what's with the mango rita??? In STT you need to have a BUSHWACKER- it's like a liquor milkshake- you would LOVE it- or a Painkiller- also very yummy. I'll be drinking BOTH when I get there next month- one day in STT on our cruise, we're spending it with Thomas.

HELLLOOOO THOMAS! how you do'en!!!!???!
damn it i knew there was something i needed to have there.. Just told E we need to go back so we can have one.. he said ha loook up the receipe and make it next week while sitting in your back yard paradise.. um not the same buddy LOL

How could we not? Here's some Bushwackers we had in STT at the Ritz Carlton on our way home this year-

YUMMMMM!!!!!

Great update- gets me psyched for my own vacation!

Look at that frozen deliciousness!

his name is Thomas not Frozen deliciousness LOL more like HAWT Deliciousness LOL

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I put my blinders on and just focused on the alcohol! I do see what you mean, though!

I like what E said! Heck, you have a handsome hubby and a pool - not too shabby!: Just get him a good blender and tell him to be your pool boy!

 

[nenner1]

I got up early as usually and was out on deck by 645am, I think its just my nature to not sleep late on vacation afraid Ill miss something. I figure I can sleep when Im home or when I die LOL

Each cruise I swear I will start waking up earlier, it never happens. Ron always beats me. Not sure if it is the activity, the booze, the lack of activity, the booze, the food, or the booze.....

I started getting ready and once E was up he noticed that it was already 7 and our room service ticket that we hung on our door the night before hadn’t been picked up. It said put out by 5am... we did it at 11pm the night before. So now we had to rush even more to get ready and head up to lido to get some chow.

That is why we have never done the breakfast door hanger. We just may end up doing it on the next cruise though when we aren't at character breakfast (We scheduled all three. Greedy I know. )

I had originally planned for us to do the helmet dive at Coral World on our own, but after weeks of not hearing back from Coral World I gave up and just booked with the ship. It was only about $25 more a person. But gave me peace of mind a few others from my meets thread had the same issue and booked via Carnival also.

Wow, that sucks. I guess it's nice to not have to worry about the boat leaving ya or having to be VIDOTAPED DOING THE WOS .....and heck what's another Ben Franklin on vacay anyway.

.

Once all of us were down we started making our way around the underwater village thingy, they had given us hand signs before hand and I kept doing the ok sign to the boys to make sure they were good to go. Of course they were I was just paranoid about it. We had a great time with it and the boys thought it was SOOO cool. J wanted to take the video in to show his class. P said he will put it on youtube and show his friends… love how the technology has advanced lol.

Click Here To Go Under The Sea

Oh Drea.....Drea, Drea, Drea.... Ron will curse you for this.

But you got me. This looks SO FREAKIN COOL we will absolutely HAVE to do this on one of our upcoming cruises (so glad they are both Easterns).

The video and pics are awesome!!! Are they all professional or did you take some with your own underwater camera? I thought I saw E with a camera. If so, what kind did you have?

Love it! Did I mention that?

When we were done with lunch we went back on the pier and found a cab to take us to the nearest beach since we only had a couple hours to enjoy it left and still shop. We were taken to Morning Star, by the Marriot. The cab cost $6 per person we gave $25.

Looks pretty nice!

I had read about all the places that charged for chair usage. So I was thinking we would just cop a squat in the sand and call it a day. But there were TONS of chairs available and no one in sight. So we grabbed 2, the boys all headed for the water and I headed for the bar!

Now yer talkin'!

This place too was covered with iguanas and they freaked me out.

Not fair. We never saw one when we were in STT/STJ. Boo. I like em.

Standing at the bar they just came right up to get their order placed too.. EWW.

Whats funny about this one is that right after I snapped this pic, I turned around and J puked, poor kid swallowed a gallon of water.. I am still laughing (ya I know bad mom LOL)

ha, you'd never know he was just about to yak. Poor kid. Actually looks like the kid in the background might have just puked too.

Soon it was time to head back to do a lil shopping. They had taxis’s there so we jumped in with a few others and $25 later again we were in the heart of St Thomas.

Ya, those taxis there can add up.

Well ok ill be honest here… at my own expense you all can have a good laugh. E STILL DOES. So when we got flagged to turn in our (my) alcohol E grabbed a bottle out of the bag and Im hooting and hollering the whole time about it. The poor guy is just trying to get our room number and name, and Im being a royal pain in the you know what. So then he goes just 1 bottle… and DUMMY me goes.. No 2 and I reach into the bag that E has and pulls out the other bottle… ya I know.. I know I KNOW!!!. E gave me a look like you RETARD. I get my receipt to pick it up and we get in the elevator. E is laughing and goes so you were pretty much free to keep the 2nd bottle. I didn’t know you had it and he didn’t know you had it. I just stood there with my mouth wide open going oh shnap. Yes folks, I was so P.O.ed I gave my alcohol away.. Basically. Whats funnier is our “friends” that we saw buying alcohol, bought bottles of rum/vodka with non metal caps that could fit into their pants pockets/bathing suits and got it in no prob they said…. Note to self. Oh well it’s a fun memory.. NOW, well mostly still for E lol.

Oh that is *SO* something I would do. I'm dingy like that.

Time for a DOTD today a Caribbean Breeze.

Best. Glass. EVER!!!

There we saw TONS of runners that were late to the boat. Even the Senior Frog worker guys came over to egg us on with bull horns. It was great, I love egging on people even better when others around you join in.

Click here to Watch The Runners

You are so bad! How come ya weren't heckling in the video? You have to be LOUD if ya want them to hear you 10 decks below...hehe! (I know, I know you just didn't tape that part!)

Dinner Pr0n looks yummy. Of course it's 6:51 AM here and I've been up for hours so a nice plate of pasta or cheesecake sounds great right about now.

I'm ready for more...I mean it this time..promise...LOL

 

[podsnel]

Here's a recipe- in case you feel like enjoying that backyard paradise E mentioned-

Bushwacker

2 fluid ounces coffee flavored liqueur
2 fluid ounces coconut rum
2 fluid ounces Irish cream liqueur
2 fluid ounces vodka
2 fluid ounces amaretto liqueur
2 fluid ounces cream of coconut
1 pinch ground nutmeg
Directions
1.In a one-quart blender half filled with ice, combine coffee liqueur, rum, Irish cream, vodka, amaretto and coconut cream. Blend until smooth. Pour into cup and sprinkle a little nutmeg on top and enjoy a little taste of the Islands.

Here's one we had in Tortola-

This one was in Caneel Bay on STJ before we went kayaking/hiking/snorkeling-

Sometimes they swirl chocolate syrup in the glass before they pour in the drink....sometimes there is whipped cream and a cherry on top. Sometimes they actually add cream or half & half or ice cream to it. There are literally hundreds of variations- but wow, is it soooooo delicious! I'll be having one (or more) in 3 weeks! We leave two weeks from Thursday!

Here's a link to the other famous drink in the Virgin Islands- Pusser's Painkiller-
http://charlestobias.com/2009/02/hello-world/

LOVE the soggy dollar bar- best bar in the Caribbean!! Here's a painkiller at the Soggy Dollar Bar this past January-

Thirsty yet?

 

[anewmac]

Ok bare with me I finally have time to post a new chapter and my laptop took a dump.. Jen i blame you LOL and my desktop is really slow.. so we will be hitting up Best buy this weekend to get them into be checked.

Each cruise I swear I will start waking up earlier, it never happens. Ron always beats me. Not sure if it is the activity, the booze, the lack of activity, the booze, the food, or the booze.....
see i cant even blame E's over induldging he's always like this LOL


That is why we have never done the breakfast door hanger. We just may end up doing it on the next cruise though when we aren't at character breakfast (We scheduled all three. Greedy I know. )
wow their are 3 charachter breakfasts.. NICe.. whats the themes.. So I was mentioning how you were going on this one and he said ya when I get back from "the stan" (guess thats what the cool kids call it instead of Afgan.. guess it does sound like a blanket LOL) were going on that ship... a round of seriously? seriously!, really? REALLY! SWEET.. So ill be looking for prices and you take really really REALLY good notes and videos that I can send him and make him keep his promise LOL


Wow, that sucks. I guess it's nice to not have to worry about the boat leaving ya or having to be VIDOTAPED DOING THE WOS .....and heck what's another Ben Franklin on vacay anyway.
as long as your family doesnt think fast to grab the camera to get ya on video your safe also.. .


Oh Drea.....Drea, Drea, Drea.... Ron will curse you for this.

But you got me. This looks SO FREAKIN COOL we will absolutely HAVE to do this on one of our upcoming cruises (so glad they are both Easterns).
DO IT! so worth it. Boys have said these excurtions were the BEST of the 2 cruises we have been on LMAO. Worth the money for the memories

The video and pics are awesome!!! Are they all professional or did you take some with your own underwater camera? I thought I saw E with a camera. If so, what kind did you have?
Both, you can buy their pics and it has your whole group on it for $65 and I took ours also to get some. but theirs come out much better since its a proffec underwater camera. Mine is just a cannon sd1100 point and shoot in a water safe bag. LOL

Love it! Did I mention that?
the best part is showing people after they think its soo cool and you kind of gloat like ya I did that.. but im not doing that here.. no not at all.. (but i know deep in side your doing this to me lol


Not fair. We never saw one when we were in STT/STJ. Boo. I like em.
Go to Coral World they are all hanging out there.

ha, you'd never know he was just about to yak. Poor kid. Actually looks like the kid in the background might have just puked too.
your looking at the wrong kid.. kid next to me is P .... kid in the background is J.. he did puke LOL


Oh that is *SO* something I would do. I'm dingy like that.
glad im not alone.. its ok my bartender helped me drown my sorrows.

Best. Glass. EVER!!!
they have like 2 other sayings "Look at me Im on Vacation" and
RELAXATION: Great to see you again"

You are so bad! How come ya weren't heckling in the video? You have to be LOUD if ya want them to hear you 10 decks below...hehe! (I know, I know you just didn't tape that part!).
I was but ya it was after i taped didnt want ya to hear just me I was trying to hear if others did it... just wait each port gets better! and I do get more vocal.. even E gets in on the action.

I'm ready for more...I mean it this time..promise...LOL

Im trying.. going to work on it a lil at work during lunch breaks.. this no laptop and slow desktop really make ya wonder how we did anything back in the day LOL.

Here's a recipe- in case you feel like enjoying that backyard paradise E mentioned-
perfect I will print it out for him!

Bushwacker

2 fluid ounces coffee flavored liqueur
2 fluid ounces coconut rum
2 fluid ounces Irish cream liqueur
2 fluid ounces vodka
2 fluid ounces amaretto liqueur
2 fluid ounces cream of coconut
1 pinch ground nutmeg
Directions
1.In a one-quart blender half filled with ice, combine coffee liqueur, rum, Irish cream, vodka, amaretto and coconut cream. Blend until smooth. Pour into cup and sprinkle a little nutmeg on top and enjoy a little taste of the Islands.

Here's one we had in Tortola-

This one was in Caneel Bay on STJ before we went kayaking/hiking/snorkeling-

Sometimes they swirl chocolate syrup in the glass before they pour in the drink....sometimes there is whipped cream and a cherry on top. Sometimes they actually add cream or half & half or ice cream to it. There are literally hundreds of variations- but wow, is it soooooo delicious! I'll be having one (or more) in 3 weeks! We leave two weeks from Thursday!

Here's a link to the other famous drink in the Virgin Islands- Pusser's Painkiller-
http://charlestobias.com/2009/02/hello-world/

LOVE the soggy dollar bar- best bar in the Caribbean!! Here's a painkiller at the Soggy Dollar Bar this past January-

Thirsty yet?

arent I always ? lol wow 3weeks and your back on paradise.. im jealous.!!!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Ellen, Now you went and made me thirsty! I think I'm going to have to get those ingredients and try that one!

Drea, sorry about your computer. I'll hold off on making the popcorn.

 

[nenner1]

Ok bare with me I finally have time to post a new chapter and my laptop took a dump.. Jen i blame you LOL and my desktop is really slow.. so we will be hitting up Best buy this weekend to get them into be checked.

Sorry to have spread my electronic misery to you!

wow their are 3 charachter breakfasts.. NICe.. whats the themes..

They are all Dreamworks but each one has different characters. You aren't automatically assigned one like on Disney- all of the reservations are open and if you want to book it then you can, and you are allowed to book more than one. So we booked all 3 because we want to make sure to catch Shrek, Fiona and Puss & Boots. The other ones can have Madagascar characters (Alex the Lion, Gloria the Hippo, and King Julian & of course the Penguins), and the third breakfast has Kung Fu Panda characters. They don't do set characters on set days so it's really a toss up who you might get an any given day, hence another reason we booked all 3. Also I did it for two other reasons...1) I've read that they are strict with not allowing you to use your camera to take pictures on RCCL at the character meet & greets around the ship- they want you to buy theirs (at $20/pop of course)... At the breakfast you can use your own camera. And well...I'm cheap that way (we are pre-buying the CD for "just" $299 which should include all of our character pics AFAIK...but just in case it doesn't) but then there's reason 2) whch is Windjammer (buffet) is much smaller on these ships and is notoriously ridiculously crowded in the AM. And so if i'm gonna have to have a sit down brekkie anyway it might as well be a fun one. Oh, and I forgot 3) they feature a CHOCOLATE BREAKFAST! So ya..I Boss Hogged up three character dining slots.

Not sure how long E will be over int he "Stan" but let me know when you are planning on booking, I know for sure we will be back on Allure or Oasis sooner rather than later. Would LOVE to cruise with ya again!

So I was mentioning how you were going on this one and he said ya when I get back from "the stan" (guess thats what the cool kids call it instead of Afgan.. guess it does sound like a blanket LOL) were going on that ship... a round of seriously? seriously!, really? REALLY! SWEET.. So ill be looking for prices and you take really really REALLY good notes and videos that I can send him and make him keep his promise LOL

Awesome!!!! You know I will not disappoint you! We have really overscheduled ourselves too in an attempt to do it all. I'm pretty sure if that can be done we'll do it. So I will have the dish on everything..or at least all of the really good stuff!


I don't think we will be doing Coral World this time though. First of all there is an 80 pound minimum weight limit and Savannah doesn't even weigh 70. We are hoping she bloats up enough during the cruise to meet the 75 lb weight limit for the zip line, but it is so hard to put weight on her due to all of her dancing, we aren't even optimistic about that. Reaching 80 in 2 months would be a REAL stretch. Plus Ron already has this bad boy budgeted down to the PENNY, and we are taking short excursions too to maximize our time onboard. But NEXT year...I am planning on it!

your looking at the wrong kid.. kid next to me is P .... kid in the background is J.. he did puke LOL

LOL..whoops! I thought that was what you meant but I looked and looked at "the kid in the background" and it just didn't look like J to me at all so I thought ya had yer kids mixed up....hehe It must be that I'm about to yak face. Poor guy!

I was but ya it was after i taped didnt want ya to hear just me I was trying to hear if others did it... just wait each port gets better! and I do get more vocal.. even E gets in on the action.

woo-hoo bring on the WOS!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

KNOCK KNOCK! Drea! Come out of the pool and tell us what happened!!!

 

[nenner1]

KNOCK KNOCK! Drea! Come out of the pool and tell us what happened!!!

Tammie!

 

[anewmac]

Tarzan, Jane and 2 Georges of the Jungle​

We woke up about 645am (the we being E and I) and got ready.
I went on the balcony to enjoy the quietness and pulling into port and yeah we are docked on our side (the left side which is that again Im too lazy to google it LOL)

Oh were not going to be alone 3 ships total will pull in

We were worried room service would arived again but at about 715 am we got a knock on the door. Breakfast consisted of fruit loops for all 3 of the boys, bagel and coffee for me (with added kahlua yum).

After we were all fed dressed we sent the boys to look for Tito our room steward as we needed 4 towels since ours were not replaced last night.... they said he was no where in site so we told them to find any steward and ask for towels and let them know ours didnt leave any. They came back with one.

So I went out to inquire and the first dude told me Tito doesnt come on till 745, but he would call him, no I dont have time for that I need 4 towels NOW as our excurtion is leaving asap. He just tells me he will find Tito, what seems like hours pass and no Tito or that guy I spoke with so I hit up the next person we see, does pretty much the same thing. Now I know this is cuz Carnival only lets you "check out" so many towels or else they charge you for them. But come on, just get me 4 towels and let Tito know so he can mark it and work it out with him later. I felt like such a burdon instead of a paying customer.

E had even gone down to the disembark area to see if they had any there and asked around but the coke/water/beer selling guy and the photo girl and spa lady all looked at him like umm not my job. He even said to me... you know on Disney this wouldnt have happened every person we asked would have got us like 8 towels not just 4 like we asked for (score one for Mickey already so early in the AM).

Eventually Tito came running down the hall with towels and appologies. So we started out the day a lil pissed off.

But that changed quick... we were in a beautiful port how could you not change your attitude right.

Got off ship and started looking for someone holding a sign with our name as they had told us their would be. We, well I book through the Antigua Rain Forest Zip line copany, their combo tour. Which included pick up and drop off at the pier, zip lining, and then a mini tour of the island and time at the beach including lunch (hamburger, fish burger, or bbq chicken) & a drink oh also a beach chair per person.

We walked up and down the main pier/street to find our guide, being that I was worred we had missed him since we had that towel fiasco, I called from my cell (cant wait to see what that bill is like, actually I waited for that and never saw a change & we dont have international calling so thanks AT&T) Guy on the line was quick with me saying our guide was running late cuz of the traffic. Traffic? In paradise.. is their such a thing?

Eventually we found him and met up with another couple and a family of 3. Then proceeded to wait as he was just the middle man and our drivers were still on their way. Eventually our guides came and we went in one car and the other 5 in another. Our tour orignally started at 815 but I got an email moments before we sailed away that said it needed to be changed to 730.

Even better we thought, as we would get back earlier to shop and kids could go swimming on the boat if they wanted. Well we ended up not leaving till 830.. Everyone was a lil pissed by then, we all could have slept another 30mins, or chewed our breakfast at least LOL.

Oh well we were on ur way. Our driver/tour guide Michael, was very quiet, almost shy, maybe not awake yet? But E loves to talk to "natives" and he got him going. We learned a few things, dont ask me what now I cant remember LOL, he was great about pulling to the side so that I could get some pics too.

Kids still in school

Once we got to the zipline and were all signed up, it was no turning back we told the boys. J was all for it, but P was a lil timid still.

I was miffed that they make you put your cameras away so I knew this is where they are going to kill us in the picture/video prices (boy did they).

The 1st zip line was short basically to get your footing/handeling down. P LOVED it as did everyone else. We did 7 lines total, and the last one both boys turned themselves to go backwards and I went no hands, but E he's mister go by the book and follow the rules so he didnt do anything cool LOL.

Once we were done it was time to haggle for pics. They had 22 pics taken and 4 videos one of each of us. These were the BEST ONES... (my suggestion is take a camera and smuggle it on.)

Jane

Tarzan

George

other George

They wanted $30 a person = $120 for 1 cd, not like they were going to put them on 4 different cd's either. So we haggled with them and got it for $60 still killed me after I spent $119 for each adult and $85 for each kid total $408

I tried for $50 but he wouldnt budge so E just said fine. Then they had the ordasity to have a tip jar at the register.. sorry charlie! P got a shirt that said ME Tarzan for $15 they wouldnt haggle that one either.

We loved zip lining though, feeling like we were flying over the rainforest... my scardycat P enjoyed it the most. E who never says anything was smiling ear to ear the whole time, and J couldnt stop saying that was AWESOME. Overall minus the price gauge, a great experience, another thing crossed off our bucket list.

George of the Jungle Movie **Click here to see**

We then got back into the vans and they took us to Wellington Well. Our guides told us about the trees, and land etc. It was pretty interesting (again dont ask me about it... hmm wonder where the kids get their study habits in one ear out the other LOL).

Big Mike our guide

I cant remember what is on the tree

P waiting for his turn on the swing

J out by the Well (ok so its more like a ravine or lake in my opinion)

Enjoying the views

Serenity

Pineapple farm

***Continued on Next Post too many Pics***

 

[anewmac]

Tarzan, Jane and 2 Georges of the Jungle (cont)​

Then we drove about 30mins to Turners Beach.

Postcard perfect

We were shuffled to an upper patio and had our drink order taken sodas, beer, or rum punch. Boys all had sprites, I went for an island beer the Wadadli. Equivalent to a Corona maybe I would say. Not my fav.

Most of us went to change into our suits right behind the bar... its one of those bathrooms where you tell the kids DONT TOUCH ANYTHING.

A while later our food came. Hamburgers were drier then dry like they had been cooking them for hours. My chicken was pretty tasty, I had origianlly wanted to fish burger but they were out... guessing someone didnt go fishing LOL. All had a choice of fries or rice. I chose rice.. when it came with fries I was told they were out... glad they had an endless supply of drinks for me to make it up on.

Once we were done eatting, E went and got us beach chairs you just have to tell them your with the tour or its $10 each. He got 4 but we really only needed 2, oh well we gave the other 2 to our excurtion friends who didnt get one.

Had to beg for the obligitory Mac Family beach pic

The boys ran off to build sand castles and E went snorkling. I sat to bake, and enjoy my book.

Got about a chapter read and by then I was crispy, so I got into the water, cooled off a bit then went back to work on my back side. After a while I was getting parched so I headed to the bar and got a Red Strip then proceeded to float in the ocean.

Es going to kill me but he was sitting on the beach relaxing when all of a sudden a huge wave came from no where and knocked him over .. I told him it looked like he was trying to do some type of gymnastics/yoga LOL

E tried to get the boys to take a pic like our last cruise when we were in Cozumel, but apparently either E's gotten weaker or the boys have gotten bigger.. Im going with both.

This Cruise Last Cruise

About 215pm we got out and packed up to meet with the rest of the folks that were on the excurtion to head back to the port. It was about a 30min drive back and all 3 boys fell asleep and took a nap. I took a few more scenic pics.

Took this for E, he is all about car care LOL

This ones for P, his favorite food, with a resturant named after him lol

I took a bunch of these so the boys could see how lucky they really are, in how they live compaired to other countries

Sleeping Beauty

1 of the 7 dwarfs Sleepy

and the charming prince that snores

Our driver dropped us off a few steps from the souvieor market place.

We were now on a mission to find tshirts for E, shot glass for me, thimble for my mom, post cards to mail and whatever else the boys may want. E found some and they didnt have his size in the type of design he wanted so he talked them into taking him upstairs to where they do the tshirt press and picking exactly what he wanted...

Which got the boys interested and 4tshirts later they were ready for tshirt time lol

When E went to check out the lady told him $42.. and he paid, didnt try and bargen or anything I would have said how about $40 even at least.. actually I would have said how bout $30 and tried to meet in the middle no he was fine paying that. Said they needed it more then we did, ok.

This is me peaved at him being so anal about stupid tshirts

***CONTINUED ON NEXT POST STILL MORE PICS***

 

[anewmac]

Tarzan, Jane and 2 Georges of the Jungle (cont)​

I went and found my shot glass, moms gift and post cards got them all labled and ready to mail. Then J took a turn for the worse and was beyond tired so he and E headed back to the ship.

P and I went to mail the cards and find an xmas orniment. Also I wanted to find a cute dress, but couldnt find any that I really liked so this women draggs me to the main store and tells me she has one in the size/type/color I want cuz the one I had in my hand was 2 sized 2 small. When we get there is not the same color/type/style/SIZE most importantly LOL. So I say no thanks and she keeps pushing it on me. I said I cant even fit into this my left thigh cant either. She keeps going on and on for me to buy it, I say no 1)it has a hole I found & 2) I cant fit in it 3)its short I was looking at long. Sorry trying to be really nice about it and thanking her but if you dont have my size you cant help me. Thats when things got ugly. She is cursing at me and trying to hand me the dress so I have to take it I finally tell P to turn around and lets go. Some other tourist follows me and said she was having the same issue.. it is almost scary.

Just call me Vanna

Once that was done, we hit up the B-Hive bar for a few libations and to cool my nerves. Its the 1st bar right off the pier.

They had a deal going on 2 beers for $5 for the Wadadilis and I got P a shirley temple

Bartender asked him if he wanted to have a beer also (jokinly) and P looked at me like REALLY I can? ha no we just like to mess with ya LOL.

The bar had free wifi so I took the time to check emails and log into facebook it felt like a link back to the world that way.. plus its nice to rub into everyones face while they are on their way to work and Im on my way to drunkeness LMAO. Im sure some of you saw those post/pics

After a few rounds, we made our way back to the boat, where a steel drum band was playing,

its hard to leave paradise

P & I went up to the lido to get some chow and a DOTD (today was the Riviera Delight). Then headed back to our room to watch for walk/run of shamers. As the moments passed we kept waiting and waiting and not one single runner, I was so bummed that was pretty much the #1 reason why I booked a balcony to begin with. Seriously that and coffee alone in the am.

We all got cleaned up and by then the room service E and J odered had came. We choweded down some more. While watching tv the replay the shows and the 1st night show about how to do a dance came on and J and I jumped right in to start shaking our grove thangs.

I then talked the boys into taking some pics, nice casual jean pics. Was hoping they had a white or black background like last night but nothing, they had some funky backgrounds, so the boys picked out a few to do.

We bought this one

We found out that on Nassau day they will have the nice white backgrounds so we will be making the boys do another session then. This is in the atrium up 2 decks.

We dropped J off his club they were doing some type of education on knights & shields, something to do with ninjas but he was really looking forward the playstation/wii open play.

looks like a mug shot LOL

P went to his club where they were having a dance in the 70s club, then Karaoke, and he skipped out for watching Twilight with his buddies and watched Grown Ups on the big screen, then... wait for it, wait for it.. Iron Man.

Eventually we made our way to the Posh dinning room for dinner ourselves. (I swear it sounds like all we did we eat but there was a lot of time in between since we didnt catch the show they had. Since the 1st one was so bad.)

Dinner was good E had some type of steak maybe pork?

I had a pasta

For dessert bread pudding... not what I was thinking

We caught up with the Fun Patrol in the main theater doing a game of Liars club, basically you try and figure out which of the 3 fun patrol people is lying and which it telling the truth. Its really cute game, and we learned a lot about them, their jobs. Lots of audience participation which I love games/shows like that. Point for Freddy since E and I were rolling.

When that was over we went to the lobby to hear some music, and get a drink. The bartender and I started chatting as she was from Croatia where my grandfather came from. She took a pic of me and E

We asked her for a refill were told our sign and sail cards werent working. So after we finished and they gave us a recepit via old paper format we hit up guest service to see what the issue was.

Apparently our Disney Visa didnt like that we were sailing on Carnival with Freddy and was revoking the charges.. lmao no just that Chase visa thought it was stolen. We called them and let them know it was all good we were the ones using it and they stated all would be good, or so we thought...

I went to get J from his club and E finished up with guest services. We met back in the room and P came in around 12am. Party animal wonder where he gets it from lol. It was lights out as we had another fun filled early morning tmrw.

This is what we came home to (no Ellen I didnt kiss him... tonight that is... )

Tally
Mickey- 1
Freddy-1

UP NEXT: Taking a Bath, before a Walk O'Shame