Let me start by saying Carnival has a very comfy bed, and even though the shower is very small, it packs a big punch. I know I mentioned this after my previous cruise, but I am amazed how small but functional the bathroom is. It really makes me laugh at how large my master bathroom is at home. What a waste of space!
If you know my mom, then you know that she prefers to go to restaurants where she can be served. I tend to be the same way, and really, who could blame us? The Lido deck (our deck) houses "The Gathering", which is the cafeteria-style eating area primarily used for breakfast and lunch. As I mentioned previously, I had booked our room on this deck for the convenience of The Gathering. However, we decided to have breakfast today in The Scarlet dining room (the main dining room) with Bib, her mom, and sisters. They offered a great menu of pastries, cold and hot cereals, omelets, scrambled eggs, eggs benedict, waffles, pancakes, etc. ** For those keeping track, this dining room is on the opposite end of the ship. Mom's getting lots of exercise!**
When we had toured the spa yesterday, Mom had expressed an interest in attending a seminar about treating arthritis through acupuncture. While she headed to this, Bib and I went to a talk called "On Board and On Shore" with our cruise director, Butch. (In case you are curious, it was a waste of time...not only because it was a bit long and boring but because they showed a replay of this presentation on our cabin TVs over and over all weeek long.)
Afterward, Mom and Bib went to an informational meeting about scrapbooking (another waste of time) and I entered the slot tournament (my new cruise tradition). I actually made the leader board and got knocked out of the final round at the last minute. Bummer. During this time, we knew the others were hanging out at the pool, but little did we know that Frankie had entered himself into the hairy chest contest...and won! Mom and I happened to be walking past the Waves Pool and the Seaside Theater and witnessed this contest. It was hilarious. There is no way to do the story justice in words, and unfortunately, I don't have a photo. He won a medal and a bottle of champagne for his efforts; not to mention it was like having a celebrity in our group!
Later in the afternoon, we decided to check out the photos we'd already had (professionally) taken. If you've cruised before, you know that you can pretty much have your photo taken every time you turn around. In a new twist, Carnival took individual pictures of us in front of a green screen when we boarded. Based on that photo, they use facial recognition technology to identify us in photos we'll have taken the rest of the week. In the photo gallery, there are large flat screens with a place to swipe your Sign-n-Sail card. When the card is swiped, the photos for everyone in your cabin are displayed and prints can be ordered. Pretty cool!
We ran into someone special! This may be a little bit corny (and I know the picture isn't flattering), but to me, this is like 5 yr old running into Mickey Mouse at Disney World.
If you know my mom, then you know that she prefers to go to restaurants where she can be served. I tend to be the same way, and really, who could blame us? The Lido deck (our deck) houses "The Gathering", which is the cafeteria-style eating area primarily used for breakfast and lunch. As I mentioned previously, I had booked our room on this deck for the convenience of The Gathering. However, we decided to have breakfast today in The Scarlet dining room (the main dining room) with Bib, her mom, and sisters. They offered a great menu of pastries, cold and hot cereals, omelets, scrambled eggs, eggs benedict, waffles, pancakes, etc. ** For those keeping track, this dining room is on the opposite end of the ship. Mom's getting lots of exercise!**
When we had toured the spa yesterday, Mom had expressed an interest in attending a seminar about treating arthritis through acupuncture. While she headed to this, Bib and I went to a talk called "On Board and On Shore" with our cruise director, Butch. (In case you are curious, it was a waste of time...not only because it was a bit long and boring but because they showed a replay of this presentation on our cabin TVs over and over all weeek long.)
Afterward, Mom and Bib went to an informational meeting about scrapbooking (another waste of time) and I entered the slot tournament (my new cruise tradition). I actually made the leader board and got knocked out of the final round at the last minute. Bummer. During this time, we knew the others were hanging out at the pool, but little did we know that Frankie had entered himself into the hairy chest contest...and won! Mom and I happened to be walking past the Waves Pool and the Seaside Theater and witnessed this contest. It was hilarious. There is no way to do the story justice in words, and unfortunately, I don't have a photo. He won a medal and a bottle of champagne for his efforts; not to mention it was like having a celebrity in our group!
Later in the afternoon, we decided to check out the photos we'd already had (professionally) taken. If you've cruised before, you know that you can pretty much have your photo taken every time you turn around. In a new twist, Carnival took individual pictures of us in front of a green screen when we boarded. Based on that photo, they use facial recognition technology to identify us in photos we'll have taken the rest of the week. In the photo gallery, there are large flat screens with a place to swipe your Sign-n-Sail card. When the card is swiped, the photos for everyone in your cabin are displayed and prints can be ordered. Pretty cool!
We ran into someone special! This may be a little bit corny (and I know the picture isn't flattering), but to me, this is like 5 yr old running into Mickey Mouse at Disney World.
While we were meandering in the photo gallery, we met a group of ladies from Atlanta. Actually, they were from Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia, but their roots are in Atlanta. Leslie (also my age) was travelling with her mom (Agnes), her aunt (Louise), her cousin (also named Louise, but not Louise's daughter), and a friend of the family (Linda). Since tonight is the first elegant night, we agreed to meet before dinner to take group pictures for one another. Here is our official photo from Elegant Night.
Back row: Sarah, Becky, Frankie, Pam, Pat
Front Row: Annette, Lola, Flat Deana*, Tami, Bib
Tami and Bib
* This might be a good time to introduce you to Flat Deana. Deana is Bib's daughter and one of my best friends. For various reasons, she was not able to come on this trip with us, and her birthday is tomorrow. Bib decided to put a cut-out of her face on an old-fashioned fan and make a "Flat Deana" (like Flat Stanley from elementary school). We hope to include Flat Deana in our adventures every day.
After dinner, we headed back to Ocean Plaza (or Ocean Drive, as I prefer to call it) to hear Blackjack play once again. Last night at Ocean Plaza, we met a bar waiter named Jason from South Africa. He is very personable and tolerant of our loud group. Jason showed up again tonight to make sure our drink orders were handled. Here are a couple of "foo-foo" (non-alcoholic) drinks he made for us.
Mango-Raspberry....mmmmm. Notice the cute heart-shaped straw paper. Is that fancy, or what? 
This is Ocean Plaza (photo from the Carnival Website)Jason told us he was scheduled to work in the Encore Lounge tonight during the shows, and since we were headed that way, too, he invited us to sit in his section. Jason is 25 yrs old and quite a flirt (particularly with Pam). Being from South Africa, his native language is English, but he has a heavy accent that, to me, sounds very British. Of course, with everyone in our group having Appalachian roots, he thinks we have accents, too. Needless to say, our conversations are hilarious, and he says he's going to learn to speak "hillbilly" this week. We're having a good time coming up with phrases for him to learn such as "kiss my crack, and don't come back" and "don't let the door hit you where the good Lord split you." Funny how we all speak English, but we have a language barrier.
Tomorrow is Cozumel. Last cruise, I wore myself out with excursions at every port, but this time around, I only have one planned for my favorite port, Roatan. Bib will be swimming with dolphins tomorrow, so my plan is to do some light shopping and then chillin' for the rest of the day. I can't wait.
Tomorrow is Cozumel. Last cruise, I wore myself out with excursions at every port, but this time around, I only have one planned for my favorite port, Roatan. Bib will be swimming with dolphins tomorrow, so my plan is to do some light shopping and then chillin' for the rest of the day. I can't wait.
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