WayTooCool

We've heard scuttlebut that if Savannah deepens the port, that Carnival will move from Charleston and set up shop in Savannah. Port deepening is under way, has anybody heard anything else to support this rumor? That would probably impact Jax Port as well; Savannah can accommodate the larger ships - however, the Fascination is our very favorite, we've taken 9 cruises on her so far, 2 more on schedule.

This is a pic we didn't know we had until we got home and had a good look at full size. See the kid on the stairs in the bathing shorts? See the Captain and First Mate and local Police Chief (Costa Maya) on the pier talking to him? See the fully armed Mexican Police in the boat leaving the pier? They had just delivered the knucklehead 19-year-old in the bathing suit to the authorities on the pier. The kid had jumped into the water from the highest deck of the Holiday. The Carnival Captain and First Mate are in the process of talking the Mexican Authorities into letting them put the kid in the brig on the Holiday and send him home to his mamma when we got to Cozumel. Fortunately the Mexican Authorities relented and let Carnival handle it. And the kid was, indeed, put on a plane in Cozumel. If the Captain and First Mate had NOT been able to convince the local authorities the let them do that, Knucklehead would have been in a Mexican jail in his bathing suit for heaven knows how long. Sending him home to his mamma was the very best outcome.

On-board laundry and ironing/pressing has always been a good experience for us; clothes return nicely pressed and on hangars. Worth every penny!! And your room steward will be more than happy to help with any questions.

We have done several B2B (yeah, we're spoiled!) and the only time we had to actually get off the ship was on the Dream in Port Canav. Every other time, we've met up with the Guest Services person, waited for Guest Services to take our declarations ashore, got new S&S and started the party. There is about a 2-hour lag before new cruisers start coming aboard where you have the ship pretty much to yourself if you'd like to take that opportunity for some really fabulous photo ops. Also you're first in line for when burgers and drink of the day crank back up. :D

I have taken the Behind The Fun Tour on Fascination and Dream; I think that is a better expenditure for The Little Woman and me since neither of us drink wine/champagne nor can we eat large meals (darn it!). We so enjoy our dining and wait staff that we don't feel we're missing out. At-Sea Brunch is the perfect "treat" for us, and it doesn't cost $$$ . Just my humble opinion . . . . ;)

Sea Day Brunch is totally worth it! Ask for eggs Benedict with sauce on the side, that way you get fresh sauce that hasn't been under a heat lamp.

Do yourself a favor and DO IT!!

Here's our jumper -- see the jon boat with armed Mexican soldiers? They just delivered that kid still on the steps at the pier; that's the Carnival Captain, First Mate and Mexican authorities in Costa Maya. Kid (19) had jumped from the highest deck as a prank. The police took him to the slammer in Costa Maya, clad only in his trunks. Carnival Captain and First Mate finagled the kid out of the slammer, back to the brig on the ship, and sent home to his mamma from Cozumel. Don't mess with Mexican authorities!!! (I love the posture of the Carnival Captain with hands on hips -- don't you just know what he's saying to that kid!"

The Little Woman and I are taking our 9th/10th Fascination cruise soon , back to back. We LOVE the Fascination, obviously. Smaller ship (it's STiLL big!) and fewer people, great service and food, 24/hr soft ice cream, a villa at Half Moon Cay, perfect!!! The Fascination is a great "all inclusive resort" in our opinion -- sometimes we don't go ashore for port calls, we just enjoy the boat so much. We bring our dominoes and cards, snag a table by the windows across from the casino and spend a great afternoon with table service and just the two of us enjoying where we are. Life is short, y'all -- we just buried our last parent last week -- enjoy each other and have your adventures while you are able. And hug those you love, twice as much as you do now!

Last April, we had the 3rd villa from the "shipwreck" bar - it was wonderful!! So wonderful, in fact, we've booked the same cruise again this year and booked the same villa. We shared the villa with the couple we were travelling with -- loved having comfy chairs, shade, air conditioning, full bathroom w/shower, and more food than we could possibly eat. Fruit trays, vegie trays, chips/salsa/guac trays, cold drinks, and waiters at our fingertips for bar drinks. The water was like a soothing bath, the view was beautiful, no complaints other than we couldn't spend a week there! DO IT!

Key West is probably our favorite port - we've usually taken the Trolley since you can hop-on hop-off, plus you get the commentary of what it is you are looking at. Excellent service.

The Little Woman and I just came back from a b2b out of Jax on the Fascination. Had a wonderful cruise experience ('tis good to be Platinum) but sorely missed our daily sushi fest!! Taste bar POOR substitute!! I bet 10 people or less participated, that area was deserted! And what was offered was pretty lame, even if it is free (no, it's not! u paid for the whole experience when youpaid for your cruise, Silly) . I'm going to complain loudly to Carnival, and hope y'all will too, even if you don't like sushi, please complain on our behalf!

Port stops are based on suitability for ship anchorage, safety of passengers once in the port, and appropriate activities offered when ashore. If you're weary of the Carribean, sail out of the West Coast and enjoy ports available from there (Alaska is fabulous).

I've looked thru your wonderful pics several times now -- living vicariously, I guess; you and family look like there's a deep love among you. I hope everyone appreciates how precious that gift really is. And graduation pics are just stunning -- I know you're the most proud hub in the world! As you should be. Please give them all a hug from The Little Woman and me, and keep them close and safe. God bless!!

You know what? This is the best thread EVER. . . . no kidding!! All the very best to you and family!!

This is my favorite thread EVER!!!

Where the heck are we!!

(First Officer (Holiday) -- off duty; taking a sun-sight. Said he was just keeping proficient with navigating; if it all goes to hell in a handbasket he can always get us home. NICE guy, by the way!

The Little Woman in one of the shops on the dock in Freeport.

Any of Carl Haaisen's books are cruise-worthy . . . . all take place in south FL, pretty much.

We had our own personal peacock at Ardastra Gardens in Nassau. This guy followed us around all day!!

Quick grabshot taken at the port facility in Nassau . . . didn't know what we had until we got home and downloaded. Printed this 16X20 and had it framed and is in the living room. Totally a fluke!

You know how there's a fairly high threshold going in to the public restrooms? I saw this lovely young lady (no, really -- I'm not being sarcastic; she was quite attractive) coming out of the ladies' room and she had a glass of wine in her hand. She forgot the threshold was there and tripped on it big time! In the process of tripping she threw her hands up to keep her balance, and that launched the contents of her wine glass straight up ... and it all came back down right on top of her head! It just FLATTENED her hair! Well, gotta' say -- I like to died laughing, but so did she. :D

How about stoopid??? On our April cruise on the Holiday earlier this year, we saw this teen-age doofus jump from the 11th (top) deck into the water when we were docked in Costa Maya. The Mexican patrol boat picked him up immediately -- and I understand he was sent back to the states .... stupid way to spoil a great cruise!!