Jamman54

Thanks Megan. I knew you would get here eventually. Welcome aboard!

You're right. Step off the curb in NYC and you're fair game!

After a fifteen minute ride we have arrived at Paradise Beach…. After checking in and paying for the balance of our reservation, we were lead out to pick our spot for the day. After checking spots out on the beach, we decided that we would like to be by the pool. I noticed the cabanas and asked how much to upgrade to one of them. We were told that there would be no extra charge, so that’s what we took! Here are some pictures of the very large heated pool….. There is a bank of showers right by the pool…… We meet our servers for today, Alberto and Damian. Here Alberto takes our first drink orders for the day……. To be continued…….

Here is the Mardi Gras docked at Puerta Maya….. After leaving the pier, we pass the Three Amigo’s and Fat Tuesday’s….. Welcome to Puerta Maya, Cozumel……. We make it over to the taxi stand. There is a bit of a line, but it moves quickly….. Here is a Cozumel map and the taxi rates….. This is our ride. It will cost us $15 plus tip for our ride to Paradise Beach…. As we leave Puerta Maya, we see excursion vehicles lined up and ready to go….. To be continued……

As usual, we will be docking at the Puerta Maya Cruise Terminal…… The Captain is spinning the Mardi Gras around to back into the pier….. The Mardi Gras was docked at 9:30am, and we got off the ship at 10. The Grandeur of the Seas was docked across the way at the International Terminal….. As we walked off the pier, Patti took these two shots of me and the Mardi Gras….. To be continued…….

Day # 10 (May 2nd) - Cozumel (10am – 7pm). We were up at 7am to another beautiful, sunny day, with calm seas. We are still a couple of hours away from docking in Cozumel. Here are the views from our balcony looking forward and aft….. Today we have another beautiful sunrise….. Here are today’s “Fun Times”……. Today we are going to go to Paradise Beach. We normally go to Mr. Sancho’s, but after reading a couple of Willdra’s reviews where she and W had gone to Paradise Beach and loved it, we decided to give it a try. A couple of months ago we went online to book it, and they were running a special for $51 a person, versus the normal $59 a person. Score!!! Patti and I were excited to try Paradise Beach out! We decided to skip breakfast this morning to leave more room in our bellies for the food and drinks we would be consuming today. Around 9am Cozumel and the Puerta Maya Cruise Terminal came into view…… The Grandeur of the Seas is docked at the International Pier….. To be continued……

It was great meeting you and Ann on board. We have some great pictures of you guys that we'll share later in the review. Glad to hear that Tyler was promoted. He's a talented guy. 😎

It's just a big metal plate.

Looking outside, we could see land off in the distance…… Looking at the map on the cabin TV, we could see that we were sailing right off the coast of Cuba….. Back out walking around the ship, we stopped to watch some of the Marcus Anthony Show. He has a great voice and the band was great….. We were back in the cabin at 10pm. We have to rest up for tomorrow’s activities! Here is tonight’s towel creature…… Coming up next: A wonderful day at Paradise Beach. Could there be a Willdra sighting? Stay tuned!

After we left Rudi’s, we went outside to watch tonight’s beautiful sunset….. We stopped back at the cabin and noticed that our fruit and Chocolate Delight had been delivered….. To be continued……

Tonight, we are heading back to Rudi’s Seagrill for dinner. We have a 6pm reservation….. We both got these shrimp something or other, compliments of the Chef….. We both loved the scallops (Coquilles Saint-Jacques) the last time, so we ordered them again….. We ordered some more starters. Patti ordered the Seafood Bisque, and I ordered the Seared Shrimp….. For our mains, Patti had the crab cakes with red cabbage, and I had the crab stuffed lobster tail…… We both had the key lime pie for dessert….. The food, once again, was excellent. Tonight, the service seemed a little bit off. The couple seated to our left, were seated about fifteen minutes after we were, but received all of their food before us. Not a big deal since we had no special plans, but it was just annoying. We still were out of there in an hour and a half. To be continued……..

After the Wave, Patti and I went up to Pixels to pick up our free B2B pictures, and our VIFP gifts. Standing next to us at the counter were these three lovely lady “Bluebees”. A “Bluebee” is what Patti and I call anyone holding a blue Sail & Sign card. It is a term of endearment. Once we were given our VIFP gifts, we turned to those lovely ladies and gave our gifts to them. They were so happy and appreciative! It upsets me when I hear people complain about the VIFP gifts. If you don’t want them, give them to the nearest blue, red, or gold card holder. It will put a smile on their faces, and even on yours! I went up to the Red Frog Tiki Bar for a couple of beers, and then back to the cabin to work some more on the pictures. Patti was there, but she left at 2pm to get a good seat for the 3pm bingo session hosted by Tyler from Boston…… Here is all of the bingo information that you need to know…… Feeling hungry, I ordered a pizza, chicken fingers, and a few beers from room service. Twenty minutes later the food arrived piping hot. I also ordered more fruit and the VIFP Chocolate Delight, and those items would be delivered later in the day. Patti came back to the cabin, and after she told me she didn’t win at bingo, went out on the balcony to read. I worked on pictures for a little while, and then took a nap. It was a very relaxing afternoon! To be continued…..

At 10am I went up to Big Chicken for some breakfast. I grabbed a chicken and biscuit, and took it over to the Tides Bar to wash it down with a Thirsty Frog Wheat. I met Patti at Center Stage at 11am for the “Wave”, (Morning Show), hosted by Lee and Tyler…… The first guest was the Shopping Expert who told us all about the “deals” on board the ship, and in the ports….. The next guest was Marcus Anthony, who has been performing on Carnival ships for years, and is very good. He will be doing two shows tonight…… The next guest was Mr. “A”. He is a former Miatre’d who is now a Food and Beverage Manager…… The final guest was the Pig & Anchor Brewmaster, who told us about all the different beers, and about the tours that are offered on sea days….. To be continued…..

Day # 9 (May 1st) - Fun Day at Sea # 4. We are up at 6am to a beautiful day, and calm seas. Here are some views from our balcony looking forward and aft, as the Mardi Gras sails to Cozumel, Mexico…… There is a beautiful sunrise this morning….. Here are today’s “Fun Times”….. I was falling behind on working on Patti’s pictures, so I was going to spend some time this morning working on them. Patti left the cabin at 9am to get herself some breakfast, and then head over to the Mardi Gras Theater for the Welcome Aboard, Welcome Ashore talk, hosted by Cruise Director Lee….. To be continued…..

No problem.

We were always able to get two seats at the bar at Alchemy. We never had a drink at the Brass Magnolia or Fortune Teller Bar. Don't know why really.

Enjoy! Take the whole afternoon off, or the whole day. You deserve it!

I liked 1983 as well. I was 29 years old then. 😁

Oh,oh.........

We'll be here waiting for you!

Here are some more pictures as the Mardi Gras sails from Port Canaveral….. The Mardi Gras is leaving Port Canaveral behind….. We decide to head back to the Pig & Anchor for dinner tonight. Unlike last week, we were seated immediately. We had the same meal as last time. Patti had the salmon, and I had the BBQ sirloin. We both had the apple cobbler for dessert….. Afterwards, we went to get our free B2B picture taken…… Patti went to browse the shops, and then made her way back to the cabin to read. I went to the casino for a couple of hours and did well. I celebrated with a few drinks at the Alchemy Bar before calling it a night. Here is tonight’s towel creature….. Coming up next: Back out to sea and a Rudi’s reprise.

The Carnival Freedom sails by us. We all know the story about what happened to her since then. She’ll be fixed up and good as new in no time at all. Patti and I look forward to sailing on her next January….. The Mardi Gras sails for Cozumel, Mexico….. To be continued…..

At 4pm I went back up to the Red Frog Tiki Bar for sail away. Patti decided to stay at the cabin and watch from our balcony. There’s a lot of sailing, boating, and fishing going on nearby….. The Victory Casino Boat is returning to port….. The Carnival Freedom is sailing from Port Canaveral…… To be continued……

This is Pizzeria del Capitano….. Patti checks out an empty Fahrenheit 555….. I met up with Patti back at the cabin where we found a fruit plate and a bottle of champagne, compliments of the Hotel Director in honor of our B2B….. To be continued……

Patti checks out an empty Rudi’s SeaGrill….. Right next door is the Piazza Panini…… To be continued….