Pirate’s DREAMy Dysfunctional Family Vacation Review...April 21-28, 2019

[pirate4me2]

Sure, we had just eaten pizza, but it was 1:00 and we were all hungry for some lunch. I headed to the deli and got my mozzarella & tomato sandwich, add bacon, as well as a few samples of the cakes they had at the Sweet Spot. I tried the Chocolate Raspberry cake, which was Ok, and the Coconut Tres Leche cake, which was GREAT. It was super moist and yummy. I wish I had a piece of it to enjoy right now! The Cake pictured isn’t any of the ones I tried, just one that was pretty and I felt deserved a photo. 

 

We headed to the casino so Crazy Uncle could grab a drink and smoke, and I got a Cruiser from the bar there. It was good, but not as great as some of the other bars have made it. I then headed back to the cabin to read some more of my book out on my balcony, and while I was out there I got to see some dolphins playing beside the ship! It was awesome, they were at the back of the ship and then they came up beside it on our side. I love dolphins.

 

I headed to the spa for an hour or so, and at 7 we decided to hit up Lido for some dinner. Nobody was really feeling the menu in the MDR tonight. I went for a deli sandwich, and I got just a regular BLT this time. It was great, and trying to be healthy I got a salad to go along with it. We finished in time to go watch America Rocks! in the Encore theater at 8:15. The cast was OK, a tad pitchy here and there, but the high energy of the show was still fun. I really like that show, I think that it, Epic Rock and Flick are my favorites on the Carnival ships.

 

After the show ended I decided to head back to the room, it was about 9:15 or so. When I got there and went to brush my teeth, I realized we had a problem. Our bathroom sink wouldn’t drain. Uh oh! Chris called Guest Services and within 5 minutes there was a maintenance tech knocking on our door. That was quick! Within 2 or 3 minutes he said the problem was fixed, and we called it a night.

 

 

Edited May 3, 2019 by pirate4me2

[Flytko]

Very nice review so far!!!  We were on the Vista the week before y'all and had the same problem in Roatan.  Oh well, we will have to boo another cruise to go back.  Looking forward to the Dream, we will be on her in December for a grand escape from the children. We booked a Spa Balcony on deck 11, only 215 more days😁!!!!

[pirate4me2]

7 hours ago, Flytko said:

Very nice review so far!!!  We were on the Vista the week before y'all and had the same problem in Roatan.  Oh well, we will have to boo another cruise to go back.  Looking forward to the Dream, we will be on her in December for a grand escape from the children. We booked a Spa Balcony on deck 11, only 215 more days😁!!!!

Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoy the Dream as much as we do!

[grandmarnnurse]

On 5/1/2019 at 9:53 PM, pirate4me2 said:

 

We spent some time exploring the ship until it was time for muster drill, which took place at 3:30. Our muster station was A5, which is the top section of the Encore lounge. While we were patiently (not!) waiting for the stragglers we met one of our neighbors, a very nice and absolutely hilarious man who went by Papa T. We would run into him throughout the cruise and he was always so friendly and nice. Joking with him helped make the time pass a little quicker, until we were released to go back to the fun. I am glad we had some neighbors with a sense of humor, as our group got to be a little rowdy this cruise!

Once released from our cage (I mean Muster station) we raced up to deck 10 for sailaway. Ok, we didn’t race…Mom and I are overweight, my Dad had a bummed leg, Tame Uncle doesn’t ever exercise and sounded like he was going to keel over after 2 floors, and Crazy Uncle was already 5 drinks into his Cheers package (he regularly maxed out and received applause at the bars) as well as a smoker so no way was he running up the stairs…the only one that made quick progress was Chris. Once there we collapsed for a few hours to watch the passing scenery of the Mississippi, enjoy some drinks, and just chill. It wasn’t until our bellies began to tell us they might be getting ready for more fuel that we decided to go back to the rooms to see if our luggage had arrived so we could unpack before dinner. That was about 6:15, and they had arrived, so we put everything away and then met back up with the crew to decide on dinner. None of us felt much like a heavy meal, so we all opted to just see what Lido was offering. I ended up with a salad, which was yummy, some sweet & sour shrimps (they were delicious!) and a tomato & mozzarella sandwich, add bacon, from the deli…it was amazing. Seriously…y’all should try that sandwich, it became my new favorite this trip! Maybe next time I will really make it a special order and ask them to add avocado too…

 

I headed to the library to donate a couple of books, then decided to check out the spa. Oh how wonderful that Thalosso pool felt after all the hiking around we had done in NOLA! Can I please, pretty please, build one on my back deck? I hung out in there until 9:45, then headed back to the room to crash and read a book. I did stay up late enough to see us pass the Glory as she headed upriver around 10:30, but I wasn’t expecting that to happen until much later so I wasn’t ready to capture pictures. I thought the last time we sailed from NOLA we didn’t pass Triumph until 11:30 or so. Oh well, I would be more prepared for next Sunday!

 

All in all, day 1 was a success! We all made it onboard, Crazy Uncle I later found out maxed out his drink package at 10:30, and everyone seemed happy. Bring on tomorrow!

That sandwich looks awesome! I will have to try that when on the Glory in February! 👍

[grandmarnnurse]

12 hours ago, Jamman54 said:

Hey Stephanie! Great start to your review. We will be sailing from NOLA for the first time next April so thanks for doing this one. I felt that I had to reply even though I'm sitting in a bar in Lahaina, Maui while on our Splendor Hawaii cruise! 😀

Jamman54—I’ve been waiting for your Hawaiian review! Can’t wait to read it! 

[grandmarnnurse]

10 hours ago, pirate4me2 said:

Our afternoon was spent with non-stop drinks being brought to us. These people seriously wanted to get us drunk, and they succeeded. They brought shot after shot and specialty drink after specialty drink. Mom got to the point she could hardly stand up and Tame Uncle surprised me and started taking not only HIS shots but hers as well to keep her from becoming “wheelbarrow girl.” Crazy Uncle somehow ended up on a table with drinks being poured on him, my husband was dancing to music that nobody else heard, and mom was convinced she was a mermaid and couldn’t leave the water. Finally I looked at my watch and saw that it was 6:00, and I had sense enough about me to know that we needed to head back to the port to get back onboard by 7:30. We went and paid our tab, as well as tips, and headed toward the taxi waiting for us. 

 

My next experience, combined with the disappointing food and drinks, led to the decision that the next time I am in Costa Maya I probably will not go back to Jaime’s. On our way to the taxi we were bombarded by our servers saying we “had to tip them more” and that “Jaime doesn’t appreciate that you’re not tipping us.” Ummm….I may be drunk, but I know that I just left you a good tip and the others in the group also left decent tips too. They literally followed us to the cab and had a baseball hat that they shoved in the door behind us demanding more money. Someone, I can’t remember who, threw some more bills in and we told the driver to please leave. It kind of ruined an otherwise nice experience. I have heard mixed reviews of Jaime’s, and I am glad we tried them, but I think next time we will go to Maya Chan. 

 

Once we go back to the port we spilled out of the taxi and started back toward the ship. Dad said he was taking Mom right back onboard since she was in pretty bad shape (almost to the point of being Wheelbarrow Girl, which she kept loudly singing she was) and we bid them farewell for the evening. I looked around and saw Tame Uncle, but Crazy Uncle was nowhere to be seen. Oh crud, did we leave him at Jaime’s? Did they hold him ransom? Tame Uncle told me and Chris to get back onboard, but I remember saying something along the lines of “No, I got us into this mess, I’m the group leader. No man left behind.” Tame Uncle shook his head and we were about to go looking for Crazy Uncle when who should we see strolling towards us other than the rooster himself. He had seen a bar and stopped off for a quick drink. WHAT? Did you not already consume enough alcohol today?

 

We quickly started making our way to the ship when Crazy Uncle decided to stop at ANOTHER bar as he wanted “one more shot!” Oh sheesh. We stopped, and he somehow made a quick friend with someone else from our ship who bought us all another round. Oh no, this is getting bad, I don’t know if I can walk up the pier! I quickly threw my shot back, stood up and proclaimed “Back to the ship!” We all headed out but not before Crazy Uncle’s new friend pressed a beer into each of our hands and said to drink up. Oh boy.

 

Things get hazy after that. I remember Tame Uncle saying he needed to buy a hat to protect his delicate skin from burning, so we stopped at a shop in the port for him to do that. He asked what we thought of a few hats, and I remember laughing hysterically at a few of them. He finally settled on one that 2 ladies told him he looked good in…and that’s the last memory I have from being in port.

 

I am ashamed to say that I do not remember walking up the pier back to the ship, and I certainly don’t remember them scanning my card for me to get back onboard. I don’t remember if we took stairs or an elevator to get back to deck 12, but I DO remember Chris literally running into our room steward Jonathan and going “oooof! A moving wall!” Jonathan bid us a good night, and my memory goes black again. I have never, ever been that drunk, and I don’t ever want to be again.

 

My next memory is waking up on the FLOOR at the foot of the bed around 10:00 p.m., and I remember thinking “This has got to be a low point in my life. Get your messed up fat butt off the floor and in bed, you lazy turd.”

 

Annnnddd….that’s the end of Costa Maya. I still am not sure, did Mexico win, or did I? I kinda think Mexico did…

Oh, my. Your drunken experience reminds me of my retirement party. Mind you, I had never been drunk my entire life until that night, so this was something odd for me. Thank goodness my hubby was there and did not drink. I, too, passed out on the bathroom floor in the middle of night (hubby was totally unaware), and I must have hit my head. I suffered a concussion and ended up with post concussive syndrome for a whole year. Let me just say, that was my first and last experience with being drunk. I now will space a drink by HOURS with plenty of water between, and avoid the drink package as to not encourage me to “get my money worth”. I’m just a weakling with alcohol. Glad you didn’t hurt yourself that day, and you all made it back on board.

[Mr. Nazzy]

Thanks for your review.  I've really enjoyed following along.  I'm on Vista next week with a stop in Costa Maya.  I have Jaimie's book... I'm starting to reconsider.  Maybe we'll just do some bar hoping along the Mayachan area.  Wonder if they will charge me to cancel.

[pirate4me2]

1 hour ago, grandmarnnurse said:

That sandwich looks awesome! I will have to try that when on the Glory in February! 👍

You should try it, it was great!

 

1 hour ago, grandmarnnurse said:

Oh, my. Your drunken experience reminds me of my retirement party. Mind you, I had never been drunk my entire life until that night, so this was something odd for me. Thank goodness my hubby was there and did not drink. I, too, passed out on the bathroom floor in the middle of night (hubby was totally unaware), and I must have hit my head. I suffered a concussion and ended up with post concussive syndrome for a whole year. Let me just say, that was my first and last experience with being drunk. I now will space a drink by HOURS with plenty of water between, and avoid the drink package as to not encourage me to “get my money worth”. I’m just a weakling with alcohol. Glad you didn’t hurt yourself that day, and you all made it back on board.

 

Yes, I never want to be that way again. When I realized I had NO memory of a few hours of my life it freaked me out.

 

55 minutes ago, Mr. Nazzy said:

Thanks for your review.  I've really enjoyed following along.  I'm on Vista next week with a stop in Costa Maya.  I have Jaimie's book... I'm starting to reconsider.  Maybe we'll just do some bar hoping along the Mayachan area.  Wonder if they will charge me to cancel.

 

You may end up with a totally different experience with Jaime's, I wonder some if he wasn't there the day we visited and maybe that's why we had that happen? I know a lot of people say he will be there greeting people and walking around, but we never met him so I wonder if he was off. I thought it was odd that they did that, as I had never heard others complain about it.

[dreadpirate3]

13 hours ago, pirate4me2 said:

Our afternoon was spent with non-stop drinks being brought to us. These people seriously wanted to get us drunk, and they succeeded. They brought shot after shot and specialty drink after specialty drink. Mom got to the point she could hardly stand up and Tame Uncle surprised me and started taking not only HIS shots but hers as well to keep her from becoming “wheelbarrow girl.” Crazy Uncle somehow ended up on a table with drinks being poured on him, my husband was dancing to music that nobody else heard, and mom was convinced she was a mermaid and couldn’t leave the water. Finally I looked at my watch and saw that it was 6:00, and I had sense enough about me to know that we needed to head back to the port to get back onboard by 7:30. We went and paid our tab, as well as tips, and headed toward the taxi waiting for us. 

 

My next experience, combined with the disappointing food and drinks, led to the decision that the next time I am in Costa Maya I probably will not go back to Jaime’s. On our way to the taxi we were bombarded by our servers saying we “had to tip them more” and that “Jaime doesn’t appreciate that you’re not tipping us.” Ummm….I may be drunk, but I know that I just left you a good tip and the others in the group also left decent tips too. They literally followed us to the cab and had a baseball hat that they shoved in the door behind us demanding more money. Someone, I can’t remember who, threw some more bills in and we told the driver to please leave. It kind of ruined an otherwise nice experience. I have heard mixed reviews of Jaime’s, and I am glad we tried them, but I think next time we will go to Maya Chan. 

 

 

I can wholeheartedly endorse Maya Chan. You had prettier water, but you will have no issues with staff or food at Maya Chan. It's one of my favorite places in the world.

[pirate4me2]

8 minutes ago, dreadpirate3 said:

I can wholeheartedly endorse Maya Chan. You had prettier water, but you will have no issues with staff or food at Maya Chan. It's one of my favorite places in the world.

 

That is good to know, thanks!!!!

[BrandFam4]

Really enjoying your review! 

[crewsweeper]

20 minutes ago, dreadpirate3 said:

I can wholeheartedly endorse Maya Chan. You had prettier water, but you will have no issues with staff or food at Maya Chan. It's one of my favorite places in the world.

Quality of water varies, daily.  Maya Chan is just south of the main malecon where Jaime's is and does experience the seagass issues often mentioned  on this board.  However, they do take very good care of you.

 

Pirate, sorry to hear your experience at Jaime's wasn't up to expectations.  DW said she had a great time.  But they sat under the shade of the porch. It was very hot that day.  And alcohol and heat don't mix well together.  But the actions of your servers begging for tips kind of leaves me pale.

 

Hoping the next time you are in CM you have a better experience. 

[RDDAILY]

23 hours ago, pirate4me2 said:

 

I did! Here is the link:

 

 

 

I am loving your review!  I have laughed out loud several times while reading it!!  We are going on Magic in July.  I clicked on the link for your review, but the pictures do not show.  I know there were some issues with pictures after the new website launched.  Can you see the pictures on the review or is it just me?  Thanks again!!

[Can'tWait2SetSail]

I am so bummed for you regarding your experience at Jaime's. We are booked for there as well as I will definitely avoid the shots. I want to make sure we make it back to the ship and I usually am the one who has to keep the drunks in our group in line so I have to be good. LOL.  I think the begging for the tips is completely unacceptable. I thought the tips all go in a communal bucket? What a bunch of tools those employees were.  Did you at least have fun there?

 

[pirate4me2]

2 hours ago, BrandFam4 said:

Really enjoying your review! 

 

Thanks for reading, I am trying to get more ready to post tonight!

 

2 hours ago, crewsweeper said:

Quality of water varies, daily.  Maya Chan is just south of the main malecon where Jaime's is and does experience the seagass issues often mentioned  on this board.  However, they do take very good care of you.

 

Pirate, sorry to hear your experience at Jaime's wasn't up to expectations.  DW said she had a great time.  But they sat under the shade of the porch. It was very hot that day.  And alcohol and heat don't mix well together.  But the actions of your servers begging for tips kind of leaves me pale.

 

Hoping the next time you are in CM you have a better experience. 

 

It was very hot that day! I am glad your wife had a good time. We enjoyed ourselves, but our servers really did put a damper on the mood at the end by doing that. Like I said, we did leave them tips, and very generous ones, so it was just offputting.

 

50 minutes ago, RDDAILY said:

 

I am loving your review!  I have laughed out loud several times while reading it!!  We are going on Magic in July.  I clicked on the link for your review, but the pictures do not show.  I know there were some issues with pictures after the new website launched.  Can you see the pictures on the review or is it just me?  Thanks again!!

 

The pictures are not showing up for me either, ugh! It must be from when they did the new boards. Sorry!

 

19 minutes ago, Can'tWait2SetSail said:

I am so bummed for you regarding your experience at Jaime's. We are booked for there as well as I will definitely avoid the shots. I want to make sure we make it back to the ship and I usually am the one who has to keep the drunks in our group in line so I have to be good. LOL.  I think the begging for the tips is completely unacceptable. I thought the tips all go in a communal bucket? What a bunch of tools those employees were.  Did you at least have fun there?

 

 

Good luck avoiding the shots, our servers really pushed them! The banana one was good, and they had another one that I cant remember the name of that was yummy. The Tidal Wave drink (green drink in pic) was delicious.

We did have a good time there, sorry if it sounded like I didn't! The beach was nice and clean, the water felt great, and the general atmosphere was fun.

[mkcurran]

15 hours ago, pirate4me2 said:

Annnnddd….that’s the end of Costa Maya. I still am not sure, did Mexico win, or did I? I kinda think Mexico did…

Mexico Won. But I am dying with laughter here. 😂🤣

[pirate4me2]

18 minutes ago, mkcurran said:

Mexico Won. But I am dying with laughter here. 😂🤣

 

Glad I could make you laugh! It sure was an interesting day, and here's a teaser: Cozumel is even better!

[deedle7544]

4 minutes ago, pirate4me2 said:

 

Glad I could make you laugh! It sure was an interesting day, and here's a teaser: Cozumel is even better!

Can't wait!!!!

[pyropoodle]

Excuse me while it sit here and live vicariously through you....great review!

[pirate4me2]

42 minutes ago, pyropoodle said:

Excuse me while it sit here and live vicariously through you....great review!

Thank you for following along!

[ZoeyVictoria]

4 hours ago, pirate4me2 said:

 

Good luck avoiding the shots, our servers really pushed them! The banana one was good, and they had another one that I cant remember the name of that was yummy. The Tidal Wave drink (green drink in pic) was delicious.

We did have a good time there, sorry if it sounded like I didn't! The beach was nice and clean, the water felt great, and the general atmosphere was fun.

 

Do you think the servers routinely push guests to get so drunk that they will just hand over all the cash they have?

[sid_9169]

Nice review so far... That's a pretty poor business model they have going at Jamie's in Costa Maya... Getting people drunk all day, and then accosting them on the way out the door... One way to assure no repeat business... I can't wait to see how the cruise turned out...

[pirate4me2]

3 hours ago, ZoeyVictoria said:

 

Do you think the servers routinely push guests to get so drunk that they will just hand over all the cash they have?

 

I don’t think so, I hadn’t read any reviews saying anything like that before we went. I would think If that were the case a lot of people would complain, don’t you? I’m hoping maybe it was just a 1 time thing, and we were the unlucky people it happened to. 

 

2 hours ago, sid_9169 said:

Nice review so far... That's a pretty poor business model they have going at Jamie's in Costa Maya... Getting people drunk all day, and then accosting them on the way out the door... One way to assure no repeat business... I can't wait to see how the cruise turned out...

 

I’m hoping it was just maybe a one time thing and we were the unlucky people it happened to.

[DebOinKC]

Loving your review, and glad you made it back on the ship! 

 

Your cruise group sounds like a lot of fun.

[pirate4me2]

13 minutes ago, DebOinKC said:

Loving your review, and glad you made it back on the ship! 

 

Your cruise group sounds like a lot of fun.

 

It was a pretty interesting group for sure!!