Live (Wi-Fi willing) Christmas Mardi Gras Review 12/18- 12/26 Blue Card Perspective

[Hogladyrider]

I too am loving this review, the details and photos are wonderful and most enjoyable and informative!

[crewsweeper]

Re masks in gym.

This must be new in relation to Omicron and increased outbreaks.  End of November, first of December, you could be maskless in the weight section as well as the cardio. Gym was quiet early in the AM as only people using were crew members before 7.  You could get in a good weight and cardio workout without having to wait for a weight station or stagger treads or bikes.

[ninjacat123]

1 hour ago, crewsweeper said:

Re masks in gym.

This must be new in relation to Omicron and increased outbreaks.  End of November, first of December, you could be maskless in the weight section as well as the cardio. Gym was quiet early in the AM as only people using were crew members before 7.  You could get in a good weight and cardio workout without having to wait for a weight station or stagger treads or bikes.

I agree.  I was on MG in October and worked out at the gym at least 3 times, always in the freeweight section.  My workout is 30 seconds of jumping rope/running in place/jumping jacks then 10 reps of a strength training exercise, then more cardio.  I didn't wear a mask because I was doing cardio, but no one asked me to wear a mask.  Sounds like the rules are more strict now.

Edited December 22, 2021 by ninjacat123

[BennyBrun]

1 hour ago, JaniceB said:

Great review and just love your pictures.  What beach did you go to on your tour in Amber Cove?

I am not quite sure since it was the guides choice.  But if you search for this restaurant in the picture you should be able to find it.  It is very nice there are beach services for a fee ( very reasonable) and you are across from downtown.  If you hire a guide outside, remember it’s $40.00 for up to 4 so if they try to get you to pay more you have to stand firm and tell them $40.00 (maybe $50.00 depending on the gas prices) and PAY AT THE END so that they stay with you the whole time.

[BennyBrun]

Day 5 San Juan

 

we are doing San Juan on our own since we are just walking into old town and check out some of our favorite spots.

[BennyBrun]

Day 5 San Juan

 

I highly recommend these local spots.  Unfortunately the bakery is closed which was a bummer and I am not sure if the closure is permanent or just seasonal holiday.

[BennyBrun]

Day 5 

 

The umbrella street changed over to string lights which is a bummer because I really like the umbrellas but still pretty.

[BennyBrun]

Day 5

 

I am not sure why the locals want to feed the flying rats but eeeek there were a lot of them.  I am more afraid of the diseases caused by pigeons than COVID.

[BennyBrun]

Day 5

 

PSA please be careful walking around old town.  The streets are uneven and dangerous when you fall.  We saw two falls and one required a ride on the ambulance.  I hope the cruiser is all right.  She was bleeding on the legs/knees/head.  The pictures shows the condition of the road not where the accidents happened.

[BennyBrun]

Day 5

 

PSA the tax here in San Juan is 10.25%.  WOW!!!

[crewsweeper]

I think La Bombonera usually closes around 4P and Cafe Manolin closes around 4:30 PR Time.

 

Not sure why they were closed earlier.

[BennyBrun]

10 minutes ago, crewsweeper said:

I think La Bombonera usually closes around 4P and Cafe Manolin closes around 4:30 PR Time.

 

Not sure why they were closed earlier.

La Bombonera was our first stop around 1:30PM so I was in shock and google map said they are open until 5PM so double sadness!

[BennyBrun]

Day 5

 

Still walking around town… made it to the Gate and outside the fort area.

[BennyBrun]

Day 5

 

Cathedral de San Juan 

[BennyBrun]

Day 5

 

Gelato stop 

[BennyBrun]

Day 5 

 

Starbucks break… remember your stars are good here for redemption!

[BennyBrun]

Day 5 

 

There she is… the beautiful Mardi Gras

[BennyBrun]

Day 5

 

Back onboard and hitting street eats for a little bite.  Nothing on MDR looked good again for the second night in a row so we will now brave the crowd head on over to Cucina for dinner tonight.

[BennyBrun]

Day 5

 

Here is a money savings tip.  You got charges in your sail account?  Buy an AARP gift card to cover the charges while onboard and take it to guest services to redeem that e gift card right there and then!

[BennyBrun]

3 hours ago, crewsweeper said:

Re masks in gym.

This must be new in relation to Omicron and increased outbreaks.  End of November, first of December, you could be maskless in the weight section as well as the cardio. Gym was quiet early in the AM as only people using were crew members before 7.  You could get in a good weight and cardio workout without having to wait for a weight station or stagger treads or bikes.

Yeap … new starting 12/18 due to the Omicron.

[BennyBrun]

2 hours ago, ninjacat123 said:

I agree.  I was on MG in October and worked out at the gym at least 3 times, always in the freeweight section.  My workout is 30 seconds of jumping rope/running in place/jumping jacks then 10 reps of a strength training exercise, then more cardio.  I didn't wear a mask because I was doing cardio, but no one asked me to wear a mask.  Sounds like the rules are more strict now.

Cardio machine no mask.  Weights section is patrolled every 30 minutes or so.  They are nice about it so as long as you don’t publicly ignoring the rules they won’t bother you.

[BennyBrun]

Day 5

 

Best pizza ever!!!

[BennyBrun]

Day 5

 

Watching the Horizon / Sunshine cruise from the pizza joint.

[BennyBrun]

Day 5

 

Another great day has sailed away from us and now it’s about dinner time.  The MDR menu did not look very interesting tonight again (I saw rabbit on the menu but I am not that adventurous) so we are going to spin the roulette wheel and head back to Cucina again!  How appropriate since it’s Vegas Nights at center stage.

[BennyBrun]

Day 5

 

amazing singers!  Just incredible.  I was talking with another cruiser who told me that the entertainment on the Mardi Gras is the best that he’s ever seen and he’s been on a lot of Carnival ships.