Pirate’s LIVE Mardi Gras Review…11/12/22-11/19/22

[pirate4me2]

The poolside bar is open until 10, but we are done. After the stress, not sleeping well last night, driving down, and a few drinks…we are beat and calling it a day! 
The pool area is really nice, and we will definitely stay here again! The pool is a zero entry, and clean, there is a nice fire pit to sit around, and the drinks we had (Mermaid Water, Blue Hawaiian, and Mai Tai) were great. 
Tomorrow…Mardi Gras!

[pirate4me2]

Early morning run to the Walmart (🤬…I hate that store!) since DH forgot his loofah and had a meltdown over the idea of using a washcloth, goodness forbid. He owes me coffee. 

[pirate4me2]

Update on the spoiled Aussie back home…

Her GrandmaPeasant says she is a crack dog, she won’t stop racing around with her new friend Curacao. She’s claimed the couch and ball as hers, nobody else is allowed to share. When Nicole was finished hammering our area, she proceeded to race down to the pond and jump in and now STANKS. 
Sounds like she’s happy. 😊

[pirate4me2]

After the stop at WallyWorld, we ran thru a Starbucks drive thru. Carmel Ribbon Crunch Frappe, ahhhh, magical life giving go-go juice!

Then we headed for breakfast at our favorite Port Canaveral breakfast spot…only to find out a Hurricane a few years back took them out. 😭 So, onto Grills it was, and their Krabby Frank’s Benedict was DELICIOUS! Service was top notch too…from the time we sat down to food coming out was 15 minutes! 
Got to see poor Freedom without her tail. 😩 DH looked and was like “What the…? Fix her!”
Now we are in line to park at terminal 3! I see MG! 

[pirate4me2]

Just made it thru security, waiting to board!

Parking at the port is $17/day, $145.52 total for a 7 day cruise. The garage opens at 8:30 am.

Parked on level 3 and walked right to the terminal area…easy peasy! 

[pirate4me2]

Also, one last note before my onboard posts…

I know I have said it before, but today just reinforced it…Port Canaveral has got check

in down to a science! This is the easiest, most efficient port for embarking I swear!! 

[pirate4me2]

Made it onboard! 
First drink of the day: BlackBerry Bourbon Fizz from Pig & Anchor. Perfect!

[pirate4me2]

Lunch!

Shaq’s didn’t disappoint! I got the Uncle Jerome, which I didn’t find spicy at all. But then again, I eat jalapeños fresh, so my taste buds are probably dead. 😂 the chicken was tender and yummy. DH got chicken tenders and said they were great.

Off to an awesome start! 

[pirate4me2]

@crewsweeper, took your advice and tried the Negroni from Bar Della Rosa. Wow…it’s strong! Not sure it’s something I will finish, but that’s the beauty of Cheers…if I don’t like something, I don’t feel guilty not finishing it. 

[pbxtech]

24 minutes ago, pirate4me2 said:

Lunch!

Shaq’s didn’t disappoint! I got the Uncle Jerome, which I didn’t find spicy at all. But then again, I eat jalapeños fresh, so my taste buds are probably dead. 😂 the chicken was tender and yummy. DH got chicken tenders and said they were great.

Off to an awesome start! 

yum

[pirate4me2]

@Eli_6, tried the praline truffle from Brass Magnolia that you suggested. Oh my! Very, very good. 
@kompera, tried the Bayou Lemonade from there as well…and that is my new go to drink! Crisp, refreshing, and just PERFECT!! 

[pirate4me2]

On 11/11/2022 at 6:36 AM, Jelly_Toast said:

This is extra exciting for me as I’m on Mardi Gras later this month. Now that the hurricane has passed I can finally get excited about cruising again!

Yay for upcoming cruises!! 👏🏻 

1 hour ago, pbxtech said:

yum

Absolutely!! 

[pirate4me2]

Settled into our room, aft balcony 14502. 

Overall impressions:

*Love being 2 decks down from Lido!

*Flip side, being 5-7decks UP from all the inside fun kinda sucks. I’m a big girl, the stairs are not my best friend, but I will be trying to utilize them more! 
*Balcony seems to be a bit bigger than I remember. But again…I live in a camper, sooooo this stateroom is as big as my home…I could just be crazy. 
*Flip side to that: the bathroom is TINY. Like…my camper bathroom is 2-3 sizes this size. What’s up with that?? 
*Storage is awesome in this room, much better than other CCL ships. Way to go Carnival! 

[JandPB]

The last time we had an aft it was soooo hot back there. Let us know if it's unbearably hot back there. Love the view. 

[pirate4me2]

27 minutes ago, JandPB said:

The last time we had an aft it was soooo hot back there. Let us know if it's unbearably hot back there. Love the view. 

I probably can’t be unbiased, to be honest. I love these cabins, they are my top pick. I hate regular balconies, they feel tiny to me. 

[pirate4me2]

Should be sailing anytime now! 
Byeeeeeee Freedom! Bye Mariner! 

[pirate4me2]

Wandering the ship. The Brass Magnolia is soooo pretty, I love it! Fortune Teller Bar is pretty awesome too. Just tried a Bog Juice (it’s ok) but DH’s Third Eye is great! 

[pirate4me2]

@Caps_Shield, trying your recommendation of the Venus Rising next. Will let you know very shortly how it is! 

[pirate4me2]

Not my favorite cocktail, but not bad. Just…different!

Adryana is a great bartender!

[pirate4me2]

Steakhouse dinner…wow…phenomenal. 
i had the stuffed mushrooms, which were crispy and tasty, with the spinach/blue cheese/bacon salad, which was delicious. I had the filet with spice rub for my main, it was tender and juicy, with the Mac and cheese…oh that was delish! 
DH had the pork belly, he raved about it, with the Caesar salad, and the spice rubbed ribeye. He raved about the mashed potato’s. 
dessert for me was the chocolate sphere…whew, it was rich! DH got cookies and cream ice cream. 
cocktails were the 555 for DH, he loved it, and the seven seas for me, which was ok. 
All in all, dinner was exceptional!

[pirate4me2]

Tonight’s thoughts/activities:

Went to Grand Central for the Playlist Sneak Peek at 8. We got there about 745 and got to hear the Center Stage band and singers, they are good! At 8 sharp the Playlist cast came out, and all I can say is WOW. They’re great!! 
KFire had a welcome aboard like show at 815 in the atrium, and that was good as well. Had a bunch of different musicians from around the ship give a taste of what they have to offer. 
At 845 we headed to the theater to get a seat for the first Playlist show, Rock Revolution, and this was my first sour taste onboard so far. It was a MADHOUSE already, and other passengers were kind of rude. They opened the theater doors at 902, and we went in and got good seats, but I really think I like the theater on smaller ships better, with upper and lower level entrances, not just one level. Especially with so many passengers sailing! 
As for the show…it wasn’t bad, just not my cup of tea. The cast, like I said, is very talented! 
Now to call it a day. I’m beat. Oh, but check out these awesome door decorations a cabin down from us did! I love it! 

[jimbo5544]

Great start to your review.

[pirate4me2]

Good morning! 
Going to go find some magical life giving concoction  (aka coffee) and breakfast shortly. Until then, enjoying this view! 

[pirate4me2]

Got my go-go juice, an iced latte. Mmmmm! The barista isn’t very friendly, but I’m thinking she’s just suuuuper busy. 
i checked in for sea day brunch at 8:40, it said under 10 minute wait. It’s 9:01 now, still waiting. Hmmm, me thinks their timing is off. Waiting at Fortune Teller Bar now. 

[pirate4me2]

After 30 total minutes our table was ready. Service was quick for sea day brunch, DH go chicken Caesar salad, I got the Voyager burger (it was delicious!) and we both got the Birthday Bellini, which was ok. DH didn’t like his and had me drink it, so I guess I get 16 drinks today…score! 🤪

We wandered up to Serenity to check it out, and that will be my hangout I think! I got a Skinny Fizz while up there, it’s perfect. We came back to the room for DH to do schoolwork and I will enjoy the balcony for a bit, but then we will head back to Serenity later.