Essiesmom sails Seashore Dec. 7-17. A Live From from Below the Salt

[Essiesmom]

No notifications so far.  We left on time. I was in Mdr at the time. Had the prosciutto and melon starter, the Eleanor salad and fruit plate. 
  There has been a small child at the table behind us. The first night I surmised they were grandparents and thought they might regret the experience. Tonight they were talking with some folks.  First grandchild age 4. It has had its ups and downs. Won’t do it again without the parents along. Later she said she can’t wait for the cruise to end. 
  After dinner to Uptown Lounge for rock and roll dance class, a set by the Ocean Band and now karaoke. 

[Essiesmom]

I closed down karaoke and headed for  Venchi for gelato. My one complaint about it is that it is rather soft and I like my ice cream hard. Also they use a spatula rather than a scoop so it is kind of messy. 
I can’t get pictures to attach tonight.  I have lots more to post. 

Edited December 15, 2023 by Essiesmom

[Essiesmom]

We are tying up, but not at Punts Langosta. We are near Regal Princess,with Carmival Glory coming, plus Scarlet Lady,Disney Magic, and I think Viking Mars might be expected. So we are at International Pier. I actually prefer it to downtown. Weather is overcast. 

[morpheusofthesea]

double posting in error

Edited December 15, 2023 by morpheusofthesea

[morpheusofthesea]

3 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

This is purely for informational purposes and in NO way contradicts anything @Essiesmomis posting.  Thank you @Essiesmom for your much detailed postings.

 [" Punta Langosta is Cozumel’s local pier. It is used by ships, ferries and some of the smaller cruise lines. This is the best port to dock at if you want to have an authentic Cozumel exploration since it’s right in the heart of San Miguel town. Cruise lines such as Norwegian, MSC, and Disney dock at this port."

 " International TMM Pier This is the oldest pier in Cozumel and is found 3 miles south of San Miguel town. For those of you, who prefer cruising with the Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, or some Norwegian Cruise Line ships this is the port you will dock at. It is strictly a cruise port and not a public port, so enjoy your day at the port without feeling hassled."

   "Puerta Maya Puerta Maya is the furthest port in Cozumel found on the southwestern side of the island nearly 5 miles away from San Miguel town. This port is reserved for Carnival cruise guests and other Carnival Corp affiliated cruise lines."]

 

Edited December 15, 2023 by morpheusofthesea

[Essiesmom]

I believe we docked at one of the southern piers on Divina in 2016 but the last three visits...Seaside and Armonia in 2019 were at Punta Langosta.

   Outside my window Carnival Glory has obscured Regal Princess.  It must have rained, because there is a rainbow...

 

 

Some pictures of yesterday in Costa Maya...ships in port, etc.

Mein Schiff 6 and aft of Carnival Magic

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mein Schiff

 

 

It's a long walk into port

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steep gangway to exit.  There was a lower one further forward down on deck 4.  This was on deck 5.  Lower one for HC.  When I came back I used the lower one.

 

 

 

 

 

You are supposed to buy something at the restaurant if you use the loungers.

 

 

 

 

Picture dump break

 

[Essiesmom]

Some pictures around the ship

 

 

Casino

 

 

Casino bar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All for now, folks.  Time for breakfast and to go ashore.

[DaKahuna]

@Essiesmom @morpheusofthesea  I have only sailed on ships that dock at the International Pier but am hopeful that our February MSC Divina cruise will dock downtown instead.  My wife and I usually only have one thing we do when in Cozumel and that is the have lunch at Pancho's Backyard.  In the past we have walked from the International Pier into town and enjoyed lunch, walked around a bit more than then took a taxi back to the International pier.  I am hoping to avoid all that walking and taxi ride on our next trip.

 

The above pictures of Cosa Maya brought back some fond memories.  The last time we were there, after a couple more margarita's that I should have had, I decided I had to stop on the way back to the ship and get my 'feet cleaned' by those little fishes.  Don't ask me what ever possessed me to do that but I could not resist.  

 

[JAGR]

32 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

The last time we were there, after a couple more margarita's that I should have had, I decided I had to stop on the way back to the ship and get my 'feet cleaned' by those little fishes

 

I would worry more about the margaritas you shouldn't have had! 😄

[Essiesmom]

I had my feet nibbled at Costa Maya in 2019.  I had wanted to do it since Santorini but you don’t waste Santorini time doing that.  
 Just got back from shore in Cozumel and got the dreaded Late to Port letter.  Dock at 1500 instead of 0700.  And to top it off, the niece that lives with me just texted to say she has Covid.  After 3 years.  I need to visit future cruise desk to see if I can stay another five days…

[Homosassa]

1 hour ago, Essiesmom said:

 Just got back from shore in Cozumel and got the dreaded Late to Port letter.  Dock at 1500 instead of 0700.  

Yeah - not really unexpected given the Gale Warning posted for both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic.

 

Hopefully the Captain has figured out a course to avoid the rougher water.

 

The storm is expected to clear the Port Carnevale area by late Sunday afternoon. 

[Essiesmom]

I tried to post pics earlier, but I made the original post on my iPad, and was editing with pics and ran out of time.  So, here I go again.

The Late arrival letter

 

Marketplace bar

 

Ships min port with us:  Regal Princess, Carnival Glory, Viking Mars.  And at Punta Langosta, the Odd Couple - Disney Magic and Scarlet Lady

 

 

 

 

 

Not as long a walk today as yesterday

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sniffer doggie.  Pass all bags and backpacks by the dog's nose

 

 

Manger scene inside the tree

 

 

 

 

Santa is at Margaritaville

 

 

It was threatening rain all day and was lightly sprinkling when I got back to the ship.

I think International pier is my least favorite.  It seems so confusing, disorganized, unplanned.  Much prefer Puerto Maya.

[Essiesmom]

I took a nap, then set out to find some of the places I hadn't visited yet.  On the way to Le Cabaret Rouge, the 5th Avenue Restaurant, Manhattan Restaurant (Aurea).  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apparently it's a quiet place to relax...

 

Heading back out

 

[Essiesmom]

My next stop was to be deck 19, but the aft elevators only go to 18, sooo...

Horizon Bar

 

 

 

 

 

 

And then the skies opened.  I got pretty wet waiting for the big bucket to fill and dump

 

 

Time to head back inside where it was drier.  Sports bar, nothing on but futbol

 

 

 

Seating a lot different from Seaside.  

That's it for now.

Tonight's menus

[Essiesmom]

Essie watches Carnival Glory leave

 

Activity sheet for today

[DaKahuna]

5 hours ago, Essiesmom said:

  And to top it off, the niece that lives with me just texted to say she has Covid.  After 3 years.  I need to visit future cruise desk to see if I can stay another five days…

 

 Sorry to hear about your niece.  Hopefully it's just a mild case with no lingering after affects.

 

 Best luck with your attempt to stay another 5 days.  I hope you are able to. 

 

[Essiesmom]

Dinner tonight I had the spring rolls (sorry, I ate one before I remembered a picture)

 

Vegetable soup of the day

 

And the Gourmand salad, minus the surimi (seafood something)

 

Dessert was gelato, later

 

After dinner I went to the show Journey.  Tomorrow night's show is Rock Royalty, which we saw last week, so I may try to make it to Le Cabaret Rouge.

After the show I lingered outside the future cruise desk until a coupe finally signed papers and left.  The fellow said they are sold out, someone else had just asked, but to try again tomorrow.  Then I went to Karaoke for the last hour.  Then it was time for dessert, gelato.  Now back to the cabin.  The ship has been rocking and rolling some, and it is pouring rain outside.  I realized tonight that my corridor mostly does not have railings to hold onto.  cabin openings as close together and on both sides, and there are cupboards all along.  

  It was white night, and there were some lovely white outfits.  As for the men...I saw some white suits that looked like a lightweight tux.  Then there was the man I saw in the theater wearing a white tux with black trim.  Probably quite old, wide lapels with inch wide black trim around them and on the sleeves too, I think.  And the pants had the black stripe down the legs.  Hmmm...  The CD had his white suit on tonight.  I wondered why he didn't have a tux on last night, Elegant night but just had a blue suit.  Last night there were a father and grown son wearing Christmas print blazers with flashing lights in the front.  I wonder how you wash/dry clean those...

  The hangers are rattling in the closet, time for bed.  

[jinpasco]

Thank you for posting the delay letter. We are supposed to embark on Sunday and any and all information from your cruise is appreciated. 

[Essiesmom]

7 hours ago, jinpasco said:

Thank you for posting the delay letter. We are supposed to embark on Sunday and any and all information from your cruise is appreciated. 

Here are the further instructions for tomorrow

 

[jinpasco]

Is there a propulsion issue ? Showing you near Key West now. Other 2 ships for tomorrow are already close to port. Its going to be a long day !

 

[rebeccac]

I'm also on this cruise, no propulsion issues, just weather that will make navigating into the channel in Port Canaveral difficult (at least that is what we've been told and we don't seem too be having any speed issues).

[jinpasco]

36 minutes ago, rebeccac said:

I'm also on this cruise, no propulsion issues, just weather that will make navigating into the channel in Port Canaveral difficult (at least that is what we've been told and we don't seem too be having any speed issues).

Thank you. I have been watching the ptztv camera and the ships today are leaving fine, maybe an hour or so delay.  I wish you all the best of luck too as those with airplane tickets must be stressed. Ours is only a 4 hour drive .

[abreuer]

2 hours ago, jinpasco said:

Is there a propulsion issue ? Showing you near Key West now. Other 2 ships for tomorrow are already close to port. Its going to be a long day !

 

I also was wondering this... Seashore has spent most of the past 24 hours between 11 and 16 knots while the other ships heading to PC opted to speed up ~24 knots to blast through the worst of the storm and avoid delays.  Hopefully those of you who are onboard can pass along future updates for those of us embarking tomorrow.

[Essiesmom]

Went to mdr lunch, veggie frittata, Asian salad and apple pie. Back to the cabin to pack. Didn’t take long as I didn’t bring much. There was a welcome reception @4:30 in le Canaret Rouge. Served Prosecco and fruit punch, chips and peanuts on the tables. Live music, a few short speeches, introduce captain and more heads on stage. As I left I could see they were setting up for another session. Makes me wonder if we were the first. 
  Then it was time for dinner. Italian night. I had the Cabrese salad and chicken parmigiana. It was better than on Seaside. 
  A short time in the Sports Bar, back to the cabin to put out checked bag and on to Uptown Lounge for the Ocean Band and karaoke. 
 Essie went to dinner tonight

[Essiesmom]

Here are the activities for our extra half day tomorrow:

 

 

 

There was no diamond reception this cruise, which I missed because I had some questions to ask.