The Tribe has Spoken!! Carnival Celebration - 1/14/2024 (with pics)

[Jamman54]

13 minutes ago, IntrepidFromDC said:

I've only been to Magen's Bay Beach on St. Thomas and loved it.  If you've been there, will you compare/contrast it to Coki Beach?

We like both but prefer Coki. It's just a completely different vibe. Magen's Bay has a small fee, and Coki is free. Even though Magen's Bay beach is a mile long, when multiple ships are in it can get pretty crowded, and the bar & restaurant there has trouble keeping up. Coki Beach is about half the size, can get crowded, but has more amenities. The snorkeling is much better at Coki if you like that sort of thing, and you can rent equipment. Lastly, Coral World is right next door to Coki Beach so you can combine the visits if you choose. Fees apply at Coral World. Hope this helps. 

[Jamman54]

Every time we’re at Coki Beach I look over at Coral World and just smile, as it brings back some great memories. See those white specs on the lower platform? Those are the helmets used for the helmet dives…..

 

 

I hope you don’t mind, but I’m feeling a little nostalgic right now. I’m going to take you back to March of 2010 when we were on the fairly new Carnival Dream. I booked my boys and me on the Helmet Dive excursion at Coral World. Patti didn’t want to partake, but she was enjoying the exhibits. The following pictures were part of the package, so no, Patti was not floating around taking them. Lol. Ryan was wearing helmet #4, Kevin was #5, and I was #7. Enjoy!

 

Once you climb down the ladder into the water, you follow a trail. The water is about twenty foot deep. There are divers and guides all around you for safety.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I want to say that you’re down there for twenty minutes to a half hour. Also included are these stock photos of the trail……

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed the flashback. Coral World still offers the Helmet Dives if you are interested.

 

To be continued…..

[AmyJA]

4 hours ago, Jamman54 said:

Patti got pictures of these cuties in Amber Cove! 

 

 

OMG, I just had to hit the back button and erase something I typed. It would have gotten me in trouble.  Luckly, I caught myself. But it was along the lines of : "Kittie unite".

 

I’m old, I still call this thongs.  

 

[Jamman54]

We ordered another bucket of beer and drinks and spent the rest of the morning enjoying the beach…..

 

 

 

I’m still enjoying the water……

 

 

 

These items can be rented…..

 

 

 

Patti was using a leaf as a coaster. Very resourceful!

 

 

 

Our server Michelle and me…..

 

 

We stayed until 12:30pm. We paid our bill, and made our way to the exit. There, the safari truck and driver that we had this morning was there to take us back. In twenty minutes we were back at the Havensight Mall. The Nieuw Statendam and the Carnival Sunshine had joined us in port since we had left…..

 

 

 

 

 

To be continued…..

[scottasp]

Jeff we appreciate all the hard work you and Patti put into these reviews. Looks like another great time.

 

[sp2]

I love the photos with you and your boys. Great memories and that’s what it’s all about! Next time Ryan needs to come and bring a friend!

 

i’ll go back to lurking now!

Sharon

[sid_9169]

1 hour ago, Jamman54 said:

Every time we’re at Coki Beach I look over at Coral World and just smile, as it brings back some great memories. See those white specs on the lower platform? Those are the helmets used for the helmet dives…..

 

 

I hope you don’t mind, but I’m feeling a little nostalgic right now. I’m going to take you back to March of 2010 when we were on the fairly new Carnival Dream. I booked my boys and me on the Helmet Dive excursion at Coral World. Patti didn’t want to partake, but she was enjoying the exhibits. The following pictures were part of the package, so no, Patti was not floating around taking them. Lol. Ryan was wearing helmet #4, Kevin was #5, and I was #7. Enjoy!

 

Once you climb down the ladder into the water, you follow a trail. The water is about twenty foot deep. There are divers and guides all around you for safety.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I want to say that you’re down there for twenty minutes to a half hour. Also included are these stock photos of the trail……

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed the flashback. Coral World still offers the Helmet Dives if you are interested.

 

To be continued…..

I wonder how those things remain waterproof? Is it some kind of inflatable device that locks around your shoulders? 

[Jamman54]

Once we were dropped off, Pat, Jim, and Patti went to explore the shops. I took Patti’s beach bag and went back to the ship. Once I changed, I went to Guy’s for a couple of Plain Jane’s, and took them back to the Tides Bar where Suresh was tending Bar.

 

Patti stayed out for about an hour or so, and then made her way back to the ship…..

 

 

 

 

She went and got a sandwich and fries from the Deli, then went back to the cabin to relax on the balcony.

 

I had a couple of Cruisers with Suresh when Sid dropped by to chat. He went back to his cabin to get the duck and sticker he had found, and wanted to give to Patti. I had one more drink with Sid before heading back to the cabin for sail away and then a nap. Patti was so happy with the duck and sticker. Thanks Sid!

 

 

The Carnival Celebration was first to sail at 4pm…..

 

 

We say goodbye to the Nieuw Statendam…..

 

 

 

Patti looks up towards Paradise Point…..

 

 

 

We are now sailing past the Carnival Sunshine……

 

 

 

 

 

To be continued……

[broberts]

3 minutes ago, sid_9169 said:

I wonder how those things remain waterproof? Is it some kind of inflatable device that locks around your shoulders? 

 

Physics. Helmet it heavy. The air is lighter than water and can't escape so the water can't take its place.

 

Edited February 9 by broberts

[Jamman54]

5 minutes ago, sid_9169 said:

I wonder how those things remain waterproof? Is it some kind of inflatable device that locks around your shoulders? 

Actually those helmets are pretty heavy, so it's their weight that keeps them down on your shoulders. Once you are in the water they don't feel heavy at all. 

[Jamman54]

We are sailing past the Sunshine and out to sea. Her aft needs a little touch up!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Nieuw Statendam is on the move as well…..

 

 

A couple of tour boats pass by…..

 

 

 

 

There are some beautiful homes up on the hills…..

 

 

 

To be continued……

[Jamman54]

We are sailing by Marriott’s Frenchman’s Cove…..

 

 

 

 

We are now sailing by the Westin Beach Resort…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are leaving St. Thomas behind…..

 

 

 

 

To be continued…..

[AmyJA]

We steerage ladies went to Megan’s Bay today. And yep, it’s also a twisty taxi ride.

 

 

Life today is a beach.

 

 

[AmyJA]

Pam is taking a swim. I almost fell face forward into the water. But I did find a piece of sea glass.

 

 

[AmyJA]

I decided to head back to the ship while Pam enjoyed the sun, sand and sea. I think I am having the same lunch at Patti di a day or two ago. But with peanut butter on the side for the hotdog.

 

Edited February 9 by AmyJA

[WhiteOptima]

20 minutes ago, AmyJA said:

 But with peanut butter on the side for the hotdog.

What?!😱🤢

[Colorado Beach Bum]

2 hours ago, Jamman54 said:

Every time we’re at Coki Beach I look over at Coral World and just smile, as it brings back some great memories. See those white specs on the lower platform? Those are the helmets used for the helmet dives…..

 

 

I hope you don’t mind, but I’m feeling a little nostalgic right now. I’m going to take you back to March of 2010 when we were on the fairly new Carnival Dream. I booked my boys and me on the Helmet Dive excursion at Coral World. Patti didn’t want to partake, but she was enjoying the exhibits. The following pictures were part of the package, so no, Patti was not floating around taking them. Lol. Ryan was wearing helmet #4, Kevin was #5, and I was #7. Enjoy!

 

Once you climb down the ladder into the water, you follow a trail. The water is about twenty foot deep. There are divers and guides all around you for safety.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I want to say that you’re down there for twenty minutes to a half hour. Also included are these stock photos of the trail……

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed the flashback. Coral World still offers the Helmet Dives if you are interested.

 

To be continued…..

I did this back in ‘06 with my teenage boys.  Great memories. Thanks. 

[Frank12]

37 minutes ago, AmyJA said:

I decided to head back to the ship while Pam enjoyed the sun, sand and sea. I think I am having the same lunch at Patti di a day or two ago. But with peanut butter on the side for the hotdog.

 

Wait just a cotton picking minute.  You put peanut butter on a hot dog????

[AmyJA]

40 minutes ago, WhiteOptima said:

What?!😱🤢

 

25 minutes ago, Frank12 said:

Wait just a cotton picking minute.  You put peanut butter on a hot dog????

 

Yes, I do have peanut butter with my hot dog. Have for years. It's a family thing. Don't knock it until you have tried it. No ketchup. Just mustard and peanut butter. Or bologna with mustard and peanut butter. 

[Jamman54]

At 6:30pm we made our way down to Celebration Central to get our cards for the 7:30pm Deal or No Deal show…..

 

 

We enjoy this show and will usually go to it every cruise. We get the 3 for $50 package, and most times we will break even or win a little bit. But I look at it as being a raffle ticket for having two shots at being the onstage contestant. I was onstage one time and I didn’t do well, so I’m looking for redemption.

 

We have our cards and out drinks, so let the games begin!

 

 

As always, there is a huge crowd here tonight…..

 

 

Since there are two shows tonight, Louis Clare will host the first show, and Lee Mason will host the 9:30pm show…..

 

 

 

Lee sits at our table and takes pictures of Louis Clare’s performance…..

 

 

 

 

The first contestant selected is Jennifer W. but she sends her husband Jeff up to play for her…..

 

 

 

He selects Case #7 and begins to open cases. The $1000 is knocked off the board pretty quickly…..

 

 

 

To be continued……

[Jamman54]

He takes it right down to the end and walks away with the amount in his case, $125.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next contestant is Paul C……

 

 

 

He chooses Case #17, and begins to open cases starting with #1. He also knocks out the $1000 case fairly quickly…..

 

 

 

 

 

He plays it down for several rounds and then takes the $175 offer…..

 

 

 

So how did we do? We won two (2) $30 casino free plays, and a $25 bingo package for a total of $85 or a $35 net win. Not bad!

 

We then went up to the Marketplace for a bite to eat. Here are our plates…..

 

 

 

Afterwards, we went back to the cabin for the night. Here is today’s Cheers recap: Patti (2), Jeff (4), for a total of (6). This makes us (-6) for today and the cruise. We have to pick it up the rest of the way!

 

Coming up next: The bad news is that we’re heading back to Miami. The good news is that it’s going to take us two days to get there!

Edited February 10 by Jamman54

[AmyJA]

Well maybe you all will find dinner more up your alley. Cucina del Capitano, I LOVED their Carbonara.

 

 

 

 

And here is the result of almost doing a face plant at the beach. And yes I'm old with dry wrinkled feet and a bad pedicure.. 🤪

 

 

 

 

 

[atticusthegreat]

18 minutes ago, AmyJA said:

Well maybe you all will find dinner more up your alley. Cucina del Capitano, I LOVED their Carbonara.

 

 

 

 

And here is the result of almost doing a face plant at the beach. And yes I'm old with dry wrinkled feet and a bad pedicure.. 🤪

 

 

 

 

 

OH NO, YOUR POOR TOESIE! but I do think that's a cute pedi color. 

[SenatorsFan]

We had a quiet day on St. Thomas as we'll be back here in April with our oldest and his wife on NCL Jade. Our DIL wants to take the Sky Ride then.

We took the open air bus downtown and just wandered up and down all the alleys. We found a great bar with an awesome bartender who made us some Bushwhackers! 😁

[Elsammo46]

15 hours ago, AmyJA said:

I decided to head back to the ship while Pam enjoyed the sun, sand and sea. I think I am having the same lunch at Patti di a day or two ago. But with peanut butter on the side for the hotdog.

 

I can vouch. Peanut Butter on hotdogs is amazing...seems weird, but it works