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

[goofy2010]

We love going to Buc-ee's, always a nice long break during our trips.  Looking forward to seeing your take on the famous cruise.

[jimbri]

Another great review and pictures.  I've never been to a Buc-ee's but I now feel I must visit one some day 🙂

[CoastalCatharine]

Following along. Endless dreary weather in coastal NJ is killing me. This will brighten up the day!

[jbhcw]

wow...four pages in...I'm behind...great start Jeff to your cruise....thanks as always for doing such good reviews! 

[bigdog60]

16 hours ago, Jamman54 said:

We leave the property and continue on our drive down I-95 towards Dania Beach. It was a very easy and uneventful drive until we passed West Palm Beach. At that point the traffic became heavier and heavier until upon reaching Fort Lauderdale, it became stop and go.

 

I decided to get off I-95 at Sunrise Boulevard and head to A1A and perhaps beat the traffic by coming into Dania Beach the back way. That way wasn’t much better, but once we saw this jet landing at the Fort Lauderdale Airport, we knew we were getting close…….

 

 

Once past the airport we drove into Dania Beach…..

 

 

A few minutes later we arrived at the Springhill Suites…..

 

 

We checked in and were given Room # 126 on the first floor. One-twenty six is our son Kevin’s birthday. Patti and I just looked at each other. It gets better later.....

 

 

 

Of course, I have to wait out in the hallway while Patti gives us the room tour…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To be continued…..

Looking so forward to another one of your amazing reviews!

[Jamman54]

Wow! We knew that there was a lot of anticipation for this review, but the amount of responses has been amazing! This is why we do these reviews, and will continue to do them as long as we are able. Thanks to everyone who has jumped on board for the ride!

 

Later this afternoon we'll post about our day in Fort Lauderdale,  and then tomorrow we'll get you aboard the Celebration where the real fun will begin. Thanks again for your patience! 😃

[Jamman54]

15 hours ago, Webecruzen said:

So glad to find this today!  Will be fun to relive our week on the Celebration.  We had a great time in New Orleans last weekend. Dad has been doing great with his new parts.  

Glad to hear that your Dad is doing well! 👍👍👍

[hapytobehr]

18 hours ago, Jamman54 said:

 

Congrats! You're the first to the party. Always glad to have you along for the ride! 

 

 

Hey Karen! It was a pleasure to meet you and your hubby whose name I can't remember. I truly apologize. I think I lost a few brain cells on this cruise! 

lol!  No Problem...you cant remember everyone!   "Gerald"

[VIFP1987]

All caught up and anxiously awaiting the next installment! 

[meskel503]

Just like the others I have been waiting for you to get home and start this review.  I have read all of yours, Sid's, and Megans reviews and enjoyed everyone.  Great start, can't wait for more.

[Jamman54]

15 hours ago, ramref said:

Hey Jeff,

Looking  forward to your review and Patti’s photos.

Wish we were on the cruise with you everyone as it looked like a great cruise.

 

Hey Rich! Glad to have you aboard! You would have had a blast on this cruise. Just think about it, in 604 days we get to cruise together again! 😀

[Jamman54]

15 hours ago, JoeTec said:

Isn't it great to pump your own gas? I'm from NJ too & was making the drive the same time as you.  BTW gas was only 2.39 at the Buckees in SC

Happily following along 

Yep, pumping your own gas is a treat for us Jersey guys! Glad to have you aboard! 😀

[Jamman54]

12 hours ago, lennythenose said:

We returned from our Horizon cruise the day you all left on your Tribe cruise. We stayed at Springhill Suites before our cruise after reading your previous reviews. We were very happy with it. Thank you for recommending it!

Glad you enjoyed it. It's our go to place when cruising out of Fort Lauderdale or Miami! 😃

[Jamman54]

1 hour ago, hapytobehr said:

lol!  No Problem...you cant remember everyone!   "Gerald"

Thanks Karen! It's locked in my brain now! 😀

[Megan_Strick]

22 hours ago, Jamman54 said:

We checked out of the hotel at 7am and then gassed up the car for the next leg of our journey…..

 

 

 

Once back on I-95 south, it was only a few minutes before we entered Florida…..

 

 

We continue to head south on I-95…..

 

 

As we pass St. Augustine, we see this famous sign…..

 

 

 

Patti insists that we pull in so that she can do a photo essay of the property, just like the one she did of South of the Border last year…..

 

 

 

 

 

We are entering Buc-ee’s……

 

 

 

To be continued……

 

I live at exit 38. A few exits before Kingsland. They are building a brand new Buc ees at exit 42. Just broke ground Monday. Should be ready for you next year!

[Jamman54]

46 minutes ago, Megan_Strick said:

I live at exit 38. A few exits before Kingsland. They are building a brand new Buc ees at exit 42. Just broke ground Monday. Should be ready for you next year!

Good to know! We'll be back down there in April. Probably a little early I guess. 

[Megan_Strick]

6 minutes ago, Jamman54 said:

Good to know! We'll be back down there in April. Probably a little early I guess. 

Yeah, they just started clearing the land. I think they said by Jan 2025.

[Kanyon71]

23 hours ago, Jamman54 said:

Here are some Buc-ee’s views……

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To be continued…..

We have been to that exact Buc-ees, The sandwiches are really good and if you like Jerky go to the fresh meat case and try the cherry jerky. Was outstanding.

 

Looking forward to the rest of the review.

[savedbygrace]

Hello Jeff!  I was excited to see your review pop up when I logged into Cruise Critic this afternoon.  After following along and enjoying Sid and his amazing writing and pictures, it's going to be a real treat to take the same trip in depth with you and Patti!  I'm actually going on a solo cruise leaving Monday on the Carnival Elation, so I will be looking forward to catching up to this thread when I return home on February 10th.  Peace and God Bless!

-Ed

[Jim and Monika]

Looking forward to this Jeff, there are always 3 sides to every story...

[Jamman54]

Pre-Cruise  -  (January 13th)  -  Our day in Fort Lauderdale. 

 

We were up at 7am to a warm and sunny day. Our plan for today is to head over to the Fort Lauderdale Beach and stroll along the beach and the strip.

 

But our thoughts this morning are of our friends Pat & Jim (Webecruzen). We have cruised with them quite a few times since we met them aboard the Sunshine in 2016. They were the ones that had told us about the Tribe cruise, and as of now, they might not be able to cruise.

 

Pat’s father had some recent health issues which resulted in him having surgery earlier this week. He seemed to be doing well, but then suffered a setback, and this morning he will be having a pacemaker implanted. How things go will determine whether Pat & Jim will be able to sail with us tomorrow. The thoughts and prayers of the entire Tribe Nation are with them.

 

Before we leave the hotel this morning, we will partake of the free breakfast that they offer. Looking down from the balcony, it looks quite crowded. This hotel is quite popular with those people cruising out of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. The hotel does offer a shuttle service to the piers……

 

 

  

Here are some views of the free breakfast provided by the Springhill Suites…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To be continued…..

[JandPB]

Can’t wait to see Patti’s pics of the amazing sights as well as all of the husband daycare places as well. 

[Jamman54]

Here is my breakfast plate…..

 

 

Patti is starting her day a bit more sensibly…..

 

 

We left the hotel at 9:30am, and soon we were leaving Dania Beach……

 

 

The Fort Lauderdale Airport is only ten minutes away from the Springhill Suites….

 

 

A few minutes later we are passing the entrance to Port Everglades……

 

 

 

Princess has an office here…..

 

 

We turn right onto A1A and we will cross this bridge that crosses the Intracoastal Waterway, and head to the Fort Lauderdale Beach…..

 

 

While crossing the bridge, we can see that there are five ships in port today. They are the Sky Princess, Symphony OTS, Nieuw Amsterdam, Celebrity Ascent, and the Celebrity Reflection. It’s an impressive line up!

 

 

 

 

To be continued…..

[Jamman54]

We parked in a parking garage at Beach Place which was right behind the Hooters. The cost was $20 for the first three hours. This Hooters is up on the third floor….

 

 

I’m letting everybody know that Hooters is my #1 favorite Husband Daycare….

 

 

Hooters doesn’t open for another hour, so I will walk the strip with Patti until then. Here are some Fort Lauderdale Beach views…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some of the shops, bars, and restaurants on the strip…..

 

 

 

 

To be continued……

[mamiamjo]

21 hours ago, Elaine5715 said:

I am tempted to drive down so I can stop at one of these and fill my car

Well I can attest that the gas is nothing special but all the food and shopping options are something to see! And if you have to use the restroom, you will be impressed! 🙂

Edited January 31 by mamiamjo