Below the Salt on Magnifica after Essie and Essiesmom crash the party on Valiant Lady

[Essiesmom]

I went to the Solo Social at 5:45 and numbers are dwindling.  Only seven tonight.  Three of us went to The Wake restaurant, the steakhouse…although only two of the items on the menu are steak.  I hav the wedge salad, filet mignonette and cheesecake.  It was very good.  And good conversation.  I left there and went people watching.  It’s Scarlet Night, and it’s amazing how many people buy into it.  Women vary from formal to kids ballet costume.  A lot of people are barely wearing their outfit, and others shouldn’t be.  Lots of men following the red, too.  One man in red T-shirt with red Buc-ee’s shorts.  
 At the shore excursion desk they were painting faces with glitter.  Line was too long for me.  Now I am sitting in a lounge listening to music.  

[Essiesmom]

I sat in the Dock Lounge until the music ended and everyone cleared out.  The party had moved up to the pool deck, midship 15.  I went up, but there was such a crowd around the pool that I couldn’t see a thing.  So I went up to 16 but the crowd around the railing was 2-3 deep and I’m too short to see.  So I came back to the cabin.  I will try again to post pics but they go astray.  I tried but the ended up double on the Virgin board.

 

[Essiesmom]

I slept pretty well and am now waiting for my meds to kick in so I can go eat.  It’s one you have to take on an empty stomach and wait an hour to eat.

  Anyway…I’m trying to digest the Scarlet Night thing and the party.  There is a myth that involves an octopus, which is why you see them around the ship, and the story was told several times in different locations last night.  Goodness, they even serve them in some restaurants…wouldn’t that be sacrilegious?  The party almost seemed like a cult thing.  Happenings cast dancing around the pool, and an individual who I think was The Diva in a roped off area on the deck above the pool, with a mike.  The Diva is a drag queen and sort of the cruise director, but you like a celebrity and you don’t see her much. 
 So let me try this picture thing again, starting with last night and some of yesterday.  I think I need to break things up into several posts.

 

[Essiesmom]

Trying for more pics

 

[Essiesmom]

 Break fast in the Galley, not busy.  Man and wife nearby, she in caftan, he in gray striped silk pajamas.  Sunny and windy.  Pools not crowded.  There has been criticism about the small size of the pools.

 

[Essiesmom]

Let’s try for some more pictures

 

 

[Essiesmom]

More, more, more…

[Essiesmom]

Here we go again.  These are the last until I take more.  It just occurred to me that I forget to look to see if there was a lift for either pool.

  You might notice in the program a timed puzzle challenge.  I believe this is what was happening yesterday when I saw at least 8 tables of jigsaw puzzles in progress.  

 

[Prometheus1]

enjoying the review, can't wait for more pics!

Edited July 17 by Prometheus1
typo

[Match Game 72]

Thanks for taking us along on VV.

[Essiesmom]

Well, it’s been an eventful afternoon after a normal morning.  I did end the morning with a chocolate donut when I went up to fill my bottle with iced tea.  The donut was a bit dense…not quite a cake donut, but…. The chocolate was more like a dip than frosting.  And it was dark chocolate.  
  I went back to my cabin and fought with the pictures…it’s so annoying to want to post and the thread has to reload all the previous pics…

  A yesterday, there was a program at 4pm in The Manor called Hostess Sings The Rules.  The hostess turned out to be the Lydia we met at the solo social on Monday.  Who was on MSC Opera for one contract.  Very good show, I had a Diet Coke with lime.   But right at the end I started a sinking spell.  I don’t know how else to describe, it’s almost like feeling a faint coming on…I’ve fainted enough times to know.  I don’t know why it happens, but it always occurs when I’m sitting.  Doctor says I should lay down with feet up.  So I laid down on the banquette until I thought I could walk.  Then I walked a far as the banquettes by the entrance.  I sat there awhile, and they got me some OJ which I probably didn’t need.  I took an ekg on my Apple Watch which looked better than usual.  
  I left there and went to On the Rocks and sat awhile.  Then it was up to my cabin.  I went inside and had just settled myself with my legs propped up, when I realized I was going to be sick.  How nice that the bathrooms are so compact you can sit on the toilet and throw up in the sink.  There went the donut and orange juice, and maybe more.  
  Obviously no solo meetup for me tonight, but I actually felt better, so eventually I went up to The Galley.  Asian cuisine.  Picture included, as well as the menus.  When I finished I wandered down to deck 7 to the Social Club where weird trivia was in progress, hosted by Lydia from the show.  I had a bag of popcorn.  Then I followed that with three twirlers.  Down in On The Rocks we have finished up with smooth jazz and now have one of Happenings cast performers doing a set.  I will be off to bed soon.

 

 

[Essiesmom]

It always frustrates me when my pics don’t load in the order I intend them to.  (Try to diagram that sentence).

  I forgot to say I was freezing in the cabin though the cabin wasn’t cold…I couldn’t take a bath, no tub and I probably wouldn’t be able to get out of it anyway.  Would love to soak feet in hot tub, but no bathing suit.  Then I realized all I needed to do was go sit in the sun, which I did. Problem solved.

[JamieLogical]

@Essiesmom I hope you are feeling much better today!

[Essiesmom]

Satisfactory night. Went up to breakfast and carb loaded. Bread and French toast. The crowds came and went. Lady at the next table slathering French toast with cream cheese and then syrup. 
  We are at Bimini, backed in at the pier. I went to the back of deck 15 to take pics from above. Then it was down to debark from deck 4. No lines 300 steps to where I took the aft pic. There was a line for the shuttle. They fill every seat. I made the second one. 
 They stop at a place where excursions meet and you can rent golf carts. Then it’s off to Bimini Beach Club where it is VV day. Two pools and the ocean. Lots of loungers. I wandered around taking pics including Essie on a borrowed recliner.  With Ink, who is bleeding purple onto her clothing. Oops!

  Shortly I will board the shuttle back to the ship. 

 

[DaKahuna]

Sounds like you are feeling much better.  The sun shine, in moderation, can feel wonderful when you have a slight chill.   

 

Stay safe. 

 

 

[Essiesmom]

Back onboard. Shuttle was nearly empty, made a stop on the way back at the casino. Essie wanted to try her luck but neither of us had any money. 
  A few shots of the ship. I went straight up to The Galley, perused the offerings and ended up with late breakfast. The best part was the asparagus. 
 When I was touring the offerings I nearly ran into a fellow with a long stick, sort of like a selfie stick and briefly wondered what he was doing. After I ordered my food I saw him and another guy by the sweets. He was holding stick high and the second guy was pointing at things and talking. He kept bumping the mic into the lighted thing hanging above the section. They came back and did it twice. I think he had a name tag on but not sure if it was Virgin… too far away to see. Influencer or official video?

  My iPhone and watch are magically back to real time. Watch now on charger. 

[Judyrem]

Wonderful trip report!  I loved it.  Good for you do to a solo on VV!

 

I love food and most of it looked wonderful!

 

The decor isn't really my style, but it looks intriguing.

 

My biggest concern is not fitting in, all those lovely YOUNG  lively looking people and I am not.🥲

 

 

[Essiesmom]

Young and lively looking I am not.  I just turned 80 in May.

 They aren’t all young, a number of scooters, a few walkers, power chairs.  At least three amputees, one with two metal legs and one artificial arm, another with two leg prosthesis, one with one artificial leg, but he’s young and ambulatory.  A few canes, and I saw one with a white cane, so assuming he is blind.  If you look around, you might think you are on a Carnival cruise, but better dressed and more civilized.

  I forget to mention that returning to the ship as we got to the pier entrance, security had everyone hold up their wrists and show their bracelets.

  I came up to the cabin and bustled about, packing.  Didn’t take much time, I only about five tops and five bottoms.  Then I showered.  Oh my…I expected a rain shower and got a thunderstorm!  Cabin attendant says you can adjust the flow.  I only saw the knob to change from overhead to wand.  Then I went down to see if there was a Solo Social meetup about dinner.  There was but I was the only one.  I chose to go back to Razzle Dazzle.

  I asked the crew member if there was filming going on, and she said yes, the marketing department was onboard doing stuff.

  I got the Green Goddess Avocado salad again…sorry I forgot the pic until I was nearly done.  The Fried Green Tomatoes …except they were red…without the okra, and the Nashville Hot  Cauliflower.  Boy, was it spicy.  I may need tums later.

   I went to the Red Room (theater) for the show Untitled Danceshowpartything.  Last night one of the cast was singing in On the Rocks so I thought the show would be musical.  Nope.  A lot of active dance, nonsense…the whole first level is stand for the show, possibly participate.  I can’t stand for an hour, so I went up to the second level where there were some seats, but just a partial view.  I lasted half an hour and left.

   I went to the Roundabout where Plan V was setting up to play, lasted a few numbers there and came back to the cabin. 
 On to the pictures

 

[Essiesmom]

I was up early and went down to Sailor services to see if they could break a $20.  Don’t want to give the porter $20 for one small bag.  Stood in line behind the man with the white cane.  He was paying his bill in cash, stacks of $100 bills.  Guess he isn’t totally blind, not even glasses.

  Since it was close, I went to Razzle Dazzle for breakfast without checking the menu.  Mistake.  Wasn’t much on it I wanted.  I did get the RD breakfast.  Best part was the fresh squeezed OJ.  
   Looking around, I realized there were no tablecloths.  When I finished, I went to Pink Agave…no linen their either.  Nor at The awake.  Didn’t check Extra Virgin.  So, those who sneervst Carnival because there are no tablecloths in the MDR…not a single one on Valiant Lady.

  I went around outside on deck 7 for some pictures.  They were already debarking.  I expect they want me out of my cabin soon.

 

[Essiesmom]

I sat in the area around the Roundabout and watched neoprene filing past to leave.  I don’t know if there was a early rush to debark, but it seemed like the majority chose to debark at last call, and many, many with large suitcases.  The elevators were working well, and no stairs to drag cases down. I attached myself to the end of the line.  Ding out, out the ramp, mostly level, and into the terminal.  Easy to find my bag, one of half a dozen at station 13. Out past facial recognition, out the door.

   Cross the street, and there are lots of people waiting there for…something. But not taxis.  No taxi line.  Two cabs, one lady didn’t want to pay $35 to wherever.  He brought me to terminal C.   No one at the terminal.  No buses, no cabs.  Walk right in.  Through security with two others.  Up the escalator to checkin.  Still a lonely, empty place.  Show my digital boarding pass and scan, check to passport.  Pass go.  
   On the ship, went up to my cabin to deposit my backpack, watch the safety video and call 881.  Cabin was not ready, I thanked it lacked on,y vacuuming.  I settled Essie and Ink with the remote and left to report in to my muster station.  Then I went to the MDR for lunch.  Only open 1130-1300.  Had mozzarella sticks and Caesar salad.  From there I went up to the buffet to check it out, got an onion ring, and soft serve cone.  The soft serve was a bit too soft.  Now I am in a very purple lounge, talking to y’all.  I’m hoping cabins are ready soon, as I need a nap.

 

[Fissues]

Great review! So with the first week under your belt, what’s your opinion on the food on VV vs. MSC?

[Essiesmom]

My picture dump failed earlier, so I’ll give it another try.

 

 

Edited July 19 by Essiesmom

[Essiesmom]

What do I think of VV food?  Hmmm…I follow people on other forums who revel in that type…but it isn’t me.  For me the menus are limited and don’t change.  Except for The Galley. I regret I didn’t go up last night to see if the offerings changed.  I read about people who never eat in the MDR but only in the specialties.  Which have menus that don’t change.  I love a good buffet.  I browsed the buffet here after I had lunch.  It’s better laid out than Seashore, although the stations do repeat four times.  I can hardly wait until lunch tomorrow.  

[Essiesmom]

This is the bridge cam view.  Is that the new MSC terminal on the right?  Hmmm…I’m thinking it might br Royal?

Edited July 19 by Essiesmom

[JamieLogical]

40 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

This is the bridge cam view.  Is that the new MSC terminal on the right?  Hmmm…I’m thinking it might br Royal?

 

That's the NCL terminal.

 

 

When you sail away you sill see the new MSC terminal under construction near the very end of the channel.

 

Edited July 19 by JamieLogical