S
singjenn
Guest
Hey everyone!!! I got back Thursday from my cruise on the CELEBRATION (July 14-19).
IN SHORT: We had a BLAST!!! It was some of the best food I have ever had, and deffinately the best cruise ever!!!
I hope you enjoy it and please feel free to ask any questions.
Oh, and if you are looking for a certain picture, I might have it! I took over 1500. If you would like to see them all send me your email. If you would like me to send you any certain ones let me know.
Saturday July 14
We left for Jacksonville at 5 am. It was an easy drive, but a little booring. The port was easy to find and you can see the ship from Hwy 9A. Embarkation was fast and easy. This was the easiest port I have ever been to. We arrived around 12 and were on the ship eating lunch by 12:30. Lunch was great!!! We got on the ship just in time....a bad storm hit fast. The boat was rocking and it was pouring and was very windy. We ate our lunch and headed to check out our room. We were on the upper deck cabin U5. We had a porthole. I LOVE IT!!! You can crawl up in it and look out. It also has curtains you can close in case you don't want to wake up to sunlight. We relaxed for a bit and then explored the ship some. It was kind of late for our luggage so I was wondering where it was. I was walking down the hall and saw that it was in front of another room. I grabbed only two. I couldn't get the big one. The room steward helped and he got it for me. I started to unpack and noticed something was wrong with my large suitcase. I had checked it at the port because it was too big to cary on. After a few minutes I realized it was broken. A huge section of the plastic that forms the shape was busted. This is only the second time I have used it. I unzipped the lining ans saw it was busted in a million pieces all the way around. It had craks and peices that had fallen out of place. UUUGHHH!!! I called the room steward and he said he would cme right up. He did, and told me to take it to the purser desk. I had to empty all of my luggage and drag it down there. They were less then willing to help. They only said they would reimburse me for up to 50 even though it was worth over 100.
Later we got reay for dinner and headed to our dinning room. We had main seating. We were seated with 8 other people.
Later we went to the welcome aboard show. So much fun!!! I will volunteer for most anything, so this was no exception. At this point i wasn't sure what we were doing, but I soon found out.
The spoon game!!! AHHH!!! The cruise director lined us up and went to each person to talk to them. When he got to me all I could do was laugh. He was funny and he kept smiling at me with this rediculous smile. It was all I could do to talk. Then we started with the sppon game. This was a hoot. My team was last to get it through, but when it was my turn to put it down my shirt, it went down so fast that Skip made a comment about how fast t went down. It was so funny!!!
It came time to pull it out and I leaned over to help it out a little. He turned around and saw what I was doing and said "What the @$! are you doing?" Everyone laughed. We ended up winning the game!!!
Sunday July 15
This was our first of two full days at sea. We got up for breakfast.....it was tasty!!! We went to see Travel Talk and I am sooo glad we did! We ended up picking out an excursion in the Bahamas. We picked out Blackbeard's Cay Treasure Beach Snorkel. It was a little pricey, but that didn't stop us. They had a free raffle at the end and I won the towl animal book and a t-shirt. WOO HOO! After that we went to the ice carving on the Lido deck. After that was the Hairy Chest contest. I got to be a judge!! Me and the other girl dumped buckets of water of the guys as they danced around in front of us. It was funny! Then we judged the booty shaking contest. After that Sarah and I got some lunch. MMMM TASTY!!!! Today was formal night. We got ready and headed to dinner. That was fun seeing other peoples dresses. There was a Vegas Style show that night. WOOOOWSIE!!! All I will say is that it made us sweat and it was so good we went back to see the 2nd show!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monday July 16
This was our day in Key West. I had reserved adult sized triclycles for us to get around on. I am soooooo glad i did that!!! It was the best and I loved the company I booked thru. Sunshine rentals was wonderful and very helpful. We got 5 hours on our bikes. We hopped on and began to ride. It was a little hard getting used to. Sarah kept running off the road...but thank goodness she didn't hit a car!!! WOO HOO!!! We got on them and headed out. They gave me a map, but it was a little hard to follow. We were going to look for a beach. We found a local who told us that it cost a couple dollars to get into. we decided to go to the Hemingway house. On the way there it was sooooo hot, but the breeze from riding was helping alot. We got lost along the way but when we found it, we oculdn't find anywhere to park. We had to drive around and look for somewhere to park. We found a place about 2 streets over. We went into the house and paid for our admission. It was a beautiful house. The cats were beautiful an we really enjoyued it. The only thing was that it was extremely hot!!!! After we left there we rode around to go shopping. We stopped at Starbucks to get a drink. We went to the shops next door and then it started pouring!!!! I was so afraid to get my camera wet. After looking around in a shop for a while, we realized we were wasting time and decided to ride in the rain. WHAT A GREAT IDEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That was probably the most fun I have the whole time!! It was that fun!! We headed to the cemetary. It was gorgeous and HUGE!!! We rode around there for a bit while i took pictures. After that we went shopping some more and then it was time to take our bikes back. It was soooo fun!!!! I would deffinately do it again. At 3pm were the guest talent show auditions. Not really auditions. They drew names. But I got picked. we had a short practice and then we went to get icecream and set on the deck. Dinner was great tonight. Everything we ate was soooo good!!
Tuesday July 17
Today we wre in Nassau, Bahamas. I was a little nervous about being by ourselves here. So on Monday we booked an excusrion. We booked Blackbeard's Treasure Beach Snorkel. Three of our table mates had also booked the same excursion. We pulled into port about an hour early. We ended up getting off around 10:15. It was extremly hot and I was very uncomfortable. We walked around the shops that were near the port area. We didn't go too far because we were unsure of the area and the locals. Time seemed to creep by. I was not having a good time and it was extremly hot. Most of the shops had the same things, so that was no fun. I felt like we were walking into the same stores over and over. It was finally time to go back to the ship to meet our tour group. They were picking us up at the gangway. We got there and there was a pretty large crowd. I didn't see out tour sign but Sarah saw our table mates so we met with them. They showed us the lady to give our tickets to. After waiting about 10-15 minutes we started to walk to the boat. The boat was a 25-30 minutes slooooooooooooooooooow ride to Blackbeard's Cay, a tiny island off of Nassau. There were no seats on the lower level so we had to sit on the top level in the blistering sun. On the way there we saw a few neat things. One was an underwater observatory that had been damaged by Hurricane Michelle. When we got to the island the water was the most beautiful blue and the beach was beautiful white sand. I didn't bring my camera because I was afraid something would happen to it. I would rather not have any pictures from this excursion then lose my camera. I felt naked without it, but I was also glad i didn't bring it. We snorkeled for a bit then got some lunch with a coins. We got cheeseburgers. They were tasty. Then we got back in the water. I put on my snorkeling gear and did that until it was time to go. I love to snorkel!!!!!! While snorkling I found some tiny conch type shells. I wanted to get a few to take back. I tucked them under my bathing suit at my hip so I could have both hands free while I snorkled. When it was time to go i couldnt find Sarah. I looked everywhere and finally she came out of the gift shop. I was really aggrivated because she didn't tell me she was going in there and the boat was about to leave. we got on and again we were on the top. About 10 minutes into the ride I saw lightning. AHH!!! I wanted to run and hide but there was no where to go. It thundered and it looked like it was raining ahead where out ship was. I kept feeling something under my bathing suit but I just thought I had got some sand or something in it. While I was snorkeling I put little seashells under the egde of my bahting suit so i could have both hands free. I had forgotten about them. I felt something pinch me and it hurt!!! I pulled out the shells and there were crabs in them!!! Two of them had hermit crabs in them. AHH!! I had no idea I had out live animals in my bathing suits. One of our table mates was sitting across from me and she threw them back in the water for me. Then all of a sudden it started to pour. People were scurrying to get under something. I thought it was funny. I was already wet from the ocean so i didn't care. I sat there and enjoyed the music and rain. We got back o the port area and got off the boat. We headed back to the ship changed our clothes and i got my camera. We came back out and it was still raining. We didn't care, we got out our unberellas and walked around in the rain. We decided to take a horse and buggy ride around. It was really nice, but when he took us thru an alley I got scared. He slowed down and i just knew we were going to kidnapped!!! But we didn't Hehehehe After that we went to the straw market. It was really hot in there but it was neat. It's made up of independent booths and they try to sale you everything. I was walking around while Sarah looked. Then I saw it.......it ran from under the booth across the walkway. A RAT!!!!!!!!!!!! YUCK!!!! I went to get Sarah and told her we had to get out of there. Then I saw it again!!! GROSS!!!!!! After we left there we went to eat at hard Rock cafe. It was on the second level above the gift shop. Very nice inside. The food was ok, I don't think was cheeseburger was cooked enough. After we got done, we went back to the ship. I got ready and headed out for the talent show. That was alot of fun and of course I had to go first! AHHHH!! I was glad it was over with!! The mexican buffet was tonight. Oh my!!! MMMMMM TASTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday July 18
This was our last full day. We went to the debarkation talk at 11. It was soooo booring. I didn't learn anything I didn't already know. We mostly hung out on the deck, ahd lunch and icecream. After lunch I went to the dance lessons in the Astoria lounge. That was alot of fun. Sarah had a headache so she just watched.
Thursday July 19
Debarkation seemed like it took forever. We were self assist and we were the 3rd deck called. Not too bad. We made our way down and when we got to the doors to goout we had to wait. I don't know what was wrong but they just made us stand there for about 10-15 minutes. When we got off we had to walk down the ramp. Since my luggage was busted it wouldnt roll. I didn't think I was going to make it. I had to drag it wherever we went. We got through customs and was on our way outside. When we got to the sidewalk I switched luggage with Sarah. She stayed with our luggage and went to get the car. It was really easy to get out of there and there was no trouble.
IN SHORT: We had a BLAST!!! It was some of the best food I have ever had, and deffinately the best cruise ever!!!
I hope you enjoy it and please feel free to ask any questions.
Oh, and if you are looking for a certain picture, I might have it! I took over 1500. If you would like to see them all send me your email. If you would like me to send you any certain ones let me know.
Saturday July 14
We left for Jacksonville at 5 am. It was an easy drive, but a little booring. The port was easy to find and you can see the ship from Hwy 9A. Embarkation was fast and easy. This was the easiest port I have ever been to. We arrived around 12 and were on the ship eating lunch by 12:30. Lunch was great!!! We got on the ship just in time....a bad storm hit fast. The boat was rocking and it was pouring and was very windy. We ate our lunch and headed to check out our room. We were on the upper deck cabin U5. We had a porthole. I LOVE IT!!! You can crawl up in it and look out. It also has curtains you can close in case you don't want to wake up to sunlight. We relaxed for a bit and then explored the ship some. It was kind of late for our luggage so I was wondering where it was. I was walking down the hall and saw that it was in front of another room. I grabbed only two. I couldn't get the big one. The room steward helped and he got it for me. I started to unpack and noticed something was wrong with my large suitcase. I had checked it at the port because it was too big to cary on. After a few minutes I realized it was broken. A huge section of the plastic that forms the shape was busted. This is only the second time I have used it. I unzipped the lining ans saw it was busted in a million pieces all the way around. It had craks and peices that had fallen out of place. UUUGHHH!!! I called the room steward and he said he would cme right up. He did, and told me to take it to the purser desk. I had to empty all of my luggage and drag it down there. They were less then willing to help. They only said they would reimburse me for up to 50 even though it was worth over 100.
Later we got reay for dinner and headed to our dinning room. We had main seating. We were seated with 8 other people.
Later we went to the welcome aboard show. So much fun!!! I will volunteer for most anything, so this was no exception. At this point i wasn't sure what we were doing, but I soon found out.
The spoon game!!! AHHH!!! The cruise director lined us up and went to each person to talk to them. When he got to me all I could do was laugh. He was funny and he kept smiling at me with this rediculous smile. It was all I could do to talk. Then we started with the sppon game. This was a hoot. My team was last to get it through, but when it was my turn to put it down my shirt, it went down so fast that Skip made a comment about how fast t went down. It was so funny!!!
It came time to pull it out and I leaned over to help it out a little. He turned around and saw what I was doing and said "What the @$! are you doing?" Everyone laughed. We ended up winning the game!!!
Sunday July 15
This was our first of two full days at sea. We got up for breakfast.....it was tasty!!! We went to see Travel Talk and I am sooo glad we did! We ended up picking out an excursion in the Bahamas. We picked out Blackbeard's Cay Treasure Beach Snorkel. It was a little pricey, but that didn't stop us. They had a free raffle at the end and I won the towl animal book and a t-shirt. WOO HOO! After that we went to the ice carving on the Lido deck. After that was the Hairy Chest contest. I got to be a judge!! Me and the other girl dumped buckets of water of the guys as they danced around in front of us. It was funny! Then we judged the booty shaking contest. After that Sarah and I got some lunch. MMMM TASTY!!!! Today was formal night. We got ready and headed to dinner. That was fun seeing other peoples dresses. There was a Vegas Style show that night. WOOOOWSIE!!! All I will say is that it made us sweat and it was so good we went back to see the 2nd show!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monday July 16
This was our day in Key West. I had reserved adult sized triclycles for us to get around on. I am soooooo glad i did that!!! It was the best and I loved the company I booked thru. Sunshine rentals was wonderful and very helpful. We got 5 hours on our bikes. We hopped on and began to ride. It was a little hard getting used to. Sarah kept running off the road...but thank goodness she didn't hit a car!!! WOO HOO!!! We got on them and headed out. They gave me a map, but it was a little hard to follow. We were going to look for a beach. We found a local who told us that it cost a couple dollars to get into. we decided to go to the Hemingway house. On the way there it was sooooo hot, but the breeze from riding was helping alot. We got lost along the way but when we found it, we oculdn't find anywhere to park. We had to drive around and look for somewhere to park. We found a place about 2 streets over. We went into the house and paid for our admission. It was a beautiful house. The cats were beautiful an we really enjoyued it. The only thing was that it was extremely hot!!!! After we left there we rode around to go shopping. We stopped at Starbucks to get a drink. We went to the shops next door and then it started pouring!!!! I was so afraid to get my camera wet. After looking around in a shop for a while, we realized we were wasting time and decided to ride in the rain. WHAT A GREAT IDEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That was probably the most fun I have the whole time!! It was that fun!! We headed to the cemetary. It was gorgeous and HUGE!!! We rode around there for a bit while i took pictures. After that we went shopping some more and then it was time to take our bikes back. It was soooo fun!!!! I would deffinately do it again. At 3pm were the guest talent show auditions. Not really auditions. They drew names. But I got picked. we had a short practice and then we went to get icecream and set on the deck. Dinner was great tonight. Everything we ate was soooo good!!
Tuesday July 17
Today we wre in Nassau, Bahamas. I was a little nervous about being by ourselves here. So on Monday we booked an excusrion. We booked Blackbeard's Treasure Beach Snorkel. Three of our table mates had also booked the same excursion. We pulled into port about an hour early. We ended up getting off around 10:15. It was extremly hot and I was very uncomfortable. We walked around the shops that were near the port area. We didn't go too far because we were unsure of the area and the locals. Time seemed to creep by. I was not having a good time and it was extremly hot. Most of the shops had the same things, so that was no fun. I felt like we were walking into the same stores over and over. It was finally time to go back to the ship to meet our tour group. They were picking us up at the gangway. We got there and there was a pretty large crowd. I didn't see out tour sign but Sarah saw our table mates so we met with them. They showed us the lady to give our tickets to. After waiting about 10-15 minutes we started to walk to the boat. The boat was a 25-30 minutes slooooooooooooooooooow ride to Blackbeard's Cay, a tiny island off of Nassau. There were no seats on the lower level so we had to sit on the top level in the blistering sun. On the way there we saw a few neat things. One was an underwater observatory that had been damaged by Hurricane Michelle. When we got to the island the water was the most beautiful blue and the beach was beautiful white sand. I didn't bring my camera because I was afraid something would happen to it. I would rather not have any pictures from this excursion then lose my camera. I felt naked without it, but I was also glad i didn't bring it. We snorkeled for a bit then got some lunch with a coins. We got cheeseburgers. They were tasty. Then we got back in the water. I put on my snorkeling gear and did that until it was time to go. I love to snorkel!!!!!! While snorkling I found some tiny conch type shells. I wanted to get a few to take back. I tucked them under my bathing suit at my hip so I could have both hands free while I snorkled. When it was time to go i couldnt find Sarah. I looked everywhere and finally she came out of the gift shop. I was really aggrivated because she didn't tell me she was going in there and the boat was about to leave. we got on and again we were on the top. About 10 minutes into the ride I saw lightning. AHH!!! I wanted to run and hide but there was no where to go. It thundered and it looked like it was raining ahead where out ship was. I kept feeling something under my bathing suit but I just thought I had got some sand or something in it. While I was snorkeling I put little seashells under the egde of my bahting suit so i could have both hands free. I had forgotten about them. I felt something pinch me and it hurt!!! I pulled out the shells and there were crabs in them!!! Two of them had hermit crabs in them. AHH!! I had no idea I had out live animals in my bathing suits. One of our table mates was sitting across from me and she threw them back in the water for me. Then all of a sudden it started to pour. People were scurrying to get under something. I thought it was funny. I was already wet from the ocean so i didn't care. I sat there and enjoyed the music and rain. We got back o the port area and got off the boat. We headed back to the ship changed our clothes and i got my camera. We came back out and it was still raining. We didn't care, we got out our unberellas and walked around in the rain. We decided to take a horse and buggy ride around. It was really nice, but when he took us thru an alley I got scared. He slowed down and i just knew we were going to kidnapped!!! But we didn't Hehehehe After that we went to the straw market. It was really hot in there but it was neat. It's made up of independent booths and they try to sale you everything. I was walking around while Sarah looked. Then I saw it.......it ran from under the booth across the walkway. A RAT!!!!!!!!!!!! YUCK!!!! I went to get Sarah and told her we had to get out of there. Then I saw it again!!! GROSS!!!!!! After we left there we went to eat at hard Rock cafe. It was on the second level above the gift shop. Very nice inside. The food was ok, I don't think was cheeseburger was cooked enough. After we got done, we went back to the ship. I got ready and headed out for the talent show. That was alot of fun and of course I had to go first! AHHHH!! I was glad it was over with!! The mexican buffet was tonight. Oh my!!! MMMMMM TASTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday July 18
This was our last full day. We went to the debarkation talk at 11. It was soooo booring. I didn't learn anything I didn't already know. We mostly hung out on the deck, ahd lunch and icecream. After lunch I went to the dance lessons in the Astoria lounge. That was alot of fun. Sarah had a headache so she just watched.
Thursday July 19
Debarkation seemed like it took forever. We were self assist and we were the 3rd deck called. Not too bad. We made our way down and when we got to the doors to goout we had to wait. I don't know what was wrong but they just made us stand there for about 10-15 minutes. When we got off we had to walk down the ramp. Since my luggage was busted it wouldnt roll. I didn't think I was going to make it. I had to drag it wherever we went. We got through customs and was on our way outside. When we got to the sidewalk I switched luggage with Sarah. She stayed with our luggage and went to get the car. It was really easy to get out of there and there was no trouble.
