Hi all,
Got home around 7 last night....had a wonderful time. Ship is in great condition, weather was sunny and HOT. I stayed onboard in KW as the others were going to Mel Fisher's, and I've been there. They came back onboard hot and sweaty. We went to San Francisco Beach in Cozumel. No charge for chairs and umbrellas, as long as you eat and/or drink $10 pp. No problem, as we had drinks and lunch......4 of us with cocktails, water, soda, chicken finger dinners, fish sandwich, and fish dinner, came to $62, so Ceasear, our waiter, got $80 as he was very attentive. We had chairs just a foot or so from the water, they had showers and clean bathrooms, and a fresh water pool where you could rinse off the salt after swimming. The sand was nice, we didn't need beach shoes. It was a $13 cab ride, plus tip each way from the ship. We got there around 10:30 and stayed until around 3, which is not normal for us, usually a hour and a half to two hours is all we can stay on the beach. No crowds to speak of. Paradise Beach is right next door. Sign said admittance was $12 pp, but that gives you use of all the water toys, but not the motorized ones. We weren't planning on using the water toys, so we just stayed at San Francisco Beach. The Carnival Fantasy was in port with us, but neither beach was crowded......however, there were more young people at PB as they wanted to use the water slide and iceberg.
We decided that the vendors at the pier are much too aggressive, so we just went back to the ship. If we stopped to look at anything they were right in our face, so we didn't buy a thing. They'd be much better off if they left you alone to look at stuff.....we probably would have bought stuff, but it was too much of a hassle.
Didn't use the CL, as my friends are diamond, so only my cabinmate could go in with me. However, Anthony in the Diamond Event (which was held in the Champagne Bar) took very good care of us (and we took good care of him). We had a fabulous waitress in MTD (Michelle) and a fabulous room steward (also a Michelle) who couldn't do enough for us. If anyone is doing MTD, I suggest you ask for Michelle (we usually were at table 211).
Definitely no lifejackets at muster drill, which made it much more pleasant. Casino wasn't paying too many jackpots, at least we didn't hear a lot of announcements of the jackpots. Toilets in our section didn't work at least 3 times during the cruise, which was a pain. Sinks also had some yellow water coming out of the faucets a couple of times. Chops was great, as usual.
Seas were very calm the whole cruise......I like a little motion......I like to know I'm on a ship! Not too many young adults on this cruise, mostly middle agers. Embarkation was a breeze, as was debarking. All in all, we had a great time. Also, spent the night before at Embassy Suites in FLL, and loved the hotel.....big clean rooms, beautiful pool, managers cocktail reception, free hot breakfast and close to other restaurants, even though the hotel restaurant was reasonbly priced and had our lunch there which was quite good. I would do this cruise again in a heartbeat!
See you all later.
Rita
I spoke to Pat & Bert yesterday and hope she won't be too disappointed in the Schooner Bar piano player. To say he was awful, would be an understatement. Some ladies offered him $100 to STOP playing:no:.
Good morning to all. Plan to go out today and shop.