Crusing...twice

 

I'm back from a cruise. Actually, I took two cruises, back to back.

I had booked the first 7 day cruise a while back, but I kept wishing it was for a few days longer. Then I got the idea to just schedule the second cruise and extend the fun.

I sailed on the Carnival Mardi Gras. It is a huge ship. It has a different type of layout than other Carnival ships I have been on.

Anyway, I flew down that morning. Everything went smoothly with the flights and boarding the ship. Once onboard, everyone had to wait in the public areas until the cabins were ready.

I spent my time wisely by eating two fish tacos and a cheeseburger!

Here is my cabin. Nice!  Still at port.

The bathroom was good sized too...with an actual shower door rather than a curtain that always tries to cling to your body.

Here is the view from the balcony...leaving port. This is different. I prefer looking out directly over water rather than the lower deck.

Looking the other direction from the balcony. I was surprised to see this Celebrity ship sail out of port...and sort of excited because I have a future cruise booked on it.

I had a short nap in the room then unpacked. Later went to a show. This ship has 2 areas for their main shows. After this show I went to the second one for a later show.  

Slept good! I don't feel any movement or rocking on this ship.

The next day was a day at sea. I had breakfast in the dining room then went to a craft class and made a shell bracelet. 

Skies were cloudy with a couple of rain showers but a big rainbow appeared.

Later the weather cleared up and it was a good day to look around the ship and later watch more shows and comedy acts.

 

Another day at sea on the third day.  I had some quiet reading time on the balcony and tried to get around to different eating areas to try them out.  They have a chicken tenders restaurant and a bagel counter...and more. It's hard to choose!

Later I watched a violin trio - really talented and playing so many types of music. After that a comedy show.

Now THIS is what I'm here for!

This is Tabyana beach in Roatan Honduras. I've been here before and it's one of my favorites. 

I nearly missed my bus trip out here though. My phone time was showing an hour earlier than the ship time. When I realized that, I just had a few minutes to get off the ship and walk to the meeting point. I'm not a fast walker but I did my best and joined the group just as they were leaving.

So beautiful and relaxing.  Shady areas to sit too, which is what I prefer.

This lady was doing massages, or hair braiding. Those green plant leaves may be aloe vera?

Nearby, a gentleman selling coconut milk or coconut drinks.

There was a performer playing a keyboard and singing all day. Not too loud, just pleasant bckground music.

The security person gave me a Honduran dollar which is worth way less than one American dollar. But then I traded him a $5 bill for it. They know what they're doing!

 

But I did ask him to keep an eye on my stuff while I swam a couple of times. 

I didn't bring my snorkel this time at all, trying to use a smaller suitcase for this trip.

 

The day was over too soon.

Back to the ship. Here's a view from the ship while still at port.

I always like to watch the harbor pilot boat.

After sail-away and a shower I went to the deli area and had a reuben sandwich. Meh.

Day 5 was a stop at Cozumel. I took a trip to Kunza Beach. It was lovely and clean but not as peaceful. There was constant loud music playing and also beach games and contests being led by a person with a loud microphone.

What's wrong with just going to a beach and enjoying the ocean and the sun? Why do we need other distracting entertainment and shopping opportunities added?

Except for cold beer...it's okay to have that available. Mustn't get dehydrated!

It was a bit crowded but I had a nice chair in the shade. My face got a bit too much sun yesterday so I slathered on the sunscreen. It was a beautiful day!

The port area in Cozumel has a large modern shopping and restaurant area. I browsed through it a bit before getting back on the ship.

After showering and rinsing out my swimsuit, I picked up a quick meal at the chicken tenders counter and brought it back to my cabin to eat on the balcony.

 I was ready for some quiet time so just stayed in my room the rest of the evening.

Day 6 was a day at sea. After breakfast, I went to a craft class...embroidery on a card. Next, I watched a baby crawling contest - cute! 

I walked up to the adults only area. Nice and quiet up there early. 

See how close they have these lounger seats placed. Not really much personal space. I read there for a while but, when someone lay down in the next lounger, it was just to close, so I went back to my cabin and my own balcony.

I spent the afternoon reading and stitching on my balcony....until it was time to go to the Diamond and Platinum party.  This is Carnival's party for those passengers who have taken a lot of cruises.  I have 94 cruise days with Carnival before this cruise!

The party used to be free drinks for an hour but now it's just one drink per person...limited to a few choices.  Still it was a fun gathering with music, ships officers introduced, and awards given to oldest and youngest cruisers and to those with the most cruise days.

Later I had dinner at an Italian specialty restaurant. Normally an extra charge but first meal is complimentary. Then went to a musical performance in the big central show room.  Enjoyable!

Well, this is getting long. I'll write another post for part two.