tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25711166642410341282024-02-20T16:09:23.580-05:00Steve's Cruise Ship TravelsEvery day at sea is a good day!Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15429237924195988742noreply@blogger.comBlogger493125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2571116664241034128.post-48699732715168008602024-01-14T11:29:00.000-05:002024-01-14T11:30:17.391-05:00Jan 12 - Return to TampaTampa is a small port. I think at most they can dock 3 cruise ships. We are tied up to the dock long before I awake at 5:30.I pack my carry on and we head to the dining room for breakfast. We have lots of time to kill.Often I avial myself of wheelchair assistance for disembarkation. With the high demand for the service on this ship and the fact that the ship and port are smaller, I elect to forgoStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15429237924195988742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2571116664241034128.post-54594980811063192322024-01-14T11:16:00.000-05:002024-01-14T11:17:13.105-05:00Jan 11 - Sea DayThe skies are overcast and rain occasionally falls. Not a day for the sunworshippers.The dining room is busier this morning, but the delay is only a few minutes at most. I try the pancakes this morning. Like with nearly everything else, the staff does a good job.The last "beyond the podium" presentation about interviews with the Hollywood greats is at 10. This is followed with the Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15429237924195988742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2571116664241034128.post-79851448820092921002024-01-14T11:14:00.000-05:002024-01-14T11:15:24.548-05:00Jan 10 - Costa MayaBy the time I see the light of day we are docked in Costa Maya. The Carnival Jubilee, a new LNG fueled ship out of Galveston with about 6,500 passengers, shares the dock with us.We are in no hurry, and head to the dining room for breakfast. Busy, but not packed. Again I have cell service. An excellent feature of my shared T-Mobile plan. I say shared because it is really my daughter's and she Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15429237924195988742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2571116664241034128.post-16386471214703652902024-01-10T13:36:00.000-05:002024-01-10T14:37:07.595-05:00Jan 9 - BelizeThe alarm is set for 6:30, breakfast will be delivered to the cabin between 6:30 and 7:00. At 8 we need to meet our tour group in the theater.By 6:30 we are anchored several miles from shore along with three other ships. The Radiance, the Celebrity Edge, and a Holland America ship. The winds are still brisk at 20 knots, but the temperatures are supposed to be in the low 80's all day with Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15429237924195988742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2571116664241034128.post-1999401843887299282024-01-09T14:57:00.000-05:002024-01-09T15:57:30.670-05:00Jan 8 - Cozumel, MexicoBy the time I awake at 8:00, many passengers are already off the ship. We share a dock with the Radiance of the Seas. Two Carnival ships are at the next pier. A fifth ship is at the dock a few miles distant. Cozumel will be busy today.With internet service thru my cell carrier T-Mobile I can easily check the local weather. Not ideal. The temperatures are near 80, but there is a 30 to 50% chance Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15429237924195988742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2571116664241034128.post-84935472912615289932024-01-08T12:37:00.001-05:002024-01-08T12:37:44.037-05:002 Days at SeaEntering the gulf after having left New Orleans about 11 PM last night, the skies begin to clear up. Rain is reduced to an occasional shower. Other than cold, I can't tell you what the outside temperature is. The ship has chosen not to share such information with guests. The public spaces on the ship continue to require heavy clothes and a jacket for most passengers. Other than a few brave Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15429237924195988742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2571116664241034128.post-26794769878984079502024-01-08T12:31:00.001-05:002024-01-08T12:31:36.729-05:00Jan 5, 2024 New OrleansI am dressed and in the lounge on Deck 11 shortly after sunrise to watch our arrival in New Orleans. As expected the river winds back and forth like a slimmering snake. Many tankers, freighters, and barges are anchored just out of the channnel or tied to docks waiting to load or unload. One tanker is being slowly loaded with coal being scooped out of barges with a clam shell bucket crane. A very Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15429237924195988742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2571116664241034128.post-8800526604729748332024-01-08T12:29:00.001-05:002024-01-08T12:29:31.812-05:00Jan 4, 2024 A Gulf DayOur passage across the gulf is uneventful. Seas remain slight, the weather cloudy and cool with a high of about 55. Needless to say there are lots of chairs available around the pools.The ship is very clean, and in excellent repair. carpets are fresh, seating good, and shipwide I must say some of the most comfortable seating I have encountered in a long time. The carpets look brand new and show Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15429237924195988742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2571116664241034128.post-89237604079163357092024-01-05T12:13:00.000-05:002024-01-05T13:15:04.788-05:00Jan 3, 2024 Celebrity ConstellationThe first cruise of the year. We chose this cruise because of it unusual itinerary. Sailing from Tampa we first go to New Orleans, La. and then to the Western Caribbean. There are only a couple of cruises a year that do this, and that was reason enough. Being honest, adding to the destination is the fact this is a 9 day cruise on a smaller, older ship. Facts that keep the younger cruisers at Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15429237924195988742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2571116664241034128.post-76322423764803283272023-12-07T09:19:00.000-05:002023-12-07T09:20:13.692-05:00Curacao and Aruba on The OdysseyNormally I add to this blog on a daily basis during the cruise. This time my plan was foiled by failed technology. I was unable to pair my keyboard with my phone. I was convinced that the old keyboard had just given up after many trips and thousands of keystrokes. It was only after I returned home and was ordering a replacement that I discovered the instructions printed on the back of the Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15429237924195988742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2571116664241034128.post-49332629133071648342023-10-22T11:30:00.001-04:002023-10-22T11:30:47.390-04:00Coco Cay and Port CanaveralWe are the only ship in Coco Cay. The skies are overcast with sporadic showers, not a nice day for those looking forward to a day at the beach. I could care less as I am not at all a beach person.A major activity of the day is to pack the suitcase, a dreaded task that pyschologically indicates that return to land is imminent.We depart CoCo late in the afternoon to head back to Port Canaveral. As Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15429237924195988742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2571116664241034128.post-13700955100214412752023-10-22T10:40:00.001-04:002023-10-22T10:40:15.512-04:00Sea Day and NassauSea days are sea days. Usually quiet times on the ship. Trivia, crossword puzzles, music, belly flop contests, and many other activities to choose from. The war in Gaza has a few passengers concerned about future travel plans. It is learned that one of Royal's ships, the Rhapsody of The Seas, is being used to evacuate civilians from Israel. A friend has cancelled a long planned trip to Egypt Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15429237924195988742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2571116664241034128.post-37498250598220924832023-10-22T10:01:00.001-04:002023-10-22T10:01:28.430-04:00Oct 17 - Second day in BermudaOur tour today is a trip on glass bottom boat to view some of the underwater wildlife and a sunken ship. Glass bottom boats and submarines are good alternatives for former divers that still enjoy under the sea.Our boat loads on the opposite side of the pier from our ship. One could not ask for it to be more convenient. The skies are heavily overcast, and a few sprinkles fall during the first 15 Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15429237924195988742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2571116664241034128.post-69514486574898615562023-10-22T09:52:00.000-04:002023-10-22T09:53:11.771-04:00Monday Oct 16 - BermudaI begrudgingly have set an alarm for 7:00 AM. The ship docks just after 9:00 and we need meet off the ship, past the terminal for our shore excursion before 9:45. After breakfast I gather what I may need for the day and head to the lounge on 14 to watch our arrival. We are soon cleared by local agents and allowed to disembark the ship. Amazingly the elevator arrives in less than a minute and Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15429237924195988742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2571116664241034128.post-56225054997717631842023-10-18T12:44:00.000-04:002023-10-18T12:46:15.953-04:00Oct 14, 15 - Sea DaysThe skies remain cloudy and overcast. The humidity hovers just under 100%, and the temperature in the mid 80's. The seas are under 3 feet, and have no effect on the ship. A cold front is moving through the area, but should pass Bermuda before we arrive.One Pinnacle benefit that has not been taken away is breakfast in Chops Grille. My french toast tastes excellent, however they are the Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15429237924195988742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2571116664241034128.post-21335851692620448302023-10-18T12:40:00.000-04:002023-10-18T12:42:25.407-04:00Mariner of The SeasThree is a charm. This is the third time I have scheduled a cruise that would take me to Bermuda. Covid cancelled the last attempt, and medical issues caused cancellation of the first attempt. Maybe Friday the 13th will be better.Preparations are easy, with both of my daughters also on this trip, we all ride together to the port. To start the week with a blast, there is a scheduled launch of a Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15429237924195988742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2571116664241034128.post-29676109576103988082023-09-14T15:35:00.001-04:002023-09-14T15:35:49.676-04:00September 10, The Drive HomeWe are awake and up long before the alarm goes off. No desire for breakfast, but Lynn grabs a coffee in the buffet.We arrive at the gathering place for wheelchair assist departure 20 minutes before our scheduled time exactly as instructed. I would have been earlier, but getting an elevator was impossible. I finally carried my small suitcase down the 5 flights of stairs.I was the first passenger Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15429237924195988742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2571116664241034128.post-21179258202792687922023-09-14T15:32:00.000-04:002023-09-14T15:33:04.841-04:00September 9, A Sea DayThe sun rises over the horizon. Skies are partly cloudy with temperatures in the low 80's, the week has been a relief from the hot Florida summer. The seas remain slight with minimal roll imparted to the ship.This is the last day. Decide what clothes to keep out for the ride home as everything must be packed so luggage can be whisked away during the evening.The last day of served breakfast. Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15429237924195988742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2571116664241034128.post-48244572472986527132023-09-14T15:31:00.001-04:002023-09-14T15:31:17.207-04:00September 8 - Puerto PlataWe arrive in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic right on time. It is the normal process that trainees man the helm under the supervision of senior officers. How else will new staff ever get experience and give the officers time to mingle with the passengers? Well that is not going to be the case this morning.As we approach the harbor winds are gusting to 35 mph broadside to the ship. At 36 mph we Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15429237924195988742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2571116664241034128.post-66368928366472434742023-09-14T15:29:00.001-04:002023-09-14T15:29:15.671-04:00September 7th - Tortola, BVIDespite a late departure from St Marten, we are docked and secure long before our scheduled 7:00 AM arrival time. The gangway opens shortly after 7:00 and over 500 passengers immediately get off the ship for early tours. By 9:00 probably 60% or more of our 2801 passengers are ashore.Other than around the pool, an area I could care less about, the ship does not feel crowded even though she is Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15429237924195988742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2571116664241034128.post-12504060498098987302023-09-07T13:47:00.001-04:002023-09-07T13:47:48.361-04:00September 6 - St MartenThe ship is tied up before our 8:00 AM scheduled arrival time. The temperature is supposed to be in the mid to upper 80's today. Any chance of rain is less than 10%.The Lazy Lizard opens at 11:00 so we wait until after 10 before going ashore. A shuttle takes us right to the water taxi. My bad, I forgot that the water taxi is cash only, I have exactly enough for the two round trip tickets.I Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15429237924195988742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2571116664241034128.post-616790006324425842023-09-07T13:28:00.001-04:002023-09-07T13:28:34.708-04:00September 4 - Labor DayAgain we enjoy sunny skies as we head to San Juan. The temperatures are in the mid to upper 80's. The pool is packed with sunbathers.The Equinox has been fairly well maintained, but in places she is showing her age. The power shades in the sky lounge are being replaced. Much of the external glass is fogged or discolored. Our balcony floor is covered with old paint chips.The casino is smoke Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15429237924195988742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2571116664241034128.post-28068786146324095022023-09-06T15:18:00.001-04:002023-09-06T15:18:34.408-04:00September 5 - St ThomasDuring the night our ship slowly moves to our next port of call, St. Thomas USVI. Again a lovely day with temperatures in the low 80's with an expected high of 88.We wait until most of the passengers have disembarked for their excursions, then wander off the ship for an hour. No real purpose or destination other than to say I did got off the ship at some point.Back on the ship I spend time Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15429237924195988742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2571116664241034128.post-33167376011213525492023-09-06T14:35:00.000-04:002023-09-06T14:38:57.862-04:00September 3 - A Sea DayThe skies are mostly sunny with an occasional passing cloud. There are some swells in the ocean which constantly roll the ship from side to side about 2 or 3 degrees despite the best efforts of the stabilizers. The adult pool is closed all day, either because of the sloshing water or some other cause.Breakfast in the main dining room is good. Two pancakes are enough.During the day the usual Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15429237924195988742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2571116664241034128.post-2941885772025260152023-09-06T14:28:00.000-04:002023-09-06T14:29:10.830-04:00September 2 - EquinoxIt has been many months since I have been on a cruise, and I am finally headed back to sea. The covid pandemic wrecked havoc with the cruise industry. Several of my favorite ships have been sent to the scrap yards. New ships that were in the process of being built have been delivered, even if later than expected. With the tremendous financial hit the cruise industry took, many permanent changes Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15429237924195988742noreply@blogger.com0