Out of Iowa

dbrucern: this whole "sailing permit" thing began with our arrival to the US in the mid-1960s for our family (from the UK) and I don't know when it was discontinued compared to when we became US citizens, but I'm guessing it was mid-1970s or later that it was no longer expected. The possibility of being denied boarding on a visit to see family was a big incentive to comply. Perhaps some people just didn't comply. Maybe it was more important to the IRS in the cases of high-wage earners. I just remember my dad complaining about having to take a day from work, pre-trip, to drive quite a distance to the IRS office for that little piece of approval to depart. [this was, of course, pre-internet, pre-"modern"-computers.]

A brief historical recollection of how it used to be (decades ago): US Permanent Residents ("Green Card" holders) had to visit their nearest Internal Revenue Services (IRS) Office to get verification they had paid their taxes/filed necessary tax returns. Doing so resulted in a "sailing permit" that was required to be presented to the airline, ship's representative, etc. before departing the US.

So very sorry to learn of Tom's passing. I printed and used his Monaco information when we did our Mediterranean cruise some years ago. His information was accurate and definitely improved the quality of our port day there (while helping us avoid a LOT of stairs and some steep hills). Somewhere I have a port guide to the Azores tucked away in case I can go there one day...but I'm not sure if it was Tom's or someone else's.

I attend each cruise's Welcome Aboard show. I like to hear how many kids are on board, the number of Americans, Canadians, which states are most (and least) represented, etc. I enjoy those Fun Facts.

We've really enjoyed our pre-cruise stays at the Drury Plaza Suites on Poydras. It has a streetcar stop at the corner, offers a hot, full-cooked breakfast and their famous 5:30 Kickback (heavy appetizers and beverages). There is a nice pool area on the roof and the building has been sympathetically renovated. Beautiful. Looking for something more romantic? Niche boutique hotel, the Bienville House is right at the French Quarter. Beautiful little balconies overlooking the indoor/outdoor pool area. That was some years ago.

I hope the kid's parents share complete health information with you before you travel with their child - on a cruise ship, a long way from US shores, with limited medical interventions on-board. That's a lot of responsibility for you if something, anything goes wrong.

I've been disappointed by Carnival room service deliveries previously because although they stated sandwiches were served with chips, there were no chips. I have concluded that keeping chips fresh in sea air or onboard a ship must be peculiarly difficult. In my experience, you are very unlikely to easily find potato chips - unless you bring your own. Personally, I can go without chips for the duration of a cruise.

Mine surprised me by retiring! 😞 Such a loss; he was friendly, helpful, perhaps responsible for spa gift cards in the cabin once for a special occasion, and knew when it was time to book again and called me with deals. Now I book online - and take my chances if I have to call Carnival's phone.

Always delighted to see someone posting their Single Digit Dance....enjoy. Don't forget to write a trip review upon your return. Thank you.

from NBC and the Associated Press: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Puerto Rico health officials on Thursday declared an influenza epidemic in the U.S. territory. Epidemiologist Melissa Marzán noted that officials have seen nearly six times more cases so far this year compared with the same period last year. At least 25,900 cases have been reported since July, with 42 deaths and more than 900 hospitalizations on the island of 3.2 million people, Health Secretary Carlos Mellado said. The group most affected seems to be 0-19 year olds.

If you'd like a little immersion in the Spanish language while in Cozumel, walk into the Mega store (it is on the main street between the port and downtown; on the far side of the street/not water-front side). It is a grocery store and mini-discount/home store rolled into one. Clean, bright...and you will recognize some standard food items (boxes of cereal, etc.) and spot some that are new. We've bought toothpaste here, children's board books (in Spanish, of course), sunscreen, snacks...all while enjoying the shopping experience in another language. American dollars are accepted at the check-out. The store is air-conditioned, there is an ice cream stand on the lower level, the shopping carts ride an escalator beside you, there is a tasty in-store bakery....we enjoy visiting grocery stores in different countries.

Kudos to Carnival that all of those photographs are no longer printed for display in the Photo Gallery. All that wasted photographic paper, chemicals, etc. used to bother me immensely.

Our trip through the Gibraltar Strait (which wasn't nearly as narrow as my creative imagination envisioned) was in daylight - and there were lots of people gathered on the deck. I was able to wave at Morocco (possibly the closest I will ever get to visiting Africa) and also the British territory of Gibraltar. It was an especially nice Fun Day at Sea.

I've had the same problem for another Magic sailing later in 2025. I called Carnival's toll-free line, explained to a representative, read the Error Message to her, she put me on hold multiple times to "consult IT" and came back with the vague and useless excuse that the cruise isn't yet "fully available." She also suggested I call back in a few days, at the month (huh?) or next month. [I've since concluded Magic may be heading to drydock sometime since she will be "due"...but maybe Carnival isn't certain of their ability to keep to the usual schedule.] I'm still waiting to book. It's been a week now.

Trying to book a cruise only to get a message to call the (800) tel # to talk to a representative, who eventually told me that the cruise I want to book is not yet "fully available." What does that mean? If it can't be booked, Carnival, then don't display it on your website and have CD John Heald include it in his online post. After long holds while the rep "talked to the IT Department," she finally advised me to call back "in a week, at the month or maybe in a month." Again, I did not understand the explanation/instruction. Still haven't managed to book and it's been a week now.