Cruzinforpeace***

We booked on the ship (MSC Meraviglia) at the screens. Super easy. The screens are all over the ship. This one was in the hallway on our cabin floor (deck 13). Go with an open mind and no expectations and you will have a fabulous time. We’ve sailed Carnival and all the others. First time on MSC. I’m finishing up my review on another thread if you haven’t seen it yet.

The last day of any cruise is sad for me. Back to reality (que the Queen song) but I thank God we have the opportunity to cruise so often. We are blessed. The morning and seas were calm although I could feel the chill in the air starting to return (boo). One last walk on the walking track, one last duck to hide and one last sea day to enjoy. Or should I say, partly to enjoy, as some of that sea day involved trying to jam everything I brought and bought into our suitcases.

I just hate to fly for a cruise but I may consider it just for the noise reduction and storage😀

The pasta bolognese is my favorite too!

We felt the shows were amazing and perfect for this type of ship and cruise line. Being that they have an international passenger population, they were all musical review type shows. The singers and dancers were really top notch and so very talented. We throughly enjoyed all of the “free” musical shows. They performed a 70’s show, a Broadway Show, an International show and a farewell show that had a mixture of styles. Who ever produced these shows did a great job as well. These shows were cohesive and the musical arrangements were creative and well suited for the singers. The dancers were well coordinated and very professional (Broadway level). The costumes were also beautiful and artistic. My only criticism was the level of the sound. WAY too loud and did a disservice to the singers whose voices were distorted from the excessive volume. I learned after the 70’s show (the first show) to bring my earplugs and not to sit in the front next to the speakers 😉

They even sang everyone a “thank you, goodbye song” as we came into the dining room on our last night. 🥲 IMG_3596.mov

Our waiter and staff in the Panorama Dining Room were so great. They even made special napkin displays and did tricks! IMG_3545.mov

I was invited to the Voyager’s Club welcome back party. Gold status transferred from Celebrity’s equivalent program. It was a simple party (free drinks) with a flashy video that I’ll admit made me a little teary eyed. It was corny but very effective. They had the dance instructors perform an impressive dance number and the cruise director and captain spoke for a few minutes. IMG_3506.mov Only thing I didn’t think was not too “hygienic” were the potato chips in small communal bowls. Can anyone say “norovirus”?

We also tried Hola Tacos for lunch (to go) and it was really good. We shared a chicken burrito, guacamole and tres leches for dessert. Huge portions.

We colored and cut and pasted paper and created a “mosaic” in Arts in Crafts. I’ll be honest. I thought this was a stupid craft project at first but after getting into it I was OBSESSED. I started my project during the morning session and was so sucked in that I returned for the afternoon session to complete it. I even got my husband into it. He joined me for the afternoon session AND he brought his project home to finish. He made me buy markers and another coloring book when we returned home! We have a new hobby😀 Chavela and Alejandro did a great job keeping the art supplies stocked and kept the atmosphere light and fun.

It was time to turn around and head up north (boo!) but the sea and the ship did not disappoint. The sea was as smooth as glass and the weather was still warm so we were ready for more fun and relaxation. A morning walk on the ship run/walk track and then off to “Arts and Crafts”.

Well, he usually hates pizza but on the MSC MERAVIGLIA he loved it! Oh, he also loved the french fries. He said the pancakes were “just ok”. He liked the free ice cream. He thought the kids program was “ok”. He’s at a weird age at 17 so too old to enjoy the true kiddy stuff and too young to drink and gamble. He thought the Formula One simulator was too difficult to “steer”. He had to use “google translate” to communicate with a few kids up in the kids program which was something “novel” for him. He loved Miami. He was truly thankful we purchased the “browse and stream” internet package for him during this cruise. Although he seemed bored at times we literally saw him at breakfast for a few minutes and then next at 12am (other than the 2 port days) so he must have had some fun. He’s just too cool to show it. I know everyone was waiting with bated breath for that review (lol). PS you have to remember this is his 18th cruise. He’s been cruising since he’s 2 years old. He’s seen it all (lol).

So by this point in the cruise I realized it was fruitless to fight the noise. We got all dolled up for the White Night and party (earplugs in my purse on standby). It was SO much fun! After dinner my husband and I saw a few people taking photos in the hallway with all the bottles and decided to “strike a pose.” Then we headed up to the pool deck for a really fun White Party (earplugs in place).

Bye bye Bahamas! It was a beautiful visit.

Yes! That was the name of it! Thank you for filling that in😀 and the extra info.

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Back to the Bahamas! My husband and I dropped my son off back at the ship, grabbed some lunch in the buffet and headed back out to the Junkanoo Museum right inside the pier area. We learned a lot about the costumes and the history behind the whole thing. Very interesting and not what I expected. I thought it was a Mardi Gras thing. I was wrong. It was all about the oppressed class of the Bahamas expressing themselves in the midst of very difficult times. The costumes are pretty darn amazing and so colorful. The festivities take place around the Christmas holiday. The museum admission was $11 per person. It took about 20-30 minutes to get through it. Not very big but very interesting.

As I’m writing this review I’m looking outside. Boy I miss my cruise!

More Nassau…

Our Straw Market “bargains”.

The weather was a fantastic 75 degrees and mostly sunny! I first spent some time walking on the deck for walkers/runners since the weather was gorgeous, hid a cruising duck and then we headed off the ship. We spent our day in the port area and ventured out into the main street in Nassau. Did some bargaining in the straw market which was fun. Bought some cute souvenirs. Never felt unsafe and saw police as well keeping an eye on things.

Good morning Nassau! We were there literally at the “crack of dawn”. It was a beautiful start to a beautiful day. IMG_3378.mov

Another quiet place I found was the “lounge area” by the elevators on deck 13 in the center of the ship. I believe every deck may have this lounge area or perhaps it’s unique to the Aurea cabin floors? Either way, probably nothing stopping anyone from taking a “quiet time” break here. The seating was quite comfortable.

Don’t you love that face! Drives me crazy, this age.😖