Inspiration Review (with pics) to Grand Cayman and Cozumel

[ohitssunshine]

I will try to remember most of the questions and answers...and trust me these are in no order whatsoever and they are a summary of what was asked/answered.

 

 

Q. What happened to the girl that was killed in Mexico?

 

A. They found out it was someone she knew and visited every time she went to Mexico. He is in custody.

 

 

Q. What do you do with all of the garbage?

 

A. Human waste is held on board and emptied at port. Food is ground up into fish food and can be let go when at least 12 miles away from shore.

 

 

Q. What happens when someone goes overboard?

 

A. First they find out where so the boat does not turn that way. Second they drop a buoy to mark the approximate location. Third they can drop life boats or other devices to try to bring them in. Side notes: there is a 50/50 chance they will survive the fall and there are cameras all over so if no one is around when it happens they can review footage and go from there. The CD I think one other officer both had previous experiences when this happened.

 

 

Q. What is the medical center equipped for?

 

A. Everything including X-rays and lab work. They also have the ability to disembark someone to helicopter or coast guard if needed.

 

 

Q. Guests left behind??

 

A. Stephanie had an experience with a couple, one onboard one off. They could not find the one guy so everyone in the area, locals, and border patrol basically checked in every store, bar, restaurant until he was located. The captain makes the determination on how long he will wait. He said if there are children involved he will wait longer, but usually no more than 20 minutes. (Funny...last night was close to 30!)

 

 

Q. Is the staff required to be able to speak English?

 

A. Depending on their position there are different %'s they need to be able to speak. Could be 80% for stewards, but 90% for entertainers, and can be much less if the staff is always behind the scenes.

 

 

Q. How can you find out about employment?

 

A. Located right on the Carnival website.

 

 

Q. Hours crew work/length of time?

 

A. Most crew are contracted for 6 months at a time. Of the people answering, one was normally contracted for 9 at a time and Stephanie just finished 8 then had a 2 week vacation. All crew work 7 days a week up to 10 hours a day. She said they are very strict to make sure they do not go over 10 hours a day/70 hours a week. As far as transferring ships, you can request it but are not guaranteed and if they request it you go.

 

 

Q. Where do they get mail?

 

A. They have post office boxes at port. She said most of the mail is filled with packages especially from amazon.com because everyone likes to shop online.

 

 

Q. Do they have their own barber/dentist for the crew?

 

A. They do have their own barber and they can also use the spa to get hair done, at the same cost to passengers and only if they have an opening. There is no dentist on board.

 

 

 

 

There were a lot of questions regarding the height, the length, the weight, how much gas it used, what grade diesel it used, etc. but I cannot recall any of the answers and I am sure they are google-able!

[ohitssunshine]

Some of the other info covered included the captains favorite soccer team, the stabilizers and their use/function, and they also talked about a woman who gave birth on board a couple months ago. They said she straight up lied about how far along she was. They also said they rarely waste food because they know about how much is consumed on each cruise.

 

Oh and of course the melting cake calories I already talked about!

 

They were very nice to answer so many questions, and I am sure there are more but my memory stinks. They had to wrap up but it lasted 45 minutes and they stayed after to answer questions one on one as well. I thought this was the best part of the cruise by far for me. I really enjoyed it and think they should have it on all cruises!

 

We met up with our other travelers and had a quick dinner, followed by some wine consumption back in the room. Oh...we carried 4 large bottles on, with 4 adults. Nothing crazy.

 

 

 

[ohitssunshine]

I hope they have the Ship 411 on our sailing. That sounds like a lot of fun.

 

 

It was by far my favorite "event" to attend. Really informative, and questions you don't think about asking get asked. It was a lot of "oooooh"

[ohitssunshine]

Tonight was the second on board show (we missed the first) called Fiesta Latina. I'm not a big show person but my daughter is a sucker for it so we decided to go. We also nabbed our son who we hadn't seen with the exception of waking him up and him checking in before bed, and we dragged him along as well.

 

 

 

 

 

Waiting for the show...notice shes about 3 shades darker than the start of the cruise? This kid kills me.

I know there are a lot of people who don't like their kids to see the half naked showgirls, but I am not one of those. If they are paying attention to it then they are at the age where they will be seeing it one way or the other. (Internet anyone?) I think my son slept through most of it anyways.

 

It was well done, and for not liking the shows I really enjoyed it. I think the other show was Shout and we had seen it previously.

 

 

[ohitssunshine]

We made our way from the show to the last night of comedy. We took the kids to watch the family friendly show. Mark Hawkins was finishing his set when we got there and I cannot say enough how funny I think he is.

 

While we wait for the next act...

 

 

The chair spins....another form of cheap entertainment when fancy umbrella drinks won't do

 

 

I love this picture...she showed us she could tie the cherry stem into a knot and I snapped at the perfect time....

 

 

We were soon graced with Lee and his awful opening/schpeal about the shooters. He even used his whole "lady in the casino said look a little martini glass....). If I never hear that again it will be too soon. Sadly at this point my family all agrees how stupid it is and randomly repeats it in and out of context.

 

The next set was TC Tahoe again. He did the same dollar/fifty dollar/one hundred dollar bill trick at every show. By this point I had enough. He does a couple other tricks with ropes, and also uses a few old jokes/tricks as well. I want to like him, I try hard to like him. But doesn't he realize the ship is full of the same passengers from 4 days ago still? This makes 6 comedy shows (2 PG, 4 adult) and the bit from the "Talent Show" and you use the saaaaaame stuff every time? Come on?

 

 

 

[Cruisin Christi]

I am still reading! Keep it coming. I am watching TV with my husband and when my blackberry goes off for an email I have to come see if it is your review being updated :)

[ohitssunshine]

What is this...a rare sighting? Brother and sister smiling?

And thank the lord my husband time stamped that.

 

 

I forgot to mention, because of my daughters fascination of seals and towel animals- I left our steward a note asking that he make her the mommy/baby seal tonight and explained her love for them. I also left her towel folding book (she didn't know I fell victim to her needs and got it) and asked him to autograph it for her. She thinks these guys are rock stars. I left him $4 (thats all the cash I had left!). I was anxious all night to see if

 

a) he could read english (not being mean...just wasn't sure!)

b) he would take the time to do it

c) he knew what autographing meant and that he was allowed to (being our personal property and all I wasn't sure he could)

 

My husband slipped out to check between the PG shows and was excited to report he did everything, and even put her famous seal with the towel seals, AND left the money.

 

There are 3 adult shows scheduled for the evening, 9:45, 11 and midnight. My son anxiously leaves us to attend his own farewell party and the girls head back for...of course room service. We walk back with the girls so we can see our daughters expression when she opens her door.

 

Our oldest was let in on the secret so she didn't walk in and jump on them or kick them, or something to that effect.

 

Her expression:

 

 

 

 

She is a budding producer I swear. The kid makes/edits/uploads videos by the handful. She has to document everything. I know I said her Seal has a youtube, so does my daughter with about 1,200 subscribers. She actually made it a goal to hit 1,000 before the new year and she did.

 

 

And we have to pose...

 

 

And she finally sees the book is signed too

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ohitssunshine]

I am still reading! Keep it coming. I am watching TV with my husband and when my blackberry goes off for an email I have to come see if it is your review being updated :)

 

 

Well I'm glad somebody out there is enjoying it! I actually have homework to catch up on, and I haven't changed out of pajamas yet...but I am determined to finish this first!

 

Thank you!

[luv2gonow]

Thanks for the awesome review and pics.

[ohitssunshine]

Ok, so with the girls back in their room with room service on the way, we head back for Mark Hawkins adult show.

 

Here is our..."It's almost over, we did good" pic

 

 

Followed by the....hey we don't have pictures of us together pics

 

 

 

Ok and now we have documented all of that....

 

Mark Hawkins does a great show...funny because alot of it has to do with his mother in law, and here I am with my mother in laws 2 favorite spoiled rotten kids...I never get enough of it.

[ohitssunshine]

Thanks for the awesome review and pics.

 

Thank you for reading it! I am glad you are enjoying it! I wish I wrote down more, my memory has failed me on a lot!

[Cruisin Christi]

Thank you for reading it! I am glad you are enjoying it! I wish I wrote down more, my memory has failed me on a lot!

 

I admire those who take a notebook. I keep telling myself I will take one and write everything down...But I know after a couple of drinks I will put it up and be in the same boat as you. I hope I am wrong. I want to remember everything.

 

OH I linked your review on my blog today. It is a good one, I hope others enjoy it as much as I do.

[Name Of The Game]

Your kids sure look like you! ;)

[navybaby1113]

That was really sweet of your steward.

[ohitssunshine]

Coming up...Debarkation

 

But first...I think it is so funny to see what others do compared to you. Going through my daughter's photos makes me :D :o :eek: and :confused: so I thought I would share.

 

Our cruise through the eyes of a 10 year old.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ohitssunshine]

It just gets weirder....

 

 

 

She was appalled that there were "leaves" on all of her food...lol

 

 

[ohitssunshine]

This would be so much easier without the 6 picture limit...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Her name is obviously Elyza like I said, but her nickname is Elyza Bean...so you can imagine her excitement when she saw...and obviously documented...

[ohitssunshine]

For those of you just joining, these are still a 10 year olds photos/point of view...

 

 

 

 

[ohitssunshine]

I admire those who take a notebook. I keep telling myself I will take one and write everything down...But I know after a couple of drinks I will put it up and be in the same boat as you. I hope I am wrong. I want to remember everything.

 

OH I linked your review on my blog today. It is a good one, I hope others enjoy it as much as I do.

 

 

Thanks! And yes, I too had every intention of keeping a notebook. It was a good intention...so much so that the notebook is still on the shelf at Wal-Mart!

[Cruisin Christi]

Those are crackin' me up!

[ohitssunshine]

Your kids sure look like you! ;)

 

Our whole family is cursed like that....at least I know what I will look like when I'm 90!

[ohitssunshine]

That was really sweet of your steward.

 

 

It was, and I plan on emailing Carnival so he hopefully gets a little recognition. I was hoping to thank him in person but I never saw him after that.

[ohitssunshine]

Debarkation Day....boooo.

 

By now I miss the heck out of my 3 dogs and cannot wait to get home and be mauled by them. But I am also sad to return to working 46 hours a week and going to school part time, along with all the other real life crap you tend to forget about on a cruise.

 

So...

 

Debarkation Self Assist Times:

 

Verandah 8:15 to 8:30

Empress 8:15 to 8:30

Upper 8:30 to 8:45

Main 8:45 to 9

Riveria 9 to 9:15

 

 

Debarkation Relaxed Times:

 

Zones 1- 3 9:15 to 9:20

Zones 4-5 9:20 to 9:30

Zones 6-9 9:30-9:35

Zones 10-15 9:35-9:40

Zones 16-19 9:40 to 9:45

Zones 20-23 9:45-9:50

Zones 24-27 9:55 to 10

 

 

We were assigned zone 17 which would take place an hour after self assist. My kids were all salivating at the mouth by now knowing their cell phones were in the car...full of missed texts and facebook notifications. We all opt for self assist.

 

Now, on the last 2 cruises we also did self. They were a headache. The halls were packed full of people with screaming babies while they try to balance 3 suitcases and a car seat. They run into you, they run over your toes, and they elbow you. This is what I was prepared for.

 

We woke up to room service at 6:15. We packed most of the room the night before, and finished showering/packing. Let me tell you before 8am they were already debarking. They followed the order listed but were way ahead of schedule. We usually would leave everything in the room packed, grab breakfast and then head to a waiting area. We never even left the room.

 

In fact I was still finding articles of my childrens clothing on our way out the door as they called our deck right about 8 am.

 

Ok...so the hallways will be packed for sure. How can they rush this?

 

The halls were empty. The elevators were running...we were off the ship in a matter of minutes. This was the smoothest debarkation I have ever seen.

 

Ok, I've only been on 2 other cruises but still. It was amazing. We were to our car by 8:30...through customs, security, everything,

 

 

 

[Cruisin Christi]

wow what luck!

[ohitssunshine]

When we got to our car the battery was dead...we have no idea what happened but it turns the lights off automatically so it should not have been that. When I got in, my seat was pulled all the way up to the glove compartment...it was like someone had been in the car but we don't know how or why because everything was there.

 

Thankfully a passerby had a car starter/charger/thingy...(thank God I am married...) and we jumped the car and headed out. The kids all fired up their cell phones, and again the batteries were all dead. We all had them shut down, but should have removed the batteries too. So 2 of the 3 were able to get on their phones for about 15 minutes and that was it. We eventually stop and grab a car charger for the oldest so she didn't go into cardiac arrest.

 

Headed out of the garage of doom...don't forget that little wood chip! You deposit that into a machine and that raises the arm to let you out.

 

We live about an hour and half from Tampa...we were home by 10am that's how fast everything happened. It was insane!