Our 25th Anniversary Adventure - Baja Mexico & Hawaii on the Inspiration & Splendor

[Jamman54]

Here is today’s towel animal…..

 

 

We went to the Love and Marriage show hosted by Lee Mason. We auditioned to be contestants but weren’t chosen…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the show we made our way up to the Cloud 9 Spa. We noticed that the ship is starting to rock and roll. The Thalassotherapy pool was sloshing back and forth, and hanging on was getting a little challenging. It was fun for a while, but it was becoming tiring. We went to the Tepidarium which for some reason was deserted…..

 

 

 

 

Looking out the window we could see that the seas were getting a little rough…..

 

 

 

To be continued……

[Jamman54]

By the time dinner time came it was getting hard to walk. Patti and I never get seasick, but I’m sure some people were bothered. Here are tonight’s menus…..

 

 

 

 

Here are Patti and I at our table…..

 

 

 

For starters we both had the fish tacos…..

 

 

Patti also had the spinach and artichoke dip and a Caesar salad…..

 

 

I also had the fire roasted chicken……

 

 

For our mains Patti had the flat iron steak…….

 

 

While I had the tex mex penne and blackened catfish…..

 

 

 

Here is tonight’s dessert menu…..

 

 

Patti had the raspberry chocolate cream cake while I had the cappuccino pie……

 

 

 

After dinner they made the announcement that the Epic Rock show had been cancelled due to rough seas. Patti just wanted to climb into bed and read, while I went to the Sports Bar to have a beer with Jose. There was nothing on the tv’s as we have already lost the satellite  signal.

 

I then went to the Punchliner to watch Sebastion’s show which was very good. I was back at the cabin around 11 pm. We had to turn our clocks forward one hour again tonight. With the motion of the ocean I was going to sleep well tonight!

 

Coming up next:  A throwback sea day!

[Jamman54]

Day # 20  (May 7^th) – Sea Day # 6  (Throwback Sea Day).

 

Here are today’s Fun Times and Carnival Capers…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were up at 7 am to a rainy miserable day. The temperature is 74 degrees, and the seas are choppy. The ship is still rocking and rolling, though not as much as last night. Here is the view from our balcony looking forward and aft…..

 

 

 

Again, we decided to skip breakfast and head to the Morning Show. Lee and the Fun Squad are dressed in their 80’s attire. From the left are Danielle, Lee, Cheeky Charlie, and Tyler. They are going over all of the activities scheduled for this, the throwback sea day……

 

 

 

 

 

To be continued…..

[Jamman54]

Lee interviews Lisette and Doctor Hugo from the Cloud 9 Spa…..

 

 

 

 

 

Butt race champion Lee challenges Tyler to a race and Tyler wins!!!

 

 

 

 

After the Morning Show we made our way up to the Splendido Pool Bar to visit our buds. Here are the bar menus, specials, and set up…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

To be continued……

[Jamman54]

Patti and I are sporting our Throwback Sea Day stickers…..

 

 

 

Tom and Jo are teaching another ballroom dancing class…..

 

 

Here is today’s towel animal…..

 

 

We both had a Lido lunch again today. Patti got herself a turkey wrap from the Deli, while I hit the Grille again for a couple of cheeseburgers.

 

We noticed that the ship wasn’t rocking as much now. It looks like the seas are finally calming down again.

 

It was now time for the Aqua Frog Races. Now normally the races are held in the pool, but because of the rough seas, the pools have been drained. No matter, they can still race on the deck…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To be continued…….

[Jamman54]

The next event would be the roll the dice horse racing. The horses are all lined up in the El Morocco Lounge…..

 

 

There will be three races. The first and third races will be betting races. The second race will be the owner’s race. In order to have an owner’s race you need owners. You do that by auctioning off each of the six horses. CD Lee was the auctioneer. I was able to “buy” the #1 horse for the paltry sum of $20. I named him “Jersey Jeff”…..

 

 

 

 

Lee then proceeded to auction off the remaining five horses. People at this point started to really get into it, and the bidding became intense. They all sold for over $50 a piece…..

 

 

 

The first betting race was set to begin. Lee had the owners move their horses for this race. The horses move based on the rolls of the dice. There are three dice used at a time. Lee would roll the dice then call out the moves. After several rolls my horse is lagging behind…..

 

 

My horse is trying to make a run……

 

 

 

The #3 horse wins. I wind up tied for second which means nothing, as only the winning horse gets paid……

 

 

Tyler announces the payout for the first race…..

 

 

To be continued…..

Edited June 14, 2019 by Jamman54

[Jamman54]

The owners race is about to begin. Lee explains that the horse that wins will win the entire owners pool, which is just under $300……

 

 

The owners are not allowed to move their horses this race. Danielle will do the honors…..

 

 

 

My horse is in contention for most of the race……

 

 

 

 

 

 

But in the end the #2 horse surges and wins the race. I wind up third…..

 

 

To be continued…..

[Saint Greg]

I hope throwback sea day has some skeet shootin' off the back of the ship.

[Jamman54]

Tyler and Cheeky Charlie are selling tickets for the third and final race…..

 

 

Patti and I have tickets for the #2 horse. Lee will once again roll the dice and call out the moves, and this time Tyler will move the horses…..

 

 

 

Our horse wins!!!

 

 

 

 

This was our big payoff. I wish they brought this event back for every cruise. It’s a lot of fun…..

 

 

Next up is the $600 Jackpot Bingo in the Spectacular Show Lounge. This will be old time bingo using the cage and balls……

 

 

Checking to make sure all the balls are there…..

 

 

Before the first game started, the Fun Squad posed for pictures. They did an amazing job today…..

 

 

We didn’t have any luck playing bingo today. Afterwards, I was feeling tired so I was going to go back to the cabin to relax and work on pictures. Patti went up to the gym to work out. She told me that it was good that I didn’t go to the Cloud 9 Spa today because the Thalassotherapy pool had been drained due to the rough seas. BTW, we weren’t feeling any rocking any more.

 

This evening they are having the Formal Captain’s Cocktail Party where everyone is invited. The odd numbered cabins would go at 5 pm, and the even numbered cabins would go at 7 pm. We chose not to go.

 

To be continued…..

[Jamman54]

Tonight is the Captain’s Gala Dinner. Here is the menu…..

 

 

Here are Patti and I at the Captain’s Gala Dinner…..

 

 

 

Patti started with the spaghetti carbonara and a Caesar salad…..

 

 

I started with two orders of the grilled Portobello mushrooms and the Etouffee of langoustine……

 

 

 

We both had the broiled lobster tail and grilled shrimp. We were surprised to see it on the menu again, and they seemed larger than the ones we had last week…..

 

 

We both had the baked Alaska for dessert…..

 

 

Once again our waiters performed for us…..

 

 

To be continued…..

[Cafedumonde]

On 5/15/2019 at 7:22 PM, Jamman54 said:

Here are some views of the 1^st floor lobby and restaurant areas……

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We finished up at The Enclave, which is the hotel’s bar and restaurant.

 

 

 

 

We wound up having our dinner there and it was pretty good. Though it was only 7pm, we were tired so I guess the jet lag was kicking in. Back upstairs to the room for the night. We had made it to California!

 

Coming up next: We begin exploring Long Beach, Shoreline Village, and Husband Daycare!

Just started reading your report and am loving it.  That’s a beautiful hotel.

[Jamman54]

After dinner we went to the Spectacular Show Lounge to watch the comedy and juggling of Edge. Here, Lee introduces the show…..

 

 

Some shots of the show…..

 

 

 

 

 

The Captain and some of the Senior Officers are enjoying the show…..

 

 

Edge had some audience members help him onstage…..

 

 

 

 

Here are some more shots of the show…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patti poses with Edge after the show…..

 

 

After the show we went up to the Lido buffet to try to get some pictures of the Midnight Gala Buffet. We couldn’t even get close. Everyone was just standing around and nobody was moving. Oh well, back to the cabin for us.

 

Coming up next:   calm seas, sea day brunch, and some quality spa time.     

[Jamman54]

46 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

I hope throwback sea day has some skeet shootin' off the back of the ship.

 

Nope. Nor do they have driving golf balls off the fantail or pillow fighting on the slippery pole! 😁

 

5 minutes ago, Cafedumonde said:

Just started reading your report and am loving it.  That’s a beautiful hotel.

 

Thanks for following along. You have a long way to go to catch up! 😎

[tlw440]

Great review and pics. I always enjoy reading your reviews. Keep them coming.

[Saint Greg]

4 hours ago, Jamman54 said:

 

Nope. Nor do they have driving golf balls off the fantail or pillow fighting on the slippery pole! 😁

 

I guess no topless deck either....

[Jamman54]

9 hours ago, tlw440 said:

Great review and pics. I always enjoy reading your reviews. Keep them coming.

 

Thanks for following along again! Still got a bit to go to finish this one.

 

9 hours ago, Saint Greg said:

 

I guess no topless deck either....

Heavens no. Especially on a Journeys cruise where the average age is uh.....mature.  Just kidding! Those were the days though.....

Edited June 15, 2019 by Jamman54

[Jamman54]

Day # 21  (May 8^th)   -   Sea Day # 7.

 

Here are today’s Fun Times…..

 

 

 

 

We were up at 7 am to another dreary rainy day. The temperature is 77 degrees. Here’s the view looking forward and aft from our balcony…..

 

 

 

The seas have calmed down considerably since yesterday morning…..

 

 

Our plan is to go to the Sea Day Brunch after the morning show. Patti wants to prepare a few bags of laundry before heading to the Spectacular Show Lounge. I go up to the Lido for a cup of coffee. I can see that all the pools are filled with water again and available for use.

 

Hosting the Morning Show with Lee this morning were Tyler, Conner, and Danielle…..

 

 

After the show Patti wanted to pick up the last of our photos and check out one of the shops. I went up to visit my buds at the Splendido Pool Bar. I had a few Thirsty Frog Wheats while watching Tom and Jo teach the Rumba.

 

Around 11:30 am Patti collected me and we made our way to the Gold Pearl Restaurant for the Sea Day Brunch. They are still using the old menus on the Splendor…..

 

 

 

To be continued…..

[Jamman54]

Patti started with a fruit plate and the flamin' tomato soup……

 

 

 

 

 

We used our free drink coupons . Patti got a Malibu bay breeze, and I got an Absolut and orange juice……

 

 

For some reason once the drinks came the camera got put away. I can tell you that Patti had a cheddar and tomato omelet with a side of turkey bacon, and I had a couple of eggs over easy with hash browns, corned beef hash, and bacon. It was all tasty.

 

We both went to the $3,000 Jackpot Bingo. Though we were waiting for one number on two of the games including the coverall, we didn’t win. Booooo!!!

 

I went to the casino to play blackjack for a little while and wound up losing a little. Patti went back to the El Morocco Lounge to watch the start of the Suess-A-Palooza Parade……

 

 

 

 

 

They are on their way to the Spectacular Show Lounge where CD Lee will read them the story of Horton Hears a Who……

 

 

To be continued…..

[TravelLots]

4 hours ago, Jamman54 said:

Still got a bit to go to finish this one. 

 

Good!  Because I don’t want this review to end!  I was just thinking “oh no!”  They covered all the ports and are turning around for home 🙁

[Jamman54]

Around 4 pm Patti and I made our way up to the Cloud 9 Spa. Patti relaxed and read on the heated loungers, while I relaxed in the very steamy Thalassotherapy Pool……

 

 

 

 

Afterwards we headed back to the cabin to get ready for dinner. The clothes that Patti sent out to get washed had been returned already!

 

Here are tonight’s dinner menus…..

 

 

 

 

Once again we have a full basket of cranberry bread…..

 

 

To start, Patti had the hazelnut encrusted camembert and a couscous and tomato salad……

 

 

 

I had the fiesta chowder and the flatbread…..

 

 

 

To be continued……

[Jamman54]

For her main Patti had the salmon fillet…..

 

 

I had the chili rellenos from the Port of Call menu (huge portion), and the baked Barramundi fillet…..

 

 

 

Here is tonight’s dessert menu…..

 

 

We both had the fruit plate…..

 

 

After dinner we passed by the Punchliner Comedy Club where two new comedians will be performing tonight…..

 

 

 

We both went to the casino where I entered the blackjack tournament, but didn’t qualify for the finals.

 

We both went to the Sports Bar for a nightcap before calling it a night. To our surprise, they had tv reception and sports on!

 

Back at the cabin we found that our invitations to the VIFP Party had arrived…..

 

 

Coming up next:  It feels like our last day but it isn’t. Find out why….

[grandmarnnurse]

Loving this review! All the food porn is making me hungry! 

[Jamman54]

Day # 22  (May 9^th)   -   Sea Day #8.

 

Here are today’s Fun Times…..

 

 

 

 

Looking at the Fun Times I’m seeing activities that normally occur on the last day of a cruise. The debarkation talk, chocolate extravaganza, and VIFP party to name a few. The reason is that we are going to be stopping in Ensenada tomorrow afternoon, so it’s best to get those activities done today.

 

We were up at 7 am to a mostly sunny day The seas are calm and the temperature is 68 degrees. Here are the views, forward and aft, from our balcony…..

 

 

 

We decided not to have breakfast this morning and made our way to the Morning Show. Today it is just Lee and Tyler….

 

 

They are joined onstage by Tom, who outlines the remaining ballroom dance classes…..

 

 

We stayed for the Debarkation show hosted by CD Lee Mason…..

 

 

After the talk was completed, Lee invited crewmembers up on stage with him to be recognized…..

 

 

To be continued…..

[Jamman54]

Captain La Fauci addresses those in attendance…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

All the crew members move forward on the stage to pose for photos…..

 

 

 

 

 

To be continued…..

[Jamman54]

Afterwards, I went up to visit my buds at the Splendido Pool Bar.  Patti is going to stop back at the cabin then join me there. On the way she passes the Black Pearl Restaurant where she sees the remnants of the Dr. Suess breakfast that just ended…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back at the cabin, Patti finds today’s towel animal……

 

 

I am watching the hula lessons by the Lido stage…..

 

 

 

To be continued…..