Willdra's Massive Carnival Mardi Gras Apr 30- May 7 Review

[willdra]

After the party, I needed to make my evening tea, and W wanted his bucket of ice for his Diet Coke. We went back to the cabin to get my cup and his bucket, then back up to Lido.  When we got back up there, W got his ice, but none of the hot water stations were open. I walked through the whole Lido. I finally gave up, then we went down to Deck 8. This is where everyone else went after the party!

 

It's crazy how on the Mardi Gras, you can feel like you are by yourself, then all of a sudden, boom! People! I liked that there were quiet places, and populated places. You could choose your crowd comfort level. I found the drink station by the pizzeria, but the hot water wasn’t working. Great. A guy saw me fighting with it, and told me to go down to Deck 6 by Java Blue. Oh? Ok.  I only had more calories to lose, so I walked down there. Jackpot! The hot water was flowing freely at the station there. Thanks guy whoever you were! W was walking with me, but then I lost him to the casino. Typical.

 

I went back to the cabin to clean my face and get ready for bed. That's another reason I don’t wear makeup that often. The cleanup also takes some time, and it looks like a crime scene. Too much. I watched a little TV and caught up my notes, after I near about scrubbed a whole layer of skin off of my face.

 

Pictures that we took, as we were searching for hot water....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[willdra]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[willdra]

 

These directional signs were very helpful! 

 

 

Before I fell asleep, I said a prayer thanking God for 80’s music. There are so many good songs from that era, and I’m always glad that I was around for it. Except the big hair and baggy neon clothes. Please. Nobody bring those back!

 

[willdra]

19 minutes ago, Cruise, J.D. said:

Emeril's looks so good! I can't believe all the reports that it is not busy. Enjoying your review!

 

Emeril's was fabulous! Hands down one of my absolute favorite dining venues on the ship. I didn't mind the extra $$$ either. It was so worth it! 😋❤️

[MzShae]

Your elegant evening dress looked great with your hair! I also end every evening with a cup of tea on cruises. Sometimes at home too.

[mommio]

1 hour ago, willdra said:

So while I was thoroughly enjoying this culinary exquisiteness in front of me, one of the servers bought W a latte. Weird. I never got the one that I ordered. W drank the latte, and then had the unmitigated gall to announce that it was good, but he thought they brought him the wrong drink. Seriously? You thought that AFTER you drank the whole thing? I asked him what he ordered, and he said an americano. Let me get this straight. I ordered a latte that I never got. He got a latte that he never ordered. I smelled a rat, and a latte thief, whose name most likely begins with the letter W. So I say “I think you drank my latte”. His reply was “Oh I’m sorry”. Queue the slow wall slide. I paused for a few deep breathing exercises. Then I prayed that W wouldn't have to meet his maker for drinking my latte. Ok I got this. When Juan passed by again, I told him what happened, and he said “No problem, I’ll get you another one”. He did just that about 5 minutes later, and it was also delicious! Whew. That was a close call. W's life was spared yet again. God has his back!

 

The second latte 

 

We finished eating, and ran up to Serenity. It was only 10 am, and I thought we would have a decent chance still at finding shade. I was correct. As usual. There were still a few shady choices out. I claimed a lounge bed for us, while W went back to gather his belongings. He was low key bummed, cuz he forgot to pack his sandals. I ain’t even gonna try to figure out how that happened. The less you know, the better off you are.

 

We stayed out on Serenity a few hours until the sun won the battle and beat the brakes off of us. We didn’t put up much of a fight, cuz Serenity wasn’t exactly all that Serene. The inner seating area by the pool and bar attracted a lot of passengers. For good reason. It’s shady, breezy, and there’s lots of seating. However, it’s kind of in a cove, so the sound from people talking in there really travels. We were on the outside of it, and we could hear every word of several conversations. Not ideal. Not Serene.

 

W said he wanted to check out deck 8. We did that but didn’t find anything that grabbed us on that deck, or along the way. We were outgunned, outmanned, outnumbered, and outplanned. From there, we went up to 16 and 17. There were some good options on the port side of 17. It was shaded and would stay that way. It was also close to food. Big wins. This was a popular walk-through spot tho, so there was loud traffic going thru periodically. It was mostly mature adults who were funny to listen to, cuz they were lost and couldn’t figure out where stuff was, so it was tolerable. 

I can agree with your search for shade. I’m like a vampire who wants to be warm, but might burst into flames if the sun touches. I think my pasty white husband is actually Ricardo Montaban (spelling), he and our daughter spend 10 minutes in the Sun and they are Malibu Ken and Barbie. 

[purpleally]

On 5/29/2022 at 3:31 PM, willdra said:

A

 

On 5/29/2022 at 3:31 PM, willdra said:

 

Before I fell asleep, I said a prayer thanking God for condiments. Have you ever just thought about how many choices we have in condiments? There are lots!  America’s condiment game is unmatched. We have condiments to go with everything! 

My favorite part is when you thank God for whatever

[crewsweeper]

1 hour ago, willdra said:

 

Emeril's was fabulous! Hands down one of my absolute favorite dining venues on the ship. I didn't mind the extra $$$ either. It was so worth it! 😋❤️

DW had breakfast there every day!! Something different but always beignets!

[FloridaGram]

We got off the cruise as you were getting on so I can hardly wait to here the rest of your story. Did you think the bathroom was to small? My only disappointment with that beautiful ship!

[cynt]

Glad to see you're writing another review.  I could so see you side eying W when he drank your latte. LOL! 

 

This review and Jam's review is just what I need to tied me over until I board the Oasis on Sunday. 

 

Thanks for your review. 

[Hogladyrider]

@willdra....FANTASTIC pics and an AMAZING review!

 

LOVE your writing......hmmmm I live with a man who is very much similar to "W"......must be a "guy" thing!

[crewsweeper]

Tell W the better lattes and coffee drinks are at Bella Rosa.

[sid_9169]

Willdra, I've been reading about your adventures while I'm currently on a back to back cruise on Virgin Voyages... I'm another Cruise Critic member from Atlanta, and I'm enjoying your Mardi Gras journey... Currently waiting to board again for the second leg!

[TravelGirlinDallas]

I can't believe I just found your review a few days late - I needed this in my life today!! ❤️

[crewsweeper]

1 hour ago, sid_9169 said:

Willdra, I've been reading about your adventures while I'm currently on a back to back cruise on Virgin Voyages... I'm another Cruise Critic member from Atlanta, and I'm enjoying your Mardi Gras journey... Currently waiting to board again for the second leg!

@sid_9169OOOhhh!! Want to hear about these.  Able to post a review.  Also do a compare/contrast.  Only going to the Bahamas is a good reason to keep us away.  But maybe the ship would be worth it.

 

NEVER MIND (Emily Patella).  I found it!!

 

Sorry for the hijack... Back to Wildra's wonder review.

Edited June 1, 2022 by crewsweeper

[willdra]

16 hours ago, MzShae said:

Your elegant evening dress looked great with your hair! I also end every evening with a cup of tea on cruises. Sometimes at home too.

Thank you! It took me awhile to find 2 purple dresses that didn’t make me look like Barney, but I think I did ok. 😜

[willdra]

15 hours ago, mommio said:

I can agree with your search for shade. I’m like a vampire who wants to be warm, but might burst into flames if the sun touches. I think my pasty white husband is actually Ricardo Montaban (spelling), he and our daughter spend 10 minutes in the Sun and they are Malibu Ken and Barbie. 

Not Malibu Ken and Barbie!! 😂😂😂😂😂 

[willdra]

15 hours ago, purpleally said:

 

My favorite part is when you thank God for whatever

Those are my favorites too! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[willdra]

15 hours ago, crewsweeper said:

DW had breakfast there every day!! Something different but always beignets!

Ahhhhh it was so good 😊!! Next time we sail Mardi Gras, I think we will eat breakfast there everyday also! 

[willdra]

10 hours ago, FloridaGram said:

We got off the cruise as you were getting on so I can hardly wait to here the rest of your story. Did you think the bathroom was to small? My only disappointment with that beautiful ship!

Yesss the bathroom was the size of a postage stamp. We made it work, but it was a tight squeeze! 😁

[willdra]

8 hours ago, cynt said:

Glad to see you're writing another review.  I could so see you side eying W when he drank your latte. LOL! 

 

This review and Jam's review is just what I need to tied me over until I board the Oasis on Sunday. 

 

Thanks for your review. 

Thanks for passing the time with us! We loved the Oasis. We may sail on her again, or one of her sisters in the future. 😍😍😍

[willdra]

5 hours ago, Hogladyrider said:

@willdra....FANTASTIC pics and an AMAZING review!

 

LOVE your writing......hmmmm I live with a man who is very much similar to "W"......must be a "guy" thing!

Thanks ☺️ and yes it definitely is a guy thing! 😉

[Cherries Jubilee]

I’m so happy to see another Wildra review! I was waiting for you to cruise again like I was actually going with you lol. I cruised Mardi Gras in April and loved her so much! Thank you for taking us back with you!

[atxlady]

OMG!!! Another Wilda and W adventure!!! Thanks for keeping me laughing. I so feel for W, it seems that "sh*t" just seems to happen w/ him.  LOL!!! 

I cant wait for the next updates. Have fun!!!

[willdra]

4 hours ago, crewsweeper said:

Tell W the better lattes and coffee drinks are at Bella Rosa.

I will let him know, that way he will keep his paws off mine! 😂😂