LIVE from Celebration Jan 29 w/Rolex 24 Photos

[EngIceDave]

LIIVE FROM CELEBRATION 1/29

 

Getting a jump start on this...

 

Hi, I’m Dave. I am a lowly VIFP Gold, but a degenerate gambler, so I booked this cruise about 3 months ago (last minute?), because we got to get out. Been a crazy last couple years, but the last year has been bad. I mention all this because it will be relevant to my (our) fun and comfort.

You see, I had a knee replacement about 3 months ago….my Third. You read that right, third. Yes, same knee. My first was Nov 2021 and 6 months later we learned it was infected, one in a hundred. Infection requires removing the infected knee replacement, installing a temporary knee joint and pump you full of antibiotics (which gave me pneumonia, BTW) and then once clear of any possible infections, open you up again to install the third and final knee. So I have been somewhat sidelined for more than a year physically and my strength and stamina is now slowly coming back, but any career in professional stair climbing is out of the question.

 

We’re in a balcony on 14 Fwd Portside. First time on an ExceI. I do like leaving Miami on the port side in order to see Venetian Causeway, Palm, Hibiscus and Star Islands, the ferry to Fisher Island and the crowds on the beaches to watch the parade of ships. We both have free beverages throughout the ship, yet neither of us drink alcohol. My wife might have one drink the whole cruise, otherwise she drinks water. I prefer soda and am totally cool with Pepsi products. I do plan to try out and experiment with some non-alcohol mixology when I can or can remember.

 

We live in the Daytona area, hour North of Port Canaveral. We will be driving down the morning of, and it’s scheduled in the Waze to take 3.5 hours. Check in is 11:30am, so we’ll leave about 8am and get there right as our time comes up. Going to park at PortMiami.

 

We have a walking food tour in San Juan - https://www.carnival.com/shore-excursions/san-juan/old-san-juan-walk-mojito--mofongo-experience-427032 - This will be a test for the leg, I think. My daughter turned me on to food tours in SJ a few years back when she and I went on a Cruise (MSC Divina) and it really was a good time. Wife and I now do them regularly at almost every city we visit. Great way to learn and understand a culture is through their food, didn’t you watch Anthony Bourdain? I also have two cooking classes scheduled, pizza making and cake decorating. I love cooking, hate baking (Yes, two different things. Bakers are crazy) but I'm taking the cake decorating to learn better piping skills, I hope.

 

Give you an idea in advance of my writing style and past trips, here’s our trip on Horizon a year ago, shortly after restrictions were lifted. You can find others if you search, I have an MSC cruise to Havana somewhere in the MSC forum

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2799994-live-on-horizon-94

 

I am a Miami/South Florida native. Family has been here since the 50’s. So as mentioned above, I enjoy going out in Miami to see the islands, how the homes have changed and more. Many of you many not know or realize, but Chalk’s Airways used to take off and land on that same channel the ships are in, called Government Cut. Their airbase was on Watson Island where Parrot Jungle now is (From S. Miami). Goodyear Blimp used to also airbase there many many years ago.

 

It's Miami Marathon weekend! I did a 10K in downtown once and we did go into the port and right by the CCL HQ in there. This was before the tunnel and running that bridge sucked.

 

Looks like we’re departing during the Miami Marathon. 

 

Shouldn’t be too much trouble, I hope.

 

It’s cool the NFL Division Championships will be on departure day. I’ll get y’all some pics and info on how they handle it, if at all.

 

 

 

Tomorrow going to spend the day watching auto racing at Daytona Speedway, as it is Rolex 24 weekend. I plan to go in the morning, walk the grid, see some friends, watch the start and hand for a while. I'll drop some photos, because as far as I'm concerned, my vacation starts tomorrow at the speedway.

 

Some photos from my visit on Sunday during qualifying.

 

I hope y'all will follow along and enjoy my stupid humor or lack thereof.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[EngIceDave]

Oh, you can watch all 24 hours of the race on Peacock

[Clearmax]

Hi Dave, My name is Robert and my wife and I will be on this cruise with you. We are in a front aft balcony on deck 9. We are also gamblers and since this is a premier cruise I’m sure the casino will be crowded. We are from the Los Angeles area and my wife is taking the cake decorating class. Should be a great cruise 

[EngIceDave]

It's a premier cruise?

Had no idea, just took a good offer

[weezal]

Hope the marathon street closures are not too bad.

I will be sailing this Sun, from LA area too.

Didn’t realize it’s a premier cruise. Will be tough to find a seat in the casino!

[Guest BasicSailor]

Is that going to be a Gamblers Anonymous review? 🤑

😁

Edited January 28, 2023 by BasicSailor

[EngIceDave]

Only if it being a premier cruse forces me away from the casino, but I prefer early mornings anyway

[Greenpea2]

Dave, I'm really looking forward to your review (and I already like your sense of humor and writing style!). I will be on the Celebration next January. I am a Norweenie (usually sail NCL) and the last time I was on a Carnival ship was almost 30 years ago! So I am trying to catch up on what to expect. Thanks for taking the time to do this!

[EngIceDave]

5 minutes ago, Greenpea2 said:

Thanks for taking the time to do this!

 

Thanks, it's my pleasure. Keeps my ADHD OCD ABCDEFGHIJK issues busy.

 

13 hours ago, Clearmax said:

Hi Dave, My name is Robert and my wife and I will be on this cruise with you

Hi, maybe I'll meet you and your wife in the casino.

 

[Anyislandwilldo]

Wow, sorry to hear about your knee woes.

[Jamman54]

Hey Dave! Looking forward to your review. Sorry to hear about your knee. I have a friend who just went through what you're going through. His knee replacement was three years old when it happened. Not fun at all. My knee replacement is thirteen years old this month, and still works like a charm. Hopefully, yours will be fine going forward. Hang in there! 

[EngIceDave]

Back from my day at the races, that place is a lot of walking and stairs, good practice!

 

Good morning, let's go racing!

 

 

 

If you see this hat, you found me

 

Look in the window.... That's Dale

This is the Bass Pro across the street

 

 

 

 

Largest crowd in Rolex 24 history, I believe it...

 

 

I so wanted to move this braking marker about 5 feet

 

 

Infield turn one

 

All that walking, I came home and passed out for a bit

 

Pizza for dinner tonight, I don't want to cook and leave any mess behind.

 

Vehicle is all gassed up. Watch racing and On Patrol Live this evening, wake up and start driving in the morning.

 

One more sleep!!

 

 

[TNcruising02]

My husband and I will be on the cruise too.  I can't believe it's tomorrow!  I will follow along on your review when I have some down time during the cruise.  It sounds like you could use a vacation after such a tough year.  This past one has been a bit hard for our family too and we are ready to have a fun time. I hope your cruise is awesome. I will enjoy reading your review.

The races look like a lot of fun.

[EngIceDave]

I forgot, Supercross is on from Anaheim tonight....more racing to watch, oh boy!

 

If you know supercross or motocross racing, love to sit and bench race. I wonder if I'll be able to watch next weeks race somewhere on board, next Saturday

 

Supercross....

[EngIceDave]

Good for Chase Sexton and poor Eli Tomac at last night's supercross....

 

GOOD MORNING.....Go to sleep watching racing, hear race cars all night (I live 2 miles from Speedway) and now watching....racing

 

All packed and ready to go. 

I am sure we overpacked, as usual

 

Hat of the day

 

[lazydayz]

Safe travels.  Can’t wait to follow along with your live! 

[Hogladyrider]

Let's get this party started!

[weezal]

Miami Marathon road closures bad in downtown area. I’m only 2 miles from port, stuck in car for over half hour. Wonder if they will delay the sail time today. 

[lazydayz]

1 minute ago, weezal said:

Miami Marathon road closures bad in downtown area. I’m only 2 miles from port, stuck in car for over half hour. Wonder if they will delay the sail time today. 

i think it is just the timing. I bet by 1:00, all will be clear.   Hang in there and enjoy your cruise!

[Clearmax]

3 minutes ago, weezal said:

Miami Marathon road closures bad in downtown area. I’m only 2 miles from port, stuck in car for over half hour. Wonder if they will delay the sail time today. 

 Yes it took us 45 minutes. We are now waiting in the terminal. 

[EngIceDave]

OMG did that blow….auughhhh

 

something happened in the tunnel. We came in through downtown the old way, and once n the port, we saw ZERO cars exiting the tunnel. Then after I dropped bags and going to park, two ladies decided to run into each other at 2 MPH and then stop and argue about it. Looked like woman A was merging left and woman B chose otherwise and ran into her door. I drove over the curb around them. Whole place was a parking zoo. 
 

Shaq’s chicken ain’t that great y’all. It’s ok. And what’s with those “fries?” Might as well call them chips or crisps. 

[EngIceDave]

Oh, got on at about 1pm due to delays. We already have our luggage an hour or so later. 

[EngIceDave]

Hi, in the cabin, I have not seen it mentioned, but where the light is over the bed is enough space for your phone, ipad, wallet, cast, etc....

 

 

This was right in front of Celebration, took me 15 minutes just to get to that Virgin ship

 

 

The mechanism for the shower door is interesting, it slides and pivots, reducing door opening space. For a smaller bathroom, it's enough. 

 

I did a quick walk thru of the casino, if you like the link games, like Lock it Link, they have plenty of them

[EngIceDave]

Watching the football game on my balcony awaiting sail away. 
 

TV is big and decent picture. Music channel is the same stuff as always. 

[EngIceDave]

Oh, at 3:30 the CD, Lee (?) said 5% still hadn’t check in at muster station. Maybe some BS in there.