LIVE! Celebration 11/26-12/3 Holidays & Casino Ultra—Let’s Cruise!

[TravelBluebird]

Photos from my excursion today and our lunch at Annie’s Boardwalk Cafe:  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 1, 2023 by TravelBluebird

[TravelBluebird]

Photos from Mahogany Bay

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 1, 2023 by TravelBluebird

[TravelBluebird]

After Amor Cubano last night we decided to try Chibang. That didn’t work out because the app said a 50 minute wait. So we just got Miami Slice pizza and sat outside.  That was plenty!

 

Didn’t win a thing at Deal or No Deal but had fun.

 

Then went to the Motown Showdown party, hosted by Lee, Your Cruise Director. His energy is insane; i don’t know how he does it. Very well attended; standing room only; people singing along and some dancing, and some friendly competition.  

 

I attended all but 10 minutes of the party when I ran to see if I had won Dodge the Bull in the casino (nope).  Did not win the 1K either. Gambled a bit but turned in at like 12:01, since I had ANOTHER 8am excursion this morning. I am NOT doing that again, 2 8am excursions back-to-back. I am a creature of the night and can’t stay up as I like to LIVE! Blog, vlog, and just have fun.

 

Did 15,000 steps yesterday!  YAY ME.

 

Photos will follow. The RA is bothering my wrist because of all the photography and typing aggravating the joint a bit extra, so I’m now typing these out in my iPad but most of my photos are on my iPhone. I can give you of course, my immediate view:

 

 

[TravelBluebird]

While in Costa Maya I checked my email and saw an upgrade offer for my upcoming NCL 22 day South America and Antarctica cruise.

Glad we saw it then, so we could call in to try and grab the upgrade, which we did after we found a shady spot in port to sit and call from.  I LOVBE that Mexico (and 17 other Latin American countries, including Honduras!) are now TOTALLY covered under my ATT plan with no additional cost! 

 

We did get it, although we are still going back and forth on if we picked the right upgraded room or not. Going to mull it over a bit more.

 

Our early morning excursion was to Chacchoben ruins.

 

Both 8am excursion mornings  we called ahead for room service delivery in the morning. Time selected was 7 to 7:30; we wanted 7am and were lucky to get both right around that time. Just coffee, juice, and a bagel. Both times they sent 2 bagels; guess we are the only people on a cruise ship that split a bagel for breakfast and call it good!

 

We did a small group via Carnival for Chacchoben—about $30 more per person, but we both dislike large bus tours. Only 10 people in a big van!  Ruins were great; were allowed to climb up a bit on some.  This is NOT an excursion for the disabled or those with balance or other mobility issues. Lots of roots and level changes and rocks on the paths, even if you don’t climb the pyramids.  Saw one poor lady completely slip and land front-down in the mud. She was not injured, thankfully, just had to be cleaned up.

 

That Costa Maya port is something else!  Much more to do there than I expected—I had never been here, and my mental image was more of an industrial port. Nope. This was a VERY NICE fake Mexican village, and I mean that in the nicest way possible.  Lounge chairs by the water (not on a beach, but by the waves). Two pools!  Fish spas!  Big Mayan Spa! Dolphin encounter. Nature walk//bridge rope course. And of course, lots of shopping and food.

 

The port itself is a fair walk from the ship. There is this little cart train with seatrs that fits lots of people that you can ride back and forth if the walk is unappealing.  I took the walk both ways; great for my step count!

 

Decided to hit the buffet for some Shawarma and a bit of gelato (hazlenut today, a fav of mine, and mango) for lunch. Cannot overdo it as tonight is Formal Night!

 

Been catching up on work this afternoon, now off to find my next adventure on Celebration!  Have not forgotten last nights MDR menus; will upload later today

[TravelBluebird]

No videos this week (but they will be coming next week).

 

Why? Because right now, when I’d be taping the video in my room, dear hubby SNORES. And yes oh dear the mics pick it up.  I’ve been sleeping poorly this trip and I finally realized it was his snoring (RIGHT in my ear) which for whatever reason is not as bad at home, plus a larger king bed there. Good thing I remembered to pack my ear plugs. I always bring them; fished them out and all was OK; wish I’d thought of it sooner.

 

Another reason for not doing a video on this trip is that this is hubby’s vacation too, and we’ve been having a great time, being active, etc together. That plus casino,  new ship, time to enjoy myself and time to  do my LIVE! Blog means no (edited) videos.  

 

My Royal trip was different because I sailed alone, and my Venezia was such a long trip there was time for everything.

 

I feel like I need to sail on Celebration AGAIN—this has all gone by so quickly! Just tonight and one more sea day left (but that is the sad MUST PACK DAY 😢), We do have the bonus day in Miami at the end which will be nice.

[TravelBluebird]

Formal dinner tonight was PERFECT!  No wait for early dinner (5pm) quick service—1 hour 15 minutes.  Perfectly cooked lobster, slightly undercooked but still warm center medium rare prime rib.

 

Beef Carpaccio new Emeril’s appetizer was excellent.  Enjoyed the sugar free Panna Cotta, Chantilly crème blueberry compote.  
 

Now waiting to see The World Works here.  Was pleased to get the Japanese flag as that is where my daughter lives!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 1, 2023 by TravelBluebird

[TravelBluebird]

We are now about to see Lisa Alvarez in Punchliner.  Actually our 3rd Punchliner show this week—we saw Tim Young a second time.

 

Lines are long but PLENTY of seats!

[TravelBluebird]

Crazy busy last day at sea! 

 

Evidently this is not the normal itinerary; usually there are 2 sea days at the end of the cruise, and I do prefer that when possible.

 

Have been going non stop since 9am. Still will do photos from yesterday; may have to photo catch up as well from tonight as I am happy but TIRED!

 

On the good side of it, I’m totally packed and ready for disembarkation tomorrow. On the bad side, i still have a list of things I want to do tonight that is TOO long.

 

This is my current view:

[TravelBluebird]

We decided to see Most Magnificent Circus again, this time from 7. So we have our Basil Drops from Alchemy and are hanging out here.

 

We started the morning just getting regular coffee and a grab-and-go fruit plate from Java Blue.

 

Took our coffee into the Wave Morning Show. We’ve been so busy we haven’t attended one, and we really enjoy getting to know the Fun Squad a bit; plus the morning show REALLY does help you figure out what to do for the day.

 

So many conflicting possibililties!  For instance, I missed the last dance class (Thriller) in Havana Bar, because I wanted to do the “walk for St. Jude” which I’ll explain more about later.  Russ wanted to go to “meet the performers.”. If I haven’t mentioned it lately, we are big theater nerds, used to perform, and were on the Board of Directors of a theater for years.

 

We ran into the shop and got some Carnival loot!  I got a great Celebration white denim inaugural jacket for 1/2 off, so only $50. Also got a ship model, and a Carnival Christmas ornament.

 

After a quick Street Eats (those Carbonara Fries really called out!) I got my Groove For St. Jude t-shirt.

There was an auction of the last Shaq basketball  ($1,200 for St. Jude’s).

 

Instead of the usual Groove for St. Jude, today for St. Jude there was a marathon in Memphis. Mike Peck and others from Carnival are running in it, and then the 26 ships in the fleet for support each were doing a “Walk a Mile” for St. Jude.  So 26 miles equalling a marathon.  26,000 people ran it in Memphis, and there was a pretty good crowd doing the mile on Celebration!

 

One funny thing—Lee wanted to warm everyone up with a bit of dance on Lido before the walk. No takers. Well excpet me, who ended up standing there in my T shirt all alone like an idiot.  So he changed it to a walking warm-up, which only I and 1 guy in the pool did. So later when I was doing the walk, two  people assumed I was part of the crew.

 

Walk was 7 laps around the running track. it was lots of fun, with a spirited bunch of people.

 

OK show is starting…I’ll be back shortly!

[TravelBluebird]

So much for being back shortly!

 

I’m a little under the weather (not anything I caught on the ship—overall a very healthy cruise!) just my RA.  So I’ll finish up this now semi-LIVE  with the days//meals//photos I haven’t gone over yet, either on the plane tomorrow or when I get home.

 

Today we’ve been enjoying Miami. It’s Art Week, and we went to Wynwood Walls, which is a fantastic outdoor street art museum at any time! We got to see two sculpture unveilings as an added bonus. We then had lunch in the Wynwood neighborhood.

We have an EARLY 7am flight tomorrow, so ware staying at the airport, at a TownPlace Suites. There’s a good seafood dinner within walking distance with the added bonus that we could watch football during the meal.

 

Just a few teaser photos of Wynwood Walls; more to follow!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 4, 2023 by TravelBluebird

[lazydayz]

Enjoy and take care of yourself.  We will look forward to the rest of your review whenever you are up to it.  

[TN Roz]

On 11/25/2023 at 1:26 PM, TravelBluebird said:

At the airport! 

 

The usual breeze. I love having a smaller city airport only 15 minutes from my house. We even had time to play Holiday Cornhole with Delta and won some SkyMiles after we checked in!  

 

Reports on another site about how full, indeed, all the airport parking lots are. At BWI, all 51,000 spaces are full and people are having to park at Amtrak. At a smaller airport, people were having to park at the employee parking lot!  

 

Our airport is decorated for the holidays; looks so cheery and nice!  

 

Here is our obligatory Airport Selfie at the start of the trip.

 

Everything looking on time!! 

 

 

 

We also live a few minutes from TYS! Gotta love a small airport, if only they didn't have some of the highest fares!

[nathan]

13 hours ago, TN Roz said:

We also live a few minutes from TYS! Gotta love a small airport, if only they didn't have some of the highest fares!

Me too.  Flying out of TYS in February for my Celebration cruise.

[pajazz28]

How was the food overall in the MDR?

[TravelBluebird]

On 12/3/2023 at 8:45 PM, lazydayz said:

Enjoy and take care of yourself.  We will look forward to the rest of your review whenever you are up to it.  

 

I’m back! RA hands doing much better.  I also have a funeral for this evening; husband of a good friend.

 

BUT, I’m going to finish my LIVE!  now a LATER LIVE! or an AFTER LIVE! or something like that.

 

Also, any questions, please ask!  

 

My overall impression is that I LOVED the Celebration, and she may have taken my heart as favorite Carnival ship, which Mardi Gras definitely had before.

[TravelBluebird]

On 12/5/2023 at 1:45 PM, pajazz28 said:

How was the food overall in the MDR?

 

We really liked the new Emeril-inspired menus!

 

I did miss having Salmon as an everyday choice BUT one of the Emeril selections was fish each day.  I also missed a few things like the Fried Oysters, but the fried oysters at Emeril’s are so good for only $5 I can forgive that!
 

The food was well-seasoned, and the appetizers interesting and varied. Food was hot and served quickly.

 

 Only strange thing was the Carnival Melting Cake served a couple times in those weird long shallow plates to people around me, but I had the normal “ramekin” serving dish the 2x I had the Chocolate Melting Cake.

[TravelBluebird]

On 12/5/2023 at 9:45 AM, nathan said:

Me too.  Flying out of TYS in February for my Celebration cruise.

 

My pocketbook feels your pain.

 

Trying do decide if we can afford flying to Galveston for Jubilee during Spring Break, or if we’ll drive the 14 hours.

[TravelBluebird]

On 12/4/2023 at 8:14 PM, TN Roz said:

We also live a few minutes from TYS! Gotta love a small airport, if only they didn't have some of the highest fares!

 

They have us over a barrel! Too far to drive to Nashville or Atlanta. Not only do we have very few direct flights to cruise ports, but they know we’ll still choose TYS!

[nathan]

16 hours ago, TravelBluebird said:

 

My pocketbook feels your pain.

 

Trying do decide if we can afford flying to Galveston for Jubilee during Spring Break, or if we’ll drive the 14 hours.

My airfare to Miami in February is over $600.  It's gone up dramatically.

[TravelBluebird]

23 minutes ago, nathan said:

My airfare to Miami in February is over $600.  It's gone up dramatically.

 

And depending on when you fly, it can be even worse.  If we had come back on Sunday from the cruise, it would have cost us an extra $500 each for air fare!  We got our hotel on points and took the 7am flight the next day (hence why we stayed overnight at the airport).

[TravelBluebird]

This week has been insane. I really have to re-consider cruising at holiday time. It’ not just this cruise putting be behind for December celebrations and work, but also my upcoming cruise right after New Year’s!

 

Last week, right after the cruise, I had the holiday party for my non-profit, a funeral, visitors from out of town, catching up with real life work…never has taken me so long to finish a LIVE!  Or to get a video from a cruise up.

 

I did manage to get a vlog from the cruise up—it covers the crazy embarkation, our Carnival Kitchen class, the rainy day in Cozumel, casino, food and entertainment from beginning of trip. So if you’ve wanted to see some of the video from the trip, here you go:  

 

 

[TravelBluebird]

With our visitors last week, we went to the Grand Ole Opry, and missed the tornados in the area by 1 night, or we would have been evacuated to the basement of Opry Mills when the tornado sirens went off. We are OK, we live well east of where the tornados were this weekend. We had family in the area of the tornados, but they are OK. It’s not a cruise port, but if you ever find yourself in the Nashville area, I HIGHLY recommend the Grand Ole Opry show. Its a live radio show done on stage, with a bit of this and a bit of that, full of the history of country music and some great performances: 

 

 

[nathan]

Enjoyed the first episode of your vlog.  Looking forward to the rest of them.

[pajazz28]

On 12/11/2023 at 1:53 PM, TravelBluebird said:

With our visitors last week, we went to the Grand Ole Opry, and missed the tornados in the area by 1 night, or we would have been evacuated to the basement of Opry Mills when the tornado sirens went off. We are OK, we live well east of where the tornados were this weekend. We had family in the area of the tornados, but they are OK. It’s not a cruise port, but if you ever find yourself in the Nashville area, I HIGHLY recommend the Grand Ole Opry show. Its a live radio show done on stage, with a bit of this and a bit of that, full of the history of country music and some great performances: 

 

 

Great video. Did you take daily pictures of the fun times? If yuo did can you share them. 

[TravelBluebird]

3 hours ago, nathan said:

Enjoyed the first episode of your vlog.  Looking forward to the rest of them.

 

Thank you @nathan I will let you know when they are up!