Day 5 Amber Cove, Dominican Republic

After we had our breakfast at the Marketplace, it started raining. But, by the time we got to deck 3 to get off the ship, the rain had stopped, for the moment. We got off and explored the circular shops there.

We did get our passports stamped, which was an added treat. After some shopping, we went to Coco Cana to get a taste of how meals are prepared in the DR. 

We ordered a sample platter of coconut shrimp, calamari, chicken thighs and ham croquettes served with yucca sticks. 

They also gave us three dipping sauces to try. The staff was friendly and the food was good. I hadn't tried yucca or ham croquet so it was good to taste some new flavors.

While we were eating the "bottom fell out" again. For those who don't know, that means it started raining hard. So we ate more slowly to see if the rain would stop so we could head back to the boat. 

When we finished, the rain had stopped and we headed back to the ship. 

When we got back, we headed to the room to drop off purchases and regroup for what was next.

Vaughn went off to another trivia while I stayed in and rested my back. It was interesting that there was a pharmacy on the island that sold some items we need to have a prescription for as over the counter items (Tylenol 3 with codeine, flexoril, 800 MG Tylenol and other drugs). 

As I write this post, I am on the balcony and it is raining yet again. There are extended balconies below me that would get rained on if they were sitting out. So I am thankful to be located where we are. I am looking out at balconies of a Holland America ship. I spoke to a lady that was sailing and she said it was her absolute favorite line to sail on and she had tried them all! Since I haven't sailed on them, I will have to check them out and see if I like them.

There are some things I do not like about this ship. Making dinner reservations is one of them. But as Vaughn and I discussed, when you have 6,000 people on a ship, you have to do things differently. It's just different from other cruises I have taken. 

Another thing I do not like, and this is not the first time this has been a Carnival design, if you are on the deck near the casino and need to get to something on the other side, you have to walk thru the casino. For one who does not like cigarette smoke, I was not happy to have to do that. Maybe they should have the casino on the side, with its own door, so you won't have to go thru it or can walk around another way to get to your destination. 

So, here on the balcony, the rain has stopped, oh wait, it just started again! And harder this time. Hopefully it will be better weather tomorrow in Grand Turk. If not, I brought rain gear for just-in-case. Looks like that was a good call.

Day 4 At Sea

Since we had another day at sea, we slept late and instead of waiting to eat at the Palm Restaurant, we went to The Marketplace which is a buffet. After enjoying breakfast, we went to the informative presentation on the last two ports, Amber Cove and Grand Turk. There, we received information about how to get around the island, where to shop and things like that. 

Of course, we were twinning today too.

After that, Vaughn was off to another adventure while I choose to go back to the room and sit on our balcony. There is something so relaxing about watching the waves and feeling the ocean breeze. 

This is our first post-pandemic cruise and I, for one, am getting as much rest as possible! 

Day 3 Nassau, Bahamas

Today was our first stop in Nassau. Others started getting off the ship early, like 7:15am, we got up, had a leisurely breakfast and then went off the ship. I went to several stores looking for an after dinner drink called Nassau Royale. To my extreme disappointment, it was no longer being made. So, we walked around, I bought a hat and we ended up back at the boat. We were also twinning today so we had some nice conversations, both off and on the ship.

It was funny because we received compliments on the island too. One lady yelled a compliment out of the window from her car! We had a great time exploring and trying, in vain, to find some Nassau Royale liquor. We found out it is no longer made and I was disappointed because that was my main reasons for coming to Nassau. 

We have been so many times, this time we did not purchase much. I did get a hat because I left mine on the ship. We just had fun looking and talking with some of the locals.

We went back to the ship and had lunch at the marketplace.

After lunch we went back to the room for a needed break. Before long it was time for dinner. We went back to the Palm Restaurant. We had to make a reservation as we do every night we want to eat there. This was a new concept for me because we never had to do that before this sailing. But a lot of pre-COVID things are different post-COVID. 

The food was cooked just right and Vaughn enjoyed a steak while I had baked tilapia that was very good. 

It was cooked just right! And the veggies with it were very tasty too. I had a salad first, then the fish and then desserts, strawberry cheesecake and assorted fruit. I did not think I would finish it all but I did. 

Hubby said his steak was good. For his appetizer, he had escargot and the chocolate melting cake for dessert.

We went to see the show "Lovin' Vegas." It was high-flying acrobatics with singing and dancing. It was a high-energy show and the talent was awesome. 

We later ended our night on the balcony drinking hot chocolate/coffee.

Tomorrow is a sea day for us to explore the ship and participate in some of the on-board activities. 

Are you ready for your next vacation? It can be land or sea! Just go! Call me to assist with the arrangements! My number is 704-294-9150. Let's Go!

Shirt Spotlight!

Hubby got us shirts for the cruise. Just wanted to share.... It's a McMillian Thing, You Wouldn't Understand.

I love my job! I love cruises! If you love them too, call me so I can get you on your dream ship! Not sure, let's figure it out together. Call 704-294-9150. 

Day 2 (at Sea)

This morning was a leisure day at sea, slowly on our way to Nassau, Bahamas tomorrow. We sat on the balcony and watched swimming fish jump out of the water, fly a short distance and dive back into the water. It was such a delight to see so many of them. Sometimes it was one and sometimes a whole school of them!

For breakfast, we went to the Marketplace. They have a variety of foods and you can even have cooked-to-order omelets. 

After our late breakfast, we went to trivia and did very good. We almost had a perfect score (missed it by 3). But we had so much fun and the people around us joined in the fun. So that made the experience worth it.

By the time it was over, it was time for lunch. So we mad our way over to Guy's Burger Joint (deck 17 mid) for my pig patty!

Since I love bacon, what better way to have it than by making it into a burger!. They have all the fixings but because of my AIP lifestyle, I had it without the bun or cheese. It was still good though! I added lettuce, onions and pickles. Besides, I needed to save my cheating for the pepperoni 🍕 pizza I would have later.  Pizzeria del Capitano (deck 8 aft) is so good! And besides, I'm at sea its half the amount of calories as the ones back home. (Look it up, I'm not kidding...lol).

There is still so much to do and since I couldn't decide what to do, so I went to the room and rested my back. I was told it was a pulled muscle before I left home, but I was determined to come on this cruise so I am dealing with it. 

Anywho... tonight is our first formal night and I am excited we get to dress up for dinner. But for now, I am relaxing on the balcony enjoying the breeze and just thankful to be here.

Are you ready to relax yet? Call me at 704-294-9150 (next week, I cruising right now) and I can make it happen for you! You can also like my Facebook page @BMacTravel and message me there. What are you waiting for? LET'S GO!!

Do you know what today (11/26) is?

It's our anniversary! And we are ready to celebrate on a newer ship, Carnival's Mardi Gras. Vaughn has been wanting to go on it since it came out. We saved so much on our insurance ($2400 a year) Vaughn said, that's enough for us to go on a cruise. So I booked it! And here we are, celebrating our 19th anniversary on a cruise ship. The ship is nice so far. Hubby had a couple of surprises when we walked into the room but they were out of one of them but the other one 2 beautiful wine glasses with Carnival etched on them.

Mardi gras has some friendly people and all the staff I have been in contact with has been very nice and accommodating. 

Things on the ship are different now. The last time I went on a cruise, everyone had to go to the muster station together. Now, you go when you first get on-board, you go to your muster station and they check you in with an iPad. You watch a brief demonstration on how to put on the life vest and you are done. It is so much better and efficient than before. After that, it was time to explore the ship. We went to several different decks to get a feel for what complimentary dining was available as well as other options that cost additional money. 

We first tried the food at the marketplace. Then I had some ice cream and had to try their delicious pizza. It did not disappoint. Hubby tried Shaq's Big Chicken restaurant and said it was good. We have more adventures tomorrow so stay tuned! 

Are you ready for your next adventure? Call or text me at 704-294-9150 and lets put together a trip for you! What are you waiting for? Let's Go!

Pre-anniversary Shenanigans-part 2

Today we went from Savannah, GA to Port Canaveral, FL. Before leaving Savannah, we stopped to eat at Perkins and made a quick trip to Walmart. That is one thing about us, we will find a Walmart for those last few things we left at home. So, we got to our last destination before getting on a big ship tomorrow. Tonight we are staying at Radisson Resort at the Port. It is not exactly a resort, in my opinion, but they do have a restaurant on site as well as plenty of parking in the back and nice sized rooms. They also allow you to park and they will transport you to and from the cruise terminal. It is very convenient and for that reason, we like to stay here when we are going on a cruise.