IamMrsOz

So many of us with first cruises on the Mardi Gras. I was 15 and it must have been the summer of 1986. I remember the main casino had an age requirement (not strictly enforced) but that they had a room of slot machines for any age. I won a $50 jackpot in the nickle slots. I remember our Maitre 'd always seemed to be hitting on me which kind of grossed me out (being 5 10" I was generally mistaken for being older). I was pretty shy and didn't mingle much for the first part of the cruise but my 11 year old brother was all over the ship doing contests and what not.

This leads to my main story:

So the last night I was feeling like I really needed to step out of my comfort zone and mingle even though I was by myself (meaning no teenage girlfriends to be my partners in crime). So I went to the disco and eventually met some guy there, I think he was 18. We danced a little and then went out for a walk. At this point I really have paid no attention to the passage of time. We are having our romantic "Love Boat" style promenade talk by the rail and he suggests we head to the top deck to "look for the lights of Fort Lauderdale". I'm not sure if I was naive or was interested in being a little wild (for me this was wild) so we went up, looked around a bit, and proceeded to make out in a deck chair for some amount of time and must have eventually fallen aslee because the next thing I know I'm being awoken by my little brother with a crew member who radios off to somewhere that they have found me.

I guess when my mom awoke at 3:45 and I wasn't in the cabin she freaked out and there had been a search going on for me for some time. My mom was hysterical, for good reason, thinking I was being raped in a cabin or thrown overboard or any number of things that could legitimately have been happening. So, by the time I was dragged back to her she slammed me up against the wall asked what was on my neck (my first hickies....perfect timing) and where the hell had I been.

Now that I have daughters of my own (even if they are preschoolers) I know that I would do much worse to them if they tried to pull a stunt like that. I don't think they would even have the freedom to attempt it!!

This story is dragged out of the vault whenever it seems appropriate to embarrass me. It was recited again this past week as we were discussing this first cruise upon returning from the Carnival Glory. My parents watched our little ones so there was opportunity to reminisce about the Mardi Gras. I do remember the desert productions. Flaming Cherries Jubilee and the Baked Alaska, etc.

I also have some pics I'll scan in. I agree that the ship seemed huge. The Glory is more than 4 x the tonnage!! I went alot of years without cruising. My parents did more after that first one but they went without us! My next cruise was the Greek Islands on Orient Lines for my honeymoon in 99. Since then we have done 3 more Carnival cruises. The last two with another couple we really enjoy travelling with. It's a great time no matter what but I felt the Glory was too big. I liked the Pride much better. I'll have to tell my dad about the Mardi Gras being scrapped. He had said he thought she was too old to still be out there.

So, that's my story...I'll scan the pics soon.

Cynthia

I'm with Otto! LEt's boil this down. We are in Key West May 7 and need tart, pale, graham cracker crust, and whipped cream that is affordable (I might buy a whole pie to bring back on board to make up for the lack luster desserts served on board) and not too far off the beaten path.

Cynthia