CruzinScotty

Here's the American Feast Dessert Menu. Creme Brulee is back by popular demand. And it's now on Elegant Night instead of the first night:

But, before we eat. It's time for some fun!

The Staff sang "Celebration" by Kool and the Gang. The crew pictures didn't come out, but a neighboring table was really getting into the groove:

Let's start with the Coffee Cream Cake. I think this is new?

How about a healthy fruit plate with some orange sherbert:

The Malted Chocolate Hazelnut Cake is definitely new; it is quite good:

The picture of my single Creme Brulee didn't come out well. So, I guess you'll just have to do with the "Two is better than one version". LOL

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Tonight, at my end of the table, it was all Surf or Turf.

Here's some Prime Rib:

And with a Loaded Baked Potato:

Next, on to the Lobster; up close and personal:

It's OK to order two. By the time I cut my first one, they delivered the second so I could plate them together:

It's just the tail, so the serving size is small. But, the shrimp added to fill out the dish are quite delicious.

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On American Feast nights; your entree comes with sides:

Let's start with some appetizers!

This was a favorite all week long:

This is the Baby Spinach salad with Blue Cheese. It was quite Delish!

The last appetizer pic is the Fried Oysters. This is one where you definitely wish the serving size was larger:

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I've heard a lot of good things about our Cruise Director. Both on the "Favorite Cruise Director" thread on CC and from John Heald's Blog which recently highlighted Cory a week or so before our trip.

I've never had a Cruise Director do anything to dampen my cruise. But, I can only name two Cruise Directors that I've had; and the other one no longer works for Carnival.

I've also never had a need to speak to the Cruise Director. But, with my new-found solo-cruising and the need to ask a few questions; I decided to go talk with him after the Dr. Seuss show.

He goes by the name Cory "Family Guy" Rogers. I guess he does look like him; but I think he's a younger Drew Carey myself.

Here he is in one of the many "hats" a Cruise Director wears:

I wanted to ask Cory if he remembered when two specific events were. One is the Veteran's Meet. It's sometimes hard to find in the Fun Times and I didn't want us to miss it. I also wanted to know when the Harry Potter Trivia was; this was mentioned in John Heald's profile of Cory. He was very personable and said that both events were on the 2nd sea day. I mentioned to him that my Dad is WWII vet and we're celebrating his 90th birthday this trip.

After this, I couldn't resist this pic. Though I did resist making a purchase. LOL

Next I went a visit-in'. First to Ma and Pa's room. They wanted a picture of their matching shirts. They always get compliments on them and are asked where they got them because people are trying to get ones like them:

They got a pic of me as well. Such a relaxing pose and view, huh?

This shirt was purchased at Ron Jon's in Grand Turk (our destination tomorrow!)

Next, I visited Pop and W'ma for a bit. Then, I had to get ready for Formal Night.

Many of us brought our own wine with us to dinner several nights. Tonight was such a night.

Next, this evening's menu.

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I love the tea Rex shirt :)

I do too. She purposely saved that shirt for Afternoon Tea.

great review of your vacation....cant wait to see and read more!

Thanks!

I love the feedback and can see people are reading.

Don't be shy about joining in on the conversation. The more the merrier. :D

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Carnival has just added Dr. Seuss to it's line up of activities for the young and young at heart.

Today, there was Story Time called:

They had a parade including the kids. It started back in the Victoria Lounge, went along the Promenade and ended in the Venetian Lounge. EC was in the casino; he said it stretched 100 yards. Just think how long it would be during the summer with a lot more kids cruising.

Here is more of the Dr. Seuss set:

Today's show is starring:

So, they have a fellow cruisers fill in for The Cat and The Fish. And two adorable kids standing in for Thing 1 and Thing 2 (see, I told you there was a connection with my nieces stage names. ;) ) I must say, the guy portraying The Cat was just perfect. You can tell he must be a Dad; he went along with the reading of the book, done by Cory Rogers, our Cruise Director:

Look how The Cat can balance all those things at one time. LOL

This was a fun experience.

Next, time to meet "The Family Guy"

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DSIL LOVES Tea Time on sea days. She made it clear she was going every day. Today, we had a table of eight.

I asked her how she can go to tea so late in the afternoon (3PM) and still be able to eat again around six? She cautioned me that this is a "light" snack.

There were usually two sandwhich choices, cucumber and smoked salmon:

And, here is the dessert cart they bring around:

I believe I only had the smoked salmon and the blueberry tart. Both were great. Our group tried just about everything; it was all wonderful.

We also had a great view:

We also had some great servers. It turns out that Nathaly and Mile are BOTH assigned to the Afternoon Tea this cruise. Lucky for us!

I'm not much of a tea drinker. I asked for the Orange Spice. Mile suggested I add the Earl Grey and mix them. I must say, it was a great recommenation.

And, as you can tell, on of our "Things" knows her tea as well:

A fun time was had by all.

Next, it's time to see those "mischevious Thing's"

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So, this is our 3rd year in a row doing a family reunion cruise.

This year, we moved from the date June to September because earlier this month:

Pop celebrated his 90th birthday!!!

You can tell I and the entire family are VERY proud of him. We’ve got some celebrating to do; you’ll see more later.

But, we're getting to a point where you need to know this info before we continue with our story.

Coming soon: Seuss-a-pa-WHAT????

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(written by Al Anderson, Stephen Bruton and Sharon Vaughn)

Have you heard of this song? I’m a huge fan of both artists; it’s one of my favorite songs. I post it on my personal Facebook page every year on my birthday.

Back, in 2003; Alan Jackson featured Jimmy Buffett on a little song I bet you HAVE heard of: “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere”.

With that success, Jimmy won his first “award” of ANY KIND at the Country Music Awards.

So, in 2004, Jimmy Bufffett decided to do a country album, “License to Chill”. This album, by the way, is his ONLY album to hit #1 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart.

Anyways, Trip Around the Sun was the 2nd single released. His producers (I believe) asked him if he would do a video for this song. He said, “only if I can film it at the beach”.

The song was released as a late summer song. But then there were the hurricanes. In 2004, Florida was hit by 4 hurricanes in one year: Charley, Frances, Jeanne and Ivan. So, trying to co-ordinate two busy artists and “running from hurricanes”, the video wasn’t shot until October.

Jimmy’s wife is from South Carolina, so it makes sense to film here, right? (Especially with all the hurricane damage all over Florida).

Remember my tie-dye t-shirt from Cocoa Beach? Here’s a closer look at the logo:

This is MY favorite local beach.

So, when two of my favorite artists get together to record a music video at my favorite local beach; well – it’s just pure heaven. :D

If you don’t know the song, go look for the video. Jimmy does all of the flying in it. If you decide to watch, you’ll understand why Martina declined to ride with him :eek:

The reason I’m posting this song will be explained in the next post. Thanks for sticking with me and my indulgences. ;)

"Trip Around The Sun"

[Jimmy:]

Hear 'em singing happy birthday

Better think about the wish I make

This year gone by

Ain't been a piece of cake.

[Martina:]

Every day's a revolution

Pull it together and it comes undone

Just one more candle and a trip around the sun.

[Jimmy and Martina:]

I'm just hanging on while this old world keeps spinning

And it's good to know it's out of my control.

If there's one thing that I've learned from all this living

Is that it wouldn't change a thing if I let go.

[Martina:]

No you never see it coming,

Always wind up wondering where it went.

[Jimmy:]

Only time will tell

If it was time well spent.

It's another revelation,

[Martina:]

Celebrating what I should have done

With these souvenirs of my trip around the sun.

[Martina and Jimmy:]

I'm just hanging on while this old world keeps spinning

And it's good to know it's out of my control.

If there's one thing I have learned from all this living

Is that it wouldn't change a thing if I let go.

[Jimmy:]

Yes I'll make a resolution

[Martina:]

That I'll never make another one.

[Jimmy and Martina:]

Just enjoy this ride on my

Trip around the sun.

Just enjoy this ride

On my trip around the sun...

Trip around the sun.

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It's time to split of for awhile. Some relaxed and read, some went to trivia, some to the casino.

I went to my cabin and took the only nap I would take the entire trip! Ah, vacation.

Next, it's time to head up to the Gym. I've only ever done the treadmill once; so it was nice to see it wasn't crowded.

Most of the songs you'll see me mention, I really did have set on my i-pod for this trip. So, for my workout song; I'm missing my honey - we're gonna go with:

Crazy Lucky (By Better than Ezra, written by Kevin Griffin)

There are six and three quarter billion people in this world

And 51 percent of them are girls

You roll your eyes like I'm full of it,

But I Googled that “stuff”

And if the world is four times bigger than the moon

Then tell me, how on Earth did I find you

With just two grains of sand blowing on the beach

Damn that's deep.

It's like faith, God, or The Big Bang

It's just one of them things that you can't explain

And I don't need to know why

Maybe we're crazy crazy lucky,

Maybe we're crazy crazy lucky.

And I'm just one in a billion guys

But the way, the way you love

Has got me feeling crazy crazy lucky

Feeling like oh oh oh

Like we're crazy lucky

**Time to share a secret I heard on CC**

I learned this four cruises ago and enough people either don't listen, or don't want to try it: the showers in the Gym are larger than the ones in the regular size cabins.

It's formal night, time to get all nice and cleaned up.

But, we don't want to forget about more pictures from our morning walking tour:

Here's a good pic of just how early I was up and how bright the sky is to the west:

Now, look at the jumbo-tron. See the green rain east of Florida by the Upper Bahamas. That's what we were heading thru later when we were at the rear pool/hot tub:

Another picture of the Serenity area:

The casino:

Money, Money, Money:

Finally, a picture of the Golden Olympian Dining Room:

Coming up: A little detour.

One of the things we like about Brunch is that it is in the rear, Silver Dining Room. With ATD, we're in the forward Gold Dining Room.

We like getting our full use of the ship!

So, I've seen on the boards and asked our EC's; the Steak and Eggs seems to be a VERY good dish. I'm recommending it to everyone.

So, what did I order???????

Huevos Ranchos!?!?!?

Well, gosh, I can get steak and eggs at home and I've never had this dish. I will say I enjoyed it immensely.

I also got a pic of a partially started omlette:

And, of course, many of our gang DID order the steak and eggs:

Every person that ordered it today said it was great and cooked exactly as ordered!

Now, I'll tell you; I was so busy with conversation that I didn't really READ the menu thoroughly. Did you realize that the "steak" in "steak and eggs" is actually FILET MIGNON?

I had....no....idea. I'm glad we're coming back for a repeat performance.

So, on to desserts.

Here's a repeat of the Banana Cream Pie I showed earlier when I was posting a few random pics to hold you until we got on the ship:

We all found this to be good. I think we've had better, it was a little more "gelatenous" than the creamy version we're used to. It may have to do with the difficulty in making mass production of "cream" pies.

And, lastly, we have the Caramelized Cheesecake:

DSIL and I had a plan this morning, she ordered the cheesecake while I ordered the banana cream pie. We split both of them. The cheesecake was VERY good.

Do you see the dallops on there? They are NOT caramel. They are coffee flavored. I, of course, didn't care for it. But, other coffee lovers in the group didn't care for it either. YMMV

Next, a little relaxation time, more morning pictures, they let animals on the ship?, and - YES - we do eat again before dinner. :D

Bye for now everyone!

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If you're cruised on Carnival at least one other time, you receive a coupon for a free drink. They encourage you to use the coupon at the Brunch; most of us did. If you prefer to be alcohol-free; you can order virgin versions of drinks. I believe some of us may have gotten smoothies last year as well.

I think you can also get your free drink from the Atrium Lobby Bar. Our Dining Room bar staff said it could also be used at dinner.

Here are a few of our choices this morning.

A nice Pina Colada or a Rum Punch puts you in a tropical mood, right?

Or, is a Long Island Iced Tea or a Mojito more to your liking?

I'm seeing the pics fine... What are you seeing?

In post 102 there are two pics of the entree menu and a repeat of the upside down banana.i think the banana is supposed to be the pastry basket and the second entree menu is supposed to be the dessert one. Not messy, mixed up. I think my son distracted me and I mis(spoke) typed.

Anyone else having trouble seeing the pics in the order I posted them?

When I look at them, they are as I described them and as Shaded Lady sees.

I did know that I've had trouble in the past with Photo Bucket. When I "moved" a picture of my 2008 report (this was WAY after that report was done); it did something squirrely. It removed EVERY single picture from that report.

So, I've been trying to be careful not to "move" things from where they are in Photo Bucket. We attended the Brunch twice; but I didn't take the menu pictures until the 2nd time. I'm hoping the fact that I'm adding pictures out of order from when they are downloading isn't causing a problem.

Please let me know what you're seeing.

Having said that; let's move on with our Brunch.

We decided to do two large meals today: brunch and dinner. Help yourself the rest of the day; hence my solo balcony breakfast earlier.

Let's look at the menu:

With Brunch, you order everything at once, including dessert.

What did you have, or would you have from this menu?

The pastry basket had been picked over pretty good by the time it got to me. :)

More pics coming soon.

Bye for now, everybody!

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I headed up to the adult pool. The water was a little chilly, but felt good if you kept moving. Thing 2 joined me; then a few others came and we got in the hot tub. We were chatting and noticed how cloudy it was.

Then, we heard a siren. What is that? I got out to hear better. This is the sound were were hearing:

The back pool's retractable roof is great! It helped keep us out of the storm. I hope the rain comes thru on this pic:

This was the one bathing suit photo I was allowed to take:

There's actually 6 of us in the photo. Three in the hot tub and three watching looking out the back of the boat. I just LOVE that the Conquest class ships have so much shaded areas by the adult pool. We really missed that on the Dream last year.

It was quite a storm. We started hearing thunder, we stayed in the tub. With the first LARGE - BOOM - we had the sense to get out. Then, the lightning hit. We went thru quite a storm for a few minutes.

Thankfully, it was heading west and we were heading east. The girls decided they had had enough. I visited with the family for a few minutes, then I was back in the hot tub and pool about 20 minutes later.

I chatted with people from Iowa and New York. I don't know what it is about a cruise that is different than other vacations. It just seems so much easier to strike up a conversation with complete strangers. Are any of you out there? I know many of the people I met over the week are on Cruise Critic. I didn't join the Roll Call because I knew I wouldn't get to meet people that way because this trip was about being with my family.

I'm surprised with the other pool out in the open that the adult pool area did not become more crowded. I guess the storm really clouded people's minds. LOL But, we sure had fun.

Soon, I had to go get cleaned up.

Time for our first Food Meet of the day!

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So, after my walk; I decided to do something "new to me". I've never taken food from the buffet and eaten on my balcony.

It's time for a light breakfast:

YUM, I just LOVE me some banana bread. It was a little drier this year than on the Dream last year. But, it had enough flavor that it was still very good.

Now: Useless information you find on the internet!

So, you didn't see how short the stem on my banana:

They can just be SO difficult to open this way. I recently learned this trick. You turn the banana upside down and peel it from the bottom. How easy!

I REALLY enjoyed the peace and quiet of eating on the balcony. I just might have to do this again. ;)

***Warning: Unusual Packing Advice up ahead***

You'll notice that I don't have a lot of posts on Cruise Critic. I have learned a lot of great info, and you can see I've been a member since June of 2007.

I looked at lots and lots of info on packing lists and one item caught my eye: DUCT TAPE. Hmmm, it seems like such an unusual thing to carry with you. But, in four cruises since then; I have used it twice. On my first Liberty Cruise in 2008, we went to Dunn's River Falls in Ocho Rios. I had a little trouble climbing the falls and messed up my big toe-nail. We stopped to by gauze and antibiotic ointment. But, we forgot actual bandages or tape. Having a silver coated toe the rest of the trip looked a little strange - but hey. It worked.

I also used DUCT TAPE on this trip; you'll have to wait a bit to see just what I did with it this time. ;)

Anyways, it's time for:

But...... there's storm clouds ahead..... DUN DUN DUN......

To show I did get some exercise; here's some pics from around the ship that were all taken this morning.

Who doesn't love the Whale Tail?

From the back up to the Serenity area:

Next, early touring means the slide hasn't opened yet. It's even too early for the chair hogs (which I didn't really notice that much of this trip):

A nice tropical picture from the front stairwell:

This "might" be the last picture of the lights. LOL There' all different colors this time:

This is in the Atrium Lobby. We spent time here during Mardi Gras and waiting for other trivia events:

I took more pictures; but I'll share them later - somewhere in between all the food we've got to see!

A few more food pics to hold you the rest of the day.

BANANA BREAD!!! And, notice how sea, how "muffins" become "GLORIOUS Muffins" You see - that sea air DOES make things taste better. LOL

Bye for now everybody!

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I went for a long walk this morning and took lot of pics, I'll share some now:

Before I left the cabin, I had a sofa for the first time!

Then, I never realized The lights on the Piano Bar keyboards move as well:

This seems like a random picture in the stairwell. It is - but you WILL see this picture again. LOL

I ALWAYS take a picture of this guy:

I tend to get up early when cruising. Just too much fun to be had.

I like to take pics of the maps on the TV so show where we are. Sunday morning:

I got up early most days, trying to catch the sunrise.

We're heading east until we stop in St. Maarten. Until then were......

Chasing the Sun (By The Wanted, written by Alex Smith and English rapper Example)

We've only just begun

Hypnotized by drums

Until forever comes

You'll find us chasing the sun

They said this day wouldn't come

We refused to run

We've only just begun

You'll find us chasing the sun

Here, with just the right clouds in the east; you can get an actual sunrise. These pics may seem out of order; but they aren't:

Sunday, September 14th: Fun Day at Sea & Elegant Evening

Very fun review! I have no plans to go on this ship anytime soon, but your fun writing style and LOTS of pics drew me in! When are you done working?.....

Thanks! I've read reviews on ships I've not been on when I find one I like. It's a great way to hold you over until your next cruise, right?

Another long day today, then - weather depending - some yard work.... :(

Trying to get a few more pics up before I head out.

So, one of our family’s favorite recent additions to the Carnival line is "The Punch Liner Comedy Club presented by George Lopez". Any show starting at 9PM or after is “adults only”. “If you are easily offended, or under 18, this is not the place for you to be”.

There’s only one show tonight, at 10:30, HAPPY COLE. He was quite happy, and funny too. This show had language, but was not as crude as some shows can be.

After the show, it’s time to head to the lido for some ice cream. There’s ALWAYS room for ice cream, right? I think most of our gang ended up there at some point in the evening most nights. We were just pretty spread out by then.

Now it’s time to head to the room to find this guy:

So, do you like Towel Animals? I hope so. I like them, DW likes them; my entire family likes them. You WILL see more towel animals in this report! :D

Anyways, I have an evening ritual that I did with DW and as a solo cruiser. Once I retire to the room, I spend time journaling the activities of the day. Then, I spend some time on the balcony with my i-pod to get some total relaxation in. It has been a busy day, you know.

As I stated before, I’m without a scanner. So this is all you’re going to see of our Sunday Fun Times:

As Jen, the Comedy Club manager said, “Tomorrow is a day to remember NOT to get off of the ship” ;)

So tomorrow, we’ve got 3 official family meets planned – all involving food. :D And, an unofficial one as well. I don’t actually remember what the unofficial one is at the moment. But, it’s in my notes; so I’m sure we’ll get there eventually. LOL

We’ll end the night with one last pic. My new roommate decided to get into the Mardi Gras mood as well:

Bye for now, everybody!

So, as we got out of dinner, some of us went into the Art Gallery to look around for a few minutes. Then we headed to the Atrium where the LIVE band was playing:

If you look in the middle, you can see our Cruise Director, Cory Rogers.

We’re just in time for Mardi Gras! I think I need to get some beads:

Another pic of the Atrium – I don’t think we’ve haven’t seen purple yet. LOL Can you see the red streamers and a crew member tossing beads below the “Pixels” sign?

GOSH – that was short. After the beads were gone, so was the band. HMMMPH. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.

Ok, so DW is normally the photo-bug on the trip; and she likes to support the Carnival photography crew as well. I did my duty to go up and take a quick look at the pics. Nothing worth buying today; but I did notice the new signs. They’re GREAT. It makes it MUCH easier to find things – don’t you think?

Next, some of us headed to the Gift Shop. If you read my 2012 report, I have a pet peeve. I like t-shirts and I LOVE t-shirts with the SHIP’S name on it. I got one on the Carnivale in 1978 (pictured in the 2012 report) and I got one the Liberty in 2008. In 2012 – no Liberty t-shirts. Only “Carnival” ones. Last year, I did get a Dream shirt that was a package deal with a baseball cap. I found those again; but I also found another bright blue Liberty t-shirt. Can’t believe I didn’t take a picture. Color me – happy!

A few of us went to Bingo in the Victoria Lounge. I don’t have luck here, so I just watched.

Next, It’s time to get Happy again.

My, we do like our desserts! First, lets see tonight’s menu. On American Table nights, you have a separate dessert menu. At the top are the options for tonight:

Note: The Pie ala Mode is a different pie each night. It's the Chef's choice. He had a nice selection. Tonight's pie was apple. I don't believe we tried the pie tonight.

Then, at the bottom, you have Special Cocktails and Specialty Coffees. This bottom portion is exactly the same every night, so I won’t post more pictures of this part after tonight:

In addition, what you DON’T see on the menu that is still available: vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and butter pecan ice cream. As well as Lime, orange and one other sherbert (I believe pineapple). AND, don’t forget – you can order dessert from the Children’s menu which has banana splits and cookies!

So, with the new menus are a few new desserts.

Let’s start with the Warm Date and Fig Pudding. I wanted to try this. I am sad to say that this dessert fell into the dry category. The sauce helped, but I only ate a small portion of it. I guess this is more of the English version of a pudding, not the American kind at all.

Next, let’s look at the new Nutella Tiramisu (Roasted hazelnuts, caramel). I don’t care for coffee, so even with the description, I thought these were in ADDITION to the coffee flavoring. Nope – no coffee at all. I didn’t order this; but someone graciously let me take a small bite. BOY OH BOY – do I wish I had ordered this instead of the Figgy Pudding. LOL

And, finally, the first picture I posted on this trip report was a single picture of the Warm Chocolate Melting Cake. That was mine; I ordered two desserts most nights!

But, if one WCMC is good…. And you’re going to order two desserts the first night; then two is better:

Bye for now, everybody!