SoCalKJ

There is a little building which has some different vendors inside immediately after you get off the ship...no biggie, though. Once you get onto the main avenue, your options will be endless.

Does anything that goes to Alaska EVER have a discount? :rolleyes:

Yes. :-)

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Love the pics, especially FaceTime with Hubby! So cute lol

I did one with him last November when a friend and I went.

I've done several inspirational solo cruises. On the room service menu, do they have creme caramel as a dessert? Love the new Tervis cup

 

I'm sorry...I zoned in on the fruit and the assorted chocolate chip cookies that (as someone in another post referred to them) were reminiscent of Chips Ahoy. I think I saw chocolate cake, too...but I can't remember ALL the options. Sorry, darlin'! :confused:

You just planted a dangerous seed my friend.

 

Hmm... weekend cruise escapes that include a spa, tea time, room service, adults only sun deck, dancing, shows, and food you don't have to cook. Not to mention the part about having no one to answer to.

It was nothing short of AMAZING. All of the above...on my schedule...for a price I could live with! :p

Actually, I was on the Inspiration this past weekend and while hanging out on the Serenity Deck before Muster, two separate, but equally annoying things happened from 2 decks up (in non-smoking areas): first thing, dude was smoking a joint right there...smell just saturated the entire area...until a Serenity deck monitor caught him. The second...not 20 minutes later...another regular cigarette smoker flicked his ash from same deck up and it landed right in my lap as I laid there on a lounger.

This time I was fuming. I turned around and notified someone wearing an orange life-vest-y-thingie and all he told me was to start heading towards my muster station. :mad:

Pot and cigarette smoking isn't the world's worst things, but they really ruin the overall decorum of the cruising experience. I like fresh air. Period. I sure wish the ship would've done a little more for you guys to make the experience a little less traumatic!

Looks like the ole gal could use a paint job. ;)

 

 

 

Hope you have a great cruise!

Thank you....it was mah-velous!

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Just how much luggage did you take?:D

Not enough!

I have done many solo's on the Inspiration and always had a great time too.

You know what: I could totally get used to it. DH and I have opposing work schedules, but I'm thrilled that he approved this!

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Last evidence of a happy passenger. I actually took a ton of elegant photos Saturday night. This is the only one that hid the most flaws, showed the most personality and shined all of my (almost) 43 years. I've had quite a life and I can honestly smile with sincere gratitude that this is evidence of what God has blessed me with thus far.

Having said all of that: welcome to Monday:

Last breakfast (until July).

It is salmon. I smile.

It's just so pretty.

Remember what I said about the very first ship selfie??

Anyway, it was a remarkable weekend. I didn't get enough sleep, because frankly, I never do on a ship. So much to do, so much to see...but I did spend more time on Serenity (even sat in the hot tub a couple times with different people...and chatted!), I went to different activities that I never did before....I even sat in the 2nd row center during one of the comedy shows so I was definitely taking it ALL in!

I went to the nightclub to enjoy the hour long tribute to Michael Jackson...got there 3/4 of the way in after a little farewell karaoke and you know what? I didn't hear ONE MJ song. Oh well...I managed to get my groove on anyway for about an hour. I don't normally dance on the ship, because DH doesn't dance, but I most definitely left a mark on the dance floor (even if it was WAY off to the side!).

That's that. Any questions, comments, etc.? Lemme know. Thanks for reading!

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SOAS #2: Name That Classic Rock Trivia. 19/20! Tripped up by "Green Onions" by Booker T & The M.G.'s. Dang it!!! Know the tune...brain-farted the title! Grrrrr!

Love & Marriage Show. Poor Jase, our CD: finding couples to participate was almost impossible. I'm surprised he didn't just tell everyone to screw it after a while! LOL! One couple lied about how long they were married. They originally said 20, but it turned out the wife felt guilty and fessed up that they had been married 44. They met in elementary school. LOL! Finally turned out to be a good show...finally.

Tea Time. I guess a photo of a tea bag kinda does make it porn, huh?

Sunday evening's final towel animal. It's really winding down!

Couldn't help myself!

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Hand towel instead of full body towel...guess my 2-piece animal will be a little special....

Your guess at this point is as good as mine...

Oh, duh, turn it around....

Are you figuring it out?

NAILED IT!

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Sunday Laundry. One free bag done ($15 savings for being platinum).

Towel Animal Folding Exhibit. Never gone before...fun to do.

Better angle...

A gal threw me a couple towels upstairs into the nose bleed section...watch the magic happen...

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Okay, so maybe I HAVEN'T done everything in Ensenada.

$25 and you can hold one and get all the pics you can take with your own device (+ one they give you).

I guess for $25, random weirdos, like me, can take pics of your experience, also!

SOAS #1. Not my personal best, but who wants to admit they watch EVEN THIS MUCH tv?

Platinum Tervis Gift (to the poster who was told 3-day cruisers don't get 'em anymore...not so) and an animal I would try to make Sunday....

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Friday Night's First Animal and stuff...

Good Morning!! Best part of waking up....on a cruise...always tip a few bucks, also!

Ensenada...didn't do much. Been there 7 times now...walked a bit...hit the grocery store and that was about it.

Feeling inspired?

We have company!

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Yep...they definitely tore it open to make sure it was, in fact, Diet 7-Up.

Spa/Gym Sinks.

Spa/Gym Showers...for those who want extra space.

Gym.,.plenty of equipment available! I ate! So I forced myself to earn that second Lobster! :-)

Had it alone once. :-(

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Dessert Buffet Porn.

Busted for taking dessert buffet porn pics. Punishment: caramel cheesecake. I accept consequence.

Empty Serenity Deck: common on day 1. Best time to go.

LBC behind me!

Gratuitous FaceTime proof so hubby can see that I really did take a cruise! :-)

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Could not wait for morning room service!!

Life is too short to not enjoy the simple things!

This NEVER changes....EVER.

Diana is still at the Queen Mary! Still!

Mongolian Wok. My goal was to stay relatively healthy this time. Kinda worked...

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Watch for the last picture. Same boat, different face.

Hello Carnival Inspiration! We're not going to Alaska, but you'll do just fine!

Lots of toothpaste! What're they trying to say? Did my dentist call 'em? Breathe Right..more soap (really?)...

R-150. No big deal, but it's ALL MINE!!

No...thank you!

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I'm gonna change my style up a bit: more pics, less words. I'll write a few things that have changed (from the last 5 Inspiration sailings I've taken to now) and then just keep the rest brief.

No Superstar Live anymore (karaoke with the live band). Ashley, the Karaoke host said it was a decision made by the higher-ups...don't know if this is Carnival-wide, but it sure sucked to not have it available Friday night.

MDR menu: definitely took some getting used to. Food is still good, but seems the options each evening are less. Friday Night's Lasagna Bolognese is now just called "Beef Lasagna"...pretty much the same, but well, you know.

Pleasantly surprised at how quiet the boat was. Either most guests were trying to be on their best behavior to honor Jesus this Easter weekend or most people were just on their best behavior...PERIOD! There were the random jackarses (pot smoker 2 floors above the Serenity deck, regular smoker who flicked his ash from 2 floors up...that landed on my lap as I laid on the Serenity deck, the super drunk girl that was screaming obscenities at 2:00am waking up the ENTIRE RIVIERA deck...this went on for about 15 minutes...finally went out to see the commotion near the elevators/stairwell and security was there yelling 'em right back at her...someone finally got a bright idea to close the divider so we could all go back to sleep....you know...the usual.). However, for a "booze cruise" it was MELLOW! Thank you, Jesus! Literally: thank you Jesus!

MDR was my first time in Carnivale instead of Mardi Gras. I switched my assignment during the Friday window (12:30-4:00). The only dining option available for my last-minute booking was the Late Seating 8:15 slot, but I accepted the change in location to ensure I'd have a table to myself. I entertain for a living and really wanted to be left alone during dinner. I mix, mingle and socialize all around the ship, but at dinner, I wanted to be left alone. Okay, that's a half-truth: I knew I'd be eating for 2-3...I CAN EAT...and I just didn't want to worry about judgment! LOL!

I also spent more time in the gym and the dance club...no one else to wait for and I made sure I didn't gain too much this weekend! My thighs are still blazing! Who rips up the dance floor in high heels for over an hour Saturday night?!? This girl right here! I'm still asking myself, "Turn Down for What???!!?"

Names worth mentioning:

1. Tamara in Carnivale DR. She stepped up to the plate during the ridiculous cluster-eff of a first night. When they opened the doors, it was like the running of the bulls. It was slower and chaotic, but she was exceptional.

2. My room steward was Macline. Always kept my ice filled...and as someone jokingly wrote about the magical disappearance of even a tiny tissue the minute upon hitting the bottom of the waste bin...no matter what time of day...while I thought that poster was kidding, I'll be damned if I didn't notice it myself. In my case, it would be a random piece of dental floss or toothpick....BOOM! GONE! EVERY TIME! Thinking about it now, I wonder how many times he went inside my room above the morning clean and the evening turn down...? He was pleasant. Actually, super nice...but not the fun, funny character I'm used to having. Doesn't matter. He was good.

Ashley, karaoke host. Always been cool to me... He's been on 3 or 4 sailings with me now. I'd love him to stop whistling during people's instrumental breaks, but other than that, he's got a helluva ton of patience to do what I do on a regular basis. The difference: he entertains people on vacation...99% of 'em get to get away with that behavior. I could NOT host karaoke long. I'd lose my cool! Come to think of it, Ashley, keep whistling. If that keeps you centered, do it! :-)

Lee-entertainment director: dude swears he remembers me. I swear he's lying. :-)

Okay....photos to come.

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We're on the July 8th sailing. We didn't care for Ketchikan in 2011 so we're happy for longer visits at the other ports. Hell, as far as we're concerned, 7 Sea Days in Alaska would be better than a week at work! :-)

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Okay. I'm back! Will continue with a new review....eventually...I still need to get the luggage out of the car!

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And, of course, FaceTime with DH, my best friend, so he can see proof that I'm actually onboard!

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Should I just call this my review-as-I-go?

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