Adventures on the Carnival Conquest… a review of the Sep 26 7 day cruise to Cozumel

[ricskill]

Outstanding, just outstanding, as usual Mach

[*Mach*]

We returned to our cabin with good intentions of partying the night away but instead we changed clothes and headed out to prowl the ship a bit. There were Crazies in evidence everywhere and that’s one of the best things about these group cruises, regardless of who leads them… friends. There’s always a familiar face about to stop and chat with, exchange tidbits about the events of the day, casino action, people they met, etc. and this evening the kids were out in force. It was almost like they had chosen stations to guard throughout the ship… Crazies in the Lobby, Crazies at each bar on the Promenade, including the coffee bar, Crazies on the aft end of the Lido Deck and, of course, Crazies at the Crazies table across from the bar on the starboard side of the Lido near the pool. If anyone ever wanted to find Walter and Ginnie, or Walter, or Ginnie that was the place to look. I think Walter had his name engraved on the chair.

 

It became tradition to check in at the Crazies table. It was like a clearing house for information. If I was looking for Stitch… ask at the table… the same was true for pretty much anyone else. ‘Anyone seen Elaina and Keith?’ ‘Yep… they went that way about five minutes ago.’ It was great… kind of a no tech version of social networking on board.

 

Ooooo… allow me to digress for just a bit. As I said, Crazies were everywhere and they did a brilliant job of representing us but none more brilliant than Hillie’s husband, Robert. Robert SMOKED the competition in the Hairy Man Contest… blew ‘em out of the water!!! There were ten entrants and, I’ve got to say, several were quite good but Robert is a dacnin’ machine! The ladies loved it and Robert played it to the hilt. The video played all week on the cabin TVs and it was an absolute hoot. I loved the way it closed… Robert standing in front of his own image on the SeaSide Theater singing Queen’s brilliant ‘We Are The Champions’ Kudos and congratulations to Robert, our new King of the Hairy Men. Some of you may remember that another Crazie stalwart, Sixgun8, won the competition in fine form last year for the Crazies. We are now two for two… battin’ 1000.

 

OK… back to the ‘present.’ We enjoyed a couple of drinks with our friends, discussed the events of the next day and headed back to our cabin. Both Stitch and I have less that bullet proof backs so a bit of downtime was in order and it was about midnight, anyway.

 

As normal, the Towel Animal fairy had visited and left us a new friend…

 

 

TV on… lights out and in short order we were out as well. About 3 AM or so I woke up and visited the balcony to enjoy the black shimmering sea. In our wake I could see occasional white flashes a few degrees above the horizon… thunderstorms were brewing somewhere over the southern Gulf of Mexico. Such things are amazing to watch as they appear out of the black, lighting the interior of the cloud like Chinese lanterns for a few brief seconds before retreating into the darkness again. Little things like that leave a lasting impression on me… something that will claw its way to the surface as a memory some day in the future to force a smile on my face. Good stuff, to be sure.

 

I was able to get about another 45 minutes sleep after coming in from my starboard side perch and as we both began the new day I returned to our verandah. It was wet. It seems that one of those showers that were well aft of us popped up over our heads while I snoozed. The sky didn’t wear the crystal blue of the previous day, it was a bit gray and sullen, and the seas were no longer mirror flat. The waves were still small, perhaps three feet or so, no where near enough for the Conquest to even notice. Instead, the bow flung the water aside generating lacey blue-white foam extending from the bow to the stern and off into our wake.

 

[*Mach*]

Outstanding, just outstanding, as usual Mach

 

 

Thanks so much.

I'm thrilled that you're enjoying it...

:)

[amysb]

Oh, please, Mach, may I PLEASE get "SWATTED" too?? I was with you all on the Ecstasy in February! And definitely with you all in spirit on this one!

[*Mach*]

It’s gonna be a good day, Tater… fans of Ron White will understand.

 

Today is the Crazies Cocktail party… one hour of fairly frantic alcohol consumption paid for at the kingly price of $11.44 per person. Nearly immediately following is the Past Guest Party. Some folks don’t like this particular event… I LOVE it. To me, there’s nothing more fun than to be surrounded by hundreds of other folks, many whom I’ve sailed with, celebrating being on board again. Y’all may have noticed in the picture of our towel critter from the previous evening that there’s a good ol’ past guest ship pin there. Since the policy changed only Platinum passengers are give the pins. It was deemed a waste of money as hundreds of pins would be left behind in cabins only to be discarded by the cabin steward upon the guest’s departure.

 

I called this day ‘Freddy’s Day Out.’ You recall, I’m sure, Freddy dined with us the previous evening. He was quite generous and offered Marj, who was seated next to him, his desert. Nice guy, that Freddy. Anyway, Stitch, Freddy and I took off to see what fun we could have prior to the afternoon activities. As Freddy is not allowed on the balcony (it’s that whole blownin’ away issue…) he asked to get a chance to gaze at the sea from the windows on the Promenade…

 

 

Don’t you know… Freddy LOVES the sea.

 

He had run a bit short on cash and Jamaica being our first port of call he decided to hit up the ATM…

 

 

Keith and Elaina missed dinner the previous evening as Elaina was feeling a bit puny and he wanted to check on them. After all, Freddy IS the Ambassador of Fun and he was concerned that Elaina might not be getting her fair share…

 

 

Freddy was a bit parched from his duties so he bellied up to the Impressions bar, slapped down his Milestone card and ordered a refreshing rum and coke.

 

 

Stitch, Freddy and I sat there for about an hour listening to the fantastic music of Vibrations, Freddy’s favorite Calypso band. They were GREAT!!!

 

[tess2cruz]

Last year on the Crazies cruise, one of our tablemates, Snoozeman, encouraged me to try the pumpking soup, as I crinkled my nose at it! I am not a big squash/pumpkin fan, but thought what the heck. WOW, it was amazing!! I couldn't believe how good it was, and Mach's description was perfect. I will order everytime I cruise!. Thanks for the flashback, Mach.

[*Mach*]

Last year on the Crazies cruise, one of our tablemates, Snoozeman, encouraged me to try the pumpking soup, as I crinkled my nose at it! I am not a big squash/pumpkin fan, but thought what the heck. WOW, it was amazing!! I couldn't believe how good it was, and Mach's description was perfect. I will order everytime I cruise!. Thanks for the flashback, Mach.

 

 

Teri1... you need to be SWATTED!!!

 

:D

 

[tess2cruz]

Teri1... you need to be SWATTED!!!

 

 

:D

 

 

SWAT away, but be gentle!:)

[xkritter]

Thanks so much for the review. It is giving me a glimpse of the fun that awaits my husband and I in December. I can't wait to read more!!

[*Mach*]

Thanks so much for the review. It is giving me a glimpse of the fun that awaits my husband and I in December. I can't wait to read more!!

 

 

It's my pleasure!

Will this be y'all's first cruise?

 

:)

[KCMarie]

Mach, loving your review, I appreciate it! Patiently waiting for the rest and look forward to more, more more!

 

Can you tell me from where your Freddy originates? How does someone get a Freddy like that? I've never seen one and would love to have one to accompany me. You know, keep me out of trouble and be my escort...

[*Mach*]

Mach, loving your review, I appreciate it! Patiently waiting for the rest and look forward to more, more more!

 

Can you tell me from where your Freddy originates? How does someone get a Freddy like that? I've never seen one and would love to have one to accompany me. You know, keep me out of trouble and be my escort...

 

 

The folks on the Conquest were stunned to see Freddy. I don't know how many of the staff asked me where I got Freddy but it was a bunch. When we were on the Ecstasy in February on the Elegant evening we were standing outside of the Formalities Shop and I turned around to see Freddy in the window!!!

I HAD to have one... cost $9.95. Don't know why they aren't available on more ships but they sure aren't on the Conquest...

:)

[KCMarie]

The folks on the Conquest were stunned to see Freddy. I don't know how many of the staff asked me where I got Freddy but it was a bunch. When we were on the Ecstasy in February on the Elegant evening we were standing outside of the Formalities Shop and I turned around to see Freddy in the window!!!

 

I HAD to have one... cost $9.95. Don't know why they aren't available on more ships but they sure aren't on the Conquest...

 

:)

 

Well then I shall keep my eyes open on the Valor for him! Second stop after the traditional DOD on Lido will be to find the Formalities shop, hopefully he will be there waiting for me!

[zenful6219]

No... I would probably have said 'a robust Anglo lady' or 'a robust Hispanic lady', etc.

It's observation.. little else and it's how I write. If I offend anyone I'm sorry but I'm not going the change...

:)

 

I appreciate you "painting the picture" with lots of adjectives, etc. That's the beauty of language. Can't wait to read the rest.

[XTEACH281]

The folks on the Conquest were stunned to see Freddy. I don't know how many of the staff asked me where I got Freddy but it was a bunch. When we were on the Ecstasy in February on the Elegant evening we were standing outside of the Formalities Shop and I turned around to see Freddy in the window!!!

 

I HAD to have one... cost $9.95. Don't know why they aren't available on more ships but they sure aren't on the Conquest...

 

:)

 

and that $9.95 includes repair kit ??? Cause I know Freddied needed to be fixed after being the filling in a Crazies "sandwich" this summer :D

[SheriNtexas]

You were there, Sheri... you're a member!!!

 

:D

 

 

 

 

yay!!! I thought to be a member i had to have been at the table on Lido when y'all were applauding the crew members!:o I guess i did my part...i tried to talk to people, i told them it was my 11th cruise....never missed a port...Captain wants to keep us safe.....some listened....some did not WANT to listen.....

[allesonwonderland]

Okay, I'm not getting anything done today...anytime I pass my computer I have to refresh the page to see if any more of your review has been posted! ;) Love, love, LOVE reading your descriptive style--I can definitely see the pictures in my head. Thanks for taking the time!!

[*Mach*]

and that $9.95 includes repair kit ??? Cause I know Freddied needed to be fixed after being the filling in a Crazies "sandwich" this summer :D

 

 

Yes... it did include a 'repair kit', named so in the little instruction sheet (to inflate... blow here...). It was one piece of vinyl about 3/4 of an inch on a side, peel and stick kinda thing but in all of the moving about that occurred at the beginning of the summer said patch went poof. I was able to acquire a much more robust patch kit at WalMart for $.99.

:D

[zenful6219]

Mine fit handily in the tube frame suitcase measuring device thing so let me measure my bag and I'll be right back...

 

...why do you point out that "mine fit handily" in the tube frame suitcase "measuring" device?

 

OK OK I'm being childish and kidding some of the more easily offended readers! :D

 

Thanks again for the review.

[*Mach*]

I appreciate you "painting the picture" with lots of adjectives, etc. That's the beauty of language. Can't wait to read the rest.

 

 

I don't think I could write the adventure any other way... That's how it runs through my mind and out my finger tips...

:)

[*Mach*]

Okay, I'm not getting anything done today...anytime I pass my computer I have to refresh the page to see if any more of your review has been posted! ;) Love, love, LOVE reading your descriptive style--I can definitely see the pictures in my head. Thanks for taking the time!!

 

 

It's a pleasure...

By the way... I love your screen name...

:D

 

[*Mach*]

...why do you point out that "mine fit handily" in the tube frame suitcase "measuring" device?

 

OK OK I'm being childish and kidding some of the more easily offended readers! :D

 

Thanks again for the review.

 

 

Hummmm... taken out of context that does seem mildly pornographic, eh?

:rolleyes:

[WestTxCruiser]

and that $9.95 includes repair kit ??? Cause I know Freddied needed to be fixed after being the filling in a Crazies "sandwich" this summer :D

I have NO idea what your talking about.:rolleyes::o

[tess2cruz]

I have NO idea what your talking about.:rolleyes::o

 

Dont play miss innocent, there are pictures!!!:p

[tess2cruz]

Hummmm... taken out of context that does seem mildly pornographic, eh?

 

:rolleyes:

 

 

That was funny stuff there!!! LOL:D