My Solo Inspiration Easter Getaway!

[SoCalKJ]

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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Edited April 22, 2014 by SoCalKJ

[SoCalKJ]

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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Edited April 22, 2014 by SoCalKJ

[SoCalKJ]

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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[SoCalKJ]

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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[SoCalKJ]

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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[SoCalKJ]

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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[SoCalKJ]

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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[SoCalKJ]

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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[SoCalKJ]

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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Edited April 23, 2014 by SoCalKJ

[PINEVIEW01]

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

[SoCalKJ]

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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[SoCalKJ]

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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[SoCalKJ]

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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[bdever]

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.

Edited April 23, 2014 by bdever

[ccruisequeen]

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

 

[SoCalKJ]

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

[SoCalKJ]

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:

[Terri102066]

Will be leaving on my first solo cruise on Monday. I am excited and aliitle worried. I have cruised many times but never solo. The cruise concerns me less than the long drive home after five days on the ship. I know I will not want to drive the eight hour drive home alone. I guess I may have to take a nap the last sea day so I can stay up late and still feel like driving home.

 

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[Are.we.there.yet?]

Hi,

 

We were on the sailing right before you and had a nice time!

 

I can actually say that we saw Captain America in Ensenada at the Cinepolis! The movie was in English with Spanish subtitles. There were 3 people in our party and the total cost for all of us was $7.83! Seems that Wednesdays are their bargain day so if you are sailing on the Inspiration 4 day cruise, you'll be there at the perfect time. We have been to Ensenada many times and we would do this again in a heartbeat!

 

Tina

[coffeeandcupcake]

Fantastic pictures thanks for taking the time!

 

 

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[SoCalKJ]

Fantastic pictures thanks for taking the time!

 

 

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I'm FAR from being anything like a professional photographer....and for some ridiculous reason, I can't (for the life of me) figure out why half my photos are sideways. Must be the treasure that IS my iPhone. :rolleyes:

[SoCalKJ]

Will be leaving on my first solo cruise on Monday. I am excited and aliitle worried. I have cruised many times but never solo. The cruise concerns me less than the long drive home after five days on the ship. I know I will not want to drive the eight hour drive home alone. I guess I may have to take a nap the last sea day so I can stay up late and still feel like driving home.

 

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Forums mobile app

 

I hope you had a super time...and that you made it home safely.

[SoCalKJ]

Hi,

 

We were on the sailing right before you and had a nice time!

 

I can actually say that we saw Captain America in Ensenada at the Cinepolis! The movie was in English with Spanish subtitles. There were 3 people in our party and the total cost for all of us was $7.83! Seems that Wednesdays are their bargain day so if you are sailing on the Inspiration 4 day cruise, you'll be there at the perfect time. We have been to Ensenada many times and we would do this again in a heartbeat!

 

Tina

 

Did they have popcorn? Seriously! And, if so, was it any good? :p

[dolfndreams]

Thanks for sharing; looks like a great time and I enjoyed the unique pics:D

 

Love those solo cruises.

[ofthesea]

Love LOVE love your review! Really appreciate you did it backwards rather than all words you mostly did pictures! Great photos and it looks like you had a fabulous time!!! :)

 

I was on her about a month ago and Lee is very comical! His buddy Nate the other entertainer was a doll too!

By chance did you meet Edin, Bojan, or Ardi in the photo gallery? They're the two Serbian guys and the one Thai guy! :)