Willdra’s Hyperactive Carnival Horizon April 15-22 Cruise

[willdra]

 

 

 

 

 

 

[willdra]

 

 

 

 

 

[willdra]

At about an hour before the Muster Drill, we took a short nap. It felt like as soon as I closed my eyes, Mike was making the announcement to join the drill. Ours was in the casino, so we migrated there. A and Z were also there as well as some of the other members of our group. It was over quick, so we decided to go straight to the sail away party. We were on 5 and we really didn't have a choice but to walk up. Gulp. So we sucked in a big huge breath and commenced to climb. We got there eventually. Out of breath and unattractive. We found decent seats on 11 and settled in. Sail Away is one of my favorite activities because it’s so much fun to watch people cut loose after the stress of traveling to port and embarkation. It’s normally the real start to vacation.

 

 

 

 

[willdra]

We had early seating for dinner since we are traveling with a group, so we left the party a little early to shower and change. We had champagne and the chocolate covered strawberries in our cabin from our travel agent when we got there. Our stateroom steward met us as we were leaving for dinner to introduce himself and ask how we would like our service. His name was Frank and we chatted a little about the US. It was so nice to speak English comfortably for the week. Paris was phenomenal but sometimes finding someone who spoke English well enough to understand everything we said was a challenge. You also have to listen hard to understand them and having a simple conversation burned lots of calories.

 

 

 

We were seated at table 722 in the Meridian Restaurant. The group had pretty much all of the tables in that section, which is great because you could switch seats to sit by other people. Chris and Elizabeth were some of our table mates, along with AC and V.

We also has a lady at our table who was so loud, every time she talked, my eyes watered, and I swear I could see the pearly gates of heaven! I seriously needed some of those headphones that the Aircraft Marshals use to direct airplanes. Mirjana and her team were our waiters, and they were a “new” team. There are a few glitches in the service at first, but it improved thru the week. On the first night I had the Calamari, Strawberry Bisque, Chicken, and Bacon Mac N Cheese. W had Smoked Poblano and Corn Soup, Calamari, and Flat Iron Steak.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 15, 2018 by willdra
Errors

[willdra]

 

 

 

 

 

[willdra]

For dessert, W and I had Tiramisu, and it was great! All in all we had a good table and everyone clicked, so dinner was a success. After we were stuffed and ripping at the seams, we left to go check out the Promenade. We went into the shops so I could mentally start making my purchases.

 

We ran into A and Z and their crew at Alchemy and we stayed there until it was time for the Comedy Club. We found out that 2 members of the group were staying in a hotel on the same street as the protest. Even though they left in plenty of time, they couldn’t get a taxi so they had to walk 3 1/2 miles with all of their luggage to the port. It took them 4 hours to get through the crowd! I would've left a trail of tears, if that happened to me. Another member of the group had mechanical problems on both of his flights, which caused him a 6 hour delay. He barely made it to the port in time. He was cutting it too close for comfort! We were so glad that they all made it tho. #scary

 

At the Alchemy Bar, A and I did the martini tasting where you choose 4 mini martinis for 20.50. VAT was added in as well as the 15% customary tip. I’m not feeling this whole VAT thing. #skipit The martinis were fabulous as expected. Theodora was our Alchemist,and she was sweet. We laughed a lot with the members of the group, then ran up to catch the show.

 

The comedy show was held in the Liquid Lounge on the first night because they were doing a special “two comedian” show. The comedians were Anil Desai and Kane Brown. Anil was alright, and Kane was hilarious. Go if you have a chance. When the show concluded we went to the cabin and got ready for bed.

 

 

 

 

 

Before I fell asleep, I said a prayer thanking God for giving me the wisdom to ditch the banana bread. I would've looked dumber than a bag of wooden quarters if I tried to bring it on the ship! I didn't need that negativity in my life.

[sperkins921]

Willdra your posts have got me dying! Like okay, not literally, but I am doing a lot of laughing. Out loud. Imagine that? What are the chances?

 

And seriously, I have come to the conclusion that the rest of the world does not use face cloths. Now growing up in the south, we used face cloths as wash cloths. I mean, we don't use a used wash cloth for our face, but a face cloth goes into the shower or bath to assist in bathing. You know, the way 'modern' people today use those little netted sponge on a rope deals whose proper name no one seems to know. We didn't like re-use the cloth, but we'd use face cloths for our face too. Dual purpose? I digress. Anyway, as I grew up and moved to different areas of the US, I found that lots of people don't use them. Face cloths, not the netted deal. And for neither body nor face.

 

So, when I went to London, believe it or not? I brought one or two from home. I mean, a girl can't go to the Tower with eye crusties all about! Good thing I did because my hotel room (in a brand new hotel out in the burbs no less) gave me 1. 1! I was staying for like 10 days! When I called down to housekeeping, the lady told me that they are more popular than gold, esp with Americans, and that the hotel only had a few compared to hand towels and bath towels. Hrmph. Good thing I packed a few (thank you Trip Advisor posts) and there was an on site laundry. Not trying to keep re-using the same cloth, you know?

 

Also, if you ever make it to Japan or Hong Kong? yeah....don't say I didn't warn you. I mean, the trip was off the chain, but I had no fix my no washcloth situation. I learned to just do as the romans do. Esp in Japan. The rumors are true, they re-use the bath water. BUT, and this is a BIG but, they take PIPING HOT showers and wash first. So they are getting in the bath clean and use it to relax. Try it once, it's actually nice to just soak and not have to clean up after. Or before, and then soak. However you do it.

 

Gah, I'm hijacking your trip report. Apologies. ;)

[bobbaluha]

Wildra, you mentioned that Theodora was an alchemy bartender. Do you know who the other Alchemy Bartenders are?

Thanks

Bob

[alreadypacked]

One thing that wasn't perfect was my bladder. I had to go again. It was the coffee and Pret's decent water that did it. We stopped at one of those outside glorified port a potties to check it out. I opened the door, peeked in, then immediately shut it! I can only say that if the devil has a vacation home, that was absolutely it! If not the devil himself, then his cousins, nephews, and baby momma lived in that potty! Whew. Fast pass. I will never have to go that bad. I’ll wait. Jesus be a café close by!

 

From there we hopped on the train again towards the Catacombs. When we got there, we saw a few cafes, and we ducked into one to use the facilities. The "ladies room" was a closet so small that I had to get in, then turn to the side to close the door. There was no room for me to look down, so I just hovered, and hoped for the best! I don't see how the building inspectors passed this as a restroom. We have cereal boxes that are bigger. Once that deed was done, we looked back over at the line to enter the Catacombs. It was way too long and it really wasn't moving. I was never totally thrilled about the idea of going down there to see 6 million people buried underground anyway, so we skipped it. It creeps me out just thinking about it. Le Ewww.

 

 

Loving the review, as always!

 

Hear you on that porta-potty situation!

 

Love travel, but braving rough-bathroom facilities is always tough for me.

[willdra]

Wildra, you mentioned that Theodora was an alchemy bartender. Do you know who the other Alchemy Bartenders are?

Thanks

Bob

 

Theodora and Anna Maria helped us the most. There were 1 or 2 more, but they didn't really interact with us. I will look ahead to see if I have pictures of them tho. :)

[willdra]

Willdra your posts have got me dying! Like okay, not literally, but I am doing a lot of laughing. Out loud. Imagine that? What are the chances?

 

And seriously, I have come to the conclusion that the rest of the world does not use face cloths. Now growing up in the south, we used face cloths as wash cloths. I mean, we don't use a used wash cloth for our face, but a face cloth goes into the shower or bath to assist in bathing. You know, the way 'modern' people today use those little netted sponge on a rope deals whose proper name no one seems to know. We didn't like re-use the cloth, but we'd use face cloths for our face too. Dual purpose? I digress. Anyway, as I grew up and moved to different areas of the US, I found that lots of people don't use them. Face cloths, not the netted deal. And for neither body nor face.

 

So, when I went to London, believe it or not? I brought one or two from home. I mean, a girl can't go to the Tower with eye crusties all about! Good thing I did because my hotel room (in a brand new hotel out in the burbs no less) gave me 1. 1! I was staying for like 10 days! When I called down to housekeeping, the lady told me that they are more popular than gold, esp with Americans, and that the hotel only had a few compared to hand towels and bath towels. Hrmph. Good thing I packed a few (thank you Trip Advisor posts) and there was an on site laundry. Not trying to keep re-using the same cloth, you know?

 

Also, if you ever make it to Japan or Hong Kong? yeah....don't say I didn't warn you. I mean, the trip was off the chain, but I had no fix my no washcloth situation. I learned to just do as the romans do. Esp in Japan. The rumors are true, they re-use the bath water. BUT, and this is a BIG but, they take PIPING HOT showers and wash first. So they are getting in the bath clean and use it to relax. Try it once, it's actually nice to just soak and not have to clean up after. Or before, and then soak. However you do it.

 

Gah, I'm hijacking your trip report. Apologies. ;)

 

LOL, hijack away! I wish I knew about the washcloth "situation" before we traveled, so I'm sure this will help someone who's planning on going to those places. :D Lots of things just aren't universal. #knowbeforeyougo

[willdra]

Loving the review, as always!

 

Hear you on that porta-potty situation!

 

Love travel, but braving rough-bathroom facilities is always tough for me.

 

Yessss! I cringe at the thought of the germs floating around in there! :o:eek:

[Destaw71835]

I’m sad the banana bread didn’t make it 🤣 Loving this review!

 

 

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[willdra]

I’m sad the banana bread didn’t make it 🤣 Loving this review!

 

 

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I know right! [emoji38] That would’ve been a great story!! [emoji23]

 

 

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[AKR2011]

I love your reviews! I haven't done Carnival since high school. What does "Vat" mean? Could you please explain the drink packages? Thank you!

[E@syPe@zy]

The ship looks beautiful! Your stateroom looked really nice too. I love the yellows and blues in the bathroom. One thing looked sorta odd...the mirror over the desk looked like about half the size that is in rooms on other ships. I'm sure it would be fine, since I don't like to linger too long in front of a mirror when I'm on vacation. Particularly the first few days when I'm looking worn out and haphazard from traveling!?!

Girls...when you travel, take some of the pre-packaged face wipes with you....they're a godsend! Mexico is the same way...won't find many face cloths and trying to get the maid to understand you is a real job.

About that banana bread!?! You know, I don't think they would have let you bring that on board the ship even if it hadn't been "forgotten" (cough, cough) at the hotel.

Love, love your review!

[willdra]

I love your reviews! I haven't done Carnival since high school. What does "Vat" mean? Could you please explain the drink packages? Thank you!

 

Thanks and Welcome Aboard! :D

The Value Added Tax, or VAT, in the European Union is a general, broadly based consumption tax assessed on the value added to goods and services. It applies more or less to all goods and services that are bought and sold for use or consumption in the European Union.

 

Here are the links for the drink packages, Carnival explains everything way better than I could. :D

Cheers (A wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages)

https://www.carnival.com/help#section-1

Bottomless Bubbles (Unlimited Soda)

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3836

[purepixie67]

VAT stands for Value Added Tax. It's like a state tax. In shops it is normally included in the price you see on a product.

[robinh69]

Love your reviews, Willdra! <3

[Lhound92]

The banana bread should have been your groups version of flat Stanley [emoji23]

 

 

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[Jenny in TX]

I am loving your review and cracking up at your nightly prayers!! I can't wait to read the rest. Thank you so much for your review!

[peteandpris]

Love the review, so glad I'm following because we are to old to try to go over seas. We do just find with the Caribbean. Thank you.

[willdra]

Love your reviews, Willdra! <3

 

 

 

Thank you! [emoji16]

 

 

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[willdra]

The banana bread should have been your groups version of flat Stanley [emoji23]

 

 

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LOL yesssss!! 🤣🤣

 

 

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[willdra]

I am loving your review and cracking up at your nightly prayers!! I can't wait to read the rest. Thank you so much for your review!

 

 

 

Thank you so much! [emoji6]🤪

 

 

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