Mitsugirly needed to ESCAPE from the cold weather

[mitsugirly]

I arrived back to the dive shop and the hubby was just hanging out. Prior to me going out to snorkel, our driver was there and was picking up other people to take to the port. He ask if we wanted to go with them or stay a bit longer. Sakari wanted to stay and that's why we decided to stay longer and we'd catch him on the next round. He gave us a set time that he'd be back and it was getting close to that time.

 

Our instructor had signed and stamped our books/page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had been talking about Sakari taking her scuba classes and they were very encouraging about her (and us) getting certified. I was showing them her book and I pulled out her PADI seal cards. When I pulled out the Master PADI seal card that PADI sends to you once you complete the course....I dropped it. It's a hard plastic card (like a credit card) and wouldn't you know that it went STRAIGHT down, without flipping over, turning or anything, and of all places to fall...it went straight into the crack of the floor decking!!! What's the chances of that??? Only me. I panicked. I didn't know what to do. I went around to the front of the little office area to see if the deck was open from that way. Nope, it was a cylinder block. The staff checked out the boards and they were nailed in and not screwed in. There was just no way to get her card. I was so upset that I did this and once I told Sakari what had happened she was upset as well.

 

The staff did mention that I could contact PADI and ask for a replacement card and just pay the fee and they'd send us another. THANK GOODNESS! Now that I'm talking about it, I still need to do that.

 

The hubby went down on the beach and flagged down an ice cream guy. He knew that his girls were not in the best mood now after the PADI card issue.

 

I ended up with some type of pineapple and ice cream and man it was SO GOOD!

 

 

 

We showered and put dry clothes on and our driver picked us up on time.

 

The ride back to the port was fairly quiet and we were all a bit tired.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our driver said "I'm going to try to drive you all the way up to the door at the port. I'm friends with some of the port workers". Well, I know from previous experience that most vendors are not allowed to pick you up in the port but they are allowed to drop you off there. We came right up to the entrance and he didn't stop and talk to anyone there and just drove in. I think he was trying to be impressive...or get a bigger tip.

 

We headed back to the ship and didn't even do any shopping. We were all hungry and ready to eat. Last time we had walked next door to the resort and ate but this time we decided to save our money and eat back on the ship. All I know is I just wanted to sit down and relax and get my belly full.

[JimnSuzie]

This is the best review ever!  I feel like I am there with you!  I would be petrified to scuba dive so I can live vicariously through you!  I think it is so awesome that your daughter is so adventurous!  Thanks again for posting!

[AKR2011]

17 minutes ago, JimnSuzie said:

This is the best review ever!  I feel like I am there with you!  I would be petrified to scuba dive so I can live vicariously through you!  I think it is so awesome that your daughter is so adventurous!  Thanks again for posting!

Isn't she the best? 🙂 I have been using Kim's reviews for years and have loved watching Sakari grow up. If you haven't clicked on her webpage, I would recommend that too. Just a warning, you may get sucked in for hours reading the past ones! Such awesome, thorough reviews.

[JimnSuzie]

I have not, but I will now!!  Thanks!

[jenseib]

Finally caught up!

 

Wait an amazing dive and I am so glad you got to do it. You always have the best under water pictures.

 

I was on the Encore in Nov. and she is very similar in looks to the Escape. (a few different things) My friend that went with me had just been on the Escape a few weeks before and she didn't like the Escape. She said service was really bad and people were smoking everywhere....even in the elevator.  She has issues with smoke, but she doesn't care if people smoke in designated areas (I am a smoker too) but she was shocked how they would light up everywhere on the ship and none of the crew would say anything to them.

 

We commented on the Encore how narrow the halls were. We didn't have luggage service on our sailing, but even just 2 people walking in the hall, one had to duck into the doorway coves to let the other pass. They were not thinking when they made such small hallways.

 

Can't wait to read more!

[mitsugirly]

14 hours ago, Victorious8 said:

I love your reviews but I have an irrational fear of fish/marine life and get anxiety reading your scuba posts. However I am so invested in your family vacations I have to read all of the captions even though it legit makes me chest feel tight LOL

 

Thanks but awww 😞  So sorry you get anxiety reading them. Underwater is so peaceful and serene. It's just so beautiful and amazing. I'm glad I at least get to share pictures with those that don't get to see it first hand.

 

 

8 hours ago, Laszlo said:

Kim, before you go snorkeling or diving the next time pick up some filters for your GP. That will help to take care of the hue issue with color

 

https://amzn.to/2u8PT4P

 

Mitch has some excellent videos that show you how to get better color 

 

 

 

Yea, I definitely plan on getting some filters. I had thought about getting some for my camera as well. Thanks for the vids above, although I don't have the GoPro you can adjust anything in the camera (I have the cheap one) so filters are the only help I can get or post processing...if I could only find a program to do it. 😞

 

 

6 hours ago, NaiNoNo said:

Hi Kim - long time lurker...just wanted to say thank you for these amazing reviews!  I have an irrational fear of the open water but I am hoping to attempt some diving on our cruise in May.   It probably won't happen (irrational), but I see from your pictures what I am missing!

 

Thank you for the comment. Diving (and even snorkeling) is just an amazing way to see a world that a lot of people don't know exists. I hope you find a dive company that will really work with you to overcome your fear on your first dive. It makes all the difference in the world. Just know it took me awhile to get used to the breathing...and if you've read my reviews from the first time I tried scuba, you'll know I had this fear each and every time in the beginning of a majority of my dives. It wasn't until maybe 4-5 dives ago that I got comfortable and it doesn't bother me at all anymore. Now it's all smooth sailing (or diving) for me and I enjoy it so much more!

 

I don't know where you are going, but in one of the ports, there might be a place they can do a DSD in a somewhat shallow area? At least that would see if you are comfortable doing it and then adventure on out. 😉

 

 

5 hours ago, blarko said:

 

Omg! This is exactly me!!!! And then the thought of trying to hoist myself out of the water onto a boat....nope.

 

Haha. Hey, if I can hoist myself with a broken leg and ankle, you can do it too. #positiveencouragement

 

4 hours ago, JimnSuzie said:

This is the best review ever!  I feel like I am there with you!  I would be petrified to scuba dive so I can live vicariously through you!  I think it is so awesome that your daughter is so adventurous!  Thanks again for posting!

 

Aww thanks so much. She is definitely adventurous!

 

4 hours ago, AKR2011 said:

Isn't she the best? 🙂 I have been using Kim's reviews for years and have loved watching Sakari grow up. If you haven't clicked on her webpage, I would recommend that too. Just a warning, you may get sucked in for hours reading the past ones! Such awesome, thorough reviews.

 

You are so kind! I'm glad you are finding the website helpful. It can be addicting for sure if you are looking for something to do and get caught up in everything else there is. LOL

 

3 hours ago, JimnSuzie said:

I have not, but I will now!!  Thanks!

 

I hope you enjoy it.

 

2 hours ago, jenseib said:

Finally caught up!

 

Wait an amazing dive and I am so glad you got to do it. You always have the best under water pictures.

 

I was on the Encore in Nov. and she is very similar in looks to the Escape. (a few different things) My friend that went with me had just been on the Escape a few weeks before and she didn't like the Escape. She said service was really bad and people were smoking everywhere....even in the elevator.  She has issues with smoke, but she doesn't care if people smoke in designated areas (I am a smoker too) but she was shocked how they would light up everywhere on the ship and none of the crew would say anything to them.

 

We commented on the Encore how narrow the halls were. We didn't have luggage service on our sailing, but even just 2 people walking in the hall, one had to duck into the doorway coves to let the other pass. They were not thinking when they made such small hallways.

 

Can't wait to read more!

 

 

I was so happy myself that I got to do the dive. It's not anything I ever figured I'd be able to do for quite some time.

 

The service definitely wasn't the best on this cruise (or on the Breakaway 4 months ago) I'm sad to say. Hmmm, smoking everywhere on the ship and even the elevators? I honestly find that hard to believe and can almost guarantee that they probably had a vape pen (which blows out the smoke and some of the "fake" cigs even light up at the end as if they are real cigarettes). With as much as I cruise, I have never seen this happen in an elevator or interior place (other than the casino). Just weird. ;/

 

Those halls are just too small I agree.

[warburg]

Thank you, mitsugirty, for a fascinating thread. We haven't sailed NCL in a while, and you have persuaded me that I made the right choice this time. We live on South Beach about 25 minutes from Port of Miami. Not fans of flying, we take advantage of the situation and usually chose to cruise with lines based here. When I looked for dates that matched my husband's birthday, one on NCL's Joy popped up. I am looking forward to more immersion in your family's adventures.

Mary

Edited December 31, 2019 by warburg
correction,

[retiring soon]

Hi all!

 

mitsugirly ~ I'm another one who would never see these underwater sights if it weren't for you.

Your pictures are beautiful plus I love the sound of the videos.

 

Just want to wish you, your family & your fans best wishes for a happy, healthy 2020.

 

~ Jo ~ 😊

[mitsugirly]

[Von & John]

[bluesea777]

On 12/28/2019 at 5:28 PM, mitsugirly said:

DAY 3: MONDAY DECEMBER 16

 

 

 

 

 

They are still working on the new dock.

 

 

 

 

The new dock is now ready … here is Getaway's webcam:

 

 

P.S. GREAT review and photos!!  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

 

[mitsugirly]

17 hours ago, warburg said:

Thank you, mitsugirty, for a fascinating thread. We haven't sailed NCL in a while, and you have persuaded me that I made the right choice this time. We live on South Beach about 25 minutes from Port of Miami. Not fans of flying, we take advantage of the situation and usually chose to cruise with lines based here. When I looked for dates that matched my husband's birthday, one on NCL's Joy popped up. I am looking forward to more immersion in your family's adventures.

Mary

 

Thanks so much. I hope to sail on the Joy some day. It looks interesting and a lot of fun.

 

 

15 hours ago, retiring soon said:

Hi all!

 

mitsugirly ~ I'm another one who would never see these underwater sights if it weren't for you.

Your pictures are beautiful plus I love the sound of the videos.

 

Just want to wish you, your family & your fans best wishes for a happy, healthy 2020.

 

~ Jo ~ 😊

 

 

Thanks so much Jo. Happy 2020 to you too!

 

10 hours ago, Von & John said:

 

Happy New Year!

 

1 hour ago, bluesea777 said:

 

The new dock is now ready … here is Getaway's webcam:

 

 

P.S. GREAT review and photos!!  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

 

 

Cool. Thanks for sharing.

[mitsugirly]

After arriving back to the ship, we went straight for some grub. O'Sheehan's is was! I absolutely love this place and the food.

 

 

 

 

 

Goofy hubby....

 

 

 

 

 

I ordered the chicken fajitas and they were yummy!!!!

 

 

Sakari and the hubby ordered chicken wings (they come in 6) with no sauce. Sakari ordered 1 order and the hubby ordered 2.

 

 

 

 

I also ordered to chicken wings because I had really worked up an appetite today! Jamaican Jerk for me. They were really good.

 

 

 

The hubby also ordered the nachos. They never came. So, we had to flag down the waiter and tell them he was missing some of our food. They quickly brought them out.

 

 

 

They kept our pop refilled for us, which was a plus.

 

 

 

Sakari decided that she wanted more wings and got another 6. See, I'm not the only one that was really really hungry! hehe

 

 

 

It feels so weird to being pulling out of port when it's dark but I absolutely love it and would rather be pulling out when it's dark. The city is so beautiful all lit up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

After eating, Sakari insisted on going to do the ropes course. She was so upset after waiting so long before and didn't get to do it that she wanted to make sure she got a chance today. Daddy decided to sit this one out. We hung around in the area waiting on her to make it to getting on.

 

She waited in line, made a few friends to talk to, got her harness on and they move over to where you get on the ropes course.

 

 

 

 

 

Up she goes....

 

 

 

 

 

She made it to the very top. Then I see a worker coming her way and directing kids off the ropes course. She was told to go back. They were shutting it down. What the heck? It wasn't that windy out IMO. Like are you serious?

 

 

She was SUPER UPSET about this. When is she ever going to get to do this ropes course????

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

I tried hard to get her out of her "gloom" and suggested we go play some putt putt golf since we were up there. She was still pouting, but agreed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course it's always a riot when we play putt putt and we had a lot of laughs. Finally she was coming out of her gloomy status.

 

 

 

 

 

Plinko putt putt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

After we finished some putt putt, we were walking back over to go down the steps and discovered the chess game. Hmmm...Sakari has never played chess before. I took it upon myself to offer to teach her. I learned to play chess at a very young age and my dad bought me a chess game for Christmas one year. I still have it. It comes in the form of a box and all the pieces are inside. When you open the box and flip it over, it's the board to the game. It is really heavy duty and everything is magnetized.

 

So, we set up the chess game. It had been so long since I had played. I think the last time I actually played chess was on a cruise, maybe in 2014 or so. I challenged Billy (Kendra's fiance) to a game and spanked his butt on it and walked around bragging the rest of the day.

 

So, after explaining the object of the game to Sakari and trying to tell her what each thing does, we started playing.

 

 

 

 

Before long, 2 boys came along and started watching...and of course helping Sakari. When she went to move and it was a big mistake, we would tell her not to do it and explain why. I learned that one of the boys (the older one) was actually on the chess team at his school and the other just knew how to play...and play really well. I learned that I had forgotten a few things and man was I rusty!

 

In the end....SAKARI WON!

 

She was super excited now and ready to take on the world! She said "I wanna go play games at O'Sheehan's. So off we went.

[jenseib]

Ugh!  I can't believe they shut it down while she was on it.  So annoying!

[bunnyette]

Hey while Sakari didn't get to do the ropes course, she learned a great new skill - chess!  I hope she did get to do it in the end.

[SenatorsFan]

Happy New Year, Kim and family! Hope your recovery continues to go well in 2020! 😀🥂

Heather

[mitsugirly]

First up was a battle of air hockey. I needed to redeem myself. Sakari was off to a good start and had 3 points to my 0.

 

Was I really about to let this munchkin beat me at 2 games tonight? I think not. I got a good stance in my boot, warmed up my wrist and game on! 

 

 

 

Mommy took the lead in the end and won with a score of 7 to 4! Redeemed!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

We decided we would make this into a game night. I mean after all, daddy wanted in on this competition.

 

Over to the pin bowling. Game on round 3.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I did not start out good at all. My very first round the machine messed up and only gave my first bowl number and then moved on to the next person. Wait...what happened to my second turn???? That would put daddy ahead of me and it was a battle the rest of the time.

 

 

 

I found it VERY difficult to bowl with my boot on. I couldn't do my little "strut walk" down the lane, throw the ball, then kick that leg back like I normally do. I was so stiff and couldn't bend the way that I normally do because of the boot. So, I zombie walked up, flicked the ball, and Frankenstein walked my way back to sit down. I'm sure I looked hideous.

 

In the end, daddy won and Sakari had a blast.

 

 

 

We had some fun that night and I was super tired and wanted to head back to the room for the night. My leg and foot was very painful and swollen at this point but it was a good day. I got to do what I love most (scuba and being in the water), we had some good food, and we got to play some games onboard. Yep, it was a good day for sure!

 

I laid down after my shower and I was out like a clap off light. I don't remember a thing at that point.

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

4 hours ago, jenseib said:

Ugh!  I can't believe they shut it down while she was on it.  So annoying!

 

Yea, this was the second time and she was getting a little agitated at this point.

 

 

3 hours ago, bunnyette said:

Hey while Sakari didn't get to do the ropes course, she learned a great new skill - chess!  I hope she did get to do it in the end.

 

 

She did. I'm so happy she wanted to learn. I need to brush up on my skills myself.

 

 

28 minutes ago, SenatorsFan said:

Happy New Year, Kim and family! Hope your recovery continues to go well in 2020! 😀🥂

Heather

Happy New Year to you too Heather.

[pghsteelerfan]

Happy New Year Kim!  I haven't been on CC for a while since I was busy with getting ready for Christmas and was thinking that now Christmas is over, we've got a cruise to look forward to now.  Then I remembered that you booked one in December and am happy to have found your review in progress already.  Yep, 10 pages and I sat down for several hours today and read all of what you have so far. 

 

Love your tour of the Escape, BEAUTIFUL ship!!!  And OMG...so glad you got to scuba dive in Roatan!!!  I actually didn't think you'd be able to, so I'm glad you did.  Loved the pics and video and felt so bad for Sakari being held on a leash like that - glad she finally broke free.  That would drive me nuts.  I can't believe all of the colors of the coral there and those purple sponges are really cool.  I always enjoy your reviews and am really looking forward to the rest of this one.  I just hope Sakari gets a chance to do the ropes course.  We finally did one while in FL with our friends this past October.  We went to "Wonderworks" in Orlando one night and they had one there.  There are various levels, think there were 4, from easy to difficult.  What we really enjoyed was that we were able to drink beer (everything had to be on the ground when doing the course though).  I wasn't sure how I'd like it but that place was awesome, with actual interaction and I think all of you would enjoy it.  Fun for both kids and adults.  They have several locations and I know one of them is in Myrtle Beach.  Thanks for taking the time and I'm so glad to see you're coming along with your leg/ankle and getting to enjoy what you enjoy most on a cruise. 

Holly

[4ptjo]

I love the coral pictures! It’s like an underwater flower garden. 

[mitsugirly]

On 1/1/2020 at 6:03 PM, pghsteelerfan said:

Happy New Year Kim!  I haven't been on CC for a while since I was busy with getting ready for Christmas and was thinking that now Christmas is over, we've got a cruise to look forward to now.  Then I remembered that you booked one in December and am happy to have found your review in progress already.  Yep, 10 pages and I sat down for several hours today and read all of what you have so far. 

 

Love your tour of the Escape, BEAUTIFUL ship!!!  And OMG...so glad you got to scuba dive in Roatan!!!  I actually didn't think you'd be able to, so I'm glad you did.  Loved the pics and video and felt so bad for Sakari being held on a leash like that - glad she finally broke free.  That would drive me nuts.  I can't believe all of the colors of the coral there and those purple sponges are really cool.  I always enjoy your reviews and am really looking forward to the rest of this one.  I just hope Sakari gets a chance to do the ropes course.  We finally did one while in FL with our friends this past October.  We went to "Wonderworks" in Orlando one night and they had one there.  There are various levels, think there were 4, from easy to difficult.  What we really enjoyed was that we were able to drink beer (everything had to be on the ground when doing the course though).  I wasn't sure how I'd like it but that place was awesome, with actual interaction and I think all of you would enjoy it.  Fun for both kids and adults.  They have several locations and I know one of them is in Myrtle Beach.  Thanks for taking the time and I'm so glad to see you're coming along with your leg/ankle and getting to enjoy what you enjoy most on a cruise. 

Holly

 

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and NYE Holly. Glad you found my review.

 

I was just so happy that I was about to scuba dive in Roatan. I knew that if I didn't get to, it would be a totally bummer cruise for me altogether because there really wasn't much more I could do that didn't involve the water. LOL

 

Yep, we've been to Wonderworks before, but the one they have in Smokey Mountains. It's been many years ago...well actually, Sakari was just learning to walk the last time we went there and my youngest son Kolin (now 25) was a young teen at the time. It was a pretty neat place but they didn't have ziplining there.

 

 

On 1/1/2020 at 11:16 PM, 4ptjo said:

I love the coral pictures! It’s like an underwater flower garden. 

 

Thanks so much. It is a beautiful underwater coral flower garden for sure.