helene109 Posted August 9, 2021 #151 Share Posted August 9, 2021 20 minutes ago, SonoranDevil said: Well, that is very odd. Have any of the pictures, even at the beginning, been visible? I'm wondering if there is a privacy setting in my google pics that I'm missing. Not 1 picture is coming up. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNJCruisers Posted August 9, 2021 #152 Share Posted August 9, 2021 23 minutes ago, SonoranDevil said: Well, that is very odd. Have any of the pictures, even at the beginning, been visible? I'm wondering if there is a privacy setting in my google pics that I'm missing. No, none of them. Tried it on my cell phone and recently again on my PC, nothing either time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfjock27 Posted August 9, 2021 #153 Share Posted August 9, 2021 1 hour ago, SonoranDevil said: Well, that is very odd. Have any of the pictures, even at the beginning, been visible? I'm wondering if there is a privacy setting in my google pics that I'm missing. I saw them last night and today they are gone. 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruise Related Posted August 9, 2021 #154 Share Posted August 9, 2021 Don’t let the no pic thing getcha down! Enjoying your info and experiences! I can’t see them either if that helps anything. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelkel2 Posted August 9, 2021 #155 Share Posted August 9, 2021 1 hour ago, SonoranDevil said: Well, that is very odd. Have any of the pictures, even at the beginning, been visible? I'm wondering if there is a privacy setting in my google pics that I'm missing. Yes pics worked before! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonoranDevil Posted August 9, 2021 Author #156 Share Posted August 9, 2021 Thanks everyone. I'll check my Google Photo settings after work today, to see if I can resolve the issue and get the next post up as well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteandpris Posted August 9, 2021 #157 Share Posted August 9, 2021 Great review and can't wait for more. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoperDK Posted August 9, 2021 #158 Share Posted August 9, 2021 I am seeing the pictures except for the first handful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfjock27 Posted August 9, 2021 #159 Share Posted August 9, 2021 2 hours ago, SonoranDevil said: Thanks everyone. I'll check my Google Photo settings after work today, to see if I can resolve the issue and get the next post up as well! Great review! Thank you so much. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#55worktoplay Posted August 9, 2021 #160 Share Posted August 9, 2021 No pictures but great write-up. Thanks 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonoranDevil Posted August 10, 2021 Author #161 Share Posted August 10, 2021 During our exploration of the ship, we escorted our 14 year old up to Circle C to register them for the week. We were cordially greeted and took care of completing the registration. They would be having an ice breaker event at 9PM which the kiddo was eager to attend, in hopes of meeting some new friends on our journey. After resuming our exploring, we made our first stop at one of the many bars Mardi Gras has onboard. We quickly found ourselves at Fortune Teller, one of two brand new offerings available only on the Mardi Gras. This New Orleans inspired haunt would become one of our favorite venues on the ship! We found a cozy couch to kick back on and we were soon greeted by one of the lovely bar staff. I ordered the Lime In The Coconut (Barcardi Ocho, Flor de Cana 4 Year Rum, caramelized pineapple, lime and coconut lime foam) while Shani ordered a Venus Rising (Absolut Citron, St. Germain, cranberry, lemon and hibiscus). We both enjoyed the drinks and quickly decided that there were other drinks we would want to try throughout the week. Hanging out in Fortune Teller Venus Rising in Fortune Teller Lime in the Coconut in Fortune Teller After finishing our beverages, the group decided to head up to Lido and take in the sail away party. I take pride in being a native Arizonan and calling the Sonoran Desert home. I don’t flinch when temps hit 115 to 120 in Phoenix. Well, Florida...I cry uncle. It was not even 90 degrees and it was oppressively hot and humid out in the sun. Yet, in the face of the suffocating heat, there were 1000+ people out there dancing their hearts away. They were led by our Cruise Director, Chris Williams (The Flying Scotsman). Chris was out there leading the way adorned in his wool kilt, full of the energy he would bring the entire cruise. Sail Away Party Fun Sail Away Party Selfie! Once the festivities for sail away were complete, we made no haste in heading back inside with the air conditioning. We decided to head back to Deck 6 and try out the other new bar offering on the Mardi Gras, Brass Magnolia. Brass Magnolia is also themed after New Orleans, though with a motif that is a bit classier than Fortune Teller, even though they are right across the walkway from each other. We were greeted by one of our stand out staff members this trip, Claudia. Claudia was very personable and we developed a bit of a rapport throughout the week. I ordered the NOLA Iced Tea (sweet tea, Bayou Rum, Jack Daniels, Absolut Vodka, Bayou Satsuma Liqueur, lemonade and a splash of Pepsi) while Shani went with an Ojen Cocktail (Ojen liqueur, Peychaud’s Bitters and club soda). The NOLA Iced Tea (I had a second) was probably my favorite drink on the ship while Shani enjoyed the anise flavor of the Ojen Cocktail. Another win for Carnival! Fortune Teller and Brass Magnolia were our favorite bars on the ship! NOLA Iced Tea in Brass Magnolia Ojen Cocktail in Brass Magnolia After cooling off with our cocktails, it was nearing dinner time. We had chosen YTD dining which is served in the Flamingo Dining room (conveniently next to both Brass Magnolia and Fortune Teller). We checked in with the Hub app and our table was ready in a matter of minutes. The six of us walked the 50 feet to the dining room and were quickly seated. The Flamingo Dining Room would be hit and miss throughout the week, with a bit of a wait time issue on the first Elegant Night, which I’ll describe in a later post. Shani and I both ordered the brisket for our entrée. She went with a salad to start things off with while I went with the Roasted Tomato Soup. The tomato soup was excellent and a shining spot for the dining room meals we had. The brisket was decent, tender and not overly dry. While it wasn’t slow smoked (I’m a big barbeque fan), it was certainly serviceable and happened to be the largest food portion we would see all week. I finished with some Butter Pecan ice cream while Shani chose the Tiramisu. The meal took about 90 minutes, which we expect when visiting the main dining rooms. Our servers were all friendly and did a fairly good job with the timing of everyone’s meals. Roasted Tomato Soup Once we were done with dinner, we decided to head to the Limelight Lounge, for karaoke. Both my 14 year old and I really enjoy singing. I used to sit in with various cover bands in the local Phoenix live music scene, after I determined that being a full time musician didn’t align with my desire to be a homebody and being able to pay my bills on a regular basis. Our 14 year old, well...she’s the real talent in the family. About a year ago, the kid eclipsed me from a talent perspective and could probably step in and front a rock band today, if we would allow it. By the end of the cruise, we were being stopped by random people asking if our kid was the “girl from karaoke.” The first time it happened, the kid froze and ended up running away not knowing how to handle the inquiry. Ok, Dad bragging will conclude, for now at least. Karaoke conveniently ended at 9PM, just in time for the child to head to the Circle C ice breaker event. The adults decided to make our way to the Piano Bar for some sing along fun. The piano man for this cruise was Patrick Duffy. Admit it, one of you started humming the theme song to the TV show Dallas. Well, it’s not THAT Patrick Duffy. Patrick appears to be a force of nature and it was clear that he had some of his die hard fans that were on this sailing. The Piano Bar was always full. We made it in twice, but every night was full to the brim. There was some feedback we heard about the bar always being too crowded and that the venue was too small. I would venture to guess that if Patrick didn’t have his die hard followers so well represented, that there may have been a little more room in the room throughout the week. Patrick likes to make many toasts in the Piano Bar We made it to about 10:30 PM when we realized that we were all old and had probably drank a little more than we expected on the first day. We all agreed to head back to our cabins for the night. We were joined by the 14 year old and were pleased to learn that there was already a small group of about 6 kids that formed an immediate bond. All of them seemed to be pretty good kids! Day 1 goes down as a success! Up Next: Sea Day #1, Sea Day Brunch, Facebook Group Cabin Crawl and Elegant Night. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShaniBell Posted August 10, 2021 #162 Share Posted August 10, 2021 Picture test...I think this is the Ojen 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BlerkOne Posted August 10, 2021 #163 Share Posted August 10, 2021 19 minutes ago, ShaniBell said: Picture test...I think this is the Ojen I see this 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNJCruisers Posted August 10, 2021 #164 Share Posted August 10, 2021 21 minutes ago, ShaniBell said: Picture test...I think this is the Ojen If the glass was empty....I could say....I see dead drinks. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe817 Posted August 10, 2021 #165 Share Posted August 10, 2021 3 minutes ago, BlerkOne said: I see this I do too! First one today. Thanks Shani! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonoranDevil Posted August 10, 2021 Author #166 Share Posted August 10, 2021 It should be illegal to be both the beauty and the brains of the operation. Once again, my wife is brilliant. Here are the pictures from yesterday's and today's posts... Terminal 3 Drop Off Area, A glimpse inside Terminal 3, Our first view of Grand Central Atrium, and the balcony for Aft Excel Suite 9504 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonoranDevil Posted August 10, 2021 Author #167 Share Posted August 10, 2021 Hanging out in Fortune Teller, Lime in the Coconut from Fortune Teller, Venus Rising from Fortune Teller, NOLA Iced Tea from Brass Magnolia, Ojen Cocktail from Brass Magnolia and Roasted Tomato Soup... 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe817 Posted August 10, 2021 #168 Share Posted August 10, 2021 4 minutes ago, SonoranDevil said: It should be illegal to be both the beauty and the brains of the operation. Once again, my wife is brilliant. Here are the pictures from yesterday's and today's posts... Terminal 3 Drop Off Area, A glimpse inside Terminal 3, Our first view of Grand Central Atrium, and the balcony for Aft Excel Suite 9504 Eureka! You did it! I see all the pics now. Thanks!! 👍 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonoranDevil Posted August 10, 2021 Author #169 Share Posted August 10, 2021 The Tiki Mug Sail Away Fun The Flying Scotsman Sail Away Selfie! Patrick liked to raise a lot of toasts! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SenatorsFan Posted August 10, 2021 #170 Share Posted August 10, 2021 Great pictures! 😀 Thanks for doing this review. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfjock27 Posted August 10, 2021 #171 Share Posted August 10, 2021 1 hour ago, ShaniBell said: Picture test...I think this is the Ojen Shani to the rescue!! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisinMama2003 Posted August 10, 2021 #172 Share Posted August 10, 2021 I see pictures now 👏 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonoranDevil Posted August 10, 2021 Author #173 Share Posted August 10, 2021 23 hours ago, Cruise Related said: Don’t let the no pic thing getcha down! Enjoying your info and experiences! I can’t see them either if that helps anything. Thank you! I think it's all figured out and I'm eager to write my next post after work to include the pictures where I want them! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonoranDevil Posted August 10, 2021 Author #174 Share Posted August 10, 2021 21 hours ago, peteandpris said: Great review and can't wait for more. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe817 Posted August 10, 2021 #175 Share Posted August 10, 2021 Just now, SonoranDevil said: Thank you! I think it's all figured out and I'm eager to write my next post after work to include the pictures where I want them! We're sure looking forward to it! I'm really enjoying you review! Good job! 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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