Vaxxed, waxed,masked,relaxed-Divina Live

[maureencruiser]

The line at the buffet.  I asked the women in front of me what they had and they told me to ignore the hot dogs and burgers at the front.  Further along, there would be chicken, ribs and mahi mahi.  Yum!

 

 

 

 

Next thing I knew, I was pulled from the line by an officer and given to a waiter to help me through the line.  He said, I’m your butler and he held my tray and collected my food.  

 

The seating area.

 

 

 

 

My plate!  Holy smokes, we got a little bit of everything.

 

 

 

 

Here’s a better view of my food.

 

 

 

 

And, my dessert.

 

 

 

 

[maureencruiser]

Right next to the buffet, was a place to pick up my umbrella.

 

A nice passenger named Lee got me situated at the lagoon and set up my umbrella.  

 

From my chair, looking to the right.

 

 

 

 

Straight ahead.

 

 

 

 

 

And, to the left.

 

 

 

 

Oh, the humanity.

 

It was around this time, I noticed there was a dot near the top of all my pictures.  You can really see it in these pictures.  When I got back to my cabin,  I cleaned my lens with a Q-tip.  That didn’t help.  Does anybody know how to fix it?  I love my camera.

[maureencruiser]

There was a bar behind me.  Vlad, are you there?

 

 

 

 

The lagoon was gorgeous.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Father and son snorkeling, the boy kept finding hermit crabs.  This is three children I have seen.

 

 

 

 

The only one in danger of dying was the lifeguard, bored to death.

 

 

 

 

It was just lovely, I regret not heading over on Monday.  It felt so good to just float in the water, take all that pressure off my feet, knees.

 

[maureencruiser]

As a Black/Diamond member, I get free dinner for two at the steakhouse, Butcher’s Cut.  Since it was Steve’s first time on MSC, I dragged him along.

 

The menu.  Brunch sounds good.

 

 

Close up of what we got, the dining experience.

 

 

 

 

The other side of the menu.

 

 

 

 

A mysterious burlap bag.  Full of runes, perhaps? 

 

 

 

 

Nope, bread.

 

 

 

 

The menus are so ridiculously big, they didn’t fit on the table.

 

 

 

[maureencruiser]

Steve had the Heart of Palm salad.

 

 

Chopped Salad for me.

 

 

 

 

He had the NY Strip.

 

 

 

 

I had the Filet Mignon.

 

 

 

 

Mashed potatoes.

 

 

 

 

Macaroni and cheese.

 

 

 

 

We both had the Lava Cake.

 

 

 

[maureencruiser]

Steve saved some of his steak to make a sandwich the next day for breakfast.  He thought they’d give him a small bag or something.  As we were leaving, they told him, We sent it to your cabin.  Hmmm, interesting, since they didn’t know him from Adam.  The reservation was under my name.

 

When I got to my room, I saw something and said, Ooh, did they send me chocolate covered strawberries?  Nope, Steve’s steak.

 

 

 

 

 

On the daily,  " Drinking Excessively dulls instincts and awareness of

 

 

 

 

 

 

🤪🤪🤪  

Awareness of what you meant to write, perhaps? 

 

 

 

 

 

You guys think I’m lying about having picture trouble, check this out.

 

 

So, that was it for Tuesday, be back with Wednesday tomorrow.

 

Edited September 23, 2021 by maureencruiser
adjust picture

[maureencruiser]

So, quick update.  At 2pm today, the Captain announced we were having a "minor navigational issue".  It took an hour, they fixed it and we were back on our way.  So, it's 2am now, I'm just about to go to bed and suddenly, my cabin is full of the smell of gas, diesel type gas, not people gas.  I went out on the balcony, the smell is worse and we don't appear to be moving.  Pray for us ya'll.🤪  Don't tell me after this ship being idle for two years, they didn't kick the tires?

Edited September 23, 2021 by maureencruiser

[maureencruiser]

So, yeah, while I was writing my review, we were rocking and rolling because we gotta get to Cozumel.  I just checked, the gas smell is gone, but, we are not moving.  My view is usually the water rushing by the lifeboats, right now, it's so quiet, I can hear the waves lapping against the ship.  

[E@syPe@zy]

1 hour ago, maureencruiser said:

I looked for the tram to take me to the buffet area.  The only tram stop I saw was for Yacht Club and the driver there said he did not know where the tram stops were for the regular people.  Again, the TRAM DRIVER didn’t know where the stops were.  Oops, there’s Boston starting to peek out again.

 

So, I started walking.

 

I found some rocks.

 

 

 

The aforementioned jetskis.

 

 

 

 

The little marina area, these folks were heading out on an excursion.  Those pretty buildings behind are where the island staff live.  

 

 

Looking around.

 

 

 

 

 

The bathrooms, you’re either a mermaid or a Poseidon or is it a Triton?

 

 

 

Or...Inboard or Outboard!

 

Thanks for entertaining us Maureen!  You're the best!

[A&L_Ont]

3 hours ago, maureencruiser said:

So, quick update.  At 2pm today, the Captain announced we were having a "minor navigational issue".  It took an hour, they fixed it and we were back on our way.  So, it's 2am now, I'm just about to go to bed and suddenly, my cabin is full of the smell of gas, diesel type gas, not people gas.  I went out on the balcony, the smell is worse and we don't appear to be moving.  Pray for us ya'll.🤪  Don't tell me after this ship being idle for two years, they didn't kick the tires?

Is that the Boston in you coming out.😉😂

[green snakes]

8 hours ago, maureencruiser said:

 

 

Snakes, Obviously, you are not from Boston.  We are known for speaking our mind.  The more profane, the better.  

 

 

They're like painted rocks.  You hide them and people find them.  Just a way to put a smile on someone's face.  I was out today and saw a little kid, maybe 4 or 5?  I reached in my backpack, got a duck and made eye contact with grandma as I placed the duck down.  As I walked away, she started yelling to the kid, see the duck, there's a duck, etc.  A man came running behind me to thank me.  He said, are you Maureen?  He knew me from the socials and his other grandkid had found one of my ducks and they had been hoping this kid would.  When we couldn't cruise for so long, I had all these ducks, so, I started doing Duck Duck Jeep, putting them on Jeeps.  I go to the hospital a couple times a week and ride around in the parking lot.  I figure, whether they're patients or staff, they could use a smile.  One Jeep I went to, I was surprised to find a man inside.  He said his wife and 10 year old grandson were both in the hospital with Covid.  He wasn't allowed to visit, so, he would come and sit in the parking lot to be near them.  His wife does the ducks, so, he knew what it was and was thrilled to get one.  

 

 

We also have hidden ducks on cruise ships & their use to be a web site you could check to see if anyone found your duck & usually a pic of the kids.  Nice thing to do.  I know my young g-kids love finding them.  We need more kindness in this crazy world.

 

 

[styles27]

6 hours ago, maureencruiser said:

So, yeah, while I was writing my review, we were rocking and rolling because we gotta get to Cozumel.  I just checked, the gas smell is gone, but, we are not moving.  My view is usually the water rushing by the lifeboats, right now, it's so quiet, I can hear the waves lapping against the ship.  

Good morning! I hope you made it to Cozumel safely. 
 

Your pictures of Ocean Cay are great…makes me so excited to spend some time in that water and on those beaches. 
 

Your lunch looked good too!  I had heard they only had burgers and dogs so it’s nice to see they have some other options. 
 

Have fun in Mexico

[Homosassa]

On 9/20/2021 at 3:31 PM, maureencruiser said:

 

Ignore the incomplete quote above; I fumbled the quote selection.

 

FYI, Maureen, for your next trip to Ocean Cay:  If you look at the photos in your post #36, there is a photo from the ship looking at the blue Welcome Center tower and to the left of the tower, a long covered section with a circular drive in front.

 

That is the tram stop for trams throughout the island. Those trams will take you anywhere on the island except the YC section.

[wgeddings]

14 hours ago, maureencruiser said:

 

 

Snakes, Obviously, you are not from Boston.  We are known for speaking our mind.  The more profane, the better.  

 

 

They're like painted rocks.  You hide them and people find them.  Just a way to put a smile on someone's face.  I was out today and saw a little kid, maybe 4 or 5?  I reached in my backpack, got a duck and made eye contact with grandma as I placed the duck down.  As I walked away, she started yelling to the kid, see the duck, there's a duck, etc.  A man came running behind me to thank me.  He said, are you Maureen?  He knew me from the socials and his other grandkid had found one of my ducks and they had been hoping this kid would.  When we couldn't cruise for so long, I had all these ducks, so, I started doing Duck Duck Jeep, putting them on Jeeps.  I go to the hospital a couple times a week and ride around in the parking lot.  I figure, whether they're patients or staff, they could use a smile.  One Jeep I went to, I was surprised to find a man inside.  He said his wife and 10 year old grandson were both in the hospital with Covid.  He wasn't allowed to visit, so, he would come and sit in the parking lot to be near them.  His wife does the ducks, so, he knew what it was and was thrilled to get one.  

 

 

Very neat.  Can you post a good picture of what the tag on them says?  I may need to do something similar.  Hope you don't mind if I imitate you...

[Steeler Nation At Sea]

57 minutes ago, wgeddings said:

Very neat.  Can you post a good picture of what the tag on them says?  I may need to do something similar.  Hope you don't mind if I imitate you...

 

Does the tag in post 17 help?  It says "What amazing luck.  You found a cruising duck.  Keep or hide.  You decide."  

 

 

 

I forgot to say, I'm not doing the 26 Acts of Kindness this cruise, but, I do have Cruising Ducks.  
 

 

 

[rkacruiser]

15 hours ago, maureencruiser said:

You guys think I’m lying about having picture trouble, check this out.

 

Thoroughly enjoying your report and pictures!  Thanks for doing this.

 

I think I have bad news for you about the spot in your pictures.  I had that develop in my Canon pocket camera.  The pros at my local camera store told me that it is due to dust/dirt that had gotten into the lens system because of the telescoping lens.  Nothing could be done about that unless one wanted to spend major money to have it fixed.  Cheaper to buy a newer camera, which I eventually did.  Personally, I have never found that "spot" to be too objectionable in my pictures.  

[rkacruiser]

Regarding your Post #76 with the pictures of the buffet:  the seating area for the buffet.  I did not see that area in 2020.  (As a YC guest, I did not go to that buffet area.)  My point of this post is simple.  Such a seating area makes the seating for HAL's Half Moon Cay Buffet appear inferior.  

[FOXYDEBBY]

17 hours ago, maureencruiser said:

 

 

Snakes, Obviously, you are not from Boston.  We are known for speaking our mind.  The more profane, the better.  

 

 

They're like painted rocks.  You hide them and people find them.  Just a way to put a smile on someone's face.  I was out today and saw a little kid, maybe 4 or 5?  I reached in my backpack, got a duck and made eye contact with grandma as I placed the duck down.  As I walked away, she started yelling to the kid, see the duck, there's a duck, etc.  A man came running behind me to thank me.  He said, are you Maureen?  He knew me from the socials and his other grandkid had found one of my ducks and they had been hoping this kid would.  When we couldn't cruise for so long, I had all these ducks, so, I started doing Duck Duck Jeep, putting them on Jeeps.  I go to the hospital a couple times a week and ride around in the parking lot.  I figure, whether they're patients or staff, they could use a smile.  One Jeep I went to, I was surprised to find a man inside.  He said his wife and 10 year old grandson were both in the hospital with Covid.  He wasn't allowed to visit, so, he would come and sit in the parking lot to be near them.  His wife does the ducks, so, he knew what it was and was thrilled to get one.  

 

 

That is so wonderful. I am a nurse in a hospital and wish someone would do that. You actually gave me goosebumps. Thank you ❤️

[maureencruiser]

15 hours ago, A&L_Ont said:

Is that the Boston in you coming out.😉😂

 

You will rue the day, I'm telling you, rue the day!

 

12 hours ago, green snakes said:

We also have hidden ducks on cruise ships & their use to be a web site you could check to see if anyone found your duck & usually a pic of the kids. 

 

 

 

There are several Facebook groups, the main one is Cruising Ducks- Original Group.  There is also Carnival Cruising Ducks, Royal Caribbean Cruising Ducks, etc.

 

12 hours ago, styles27 said:

 

Your pictures of Ocean Cay are great…makes me so excited to spend some time in that water and on those beaches. 
 

Your lunch looked good too!  I had heard they only had burgers and dogs so it’s nice to see they have some other options. 
 

 

 Steve has some beautiful pictures of Lighthouse Beach during the daytime, unlike me.  I'll steal some and post them here.  Yeah, that's how rumours get started.  One person thinks they know something and tells everyone the wrong thing.

 

 

7 hours ago, Homosassa said:

 

FYI, Maureen, for your next trip to Ocean Cay:  If you look at the photos in your post #36, there is a photo from the ship looking at the blue Welcome Center tower and to the left of the tower, a long covered section with a circular drive in front.

 

Thanks, I'll be sure to tell the TRAM DRIVER!  🤬

 

6 hours ago, wgeddings said:

Very neat.  Can you post a good picture of what the tag on them says?  I may need to do something similar.  Hope you don't mind if I imitate you...

 

I'll post some duckies later.  I've done handwritten tags, used Avery print to make some at home using address labels and these ones I ordered from Zazzle.  The duck groups have files in them with various tags.  A lot of people print little passports for them and some even attach tiny paper suitcases.  

 

 

3 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

OOps, I erased your camera comment.

 

 That's what someone else told me.  That's what I have a Canon SX600HS.  I love it, got it for my Alaska review in 2016.

 

3 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

Regarding your Post #76 with the pictures of the buffet:  the seating area for the buffet.  I did not see that area in 2020.  (As a YC guest, I did not go to that buffet area.)  My point of this post is simple.  Such a seating area makes the seating for HAL's Half Moon Cay Buffet appear inferior.  

 

I have more seating photos, if you want to see them.  I figured people were already bored of my silly pictures.  The things I find interesting, yikes!

 

3 hours ago, FOXYDEBBY said:

That is so wonderful. I am a nurse in a hospital and wish someone would do that. You actually gave me goosebumps. Thank you ❤️

 

My mission is complete.  Thank you for what you do. ❤️ I assume you're familiar with MSC's Healthcare Heroes discount?

 

[maureencruiser]

Wednesday was our first sea day and we had a lot of Cruise Critic activities planned.

 

Because of that, I was up early enough for breakfast.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ooh, the pain!  Bring it! 

 

I had the eggs Benny, hash browns, and the pain.

 

 

 

 

The man behind the bakery station told me if I liked the croissants, I would LOVE the Chocolate Twists.  He said I’m giving you two twists and you come tell me later if you don’t like them more.

 

Not bad for buffet Benny.

 

 

 

The twists!  My new favorite.  He was right, the chocolate to crust ratio was vastly superior.

 

 

 

 

The buffet was another happening scene.

 

 

 

 

I’m telling you, if you can cruise now, do it!  Prices are low and the ships are empty.  I have an $1100 Carnival credit and still some airline credit.  I might have to see what Carnival is doing when I get home.

 

 

 

 

[maureencruiser]

As a Diamond member, I get an hour free session in the thermal area, whatever that is.  It sounds like something that will soothe my knees, so, I went to the spa to make an appointment.

 

I hid a duck in the spa tree.

 

 

 

 

I asked them if I would be able to do this after my treatment.

 

 

 

 

They assured me I would, in fact, be able to do this!  The skin tone is correct on this one, as well.  Any whiter and I'd be translucent.

 

 

Next, I was off to the casino for the slot pull, run by Cruiser Phil, no relation.

 

I was a little early, so…..

 

 

 

 

Is it just me or has Vlad lost a little weight?  He seems taller and more slender.

[maureencruiser]

The piazza is very pretty.  Tell the truth, you thought I was talking about pizza again, weren’t you?

 

 

 

 

This is where they have the free pastries I showed earlier.

 

 

 

 

The bar.  The waitress told me they open at 6:30am.  Yikes!

 

 

 

I heard a woman order a mimosa , but, with peach schnapps instead of orange juice.  That sounded good, so, I asked if my drink package covered that.  It did!  The more I thought about it, though, is that a peach bellini?  Someone who knows more about drinking than me (as if ), please chime in.  

 

 

 

[maureencruiser]

Here’s the slot pull crowd.  Or, maybe they just opened up the ship’s jail and this is who crawled out.  

 

 

 

 

You can tell by these faces the slot pull wasn’t going well.

 

 

 

 

We each put in $15 and left with $6.  The ship donated five gift bags and they looked pretty good.  I saw earrings from Effy, free bingo cards, decks of cards, etc.  Maybe someone who won will post what all was in the bags.

 

While in the casino, I bought my bingo card, I think I’m going to win the $25, 000 prize.

 

Up on the pool deck for bingo, I placed a duck on a bench.  I saw a family moving in that direction and I wasn’t disappointed.  The little girl found my duck!  I wanted a picture of her with the duck, but, I didn’t want to show her face.  Luckily, the father obliged by spraying sunscreen directly into her eyes.

 

 

 

[maureencruiser]

Some Entertainment Team hijinx.

 

 

 

 

Here’s the $25, 000 winner!

 

 

 

 

Here’s the pool deck at high noon on a sea day.

 

 

 

 

Again, cruise now!

 

 

 

 

The winning ticket, Vlad and a lucky ducky, what more did I need?

 

 

 

 

[maureencruiser]

Apparently, I needed something to soothe my sore feelings when I lost and I could only think of one thing.

 

 

 

 

The Cabin Crawl was at 2pm.  I couldn't crawl, but, I did show my cabin so people could see my triangular balcony.

 

That reminds me, I had told my steward that I would be entertaining in my cabin that day.  He said he would make it "extra sexy".  I don't think his idea of entertaining and mine are the same.  He brought in fresh ice for my Prosecco.   I just wanted to make sure he emptied the trash.  

 

I didn't want to disappoint him, though.  The headboard is made out of red velvet, so, when you touch it, you leave tracks.  After the crawlers left, my feet were throbbing, so, I laid on my bed with my feet on the headboard.  I tried to leave good footprints , so, he wouldn't think his efforts were in vain.  

 

After lunch, we had a Birthday Bash for everyone celebrating a birthday.  I had apple pie and skinny Vlad showed up again.

 

 

 

 

After all this excitement, I needed a nap, then dinner.

 

Giant, blow up cowboy boots on the way to dinner.  Why not?