Carnival Sunshine- We don’t need no stinking Bahamas - Our Unexpected Adventure

[Call8675309]

Wednesday, January 31, 2024 - Nassau

 

Wow, Nassau looks different. The last time we were here was the week after Dorian hit Abaco. I knew they were building a new port area, so I wasn’t shocked, but it has definitely changed. As you might imagine, we opted to stay on the ship. We’ve been here quite a few times and thought it might be nice to have a day to relax and enjoy what the ship had to offer without the crowds.

 

Balcony View - Nassau:

 

 

We had a pretty uneventful breakfast and walk on the jogging track. I was eyeballing the ropes course, since I am up for adventures. He was having none of that. Round two to me. We set a meeting time and place and I gave him my phone since I couldn’t take it with me. I have to tell you, this ropes course is unlike any other I have been on. Some of the ropes seemed a bit stretchy. I wonder how long it’s been since they have done an overhaul on the elements? Maybe I’m just getting old. OK no maybe about it, I’m old. I completed the closed loop, but I’ve got to tell you that three elements from the end there was one that was a doozy. I had seen a small child just beyond that point a few days ago crying hysterically. Now I know why. I was ready to go into the fetal position by this point. Good thing I will be done after two more elements. On the very last rope, there was something that surprised me a bit. If you ask me if I will try that again, I’ll just say “frayed knot.” Literally and figuratively. One and done.

 

When I went to find AJ at our meeting spot. He wasn’t there. Seriously? I walked around for a while and then went upstairs and peeked in the library.  Fortunately for him, I just happened to see him in there. He waved at me and smiled and said “I texted you”, and I said “well you have my phone remember?” Evidently he didn’t remember. Round three to me. No more beverages for him.

 

The rest of the day and night was fairly uneventful. We spent some time in the serenity area and I highly recommend it. The waterfall is really nice and the clamshells are a great place to hang out if you want to stay out of the sun. There are plenty of comfy looking lounge chairs as well, and we really enjoyed spending time there.

 

Serenity Waterfall:

 

 

 

 

 

 

A little more wine on the balcony before dinner was a really nice touch to the day. We just had dinner in the MDR and it was fine. Suddenly, we’re getting wake view tables.  Awesome! We wanted to get to sleep a little earlier tonight because tomorrow is Half Moon Cay and we really wanted to rent stand up paddle boards and enjoy the day on the island. Good night Sunshine and hello island time.

[TrinaLC]

I’ve read you guys are really experiencing “weather” and may return late?

[BrentD]

24 minutes ago, TrinaLC said:

I’ve read you guys are really experiencing “weather” and may return late?

This isn’t a live cruise chronicle. The OP has been home. Perhaps the current cruise is returning late. 

[Call8675309]

38 minutes ago, TrinaLC said:

I’ve read you guys are really experiencing “weather” and may return late?

Oh, no. This is not live. I like to reminisce rather than report. I hope the current voyage is going well and all are safe.

[Call8675309]

14 minutes ago, BrentD said:

This isn’t a live cruise chronicle. The OP has been home. Perhaps the current cruise is returning late. 

You are correct. I might investigate the current situation. I hope all is well for them

[Iamthesea]

 I had seen a small child just beyond that point a few days ago crying hysterically. Now I know why. I was ready to go into the fetal position by this point. Good thing I will be done after two more elements. On the very last rope, there was something that surprised me a bit. If you ask me if I will try that again, I’ll just say “frayed knot.” Literally and figuratively. One and done.

 

Thank you for reporting on the ropes course.  I thought that my two grandchildren would love it.  When showing them a video of the ropes, my 7 year old granddaughter said she wasn't so sure.  My 10 year old grandson said "cool"!  Now I am not sure that I even want them near the course! 😮  I think they may stick to the slides.

[Call8675309]

17 hours ago, Iamthesea said:

 I had seen a small child just beyond that point a few days ago crying hysterically. Now I know why. I was ready to go into the fetal position by this point. Good thing I will be done after two more elements. On the very last rope, there was something that surprised me a bit. If you ask me if I will try that again, I’ll just say “frayed knot.” Literally and figuratively. One and done.

 

Thank you for reporting on the ropes course.  I thought that my two grandchildren would love it.  When showing them a video of the ropes, my 7 year old granddaughter said she wasn't so sure.  My 10 year old grandson said "cool"!  Now I am not sure that I even want them near the course! 😮  I think they may stick to the slides.

Good call. While I was up there an attendant asked if I needed help because I was standing on a tower for an extended period of time. I gestured to the next tower and the “doozy” of an element just beyond. There wad a child most of the way across but frozen at the point where the ropes seemed to sag. The climb up to the tower was too much for even me. Poor child! They instructed someone to step on the other end to raise the ropes and increase the likelihood the child could climb up to the next tower. Not recommended.

[Call8675309]

Thursday, February 1, 2024 - Half Moon Cay

 

We awoke at a decent hour and noticed that we were anchored near half Moon Cay. Well, I didn’t expect that, it was really choppy last night. In fact, it was choppy enough that I could hear the creaking and groaning of the metal of the ship. I’ve experienced worse. Much worse. Because of that, when we when we got out of bed, I fully expected us to not be at the island. Maybe today will go better than I thought.

 

We got a great table in the MDR with a wonderful view of the island. We have been here before and really enjoyed it. I could see quite a bit of chop and some whitecaps, so I wasn’t optimistic that we were staying, but I wanted to believe. As you might imagine, while we were eating breakfast, we were underway, watching the island recede in the distance. Honestly, I’m really glad they made that call. On our last cruise, we had gone to a private island of another cruise line and a storm blew in while we were there. It hadn’t quite reached us, however, the winds got there early. It was brutal getting off the tender and walking across the gangway back onto the ship. I’m not particularly tall, however, I had a rough time bending over, trying not to hit my head. In that instance, our balcony was right over the tender gangway and we sat on our balcony, and observed at least three code alphas to respond to injuries. Kudos to Captain Contario for making that call. I appreciate Carnival for doing the right thing even though it meant yet another Sea Day.

 

Ironically, tomorrow is February 2 - Groundhog Day! This entire cruise feels like the movie. Every day is like a repeat of the previous one. Of course, I’m not complaining, I’m on a cruise!

 

[Call8675309]

Thursday, February 1, 2024 - Half Moon Cay turned Sea Day (Continued)

 

 

Babe

I got you, Babe

I got you, Babe. 🎵🎶🎵🎵

 

Yes, this certainly is Groundhog Day.  During the day at least. The evening, however, is an opportunity for new experiences and adventure.

 

We dined in the Steakhouse this evening. It was a fairly decent meal with attentive service during the first half of the meal. The highlights were the mushrooms and the fruit bowl dessert (I know we are weird, but we really like fresh, tropical fruit). Afterwards, tonight is the 80’s party on the Lido. It was advertised as rock. I only heard two rock songs, but we had a blast anyway. Lots of fun dancing and singing. Let me just warn you, they did play Mony, Mony. Please don’t forget that if you intend to sing the alternative lyrics to use the term ice cream. 😉

 

Following the Lido deck party, we returned to our room. Here is where I’m going to share some photos of the stateroom. As background, I had read numerous reviews complaining about the salty windows. As luck would have it, they would finally be cleaned near the end of our voyage. Here’s how this went…

 

We returned to a hang tag on our cabin door:

 

“Windows cleaning tomorrow. Please Cover Up.”

 

What I want to know, is how do we cover up the windows?

 

Do we cover near the bed?

 

 

Or do we cover the balcony door?

 

 

 

The curtain was not sufficient to cover the entire window of the room. I guess we will hide in the bathroom or scare the cleaning crew. C’est La Vie. I actually found this puzzling and amusing in equal measure.

 

We should probably get some sleep prior to the official Groundhog Day, Final Sea Day…..

[ninjacat123]

Looking forward to your report on JiJi's😀

[casinostreer]

You claim that you had attentive service at the BEGINING of the meal. Did the service wane as the meal progress? If so - that's unfortunate. We've dined in the steakhouse a number of times and our experiences have ranged from good to excellent, but the service has always been top notch. Dining again on our next cruise in 10 days - so I'm hoping for great service. 🙂

 

Still loving this review. I'm thinking of writing a live review of our upcoming 8 day - and I hope it's as well written and entertaining as yours. 🙂

[Call8675309]

18 hours ago, casinostreer said:

You claim that you had attentive service at the BEGINING of the meal. Did the service wane as the meal progress? If so - that's unfortunate. We've dined in the steakhouse a number of times and our experiences have ranged from good to excellent, but the service has always been top notch. Dining again on our next cruise in 10 days - so I'm hoping for great service. 🙂

 

Still loving this review. I'm thinking of writing a live review of our upcoming 8 day - and I hope it's as well written and entertaining as yours. 🙂

Sadly, yes, a noticeable drop in attentiveness was noted right before the entrees were delivered. They got slammed, and I am a slow eater and am pretty low maintenance, however, it’s my understanding that part of the experience is for them to serve the food and wine (think corkage with BYO). For that reason, I have to honestly report that they were overwhelmed.

 

Thank you for the compliment. I will look forward to reading your live review. Those are great, and yet, probably not something I would attempt. I benefit from reflection.

[Call8675309]

Friday, February 2, 2024 - Sea Day (#5 for us!) Groundhog Day 

 

 

🎵🎶🎵🎵

Babe

I got you, Babe

I got you, Babe.

🎵🎶🎵🎵

 

Now that it’s officially Groundhog Day, we can change things up a bit. I headed to the Havana Bar for some good coffee to start the day right. This was a really great indoor area of the ship. Please don’t tell everyone, it would be too bad if it started getting really crowded! 😉

 

Havana Bar

 

 

It was a pretty cold day, so most of our time was spent inside. We did have to visit the Lido deck for Lunch and The Blue Iguana Cantina, however, indoors was a more comfortable place to be.

 

We also made additional trips to the Havana Bar, particularly right before dinner. Tonight is our inaugural visit to JiJi’s. I owe the folks on this board a huge thank you for reviewing the restaurant and speaking so highly of the food. As someone who has eaten in Chicago’s Chinatown a great deal, I will admit that I was a little skeptical. Now I’m a believer. Wow!

 

We ordered chicken spring rolls and duck. Fortunately for me, he’s not a huge fan of duck so more for me. We also got Singapore shrimp and Kung Pao Chicken. Both were excellent. We were both blissing out. We opted for just two of four offered sides and tried the eggplant and fried rice. Both were really good. For dessert, he got the crème  brûlée and I got the wonton. He loved his. I liked the wonton part of mine, but prefer my tapioca pearls in Boba.

 

Please don’t go to JiJi’s. I don’t want them to keep raising the price.

 

Overall, I really enjoyed our cruise where we had the ship as the only real destination. It wasn’t the plan, but it was really enjoyable.

 

Our fellow cruisers were mostly a polite and happy group of people. The friendly and kind passengers mostly made this an enjoyable experience. The vibe onboard was upbeat and, you guessed it, FUN. No false advertising here. The rare exceptions to this were probably those who are unhappy no matter what. I don’t let them bring me down.

 

If you go, enjoy the last season cruising out of Charleston. I’m disappointed that the port will no longer be available but I feel blessed to have been able to enjoy one cruise from there.

 

If you have ever had James Love, CD on your cruise you will understand why I close with this simple phrase.

 

Bye Y’all!

[Iamthesea]

Do you know how long James will be onboard. Hopefully through the end of March.

[Call8675309]

3 hours ago, Iamthesea said:

Do you know how long James will be onboard. Hopefully through the end of March.

I’m not sure. He was talking about being ready for time off. I hope he’s there when you sail.

[casinostreer]

Call8675309,

 

I agree! We need to stop raving about Jiji's and Havanna Bar! Too many people will find out and ruin EVERYTHING!!

 

But seriously - we like to stay on deck 9 just so that we can be close to coffee and Cuban snacks. I'm glad you enjoyed Jijis - especially after a disappointing night at the Steakhouse. Our cruise is never complete without some Kung Pao Chicken, some crispy pork belly and of course, the duck!

 

Thanks for taking us with you on your cruise. We hope to return the favor in a week or so!

[dacsmom]

I agree with you about the BBQ salmon. It was probably the best meal I  had on the ship. James is so much fun as a CD. Sorry you missed HMC, we were lucky in January to stop there. I enjoyed your review, thank you.

[Iamthesea]

🤔  Is this review over?

[ninjacat123]

7 minutes ago, Iamthesea said:

🤔  Is this review over?

I think so.  The OP said at the end of post #38, "Bye Y'all!" so I think that's it.

[Iamthesea]

🤣  I am confusing this with another review I have been following.  I still have them both up on my computer.

[Call8675309]

On 2/19/2024 at 9:17 AM, dacsmom said:

I agree with you about the BBQ salmon. It was probably the best meal I  had on the ship. James is so much fun as a CD. Sorry you missed HMC, we were lucky in January to stop there. I enjoyed your review, thank you.

Thank you for the kind words and for sailing along for the review. Maybe next cruise we can see HMC again.

[Call8675309]

10 hours ago, Iamthesea said:

🤔  Is this review over?

Th-th-th-th-that’s all folks!