I left Fresno headed for Miami early Saturday morning, April 10, 2010, with great anticipation of my trip ahead. I reached Miami about 6 PM. I was met at the airport by my friend, Steve Epperson, who lives in Ft. Lauderdale. (We met on the trip to Italy in 2007.) We had dinner and visited for a while, then called it a night.
The next morning, he picked me up and I went to church with him. His pastor is Bro. David Elms, and did we ever have church! Steve said that church never lasted longer than noon, so we would have plenty of time to grab some lunch, then he would take me to the port of Miami. Last boarding call was at 2:30PM and sail away was at 4PM. Of course, Bro. Elms was a little "extra" anointed that day, so at several minutes after noon, when he had us all stand, Steve and I crept out. We rushed out to his pickup only to find that it was blocked in! Someone had parked behind him, and another in front, with cars on both sides. This was actually quite funny, but Steve was a little anxious, knowing that you can never trust traffic, and wanting to get me to the port in time. We finally got someone to move his vehicle and we were on our way. I made it with lots of time to spare, of course...!
I said goodbye to Steve, and got in line to board the ship. Several "old" friends from past trips starting showing up. There was a feeling of excitement, as we all started talking and catching up with each other. Of course, it was easy to spot more of "us" that I hadn't met yet, also in line ahead and behind me. I finally boarded ship and headed for my stateroom. I didn't know any of my room mates, and wondered if I would meet them now. The room was empty, so I put down my carry on, and went out to the top deck to take pictures as we pulled away from Miami. At 4 o'clock the ship started moving. Everyone started screaming and shouting with excitement. It was so funny!
At 5 o'clock, we had our first meeting in the Green Room. It was here that I met my room mates. Kathy and Diane and I were in one room, and Heather, Sherry, and Barb were in an adjoining room. They were all from Illinois and all went to the same church. They were a lot of fun, and welcomed me into their group. At 6 o'clock we headed to our first dinner of the cruise.
After dinner each night we all headed to the PG comedy show. These were good, clean comedy shows that were really, really funny. They actually became the highlight of the cruise (while on board ship, anyway). After the comedy, we usually headed for Karaoke. This was hilarious fun since a lot of our group could sing. We usually kind of took over the Karaoke since there were so many of us. One night another cruiser passed us and said, "I know you are all Pentecostals, so that means you all can sing!".
(I will tell this part now, so it makes sense to you later. Multiple times throughout the cruise they had "try outs" for the Carnival Legends show that was put on the last night of the cruise. They had cruisers try out for the parts of James Brown, Ricky Martin, Brittany Spears, Aretha Franklin, Madonna, Gloria Estefan, Elvis, Frank Sinatra and others. After each person would sing for the try out, whoever got the most cheers from the crowd won the part. That person had the rest of the week to practice the song and had a costume fitting on Saturday. Saturday night was the Carnival Legends show. It was awesome and hilariously funny since two of our people tried out and won parts.)
I think there were 113 singles that went on this trip. There were at least 2 people that were 18 years old, and the oldest was 84. There were so many people that I did not learn everyone's names. I tried, but couldn't do it.
This was the first day, and it was good.......tomorrow Half Moon Cay, Bahamas.
ALL OF US SAM CRUISERS
On Monday, we were docked at Half Moon Cay, Bahamas. First on the agenda was a beach volleyball game. This was great fun, although my team got slaughtered. (The ball only came to me once, otherwise we might have won...! LOL) After the game, I left and changed into my swim wear and headed to the water. I got this swim wear especially for the cruise. It worked out perfectly, and I am so glad I had it! There were about 15 - 20 of us ladies with this swim wear, and we all loved it. (If you would like information on where to order, let me know.)
After swimming for a while, we had lunch. The ship had set up a buffet of many different kinds of food for all of the cruisers. Delicious, of course. After eating, Linda and I walked around the island taking pictures, and getting a bit of exercise, then it was time to get back on board the ship.
This was the second day, and it was good....tomorrow, a day at sea.
Tuesday was our first day at sea. I slept in until about 9:30, left most of my room mates sleeping, and went in search of breakfast. I went through the buffet line and after getting my food, I searched the dining room looking to sit with someone I knew. I didn't see anyone I knew, but I saw another lady from our group sitting alone. I asked if I could join her, and this is how I met Shanell Hudson of Arizona. I love these trips, not only for having places to go, but for meeting new friends. Shanell and I talked for hours, discovering how much we have in common, then it was time to meet in the Green Room again. This time we introduced ourselves. We had to tell our name, where we were from, something about ourselves, and if we were an "Over or an Under, or were we just happy to have some..."....that, in reference to our toilet paper! (In case you were wondering, I am so fanatically an Over, that if I come to your house and it's Under, I'll change it for you.) LOL
This was a lazy, kick back day and I don't know what happened to the photographer in me, but I didn't take many pictures. This night was our first "dress up" dinner. Then, it was PG comedy and karaoke again.
This was the third day, and it was good.......tomorrow, St. Thomas!
Yay! St. Thomas! I was looking forward to St. Thomas because I was going snorkeling for the first time in my life. I have wanted to for a long time, but never had anything to wear in the water. Did I tell you how much I LOVE my new swim wear??? I have always wanted to go sailing, too, and I "killed two birds with one stone", on this trip.
We were headed for Buck's Cove. They passed out our masks, snorkels, fins and life vests and everyone got geared up.
When we got to Buck's Cove, there were two ways to get off the boat. There were stairs with a long line of people, or there was the "express line". One of the crew men was helping people jump off the side of the boat. I wanted to go the stairs, but knew it would take a long time, and I wanted to get in the water, so I took the "express line". I was a bit nervous about jumping in, so the crew man had me sit on the side and slide in. I still couldn't do it, so I told him to push me in, and push me in, he did! Over the side I went and the water went over my head. I must confess that I came up a little panicky. I was hyper-ventilating and knew it, so I swam over to the steps and grabbed the rope of the ship. I held on for a few minutes to calm down. I was still rather nervous when the crew men started asking who wanted a "pool noodle". I got one, and that held me a little more out of the water and I was good after that. Our "tour guide" took off and I swam after him. I tried putting my face in the water and breathing through the snorkel, but when I did, I felt panicky again. I loved what I saw in that brief moment under water, so I kept trying until I felt comfortable. By the time we had to get out of the water, I didn't want to. I was having such a great time. I saw a baracuda, many, many different fish in various colors of the rainbow, a coral reef, a ship wreck, Fire Urchin, (don't touch) White Urchin, Conch, Brittle Sea Star, sea anemone and so many other things. That was one of the most fun things I have ever done! I took an underwater camera, but I must not have put it back together correctly after putting in the batteries, for it filled with water and wouldn't work. Rats!
After snorkeling, they took us back to shore and Avis, April and I went to find lunch. We found an outside cafe and all ordered different kinds of sea food and then shared with each other. It was delicious!
When we had our fill, I went my own way and headed up to Paradise Point. I met up with Tim, Sarah, and some others, and we rode the sky tram up. I took several pictures from that vantage point, then headed back to the ship for dinner, PG comedy and karaoke.
This was the fourth day, and it was good....tomorrow San Juan, Puerto Rico. Next post....(next week).
