Sunday, May 3, 2015

Let the Games REALLY BEGIN NOW!!!

Now that we had explored our home... room7344, which was the 1st room right around the corner from the mid stairs and escalators. Decieded it was time to start exploring, found the Theater and the start of seelfies began. 

P found the outside workout area, he kept up his GTL (but for him the L stood for Lunch)


Obligatory funnel pics are a must.


Made our way down to the Red Frog Pub and the boys played a round of foosball. While I looked at the menu, that I didnt take pics of apparently.. see overwhelmed lol.

Our roll call decided to do a meet and greet set for 3pm at the Aft Bar/Pool. It was awesome to put names and faces together. One gal made name tags (perfect for all of us to wear at the up coming events). Another gal had all of the events made into flyers, and handed those out to everyone. I posted them on our closet doors to help me remember each day.

We stayed enjoying each others company, it seemed like we were old friends, heck even family. Until it was time for the Mustard Drill (the boys still call it that LOL) Ours was in Circe C, perfect too as we finally saw where both clubs were, which was right next to each other on Deck 4 Aft. We met a few people from our meet up in there too.. Good to know if we go down, it will be among friends LOL... someone better share their door with me (Titanic reference) 

Once we were cleared to leave muster, which by the way, Im gonna reference Disney here, they make you line up (or at least did 8yrs ago) outside near your lifeboat. Then checked for each room/member by calling room # roll. At Carnival you just come in, watch how to put on a life jacket then your free to go. Guess I can look at it from 2 perspectives.. 1)Carnival has it under control and no need to do all of that. or 2)Were Screwed LOL

After being excused from Mustard (lol) We went up to the Lido Deck... Momma was thirsty, and finally got her 1st Drink of The Day!.. Cant remember what it was LOL but lots of pinapple, not so much alcohol. DISLIKE. As I sipped, someone napped... he doesnt get the nickname Grandpa for nothing. 



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I had enough liquid courage to volunteer for a game. Unfortunately I wasn't dressed correctly, the jean capris did not work in my favor. You see, they gave the 3 players a Carnival ship coin and you have to run from one point of the deck to the pool and drop our coin into a drinking glass... using your checks, and NOT the ones your face.

Suffice to say I didn't win, so no free drink darn it, but I did get to keep the gold coin.. Guess they dont want it back after where it was huh lol. Really wish the kids got video but guess I cant be too mad they at least got a picture of me. So word to the wise if you want to win, wear leggings. The gal that won had them and it help keep things into place perfectly... cuz I will say its not for my lack of umm junk in my trunk lol. 

Then it was sailaway time, so we moved up to the top deck to feel the wind in our hair, and watch the world get smaller. 



A moment later a cruise photographer was there taking our picture and we had lost J. Oh well the picture came out cute, if only it was all of us... so I didnt buy it, just copied a bootleg of it. YUP Im that person.



After taking the picture we heard a squeaky voice yell "Hey Guys, down here!" Found him!
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Then we were next on deck to leave.


I figured we would just push out then head towards the open waters, but we pushed out then went the opposite way. That threw us all off but we ended up making a u-turn in the harbor, before heading out.



Miami is a pretty city to leave from

As we were moving out, we got to watch a Sea plane take off, it was so neat, and a 1st for all of us.

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Ohh I see smoke were moving. That means time for dancing!!

 

I had become "Friends" with our CD and he would post different dances that they do on board.It helped to not be completely lost when learning them. I'm a fast learner but not under the influence LOL. 

Then it was time to Harlem Shake -  Harlem Shake Link



After multiple line dances they brought out the Seuss characters for the kids. 


Then did a conga line... that was my exit.Which was perfect as I was burned out... need to work dancing into my workout route!




Adios Miami, Hello Fun! We couldnt wait for this... yet we had already started on the fun part!

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We took this time to head to our room and see if the rest of our bags had arrived, and they were all there. The 4 of us worked quickly to hang clothes up, fyi bring extra hangers if you have more than 2 people. I always save our dry cleaning hangers since they are light to pack. We also use an over the door shoe holder for lotion, sunscreen, our S & S Cards, etc. It helps to keep the bathroom clutter free.

Once we were unpacked we enjoyed our balcony for a bit. Then we set the boys up on the HUB APP so that we could all text to keep in touch. It was then that we found out that they had to have money in their account in order to purchase the app. We dont allow them to charge, not because we dont trust them, just that we never have set it up that way. If they want something they find us to buy it for them. Anyhow we told them we told take care of that.  We told them to meet us at the Blush Restaurant at 8pm for dinner. 

We went to guest services and the line was pretty long now. But they had another person on the floor asking what people needed and if they were able to use the "atm type S & S kiosk" she sent them that way. So when she came to us she stated we could use it but needed to know their folio #... nope dont have that.. so back of the line we had to go! UGGG 

Eventually we moved up, pretty quickly and put $25 on each of the boys cards so they could buy the app, and play video games etc if they wanted. We told them when its gone, its gone! (if they wanted a souvenir from the ship that would go on our card)  

I had brought wine, so we popped that open and took a glass with us walking around. E and I set out to explore also. We came upon the Taste Bar, where todays selection was from the Italian place, Cucina Del Capitano. Meatballs and Bruchetta were available to sample. They hit the spot too. Went well with our wine!


Made our way to the Atrium and listened to some music, walked thru the shops. Then it was almost time for dinner. The boys were there waiting for us, as they still had the door closed. Once they let us in, we found our table on the upper right side. We had a booth to ourselves sort of in a lil nook area. 
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Of course they come around and get pics... we actually bought the 1st one. Only because it looks like they still like eachother, it happens from time to time.


These we didnt buy so much of.


Again 1st night no food poor, it gets better I swear! 

E had a cesar salad, while I had the corn chowder, J had mac n cheese w/bacon, P has the quesadilla... and thats all they wanted. Apparently they already made friends and they all had the early dinning. We had the late, so basically they ate apps with us then left. Guess we got to enjoy each others company now. 

Before they left we finally connected them to the app and told them to be back by 1am. This is where we found out J couldnt log in because he was only 12. They stated you had to be 13, so we gave E's phone to him since he would be with me. Figured we just needed to go back to guest services to get that approved for him to use. (come to find out as the paying party/parent you cant over rule it, so that was a sort of a pain to not give E a phone but he usually was with me anyhow so not bad) 

For main course, E had the flat iron steak and fries. I got the grilled Mahi Mahi which was on the Port of Call from Maimi menu. It was really good for both of us. Boys said they enjoyed their apps also.
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I crack up at their pirate, at least this one looks semi decent. Our Freedom cruise looked like a homeless guy, poor thing LOL. Again we are comparing to Disney who has Captain Sparrow Hellooo Johny Depp LOL
 





Time for dessert, I had tiramisu, and E got the warm chocolate melting cake... but he's nice enough to share, ok I just take a bite or 4 lol. Both good.
When we were done we said goodnight to our wait staff, and went to the Ovation theater to see the welcome aboard show. It was cute and had us laughing.


We left in time to catch the Comedy show at 1115pm with comedian Macio. Omg he had us in stiches. He was a little ronchy at times, but still cracked us up. After the show, "grandpa" was getting tired, but I talked him into walking around the lido deck at night once, before we headed to our room.

Once we were back in our room, he had the tv on for not even 5mins before the snoring began. I on the other hand could not sleep until the boys came back. Since I purchased the Social Media Internet package for $25 for user of the whole cruise, unlimited time. I started putting a collage together of our 1st day to put on Instagram, along with check into our cruise meets thread to see what everyone else had done on our 1st day. 

Eventually J came in just before 1am (good boy!). Meanhile 1am passed.. 1:05, 1:10... Text to P. Hey its past 1am get your you know what back to the room NOW. To which I got the oh sorry didnt realized it was 1am.. mmmhmm, sure, I know that game! Told him from now on set an alarm for 5mins before, so you get back here on time. Got a yes ma'am, then he changed his close and continued to text his new friends. 

 No alarm was set since the next day was a sea day.
Overall great start to our 8day cruise, and everyone still liked eachother and we all had a GREAT TIME!


Next Up: Sea Day Fun