The never ending cruise!

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

You totally hit the FIL jackpot

Yes I did. And I'm not just talking about his generosity. He's also one of my best friends.

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

I so agree!

Yep.

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

DD and I finished our dive and she was glowing.

After getting rinsed off we all headed to Margaritaville for a cheeseburger in Paradise. It's a fun place to hang out and have a good time and drink a Land Shark Beer.

They have lots of water toys for DD and nephew to play on

Pretty soon it was time to get back in the ship. We got back on the ship and got ready for dinner. Dinner was great. We hung out at the piano bar after dinner than went to bed. Sorry no pix from dinner

The next day we where in

Progresso Mexico. Here's a pic from our stateroom.

If you look way off in the distance you can see Progresso. The Progresso pier is the longest pier in the world. (According to the cruise director). It's a little over 5 miles long.

The kids love the Towel Elephant as we disembarked the ship.

I forgot. It's Saint Paddy's Day!

A lot of people say that Progresso is boring and there's nothing to do there. Well to a point they're correct. But that's what we like about it. We always go to this restaurant and grab a few beers and margaritas.

They have tables across the street on the beach and the waiters keeps the buckets full of beers and ice.

Here's a pix of me, DW and DD. With the pier in the background.

Here's me, FIL, and DD. Way off in the distance next to that white building is our cruise ship. I guess that pier really is 5 miles long.

Some of the teenagers wanted to get some Henna tattoos. So of course the younger kids wanted them also. I was a bit reluctant about letting my 10 yr old get a tattoo but she gave me the puppy dog eyes and I said ok. Here she is getting some new ink.

The finished product.

We had a great time but soon it was back to get back on board. The pier is so long they provide shuttle buses to bring us from the ship to the town and back again.

As soon as we got in board we cleaned up for the past guest appreciation party. If you have 25 or more cruise days with Carnival you are given an invitation to this party. They have a band, dancing, and the cruise director gives us a little talk and they have hors devours and free drinks. (That's the only reason I went). The kids like the fruity non alcoholic drinks and dancing.

Getting close to photo limit so I'll quit for now

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

We left off at the past guest reception and it had been an hour since I ate last so it was time for dinner.

I had the cream of wild mushroom soup. And two entrees.

You know I had to try the BACON Mac n chz. It was pretty good. I don't know why they put a small grilled chicken breast but it was tasty.

But the chateaubriand with cream spinach was incredible. I think I ate most of it before I remembered to take a pic of it.

For dessert they had this wonderful mint cheesecake.

The my two teenage nieces took the kids up to the pool after dinner to watch movies on the big screen next to the pool. Big Hero 6, and Maleficent

I dropped a few bucks off at the casino and hit the piano bar at 9:00 pm to grab a few seats to see the piano man.

And that's when it happened.

My BIL and I felt the ship suddenly come to a stop and an announcement came over the intercom system...

"Bravo, Bravo, Starboard! Bravo, Bravo, Starboard!"

WTF! Was going on? My nephew walked in a minute later and told us a passenger went overboard and that we were turning around. I went to the 10 deck and it was packed. Sorry no pictures. It just didn't feel right taking pictures. I looked overboard an there was a life ring with a bright light attached floating in the water. They asked that everyone be quit while they conducted the search. They had a huge spot light searching the waters by the life ring and I noticed next to me was a FLIR camera (forward looking infrared camera( it can detect body heat)). They cancelled all the shows but kept the clubs, casino, and all the stuff on the Promenade deck open. As you can imagine the rumors were flying. First it was a 14 year old kid. Then a college kid fell. Then a college kid jumped.

It was weird being out in the middle of the ocean basically stopped. The seas were eerily calm.

The next morning they made an announcement that the Mexican coast guard recovered a body believed to be the missing guest. And to keep the family in our thoughts and prayers. This letter was also slid under our door.

Well it turns out it was a 54 year old man that jumped. My BIL who looks like a cop had made friends with a ships security guard and a passenger who was an off duty cop from somewhere in Texas. The security guard told him and the off duty cop was in the room next to this couple told him the same story. Ill piece it all together for you.

When I was in the casino the night before a couple was fighting so loud they were kicked out of the casino.

When they got back to their stateroom they continued fighting and security was called again. But before they could get there the wife ran out of the room bloody from fighting and said her husband fell.

The ships security guard told my BIL that they actually had him in camera jumping off of the ship. Not falling. But on CNN and in the newspaper I read when we got back to Galveston said that according to Carnival the guest fell off the ship.

So if the ships security guard is right why would carnival say he fell? Wouldn't it be better for them if he jumped?

Either way I feel sorry for the two kids that were left behind.

Well this was our last day and we were at sea. So we went to the dining room for breakfast. Chocolate chip pancakes.

Then we hit the pool deck.

BIL, nephew and FIL girlfriend at one of the two bars that flanked the swimming pool.

More line dancing.

DW, DD, and niece out by the pool. More proof that Fiend men marry up.

DD and my niece loved the pool.

We've been on several cruises and this is our third cruise with this iteniary. We had some of the smoothest waters I've ever seen. This pix was taken about lunch time cruising at about 20 knots.

There isn't a single white cap.

There was more line dancing and beer drinking. The kids loved being able to swim all day and eat as much ice cream as they wanted.

Pretty soon it was time to clean up for dinner. Dinner was a bitter sweet event for us. First it was my deceased step MIL's birthday. My FIL and her were married for 32 years and it was her first born grand daughters birthday. But we had a great time. I had the cream of shroom soup again.

and an appetizer of some tasty sushi.

For my entree I had the Flat Iron steak. It was delicious and cooked perfectly.

For dessert my BIL ordered a cake for my nieces birthday and it was yummy.

I loved our view from our table. We got to watch the sun go down every night.

After dinner we hung out and had a few drinks and just enjoyed each other's company.

It was nice and relaxing and not like a typical last night at sea. Mainly because we knew we wouldn't be getting up real early to be rushed off the ship. They told us we won't be in Galveston till 11:00 am. So we

Were able to stay out a little late and take our time packing.

The next day we arrived outside of Galveston just before 10:00 am and were greeted to this.

Fog. At one point i was on the back of the boat and I couldn't see the front of the ship. They finally opened the port and we docked. I had one last burger and they finally call our group to disembark. We got to our car at approx 3:30pm and headed out.

It was a great trip and one non of us will soon forget.

Thanks for reading along.

Ray.

[Beckers 1,136]

Great report ray ! Did you see any of the shows? How were they? We've always had the late dinner seating and usually never make it to the shows. Other that the newlywed show, the couple that married the longest is always a riot.

[DaveInTN 3,247]

I feel terrible for that man's family.  There was obviously something awful going on....possibly made worse by alcohol.  But to jump?  What a shame.  

 

Still, I'm glad you had a good cruise otherwise.  The food looks very good, and what I could see of the ship looked nice. 

 

Oh, and this.....

 

We left off at the past guest reception and it had been an hour since I ate last so it was time for dinner.
 

 

Sounds about right!  LOL.  

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

Great report ray ! Did you see any of the shows? How were they? We've always had the late dinner seating and usually never make it to the shows. Other that the newlywed show, the couple that married the longest is always a riot.

DW and DD went to a few and they liked them. After dinner I go straight back to our room and put on shorts and a t-shirt. I'm on vacation and don't want to be dressed up.

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Great job on this report, Ray.

 

It sounds like the captain handled the tragedy of the guest jumping very well.  It's odd that they would say he fell if he really jumped. I wonder if they are trying to not put ideas into people's heads?

 

I agree with the earlier comments that the food looks great.  We have taken several Carnival cruises, but it's been a while.  It looks like Carnival may have upped their game in the food department.

 

I was surprised to hear that the played Big Hero 6 and Maleficent on the big screen- Disney must allow this.  I guess they're not afraid of competition with Carnival.

 

TCD

[DaveInTN 3,247]

Suicide is such a sensitive subject and plays into life insurance settlements.  I bet their policy is to not make that type of proclamation, and to leave it up to the investigators.

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

I feel terrible for that man's family. There was obviously something awful going on....possibly made worse by alcohol. But to jump? What a shame.

Still, I'm glad you had a good cruise otherwise. The food looks very good, and what I could see of the ship looked nice.

Oh, and this.....

Sounds about right! LOL.

It was spring break. I'm sure alcohol played a role.

Food was great. I'd say better than the RCCL we and y'all went on this last year.

They did a really nice job on the refurb. It's a lot more modern. Up to date.

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Suicide is such a sensitive subject and plays into life insurance settlements.  I bet their policy is to not make that type of proclamation, and to leave it up to the investigators.

 

Very good point.  It's probably easier on the surviving family members as well.  I'm sure an investigation will be done, and there's no good reason for the cruise line to make a public proclamation about what may or may not have occurred.

 

TCD

[GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799]

I think DIT's new lifestyle is making him smarter. He makes a lot of sense these days.

 

Ray, that's for writing the report! It looks like a lot of fun. 

 

Jason's like you and doesn't like getting dressed up on vacation. That's one thing he doesn't really like about cruising. 

[CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547]

Great TR, Ray!

 

The food all looks wonderful, and it sounds like Carnival handled the tragedy well.  Great family photos, too!

[momof3kids-Yvonne 594]

Thanks Ray for taking the time to write this report and sharing your awesome pictures.

My heart is still hurting for that man and his family. So sad that he thought jumping was the only way to solve the problem.

[WannaBeImagineer 98]

Ray thanks for posting this trip report.

We've talked about taking this cruise many times but haven't tried it yet, after your report I'm ready to give it a shot!

I see a begger in the street in this pictures, are there a lot near there?
 

I loved our view from our table. We got to watch the sun go down every night.





Ray.

That's a great view! I bet ya'll were excited to get that table!

WBI

[disney4dan 68]

Great trip report. Terrible tragedy about the guy going overboard. Can't imagine how the kids will deal with that.

The scuba diving lessons look like a blast. on my bucket list of things to do someday. I've been snorkeling and dove once with my dad and borrowed gear, but not officially trained yet.

[Beckers 1,136]

I think DIT's new lifestyle is making him smarter. He makes a lot of sense these days.

Someone should alert Chris and Jen, obviously your account is hacked!

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

Caught up. Another nice report Ray.

Your DD will always remember her first diving excursion with her proud pop.

[DaveInTN 3,247]

Someone should alert Chris and Jen, obviously your account is hacked!

 

She's just being nice to her big brother....unlike YOU!  

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

Great job on this report, Ray.

 

It sounds like the captain handled the tragedy of the guest jumping very well.  It's odd that they would say he fell if he really jumped. I wonder if they are trying to not put ideas into people's heads?

 

I agree with the earlier comments that the food looks great.  We have taken several Carnival cruises, but it's been a while.  It looks like Carnival may have upped their game in the food department.

 

I was surprised to hear that the played Big Hero 6 and Maleficent on the big screen- Disney must allow this.  I guess they're not afraid of competition with Carnival.

 

TCD

Thanks. And thanks for reading.

We all thought they handled the situation really well.

Carnival really has upped their food game. Guy's Burger Joint and they also added a Chinese CS restaurant, as well as a New York deli (made to order sammiches), of course they have a pizza place, and a very good taco/burrito restaraunt called the Blue Iguana Cantina. I wish I would have taken some pictures of it. Fish, pork, and chicken tacos and burritos with a well stocked salsa bar with lot of different hot sauces.

We were glad they played some movies the kids could watch. I don't remember the other movies they played but they were all PG-13 and not appropriate for a 10,9, and 5 year old.

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

Suicide is such a sensitive subject and plays into life insurance settlements.  I bet their policy is to not make that type of proclamation, and to leave it up to the investigators.

  

Very good point.  It's probably easier on the surviving family members as well.  I'm sure an investigation will be done, and there's no good reason for the cruise line to make a public proclamation about what may or may not have occurred.

 

TCD

Good points.

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

I think DIT's new lifestyle is making him smarter. He makes a lot of sense these days.

 

Ray, that's for writing the report! It looks like a lot of fun. 

 

Jason's like you and doesn't like getting dressed up on vacation. That's one thing he doesn't really like about cruising.

I think DIT's new lifestyle has made him listen to INC more and that definitely makes him smarter. Lol!

Thanks for reading along.

If I had my way I'd walk around bare foot with just shorts and a t-shirt. But my DW and DD love dressing up and going to dinner. So I suck it up and make them happy.

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

Great TR, Ray!

 

The food all looks wonderful, and it sounds like Carnival handled the tragedy well.  Great family photos, too!

Thanks Gwen. It's easy to take great family photos when you have a great family.

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

Thanks Ray for taking the time to write this report and sharing your awesome pictures.

My heart is still hurting for that man and his family. So sad that he thought jumping was the only way to solve the problem.

Suicide is never the answer. His kids will suffer for his selfish decision.

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

Ray thanks for posting this trip report.

We've talked about taking this cruise many times but haven't tried it yet, after your report I'm ready to give it a shot!

I see a begger in the street in this pictures, are there a lot near there?

 

That's a great view! I bet ya'll were excited to get that table!

WBI

There were actual two beggars. Both severely handicapped. The one in the picture just begged but the other played a guitar and sang for his supper.

You really should try this cruise. Its really relaxing.