Tuesday, June 9, 2009

The "Fun" Ship!

The Carnival Destiny was our cruise ship. I've seen pictures of cruise ships and heard stories about how magnificent they are but it's just something you have to experience for your self to really understand. I've never seen anything like it and I've seen a lot!! (not bragging here or anything) Most of the time I forgot I was even on a boat. It was just like a big, floating hotel/amusement park. And everyone that worked there was so nice. I never, ever, not once came in contact with a surly person. Everyone and I mean everyone had a smile on there faces at all times and always greeted you like they really were so glad to see you!! We didn't have to clean up after ourselves or go find something to do or even count out change to buy a souvenir with. They did everything for you except pick up your fork and put it in your mouth. Oh and Jon did have to pull the little ice cream lever every time he wanted the best soft serve ice cream you've ever tasted. We didn't even have to pull the covers back at night to crawl into bed. They did it for you and they even left you a little treat every night!
Views from the top deck
This was inside at the middle of the boat looking down from the top floor



Half Moon Cay was our second stop and Carnival actually owns this island so there was no one on it but us cruisers which was interesting. We were going snorkeling there because it had the prettiest waters but they canceled all shore excursions(except for swimming with the sting rays, ugh) "due to the weather" that day. It rained quite a few times and the sun was only out for a couple hours but we still had fun. I mean, who wouldn't enjoy sleeping in a hammock, on the beach all day?


The position of our boat all day until......
It started moving and didn't stop till it got almost outta sight. Everyone on the beach saw what it was doing and we all started joking that it was leaving us and we'd have to stay here forever but that was okay because who wouldn't want to stay here forever? But the Carnival crew was still out pushing those drink orders so we weren't to worried!! The best story about that is that Jon fell asleep looking out at the boat. When he woke up, it wasn't there any more. He says for a few seconds he thought he'd slept past boarding time. Huh, like I'd let him sleep through that!
Carnival provided a barbecue lunch on the island and it was marvelous. I was a little dissapointed when I read "Barbecue Lunch" because I'm from the south and our definition of "a barbecue" is totally different from the rest of the world but we were pleased to have chicken to eat along with hot dogs and hamburgers and potato salad and a whole bunch of other stuff!!
About an hour before we had to be back on board, a huge rain storm came and we got stuck under a pavilion. It rained so hard that it sent all the beach bums seeking permanent shelter and we actually had to take a number to be able to get back to the ship because there were so many people waiting to take a tender back.
Side note: I was going to rap our little vacation up on this post but since someone had the audacity to ask for pictures of our children instead of just enjoying our beautiful vacation pictures, I'll drag it out to the next post and quite possibly the next one and really make y'all bored. Just kidding!! No, really, just kidding.

7 comments:

su said...

Beautiful. Mandio, you should send this in to Carnival, and they might just use it for marketing and give you something freeeee! Great job.

Dianne said...

'manda, I've always toyed with the idea of a sea cruise. I've heard tales of seasickness. One lady told me she was on her all-fours in her cabin most of the sea-time. I figured I'd be the one on all-fours. Your photos and travelogue have caused that sleeping idea of a cruise to wake up. The colors are so appealing ... the watermelon, too. Y'all are poster "children" for the cruise industry, sho' nuff.

wandaconner said...

Enjoyed the pictures! Every vacations that we've ever taken we've always said, "We can't wait to get back home to our bed & our shower!" We never said that on the cruise we took last year. Our room & bath were nice and ALWAYS clean! We will go again!
Glad you had a wonderful time! Would loved to have been there when you returned home to see your faces and the twins.

Becky said...

You don't scare me with your threats, missy.

the ladner family said...

thanks for the shout out and everything... but i am glad ya'll had fun and it was beautiful.

Anonymous said...

ouch... :) I think I can guess which two could ask such a thing. ha The cruise looks like so much fun! I agree with SuSu. They could at least quote you in their brochure or something!

Sydjo

His Mercy Endureth Forever said...

I'm so glad you all had a nice time! The pics are beautiful.