Joan's Big Trip Surprise - updated 7/21 with both Parts I and II About This Page:

[hktmom]

I love it Joan, you're a storyteller!

I'll be waiting right here....

Heather

[lauren-roxy]

Another wonde4rful update Joan!! Sounds like you all are having a wonderful time, except for the heat! Can't wait for more!!

[JoanW]

June 10, 2005 Friday Nassau, Bahamas

I wake up at 6:00 am, mostly because I can some sun peaking through the verandah. I went out on our balcony to see the sunrise, and am able to see the ship pull into port in Nassau. That was really neat, especially as there is another ship in port. Pat and I head up to get a cup of coffee at the Cove Cafe so I can get a Sugar Free Vanilla Latte.

We go back to the room and wake Rachel, who has crawled into our bed and is sleeping like a baby bird with her mouth open.

I call the girls and wake them. Camille insists that only she can wake the fiance. Like I would listen! We call the boys and wake them up too. On today’s itinerary is the tour of Nassau via air conditioned van for Grace and I. I’m still waiting for the air conditioning. The rest of the group is going to Dolphin Encounters for the Swim with the Dolphins, via a taxi. They head up to breakfast and then suit up for the day. I had them order room service the night before and whipped out my ziplock baggies to pack them into the folding cooler that I packed. I also went ahead and got them pool towels packed in a separate bag along with underwater cameras and sunscreens. Off they went and Grace and I headed to the Cadillac lounge to wait for our group. I know they are in awe of what is in my cruising suitcase. I felt like Mary Poppins when I kept pulling stuff out or someone would say, “gee, we should have brought.....” and I just would walk over, and there it was. Did I mention the travel duct tape I packed?????

The Historic City Tour of Nassau in the Air Conditioned Van was a bust. We met at 10:00 in the Cadillac Lounge until about 10:30 we disembarked. We walked along the dock following a Mickey Hand until we met up with a bunch of Bahamian Tour Leaders, who in fact turned out to be taxi drivers, and we rode in their taxi vans. Ten to a van, and packed in like sardines. My seat was one that folded in half and tucked away, almost like a rumble seat. My large rear end did not fit, and one cheek hung off the side. Perhaps I should have brought the duct tape. There were no seat belts, and I felt like we were on Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. There was nothing really to hang onto. The streets are in disrepair and the historic sites look like Serbia. Those way in the back kept asking if the a/c was on and I assured them that everything was on high and cold. After an hour in the car, the driver headed back to the ship and offered to drop people off for shopping in the downtown area. Grace wanted to visit the Pirates Museum, so I called it out. He dropped us off about a block away, but we had to walk through some vagrants and panhandlers.

Once in the museum it was okay, but we had to walk back to the ship later, and we tried to walk with a bunch of other cruisers that were walking by. We were back on ship by 1:00, and I was poolside by 1:10, with a book, a towel, a chicken wrap and a foofoo drink of the day. I stayed on my glorious chair through the ice sculpting and several hours of live steel drum band music. Grace brought me an ice cream at one point, and then went back to the movies. It was overcast, but I got some sun and a great nap. At 4:00, I went back to the room to take a shower.

I get to my cabin, and what do I find, all four kids in the room. They ordered room service for themselves, and were watching the video of themselves on the camcorder that Pat took earlier at the Dolphin Encounter. They’d eaten the lunch they packed, but wanted the Room Service Manicotti, Cheese Pizza and Big Island Cookie. I forgot how much teen boys can put away, not to mention girls too. I shooed them out after their snack so I could get a shower and a nap. We decided to meet for Bingo before dinner. Pat had wanted to go back out into Nassau to have a look around. I just hope he made it back in time before the boat sailed away to the next port.

Dolphin Swim

Marco, Grace, Rachel and I went to bingo, but no one won anything this time. Marco tried to play a joke on Pat that he won big, but we all laughed too much and gave it away. We ran into Tess and her family at Bingo. This was our Pirates in the Caribbean night on the ship, so we brought flashing Pirate pins and rub on Pirate Tattoos (Oriental Trading) to pass out, so we gave some to Tess and her family.

At dinner, they give you a pirate bandana to wear to the party at 10:00.

Dinner that night was at Parrot Cay. It was again, very delicious. I had the ribs, and Pat and Neil had the beef. I love it that you order an appetizer, a soup or salad, an entree and then dessert. We all tasted each others meals and Zoran would see us and bring an extra salad or soup to try as well. And desserts too.

Zoran’s not bad looking either, a nice piece of eye candy, if I can say that without my kids groaning. Actually Grace said she would like to have him for her souvenir. His wife works on the ship too, but their kids live with his parents in Bosnia while they work. When he goes home to Bosnia on breaks, he is building a house for his whole family. We got to see photos of it and the newest photos of his kids. I forgot to mention the assistant server was Tatiana from Russia, and it was her first time on board. She did an excellent job as well. The head server was Rita, and it was her last cruise, as she was leaving to get married.

The steel drum band is playing at Parrot Cay, and they do a Conga Line around the whole restaraunt. We gave Zoran, Tatiana and Rita flashing pirates to wear. Zoran came out with a big bushy wig on his head.

Neil, Grace, Rachel and myself got up to partake of the conga line and did the limbo too. “Olay Olay, Olay Olay, Hot Hot Hot”, okay, sing along now. You know I did, and really loud too!

We are the last ones to leave Parrot Cay. Unfortunately, we were late getting up to the 9th deck for the Pirates in the Caribbean Party. Not that we needed the buffet. That’s the bad part about the late seating, we did not finish until 10:30, were too full from dinner, and missed the fireworks over the ship. The girls and I did dance on the pool deck and then we went back to our cabins. I called it a night by 11:30.

[hktmom]

Whew...you have me exhausted just reading it! You've got some energy girlfriend!!

And the cheek part, shoulda brought the duct tape... So you'd ride that van again right?

Heather

[CRCrazy]

Yay Joan!!

I just got a second to peek in this forum - and WOW!! You've been flying on this report! Can't wait to read more - this is gonna be one fun trip!

Your pictures are awesome - and sounds like things are a-okay - with the exception of that tour of Nassau!

[fluffcake]

hurry Joan. I am waiting with baited breath for the next chapter.

[Annabel]

Great update, I'm really enjoying reading about your adventures. The duct tape comment for the seat made me Keep the updates coming

[LSUtigerfan]

Gotta love the duct tape comment! I've been on one of those A/C Guided Tours of Nassau before....imagine riding in the front seat, staring death in the face with every stop that they made. It is a lot like Mr Toad's Wild Ride, or maybe the Wild Mouse carnival ride.

More please!!!

[lauren-roxy]

Joan, I am so enjoying your trip report, it's hilarious!! Sorry the tour was such a bust, but your description was so funny!!! This is such a fun reaqd, I can't wait for more!!!

[Colexis Mom]

Just catching up Joan What a great time you're having

More please

[DreaminDizney1002]

Lovin' your report! You sure know how to have fun! Love the duct tape comment!

[disneymom9092]

Just catching up Joan! I can't believe how much you have done already! I'm anxiously waiting for more!

[LizardCop]

Great Report Joan...

Super Pictures!!!

I'm glad I'm not the only Duct Tapee

[DrDolphin]

Rita was our head server too!!! I am glad to hear of her upcoming nuptuals!!!

[Cam22]

You have so much energy -- I can't believe you already have so much of your report up! I forgot you were do the cruise and then WDW. We will be doing that next year, so I may bombard you with questions because I will start planning probably next week when I finish unpacking from this vacation. Now I've got to get my TR written!