Wednesday, November 28, 2007




A First From Miami


CARNIVAL FREEDOM



Newest & Largest Mega "Fun Ship"!
CARNIVAL FREEDOM will sail from Miami to our most popular Caribbean destinations. At 110,000 tons, this fantastic floating resort offers an enormous variety of family entertainment areas, including an expanded childrens program, "Camp Carnival", and teen club "Club 02". Call now to book your cruise on the newest Mega "Fun Ship" in the world CARNIVAL FREEDOM.
7 Day Eastern & Western Caribbean Cruises From Miami
Starting Saturday, November 17, 2007
7 Day Western Caribbean Itinerary
Saturday - Miami............Departs 4:00 PM
Sunday -"Fun Day At Sea"
Monday - Cozumel 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday - "Fun Day At Sea"
Wednesday - Grand Cayman 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday - Ocho Rios 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Friday - "Fun Day At Sea"
Saturday - Miami 8:00AM
7 Day Eastern Caribbean Itinerary
Saturday - Miami..............Departs 4:00 PM
Sunday - "Fun Day At Sea"
Monday - San Juan 5:00 PM - Midnight
Tuesday - St. Thomas/St. John* - 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday - St. Maarten - 7:00AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday - "Fun Day At Sea"
Friday - "Fun Day At Sea"
Saturday - Miami - 8:00 AM
*Optional excursion to St. John is available
Call For Rates
Laura Berry
Independent Agent
Global Travel International
863-248-6706 Home
863-701-6782 Cell



















Saturday, November 24, 2007

Cruisers Love To Cook

Cruisers!! We all know we love to cruise. We tell you that over and over until you want to run away screaming. Sometimes it seems like cruising is the only thing in our lives but that is not true. We have many interests and one of those is cooking. The following are recipes that were submitted to me by my cruising friends at my two favorite cruise related websites. http://www.themarinerscabin.com/ and http://www.cruisemates.com/

read, try them and enjoy!



Laura




Here's one:



1.5 oz Captain Morgan

5 oz Coke


Add ice and mix in a double old-fashioned glass.



Enjoy..........!


Submitted by Dean

Portland Oregon




















Lamingtons



2 T butter

2 T cocoa

6 T water, boiling

3/4 lb icing sugar

vanilla essence

coconut sponge


Melt butter and add cocoa and water. Add icing sugar and essence and mix until smooth. Cut sponge into squares, coat with mixture then roll in coconut.


Submitted by Lombard

New Zealand







STUFFED PEPPER SOUP






2 POUNDS OF GROUND BEEF


1 CAN OF TOMATO SAUCE 28 OZ.


1 CAN OF DICED TOMATOES UNDRAINED 28 OZ.


2 CUPS OF LONG GRAIN WHITE RICE 2 CUPS OF CHOPPED GREEN BELL PEPPERS


BEEF STOCK 1 LG CAN 28 oz


¼ CUP PACKED BROWN SUGAR


SALT


PEPPER.



IN A LARGE SAUCEPAN, BROWN THE MEAT AND DRAIN OFF EXCESS GREASE. ADD THE REMANING AND BRING TO A BOIL. REDUCE HEAT AND COVER AND SIMMER FOR ABOUT 30 TO 40 MINUTES OR UNTIL PEPPERS ARE SOFT AND TENDER.. YIELD 10 SERVINGS







Submitted by Darlene (RedWitch)
Pittsburgh


Mississippi Mud Pie!


Ingredients (first layer):

1 cup flour 1 stick butter

1 cup pecans, crushed......leave em out and decrease the butter or substitute!

Dough should be stiff....really stiff!


Directions (first layer) Mix ingredients together. Press into bottom of 9x13 inch pan. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes Chill.

Ingredients (second layer)
1 8 oz, package cream cheese
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup sugar
1 cup Cool Whip

Directions Blend ingredients except Cool Whip. Add 1 cup Cool Whip.

Ingredients (third layer)
2 3 oz. pkges instant milk chocolate pudding
3 cups milk
1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

Mix ingredients and beat until smooth. Pour over second layer. Top with CoolWhip. Add chocolate shavings from Herseys chocolate bar for garnish. Chill untill ready to serve.

Submitted by
Melody
Baton Rouge LA

Cornbread dressing....it's the Southern Way!

1- 12" skillet of cooked white cornbread, cooled and crumbled
4 cups diced cooked chicken or giblets (I prefer chicken...hate giblets!)
8 boiled egss diced
6 raw eggs
2 c. diced onions &
2 c. diced celery sauteed in one stick of butter chicken broth and turkey drippings
salt
pepper


Mix all of this in a BIG BIG BIG bowl, adding enough turkey drippings and broth to make a soupy mixture. Pour into a BIG disposable aluminum pan and bake at 375 degrees until lightly brown on the top.....about an hour and a half. Usually served with a gravy made with a roux In a dutch oven, combine equal parts oil and flour (about 1 cup or a cup and a half) Stir constantly over medium heat until it is a dark caramel brown. Remove from heat, add 1 c. diced onions and stir until they are wilted (one or two minutes). Add enough water to fill the pot over half full. Add 1 can of chicken broth, 1 cup of diced cooked chicken, 1 diced boiled egg, salt and pepper to taste. Return to a simmer and simmer for about 45 minutes. You can add turkey drippings in place of the broth. I apologize for the EXACT measurements......I don't cook with measuring cups, so I just have to guess!



Submitted by
Melody
Baton Rouge LA





This recipe is diet friendly feel free to substitute more sinful ingredients


Bay Scallops with Whole Wheat Penne Pasta

Ingredients
16 oz cooked bay scallops (if using sea scallops, cut each one into quarters)
12 oz uncooked whole-wheat penne pasta, Prepared according to Package Directions
1/8 tsp black pepper
1 Tbsp table salt
2 tsp olive oil 2
Tbsp margarine
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
2 clove garlic clove(s), chopped
1 medium onion(s), Choppred Fine
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
2 Tbsp Old Bay seasoning


Instructions
In a large frying pan, saute onions and garlic in olive oil until onions are soft and slightly brown. Add, salt, pepper and Italian seasoning. Dust scallops with Old Bay seasoning and add scallops to pan with margarine , lemon juice and remaining Old Bay seasoning. Stir until margerine is melted then simmer for two to three minutes. Pour mixture over prepared pasta and toss. Serve immediately.

Submitted by
Doug
Marmora NJ




The Cynic's Cabbage Roll Filling
Cabbage rolls are a traditional Ukranian favourite.

Here's my take on the filling.

This is a very quick and easy meal. Brown 1.5 lbs ground beef, add steak spices if you wish, and a bit of soy sauce and worcestershire sauce. Cook 2 cups parboiled/converted white rice Sautee 3 regular onions cut into 1/4 inch squares, add a bit of Bovril beef sauce. Combine beef, rice and onions in a large skillet, turn down heat to simmer. Add one can whole tomatoes, a bit of HP sauce and about 3-4 ounces of tomato juice (to taste). mix well and break down the whole tomatoes as much as possible. Serve hot. Garnish with celery. Salt and pepper to taste.
Recipe makes enough for 6.

Submitted by Cruise Cynic
Location
Canada


I normally don't give these recipe out, but I'm willing to share it with my friends here at CruiseMates.


Norm's Especially Seasoned Loaf of Ground Beast

This healthy variation on a classic comfort food never ceases to draw raves from my guests. It is also a very versatile leftover, so I always make more than required for the immediate meal. Serves: Approximately 6.

Ingredients: *

1 Large or Jumbo Egg, or 2 Small or Medium Eggs *
1/4 Tsp. Salt *
1/4 Tsp. Black Pepper *
1/8 Tsp. Ground Mustard *
1/4 Tsp. Ground Cinnamon *
1/4 Tsp. Basil Leaves *
1/2 Tsp. Parsley Flakes *
1 1/2 Lb. Diet (At Least 90%) Lean Ground Beef (Note 1) *
1 Cup Unseasoned (or "Plain") Bread Crumbs *
4 Oz. Tomato Sauce (Hunt's or Similar)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 Deg. F. (Note 2)
2. Combine all ingredients in large mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly with hands.
3. Press into loaf, then insert into medium (8" x 3 3/4") loaf pan or disposable loaf tin (E-Z Foil or similar).
4. Bake at 350 Deg. F. for approximately 1 hour (Note 2).
5. Slice to desired thickness and serve. Variations:


* Halving Recipe: Bake in small (approx. 5 1/2" x 3") loaf pan or "mini" disposable loaf tin at 375 Deg. F for apprximately 45 Min. (Note 2).


* Doubling Recipe: Bake in large (approx. 9 1/2" x 5 1/4") loaf pan or large disposable loaf tin at 325 Deg. F for approximately 90 Min. (Note 2).

Serving Suggestions:
* For an entree, serve with baked potato and vegetables.
* For a luncheon, slice thiny and make sandwiches on Italian bread.
* If left over, warm in microwave on "Defrost" setting to desired temperature and serve with a side of pasta and a garden plate for a quick meal.
Notes:

(1) This recipe also works well with ground sirloin, ground buffalo, or ground ostrich meat.

(2) Ovens vary, and may require some adjustment of temperature and baking time to achieve optimal results. When done, the outside should have a light crust and the center should be cooked to medium, or about 160-165 Deg. F as measured by a meat thermometer inserted to the center of the loaf. If the top is too crusted, try cooking for a longer time at a lower temperature.


Norm's Quick Pasta Sauce

This sauce cooks as quickly as the pasta over which it's served. The recipe is easy to quarter or to halve to serve one or two, so there's no need to make extra.
Serves: 4

Ingredients:
* 2 15 Oz. Cans Tomato Sauce (Hunt's or Similar)
* 1/2 Tsp. Basil Leaves
* 2 Tbsp. Parsley Flakes
* 1 Tsp. Ground Cinnamon

Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan.
2. Bring to boil on medium heat. Allow to simmer for approximately 5 minutes.
3. Stir thoroughly.
4. Serve over pasta cooked per directions on package.

Serving Suggestions:
* For a quick meal, serve with pasta with Italian sausages cooked on a Forman (or similar) grill and a garden plate. Variations: * For a spicy (Fra Diavolo) sauce, add 1/2 Tsp. of Black Pepper.
* For Goulash, dice four 3/4" slices of Norm's Especially Seasoned Loaf of Ground Beast and add to sauce, then combine with four portions of cooked elbow macaroni and grated cheese to taste. Serve with a garden plate or a salad for a quick meal.

Bon appetit!
Submitted by Norm.
Massachusetts






Italian Sub Soup

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan
3/4 pound, 3 links, hot or sweet Italian sausage,
split and meat removed from casing. I use hot sausage.
1/4 pound piece stick pepperoni, diced
1 ham steak, diced (about 1/2 to 3/4 pound)
1 green bell pepper, seeded, quartered and sliced
1 medium yellow onion, peeled, quartered and sliced
1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
salt and black pepper
6 cups chicken stock
1/2 pound gemelli pasta or other short-cut pasta ( cooked)
3 large cloves garlic, cracked from skin
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Place a soup pot or deep sided skillet on the stove top and preheat to medium high heat. Add olive oil, 2 turns of the pan and the sausage. Brown and crumble the sausage, drain off excess fat if necessary then add the ham and pepperoni. Cook meats together 2 minutes then add peppers and onions and cook 2 or 3 minutes more. Add diced tomatoes and season with oregano, salt and pepper. Add chicken stock and bring stoup to a boil. Stir in pasta and cook for 8 minutes. Top with your favorite croutons



This is my family's favorite soup.

Submitted by Darlene
Pittsburgh








Here is a recipe for my Moms Japanese Fruitcake. She made this every Thanksgiving and Christmas. She made her cakes from scratch and used fresh coconut but I cheat a little and use mixes and flake coconut.

Bake 1 Butter cake and 1 Spice cake according to package directions. You will have 4 cake layers.

Filling and topping
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups water
4 teaspoons flour
1 lemon peeled, seeded and chopped
2 oranges peeled, seeded and chopped
1 pound flaked coconut
1 cup pecan halves
maraschino cherry halves


In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, water, flour, lemon and orange. Cook over medium heat until thickened. Stir in coconut and cook for 2 minutes. Allow to cool, and then ice cake alternating a white layer and then spice layer. Alternate pecan halves and maraschino cherries halves around top of cake to form a pinwheel.

My grandmothers Macaroni and Cheese.. This is a staple in my house. If I didn't make it every holiday I think my kids would disown me.

1 package elbo macaroni
2 8oz packages of sharp chedder cheese sliced
2 T flour
1 stick butter
milk..
salt and pepper

Boil your macaroni and drain.
In a frying pan melt your butter and add your flour to make a roux. Add salt and pepper. Then enough milk to make a cream sauce. Let it come to a boil and thicken..add more milk if it is too thick.

Alternate layers starting with macaroni, then cream sauce, then cheese. make at least 2 complete layers ending with cheese.
Bake at whatever temp you are using to cook your other foods with until cheese is melted and starts to brown slightly.

Sloppy Joes ( Joe and Travis's favorite food, lol)

2 pounds ground chuck browned and drained.
Half a bottle of Ketchup
2 Tablespoons of mustard
splash of Worsterchire Sauce
1 small onion chopped fine
1/2 bell pepper chopped fine
Garlic, to taste
2 Tablespoons of sugar
salt and pepper.
1 cup water
Add all ingredients to the pan and let simmer until the water cooks out and the mixture thickens.
Put on hamburger buns. I like pickles on mine. They are so easy and much much better than Manwich.

I didn't know how hard this would be. I really don't measure anything. I just do it, lol. It made me hungry so I am going to go cook dinner now. LOL



Submitted by Linda


Atlanta








Spicy Fresh Country Sausage





3 lbs pork butt


3/4 to 1 lb of pork fat back


1 TLB of red crushed pepper flakes


4 tsp kosher salt2 tsp sugar


2 tsp black pepper


2 tsp dried sage1 tsp dried thyme


1 tsp ground cayenne pepper


1/2 cup of water





Put the pork meat and fat through meat grinder using the 1/4 inch plate.In a large bowl mix the ground pork and fat with the spices, squeezing and kneading until everything is nicely blended. Two tsp of fresh minced garlic can be added also. Fry up a small piece to taste. You can add more of the dried spices to adjust to your taste. Fresh sausagewill keep for 3 days in refrigerator and 2 months in the freezer.





Submitted by Linda (Biker Linda)


DeBary FL








BEEF STEW


An old family favorite

2 lbs. stew beef chunks coat with flour and salt brown in 2 tablespoons of shortening/oil.
Add 2 cups hot water
1- 8 ounce can of tomato sauce
2 teaspoons parsley flakes
8-12 whole cloves
medium onion cut up in chunks
large bay leaf
cover and simmer 2 hours
Add whole carrots (cleaned) I use 1 lb. bag


5 potatoes peeled and halved
cook for 1 more hour
remove carrots and potatoes
add more flour if needed and stir to thicken gravy.
serves from 4-8 depending on appetites!





Submitted by


Jeanne


Palm City FL





Katlady's Favorite Portugese recipe


carne vinha d'ailhos (Meat of Wine and Garlic)


4 lbs. of pork butts cut into small pieces ( 1 or 2 inch sq.)


1 cup of White Wine Vinegar


1 cup of red wine (I have used Burgundy, but it will color the meat)


20 cloves of garlic crushed


1 and 1/2 teaspoons of red pepper flakes


1 and 1/2 tsp. of kosher, or Hawaiian salt


5 bay leaves.


1 lb linguica sausage (4 links)





Combine pork, white wine vinegar, red wine, garlic, red pepper flakes, bay leaves, and salt. Let this marinate 5 days in the fridge. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. After 5 days use a slotted spoon to remove pork (DO NOT cook in the marinate)and place in baking pan. Cook the Linguica in a Pyrex pan with water halfway up the side. cook both at 400 for 45 mintues. serve with rice or make a sandwich.





Submitted By Sherry (KatLady)


California

Where Is She Now? TSS Festivale

Last night I was looking at a souvenir from my first cruise on Carnival Cruise Lines TSS Festivale. I sailed on Festivale in February 1983 She was to me at that time the finest ship ever built. I was so impressed with her 38,000 tons. By today's standards she was tiny. Can you imagine? She carried about 1100 passengers and had about the same staff and crew aboard. With all the pleasant memories I began to wonder "Where is she now?" So a quick search brought me a wealth of information on where ships have gone.TSS Festivale began life in 1962 as the Transvaal Castle and later became the S.A.Vaal. She began operating in October 1978 for Carnival as the TSS Festivale. TSS Festivale was sold in 1996 and became the Island Breeze for Premier Cruises. As the Island Breeze she was not a popular ship. She also did a brief stint as the Big Red Boat III. She did not do well and eventually this ship was reposessed by creditors and was sold for scrap.
I remember my first sight of TSS Festivale. We were on the bus bringing us to the Port of Miami from Miami International Airport. As we drove into the port. I sat there looking out the windows searching for that Carnival crescent on the smokestack. In those days Carnival had not yet adopted the gull wing stack that is their signature now. Finally..........There it was! Carnivals red white and blue crescent. I was so excited I burst into tears. No kidding, I was so emotional over that first glimpse of "my ship". I was slightly embarrassed by the tears until I looked around. Others on the bus were sitting there teary eyed too. TSS Festivale is long gone now. She is a fond memory for me. A ship that had many "lives" and brought joy to many people on cruises. I was one of those lucky people.

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Introducing..............Carnival Freedom

Carnival Freedom
Carnival's Newest and Largest Mega "Fun Ship"!

CARNIVAL FREEDOM will sail from Miami to our most popular Caribbean destinations. At 110,000 tons this fantastic floating resort offers an enormous variety of family entertainment areas, including an expanded childrens program,"Camp Carnival", teen club, "Club 02"

Call now to book cruise on the newest Mega "Fun Ship" in the world, the Carnival Freedom.

7 Day Eastern and Western Caribbean Cruises From Miami

Starting Saturday, November 17, 2007

Interior from $579 Ocean View from $799 Balcony from $929


7 Day Eastern Caribbean Itinerary

Saturday - Miami - Depart 4:00 PM
Sunday - "Fun Day at sea"
Monday - San Juan Arrive 5:00PM Depart Midnight
Tuesday - St Thomas/St John* Arrive 8:00AM Depart 6:00PM
Wednesday - St Maarten Arrive 7:00AM Depart 5:00PM
Thursday - "Fun Day" at sea
Friday - "Fun Day" at sea
Saturday - Miami Arrive 8:00AM

7 Day Western Caribbean Itinerary

Saturday - Miami Depart 4:00PM
Sunday - "Fun Day" at sea
Monday - Cozumel Arrive 7:00AM Depart 6:00PM
Tuesday - "Fun Day" at sea
Wednesday - Grand Cayman Arrive 7:30AM Depart 4:30PM
Thursday - Ocho Rios Arrive 8:00AM Depart 3:30PM
Friday - "Fun Day" at sea
Saturday - Miami Arrive 8:00AM

cruise only rate is category 1A Interior, category 6A Ocean View and category 8A Balcony. US Dollars per guest based on double occupancy. Government taxes and fees and optional air transportation are additional for all guests. Some restrictions (including stateroom category availability) apply. Ship's Registry: Panama

www.lberry.globaltravel.com

Saturday, November 10, 2007

My Review-Carnival Pride-February 25-March 4 2007

Carnival Pride
Mexican Riviera
February 25,1007
Laura Berry
"Cruznut"



Embarkation

Embarkation in Long Beach is a mess. We walked over from the Queen Mary to the terminal next door. We were greeted at the door and told to take our luggage across the street to the parking garage. No porters to take it for us. We got there and had to find a porter to take it back across the street to the ship. After checking our luggage we went back to the terminal only to be directed to go out around the building and into the Queen Mary for early check in. This done we were sent back to the terminal to be lined up outside. VIP, Zone 1, Zone 2 and so on. So we stood forever in line.
Finally they started taking us inside VIP, Zone 1, Zone 2 and so on. Once inside we were lined up yet again to wait some more. Finally line by line we were lined up to get our pictures taken, no avoiding this, had to cross the set to get to the stairs to the ship. Pictures done, up we went on to the gangway to wait some more. Finally slowly the line began to move again. Once inside the ship we had our security pictures taken and our cards punched in. Finally after nearly 2 hours of standing in lines we were aboard.

The Ship

The layout of the Spirit Class ships are easy to get around. All of the public rooms are located on decks two and three. It is easy to go from one end to the other on both of these decks.
Carnival Pride is a lovely ship. The central theme is the Renaissance. The atrium has much renaissance art, a lot of nudes. Some found it offensive, I did not. The colors were warm, dark woods, bronze tones with beige and gold.

The Taj Mahal lounge

This is the main show room. This room was light very pretty. Many pinpoint lights along the walls. The stage area was brightly lit.

The Mermaids Grille and the Lido area.

Bronze and blue are the central colors here, the room was comfortable with many tables for passengers to enjoy their meals while looking out at the sea.
The 3 pool areas were spacious, the central pool was for both adults and children. The forward pool was for just adults and the aft pool was for children. I was not impressed with the metal chairs at the pool area tables I found them uncomfortable.
The dining room was 2 levels with table sizes from 2 persons to 8 persons. The decor was light colors with comfortable chairs.

The Casino.

This room was as always smoky. I sure do wish that Carnival would do something about that. I was impressed with the variety of slot machines in here. Many 2 cent, and nickel machines. Most of them had bonus games to play too. I found that I could play for hours for $20.00 on a nickel machine with bonus games. Made it much more fun to hit the combo needed to be eligible for the bonus round. Much more fun than mindlessly pulling the handle and watching the reels spin.

The Cabins.

As is usual on Carnival ships the cabins are larger than most cruise ship cabins. I had a nice ocean view. plenty of room for storage in closets and under beds. There were 2 large drawers under the couch. A large cabinet and plenty of drawer space. We had a refrigerator in our room. There was a safe also which was nice to keep our valuables in.

Food and Service

Excellent is the word here. As always with Carnival they excel at food.. It was good and well presented. No complaints here. Much variety both in the dining room and the Lido buffet . The dining service was excellent also.

Cabin Stewards

The cabin stewards rate an excellent. Our room was always cleaned and comfortable. Our cabin steward was a man with long service with Carnival and does a great job. If you ever get Franklin for your cabin steward consider yourself lucky.

Entertainment

To be honest I was a bit disappointed here. On most Carnival ships I have found the dancers to be very talented. We went only to the first formal night production. It was a show called Vrooooooom. The music was good because I love the "oldies" I felt the dance team here was less than stellar. The male singer kept reaching for the high notes and missing. The best part of this show was the video that played between acts. It was an older "biker" named Wings talking about his trips. We did go to an afternoon show with the comedian and he was funny. We planned to go to a late show to see him do his "adult" comedy, we never made it. Too late for us old gals.

The Ports

Puerto Vallarta

I did not see a lot of this town. We took a tour on the water with snorkeling, kayaking, whale and dolphin watching. The day was windy but nice in the sun. A nice lunch was served onboard the boat. Cold cuts, cole slaw and potato salad and fruits. Complimentary beverages were also served. An enjoyable day that was worth the $79.

Mazatlan

This town was dirty in the downtown areas. Somewhat better in the Golden Zone and the hotels area. We took a City tour that took us to see the cliff divers also. We went shopping in the Golden Zone. After shopping we attended a show that was somewhat interesting. Native Indians doing ritual dancing. They also did an act from high atop a pole and hanging from ropes while the pole rotated. The dancers were slowly lowered to the ground.

Cabo San Lucas

I stayed aboard this day and enjoyed the emptiness of the ship. My friend went ashore. She said the town was nice and clean. She enjoyed her tour, Cabo by land and Sea.

Disembarkation

This was slow of course because of having to clear immigration. The usual waiting for your color to be called seemed endless at the time. Since we were not traveling home until the next day we were in no hurry. It was orderly and seemed to go smoothly. Once off the ship we took a bus to LAX to call a shuttle to our hotel.

Monday, November 5, 2007

My Review - Carnival Liberty

Recently I sailed on Carnival Liberty from Fort Lauderdale Florida. Carnival Liberty is one of Carnivals Conquest Class.
110,000 tons
952 feet in length
116 feet wide
Passengers: 2,974
Crew: 1,160
Registry: Panama

In my humble opinion this ship is stunning. Her decor is a toned down version Carnivals usually splashy decor. She was elegant in some places and showed signs if whimsey in others. I was fascinated with the light fixtures throughout the ship. The central atrium was topped with a huge chandelier in black wrought iron with hundreds of lights with ever changing colors. The public areas were very comfortable. The lido offered many menu choices from burgers, hot dogs and fries to a full buffet line. All that and Oriental, Deli and Taste of Nations daily. On deck 10 above the lido there was also Fish and chips offering seafood daily. That is not to be missed.

Embarkation, Port Everglades - Confusion reigns outside where you unload your luggage. Cars and shuttles and busses all trying to get a spot to unload. From there it is an easy trip to the parking garage. The walk back to the terminal is easy as the garage is next to it. Embarkation was fairly easy. We got in line and were checked in fairly fast. then we had to clear several checkpoints and of course have our pictures taken. In all it took about 45 minutes from luggage drop off until we were on Lido enjoying lunch.

Food - As always when I have sailed with Carnival I found the food to be very good. I did not go to Harry Winston's Supper Club. talking to those that did I hear it is excellent in food and service. This ship has a seafood station up above the Lido buffet on deck 10. This is not to be missed. The food there was wonderful.

Service - Most service was very good. Our waiter was not experienced and we had some waits for courses at times. Later in the week he was replaced and things improved. Room service was weak also. I ordered and the wrong things were brought and no utensils were with it. when I called back for utensils they never arrived.

Cabin Steward - My cabin was clean and neat all the time. I rarely ever saw the steward at all. There was always fresh ice in my ice bucket.

Entertainment - I went to several shows and really enjoyed them. I found the formal night entertainment to be very enjoyable. Stayed up one night and went to see the adult comedian. He was funny without being disgusting.

Clubs - Since I am not much of a drinker I did not go to many clubs. I did go to the Piano bar and found the pianist to be very good. Stopped in to the disco for a few moments one night and enjoyed that also.

Casino - I spent a fair amount of time there. It had a nice variety of slot machines in denominations from .02 cents to $5.00. As for the tables those in my group that did play them seemed to be enjoying them

Lido Pools - The central pool was nice but very busy most of the time. Most of the pool activities went on in this area. .One thing I did note was that there were no kids in the hot tubs when I was up there.
The aft pool was generally quieter and more relaxing to be there. It had a retractable roof that is nice when it rains.

Activities - With Carnival there is always something to do. So much going on all the time. Bingo games and many passenger participation events. I usually enjoy these as I find people to be very funny. These games are always good for a few laughs. People say and do the darndest things!!

One feature I loved on this ship was the seaside theater. The large screen up on Lido. There was something showing every night. One night there was a Bee Gees concert. I really enjoyed that. I was up there several evenings. During the day it was not used for much except the "Morning Show" which was a talk show by the Cruise director.

Shore Tours - A great variety of shore tours are offered for every port. tours from the very sedate to the very active. We did a white water rafting tour in Costa Rica. I would recommend this to anyone. The company, Rios Tropicales is very good at what they do and I felt safe at all times. Once done on the river you are transported to a place for lunch. A very good lunch of local dishes is served.

Disembarkation - This seemed to go fairly well. there were 3300 passengers on this ship and it took time but it seemed to go fairly smooth. I was off the ship and to my car by 10:00 am .

I would not hesitate to book this ship again. I really enjoyed this trip.

Friday, November 2, 2007

I Love To Go To Sea............You See?

I love to go to sea you see.
To see what I can see, you see?
And when I go to sea, you see.
I'd love to take you with me. You see?
And when we go to sea, you see.
To see what we can see, you see
We'll have a lot of fun,you see
Would you like to go to sea with me?

Laura E Berry