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Sorry it's taken me a week to start writing about my cruise, but it's taken that long to do all the accompanying photos! Hope you enjoy the story....
Miracle Cruise Jan. 26-Feb.3/08 Part1
Embarkation:
We flew in to Ft. Lauderdale the day before, so we just took the hotel shuttle to the port around noon.
Got in line about 12:10, and after a long wait inside, we were finally getting our Embarkation photo taken! We boarded around 1:30 p.m.
My first impression of the Metropolis Lobby was “Oh My God, it’s Purple!� Although the photo looks more blue, it was definitely purple!
We headed straight for the Lido deck for lunch, and the first people we saw were our friends Donna (Cruwysie) & Wayne,from Belleville Ont. who had been on board for an hour, enjoying a few beers.
James and I joined them with a Sail-Away drink each, which were very strong!
Unfortunately, the pool band “Versatile� who were attempting to greet passengers with some Caribbean music, were just plain awful, and we avoided them for the rest of the week.
Cabin:
Our cabin readiness was delayed until about 2 pm, but when we went to find it, on Main Deck 5, it was clean, bright, and decorated with the Bon Voyage decorations my husband had ordered.
By the way, you'll see a lot of the little bear that I brought along to take pictures of for the daycare kids.)
Also waiting for us were some champagne, wine, chocolate covered strawberries, and a gift bag with T-shirts, sun visors, key chains, and champagne glasses. My hubby sure spoils me!
Sail Away:
After the muster drill, I anxiously headed up to the Lido deck for the Sail Away party. There were lots of people, and everyone had a drink in their hand and was in a celebratory mood, but alas, no party was to be found. I was very disappointed that the Carnival entertainment staff did not put on a Sail Away party; I had so been looking forward to celebrating the start of this cruise.
Instead, I joined the others in watching the five other ships with us in port, maneouvre their way out to sea, as the sun set slowly over Ft. Lauderdale.
1st Night Dinner:
We received a notice in our cabin that our dining table (late seating) had been changed. I knew that was because a woman I had met here on CruiseMates "Meet on Board" just a week ago, had arranged for us to sit together, and I looked forward to meeting her.
When I entered the Bacchus Dining Room for the first time, I was completely overwhelmed, and stood there in awe.
Not only was the whole dining room purple, but the ceilings were covered with what looked like a trellis of grapevines, and all the grapes were purple globe lights!
Once I was able to take my eyes off the decor, we found our table, and met our tablemates for the week.
Monique and Sylvain, were fellow Montrealers, and we found we had much in common.
Tommy (TommyCruiser on CM) and Beth were from Minnesota, and as glad as we were to be away from the snow and cold. They were cruising with a large group of friends who called themselves "The Monkeys", who we were to see and hear a lot of during the week.
Our first dinner was excellent, especially the chocolate melting cake for dessert, and the time flew as we talked and laughed with our new-found friends.
Entertainment:
After dinner, we headed for the Phantom (of the Opera) Theatre.
We watched the predictable, but entertaining "Fun"-themed presentation by the Carnival Singers and dancers, who, I'm happy to report, really could sing and dance. Our Cruise Director, a handsome young Torontonian named Brent Mitchell, made an appearance, to introduce the evening's comedian, Will Marfori. Will opened his act by explaining that he had CP (Cerebral Palsy), and proceeded to poke fun at himself and his life as a handicapped person. Perhaps the audience was uncomfortable with this, because they didn't laugh much, but I though he has hilarious!
By the time the show was over, we were ready for bed, and off we went to enjoy Carnival's most comfortable bed, linens and pillows!
Goodnight!
Arcadia has a very small atrium, almost none atall, I think some of you americans would find it too understated in the way I would find your ships OTT, lol But thats were we differ I suppose
Sue
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P&O Arcadia -Canaries, Aurora- Bruges, Arcadia -Med, Aurora Amsterdam, -Arcadia -Venice, and Ventura Bruges. In 2009 - Oriana and Oceana Fjords.
Wow Donna,, looking at these pictures brings tears to my eyes!! what a WONDERFUL WEEK WE HAD!! I was great getting to know you and James,, hopefully we will be able to get to know each other better in the future,, and maybe,, do other cruises together!!! Thanks for memories.... (( PS.. our picture of us during the cancer walk is now my wallpaper at work!!)
Donna, as always great review. Since I am starting this review late I wont have to wait for each installment #6 is posted. I think I am going to relax with my coffee and enjoy.
Laura
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“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.“
---Mark Twain
I have been following the pictures you have posted,, and added a lot to my collection,,But it is nice to see the hour to hour,, day to day recap.. Brings back a lot of memories,, do wish I was back on this ship!!! Was showing people today the ship, the caracteristics,, and our room,, and god,, cruisesick!!!!,, we already contacted our travel agent for next winter... before we book,,, lets contact each other ( hopefully we will see each other before then) and maybe try to get on the same ship!!! We had had a great time getting to know you and James.. even if, after the cruise,, we still have lots we don<t know about each o ther..!! I look forward to the next chapter of your story,, you have a great talent of story (event) telling1!!
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Miracle Cruise, Part 1
...isn't the comedian the one that won the last comic standing tv show ?
But thats were we differ I suppose
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