Update #8 - Jacksonville Airport

Well right now I am sitting in the Jacksonville airport waiting for our flight which is supposedly on time and the weather looks nice. I am just waiting for them to tell us that the engine fell out and they accidently filled our plane with deisel instead of karoseen. Honestly, we don't have good luck with airports. Anyways, no trouble getting off the boat. I'm not sure why they had us up at 6:45, we were a lot longer getting off or even seeing any body to be up at that time but no big deal. Now that we are on land again, I am ready to be home! See you soon!

Update #7 - Saw it all in Nassau

Well it’s been a great day in Nassau, Bahamas. It was sunny and hot. When we got off the boat we met a guy named Marvin, who offered to give us a tour of Nassau so we went with him all over the city. We got to see the entire city and learned a lot of the history and culture. Our final stop was at the lost city of Atlantis and it was incredible. Nassau, Bahamas is definitely one of our favorite stops we have ever made and we would really like to come back someday.

Supper was good again, I had lobster bisque while Janelle had Sicilian penne for an appetizer and we both had salmon for a main course. Dessert consisted of cappuccino pie for myself and Janelle tried something new with the chocolate melting cake again!

Today was another fun day at sea but we took advantage of it being a little windy outside and really relaxed and laid low today. We did take in the show this evening and supper was great again. I had veal parmesan and Janelle had steak.

Right now we are packing to go home. All non US citizens need to meet with customs at 6:45am!!! So we will be heading to bed soon!!!

Update #6- Bahama Bound

Well last night supper was once again a hit! I started with fried mozzarella while Janelle had chicken tenders and we both had grilled chicken served over fettuccini with cream and mushroom sauce, followed up with tiramisu and chocolate melting cake for Janelle. The show last night was good. Two comedic acts; the first was a gal that got better as she went and the second was a guy who has opened for Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock and he was really funny! Back to dinner, I should mention that we really enjoy the couples we eat with and found out last night that one of the people we eat with is a youth pastor in Atlanta, Georgia. Cool eh?

This morning we woke up at sea and went to the dining room for breakfast where I had eggs Benedict and Janelle had waffles. We sat down at a table full of people and as our conversation went we found out that the man sitting across from us was a professor of pharmacy in Atlanta. He was very interested in how pharmacy was done and taught in Canada. In fact, even after breakfast he tracked us down in the atrium to ask more about it so that was kind of cool! He’s going back to tell his students all about it, especially how even though the USA requires a Pharm D, pharmacists in NB can prescribe with a B Sci Pharm.

I know this is an early post but there is a deal on the internet right now. We are arriving in the Bahamas in about an hour where the temperature is 80F!!!

Update #5 - Keyed up in Key West

Well last night we went to the Captain’s cocktail party where they had free drinks and hors d’oeuvres and we actually had no trouble getting non alcoholic fruit punch, they didn’t even look at us like we were crazy! Because it was formal night there were places to get your picture taken everywhere so we did that for a while before supper. Supper was incredible last night. We both started with west Indian roasted pumpkin soup (WOW) and I had stuffed mushroom caps. We also both had bowtie pasta with turkey, bell peppers and cream sauce and I had a lobster tail and shrimp to go with it that I didn’t even order, they just brought it!!! For dessert we had a pudding cake we’ve had before called bitter and blanc which was also awesome. The night finished with an 80s musical called far from over which was probably the best musical I have seen on any of the ships, really something to see!

This morning we woke up in sunny Key West, really beautiful to look out the window and see! We got up and had breakfast on the deck before going exploring for the morning. We toured a whole bunch of the little shops they have down town and took in some of the sights including Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville. So that was pretty cool. Around noon we got back on the ship to eat and lay in the sun which is pretty much what we did all afternoon as the ship left Key West and now heads south to the Bahamas!

Tonight we have a special reception for past guests that we are going to which is also usually a good time. We are having a blast so far!!

Update #4 – Fun Day at Sea

Well last night’s dinner was amazing where Janelle had lasagna as a starter and chicken a la grecque as her main course while I had smoked duck as my appetizer followed up with flat iron grilled steak and we both had chocolate melting cake for dessert! We then went to the Welcome Aboard show featuring the Fascination singers and dancers and a really funny comedian. As it turns out we have the same cruise director that we had on our first cruise! After the show we went to bed and fell asleep in approximately five seconds, so relaxing!

This morning we awoke to the heat of the sun on our faces peering through the window. We had breakfast in the dining room which was delicious. We then spent most of the morning laying out in the sun. We had lunch on the lido deck which consisted of chicken parmesan, salad and rotini with meatballs and chocolate mousse for desert! Then it was off to the jacuzzi for a little while and back out to lay in the sun. Ice cream happened somewhere in there as well! We just got back from a walk on the Olympic track on the sun deck and are getting ready for the Captain’s cocktail party. Tonight is formal night so we will be all duded up!

It is so nice to be on the boat and not have to worry about weather or catching flights or any of that nonsense. Relaxation has set in!!!!

All Aboard!! - Jackin’ it up in Jacksonville, Florida

Well we made it to the cruise! We were quite concerned yesterday, and even through the night we had some trouble sleeping as the forecast in Charlotte and Jacksonville called for thunderstorms – 90% chance – and we know you can’t fly in thunderstorms, especially topped with our flying luck. However, it was more like cloudy with sunny breaks and it is 81 degrees here in Jacksonville currently…just what we were waiting for.

We were able to board the plane this morning on schedule. Getting off the ground was another story after waiting our turn in line on the runway. We were about 35 minutes or so behind, but we made time in the air and only landed 10 minutes behind schedule. We immediately went to track down our luggage, which was ready and waiting from the flight it made last night. We then saw a Carnival rep at the airport, greeting guests so we found a way to travel a Carnival shuttle and were immediately at ease. The Carnival boarding process is much more pleasant than that of the airport. Carnival employees are very inviting.

This post is mostly to announce that we’re on board the Fascination, something that as of last night, we weren’t entirely sure would happen today so we’re really excited. Thanks for the prayers. To reward ourselves from our travel troubles, we have visited the pizzeria, the salad bar, the deli (for a reuben sandwich), the grill (for nachos with cheese, and some fries) and of course, the dessert bar for some chocolate cake, vanilla soft serve on the side. Yup, we’re finally in vacation mode. We’re going to explore the ship, which looks really nice and is all decked out for Christmas!!

Update #2: Grettings From Charlotte?/ Air Planes Stink

So here I am writing in the Quality Inn in Charlotte North Carolina. We got up in Portland this morning to catch our flight which was of course late. The plane wasn't there on time so we left about 45 minutes late. This causeed us to miss our connecting flight in Newark Airport, New Jersey. Luckily they booked us a plan B flight to Charlotte, North Carolina with a conntction to Jacksonville Florida(our final destination). On the way to the gate we were selected for a random search by security! GREAT, not like we're in a hurry or anything! So they took us aside and frisked us down nice and close! Then they looked through EVERY single item we had on us. The emptyed every bag went and through every compartment. So we arrived at our gate just at the boarding time BUT there was no plane there, late again. So an hour later we leave and miss the flight to Jacksonville. So here we are in Charlotte in a hotel at our own cost and our luggage is presumably in Jacksonville as it got on a flight that we couldn't. Yee Haw!

The good thing is that our Hotel is right beside the Cracker Barrel so supper was good! Anyways, our flight leaves, OR IS SUPPOSED to leave at 9:45, so here is hoping! Our Ship boards at noon!

Update #1 - Singing In The Rain in Portland

Well well well, the blog is back since I am away. I don't really blog much anymore but if you would like to keep up to date with our trip this is the place!

We drove to Portland to spend the night tonight as we have a morning flight tomorrow that we want to be ready for. Fairly uneventful trip, we sang some Christmas carols as we drove through the rain. We did eat at the Olive Garden though!!! I had this steak fettichini alfredo gargonzola, wow was it GOOD! Janelle had the chicken fettichini alfredo which is always a clasic. Anyways, we head to florida tomorow, I am not sure what the forecast is but I'll bet it's warmer than Portland!

That's all for now!