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Onyx

@Eloisel our cruise also leaves next month and goes to Key West. How funny would it be...nah. The world would explode or something.
I expect my cruise will involve a lot of exploring of the ship and checking out places nobody is supposed to go. I'm curious like that. Damn near killed myself on the Aircraft carrier doing that. Onshore her dad seems to be taking the reins and I told her she can pick our activities. I'm easy.

Congrats on the nuptials.
 
That would be funny. We're sailing on the Carnival Ecstasy out of Miami. We'll arrive in Key West on January 14th at 7:30 a.m. and depart at 1:30 going to Cozumel.

I don't know if all ships are the same but on the Carnival Triumph I was able to go all over the ship except the first deck. I had barely stepped off the stairs onto the first deck when officers approached me wanting to know who I was and what I was doing down there. When we docked we got off the ship on the first deck so I don't know why it was off limits when I was exploring. It was also the deck where the nurse's and doctor's offices are so one would think the deck was open to all passengers. The bridge is off limits and you can't find it unless you know the secret passages and have the access codes and badges. Did notice that the gym and spa with the big Swedish trainers and masseuses was directly underneath the bridge. There are other secret places that are obviously offices and not very interesting except to maybe a terrorist or criminal.

One of the things I found interesting were the bench boxes on the decks. Couldn't help but notice the size of the boxes and that all of the boxes on all of the decks were empty. Couldn't help but write a body into one of those bench boxes in one of the stories of my Bell Ringer series.

Another thing I found interesting was discovering people I thought were passengers were employees planted into the crowd to keep the fun going. I saw several of these fun people on board at the karaoke events and in other places around the ship doing various things, looking just like ordinary passengers having a good time. Then I saw those same people off the ship wearing employee name tags and carrying ID to get in and around the port areas to do whatever ship business they were on. It was also interesting to see that each employee had various jobs - might be waiting tables in the fine dining room for breakfast then be performing in the variety show in the afternoon or picking up supplies in the ports when the ship was docked. The waiters told me they work on the ship for 6 to 9 months straight then they are off for 3 to 6 months. Many of them live in countries other than America. Look around on the decks and you'll find a plaque that will tell you what country the ship is registered to. There will also be a hall with pictures of the captain and crew. The Carnival Triumph is Italian registered and has an Italian captain.

One of the cool things about the ship I was on is we hardly saw the crew. We saw the employees in the dining rooms and bars the most. We knew the room guys were around because every time we left our rooms they went in and tidied it up, made funny towel arrangements, filled up the ice bucket, and left a mint on the pillow. It is amazing how little we saw the people working on the ship but we knew they were there because everything was perfect all the time. While I paid my gratuities up front, I still left my room guy and waiters an extra tip. They work for that money.

I loved having a private balcony. Ordered room service every morning - toast and coffee - and sat out on the balcony watching the sun rise before getting ready and going down to the dining room for breakfast.

Since you've been out to sea you probably already know to bring a pair of binoculars. Never know what you might see out there. Also, look down into the water. I saw a lot of jelly fish and flying fish. Near shores are a ton of birds.

I think I'll go pack right now and be ready extra early to go.
 
We're leaving out the 5th and coming back the 12th on the one that just got redone, sunshine or something like that. You and I will miss each other by a matter of days lol. Don't worry, I'm not frightening, and my girlfriend keeps me on my best behavior. Thanks for the binocs tip, don't know why I never thought of that.
 
Pig Princess on her cruise

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OMG - I had to do a double take. That is me in about 25 years. Pretty close to my hair, and I have those earrings and a shirt just like that one. Wonder who that lady is. She could be related to me.

I like the picture of me up next to the queen. The resemblance is uncanny.
 
If that were true I'd be the oldest woman alive. How does it feel being devoted to the oldest woman alive?
 
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