Getting back on the saddle

Or should I say a new saddle!  The boy is getting back into shape after our vacation, going out almost every day doing at least 10 miles.  Well the Mohican 100 is just 2 months away so he can't waste any time in training.  Aaron and his new toy (and Team Spin jersey)

CRUISE 2012: Signing off...

March 25, 2012

Aaron and I are on our way to Orlando, Florida  and Port Canaveral where we are boarding the Carnival Sensation and taking our first cruise together!!  We are actually leaving our cell phones and the internet off for the duration of our vacation.  Let's see how that goes!!

OK I never went to sleep.  Looking for a snooze on the plane.

I'll load up all the pictures we take as soon as we get back.  Aloooooha!

CRUISE 2012: Day 1 CLE-ORD

Sunday, March 25

 

Cleveland security and flight was easy breezy!  It took us 15 minutes to go through check-in and security. Orlando's airport experience was another story.  We couldn't find the baggage claim area right away and the Carnival rep was missing in action!  I had to ask another cruise rep for help and we ended up having to walk to the other end of the terminal to the Carnival counter and the shuttle bus.

The shuttle ride to Port Canaveral was nice.  Nothing really to see on the way there but we were comfy in an air conditioned bus.  We caught a glimpse of Cape Canaveral before we got to the cruise terminal. 

There's our ship, the Carnival Sensation! 

Standing in line to the ship security and check-in

Oh what is that smell?  The sewage, yuck.  Security and check-in was fast and easy.  We decided to go to our room first before looking for some lunch.  Our baggage arrived soon after getting to our room and Aaron changed into shorts.  We headed to the Lido deck for a lunch buffet. 

 

Today it's Italian at the Taste of Nations with the usual Mongolian Wok, Rotisserie and Off the Grill.

My stir-fry made to order was ono!

LUNCH: Aaron - Szechuan noodle stir-fry and penne pasta;  Me - Thai noodle stir-fry, roasted chicken, mash potatoes and corn-on-the-cob

 

After lunch we walked around.  We are truly on a ship because I can feel it swaying.  Aaron said I'm making it up.  Honestly I can feel it!  I got weak kneed looking over the edge.  I think we were on deck 10 out of 14.

 

At the Waterworks slide on Verandah deck 11.  I can't believe passengers are already swimming and sunbathing!  We better get hustling!  It's a bit windy and smelly.

We went back to the room to change into our swimsuits and headed out at the Serenity Adults only area on Promenade deck 9.  Unfortunately there's no pool, just two jacuzzis.  But no screaming kids!  We were able to rest for several hours in the sun.  We were so relaxed we didn't realize we left the port! 

The view above us from the Serenity Adults Only deck.  Need to check the bikini top action!

Aloha Florida and the U.S.A.!

Time to get ready for dinner!

CRUISE 2012: Evening 1 Sailng to the Bahamas

Sunday, March 25

This is the view from the top, looking down the Grand Atrium.  Fancy lights... very Art Deco.  We headed for dinner at the Fantasy Dining Room.  It's a sit-down, all you can eat from the menu-style restaurant.  I can get used to this service!

 DINNER: Aaron - Escargots, Lasagna, chocolate melting cake and ice cream;  Me - Caesar salad, pot roast, a diet orange cake and coffee.

 After dinner I wanted to walk it off and explore more of the ship.  I seemed intrigued with all the nautical looking parts of the ship.  This looks like a navigational tower.

I'm happy that all the exhaust comes out of the whale tail tower behind me!  No nauseous feelings!

 

There's a mini golf course inside of the jogging track.  We should play it one day.  But we are going to bed early tonight in order to make an early start tomorrow!

CRUISE 2012: Interior Stateroom

This is what an interior room looks like entering it.  It's the cheapest option of rooms.

The locked wooden cabinets against the wall are optional extra beds that can open up.

 

 

The toilet reminded me of the ones on airplanes but with space.

The shower was cramped even for me but it had instant hot water and great pressure.

 

The makeup vanity-slash-laptop desk-slash-breakfast table

It was a bit small for Aaron's taste but it was doable for us.  It took some getting used to.  It was always clean and not stuffy or smelly.  Great ventilation!

Our choice to be "Mid"-ship was great.  Half way to eat at the buffets and the Serenity area at the "Aft" (back of the ship) or half way to the gym at the "Forward" (front of the ship).  We were also upgraded one floor up to the "Main" deck.

CRUISE 2012: Day 2 Freeport, Bahamas

Monday, March 26 

We started our day early!  Yes I got up at 7 a.m. to go to the gym.  However Aaron discovered a spin class at 9 a.m. so we ended up eating our small room service breakfast that arrived at 8 a.m. before heading to the gym on the Sports deck 12.  Aaron joined the class while I walked the jogging track on Sun deck 14 and worked out back in the gym.  An hour later we took showers and headed for the breakfast buffet.

Aaron's getting his made-to-order omelet.

Having breakfast on Lido deck 10 in the sun overlooking Freeport, Bahamas

I had eggs, (real) bacon and potatoes for breakfast.  Oh and don't forget the POG-like juice!

 

We finally ventured off the ship to check out Freeport Harbour.  We decided beforehand that we would not participate in any extra excursions and therefore was stuck at the pier.  I was tempted to rent out some mopeds to checkout the sights then thought we might get lost or kidnapped.

 

 

 

They had cute, colorful huts with local cuisine like souses and conch.  We opted not to purchase food when we have free food on the ship.  We did look for a postcard for my mom and souvenirs to bring back home.  Those locals weren't very friendly and wouldn't break my $20-bill for some postcards.

 

  

 

After walking around for a half hour we went back on the ship to eat lunch.  Today they served Caribbean food at the Taste of Nations.  Then we got ready and head for the Serenity area and our lounge chairs in the sun.  At the end of our 3-hours in the sun, we went up to the Lido deck to grab some pizza and salad.

LUNCH: Aaron and I - beans and rice, fish in cream sauce, jerk chicken, beef stew and potato casserole.  Ono!!

CRUISE 2012: Evening 2 Sailing to Nassau

Monday, March 26

Tonight was the formal cruise dinner.  We were told that we had to dress up so Aaron brought his suit.  I refused to bring a cocktail dress and opted for one of my island style long dresses.  Aaron went to check out what others were wearing and he was able to get in with his button-down shirt, slacks and dress shoes.  Majority of male passengers were wearing jeans or khakis while the females were dressed like they were going to a nightclub.  So off.

I'd say Aaron and I matched fine and we looked like we were in the Caribbean on vacation.

DINNER: Aaron - Alligator fritters, lobster tail and shrimp, and ice cream; Me - stuffed mushrooms, prime rib, mashed potatoes and vegetables, and cake and coffee

After dinner we walked to the Sun deck 14 Forward and watched as we pulled out of port.  It was amazing because we drifted away from the pier then started backing up and turning 90 degrees before pulling out of the bay.  As we got out to the ocean I did the "Titanic pose" like I was the queen of the sea!

CRUISE 2012: Day 3 Nassau, Bahamas

Tuesday, March 27

Aaron and I started our day having a light breakfast in our room and had planned to go to the gym, only my whole body was stiff from finally working out after taking a workout hiatus for 10 months, and I feared that if I worked out so soon I'd end up not being able to walk anywhere!  We ended up having breakfast at the sit-down restaurant today.

BREAKFAST: Aaron - eggs Benedict and coffee; Me - corn beef hash, hash browns, scrambled egg beaters and decaf

My body was feeling better after walking up and down the stairs so we got ready and ventured out to Nassau, Bahamas.  There were two other cruise ships in port.  They were much bigger than our little Sensation.

The Bahamian girl statute

We walked around the 6 block x 4 block town, looking at the colorful architecture and tourist shops.  We were looking for postcards and souvenirs again.

The Bacardi Bar

They had an homage to Queen Elizabeth II since it is a British colony

Look what I found!  No I didn't go in... don't have the money to buy a new handbag!

Having fun outside the Pirate Museum

I think I'm funnier

Columbus house and statute

After success in finding our souvenirs and tees for us, we stopped in Sharkeez Tiki Bar for drinks.  Aaron tried a stout beer made in Freeport while I had a frosty daiquiri drink.  It was a nice place overlooking the main square.  It even had American basketball playing on the TV.

 

 

 

 

There were two Bahamian naval ships in port.  Much smaller than Aaron's frigate Reuben James.

 

There's the Atlantis in the background.

Now that's some blue waters!

We headed back in the ship and got ready to sit out in the sun.  We also picked up some lunch on the way.  They served French food at the Taste of Nations.

LUNCH: Aaron - pizza and calzone; Me - French fish in cream sauce, roasted chicken, beef croissant, and eggplant and potato casserole

  

The French food wasn't great to me so I had a nice salad instead.

So the whole time we've been hanging out in the sun, I've been going to the jacuzzi or the shower to spritz myself with water to cool down.  Aaron's just endured.  We finally decided to stop by the pool.  Aaron finally got to cool off.  I opted just to put my feet in the water because I was afraid my white bikini top would turn transparent.  Wouldn't be good in front of all the children raiding the place.

 

We finally got some color today.  I'm afraid my arms and chest is a bit on the red side now.  Haole!