Celebration March 27-31, 2008I am posting this from the computer with the journal in it...I can't get my flash drive to load it so I can transfer it...I will add pictures from the other computer when I get them all into Photobucket. CJ
28 Mar 2008 Well, I am ‘on the boat’ again…Yesterday did not start out too auspiciously. I was up early, showered and washed my hair, grabbed the last minute items and set out in the truck to drive to Jacksonville. I turned on the wipers to clear the dew off the windshield, and noticed it wasn’t doing a very good job on the passenger side. And from inside, it looked like the blade was folded over. I pulled off down the street and investigated. Sure enough, the rubber was torn. So instead of turning left into traffic and taking the back roads to the interstate, I turned right and went to the car dealership where I get my truck serviced. I asked if I could please get a wiper blade replaced in minutes, as I was on my way to catch a cruise ship. Naturally, the two service people wanted to go along, so I offered the let them share the upper bunk in my cabin. They said they wouldn’t charge me labor…somehow, they know me by name? I don’t really go there that often…not as often as I should. They sent me over to pay the bill, then said ‘wait’…When they turned the truck around to pull it out of the service bay, they discovered I had a rear brake light out. So did I want it replaced? Of course! They actually didn’t charge me for it…They ‘found’ a bulb. I wanted to know whose vehicle they stole it from…
I also dropped off a poster for La Traviata to the sales manager.
On the road finally, I made good time, even with construction (widening of the interstate to three lanes). I was pulling into the parking lot before 11:30am. The only line was for security. No line to check in…went right to an agent. My TA had done all the computer stuff, and had paper docs sent…I would have done it all online…Somehow, they had the idea that I was using cash, but I said no. And I had filled out the Sail & Sign card info, so that went quickly. I pulled out Essie and asked for an S&S card for her, but again, was denied. She is miffed again. HER account WOULD be cash!
I was on board by noon, and went right to my cabin. It was ready, and since I was carrying on all of my luggage, I unpacked and organized before going up to the Lido deck to lunch. Lasagna and salad. It appears I have 5:45 seating for dinner. Would have preferred 6:15, but it is certainly better than 8pm (for me).
Since I was already familiar with the ship, I came back to my cabin, and ended up taking a little nap for an hour. Then it was grab my life jacket and head up to the Bistro Bar where I was to muster. That was supposed to be at 3:30, but it didn’t start until after 4pm, sailing time. Actually, we sailed a bit late. I was sitting on a banquette in the bistro with a view of the terminal, and saw at least a dozen or more people hurrying up the gangway AFTER 4pm.
This time, with great weather (mid 70’s) they led us up to our lifeboat stations. We sailed while we were there. Had to turn around first…I hurried as much as possible to get back to the cabin and drop off the lifejacket and change into what I would wear to dinner. Back up on deck, we were just about to go under the bridge. Drat..I wanted to be aft, couldn’t even see the funnel…It got pretty windy, but I stayed on deck until we cleared the last breakwater in the river and were heading out into the Atlantic. The Mayport Naval Base is on the last point of land on the south side…If you live on base, you can walk to a nice beach. There were a lot of ships in port, I counted 14.
There are a lot of interesting things to observe along the river…The container port just below the bridge, the small shipyard where there was a freighter in drydock, as well as a small naval vessel. In January, the Ambassador II was there for engine repairs. There is also the Sun Cruz VI, a casino vessel. For a time, I was standing by a gentleman of color who said his company owns the resort complex where she is docked. I didn’t ask if he meant HIS company owned it, or the company he worked for…A bit further and we headed off a small ferry that was pulling out of her slip, and beyond that was a small white ship that looked to be for passengers, but not really…Name of Atlantis II. She didn’t appear to be in use, but there were lights on the outside…I asked him if he knew anything about her, but he didn’t. Shame on him! I later googled her, and she is the former research vessel from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, with an interesting history.
http://www.the-triton.com/megayachtnews/index.php?news=2130
If the link doesn’t work, google R/V Atlantis II.
By then, it was time to head for the dining room. It takes an hour to get from the terminal to the ocean. I am at table 271, another ten top, but there are actually ten women there. I think I may be the oldest, though not the most wrinkled. A couple of mother/daughter pairs, one from Ohio, I think. The other from just up the road in Fernandina Beach. Another woman is from Savannah, her friend from Milledgeville (GA). They like to drive down for the cruise. One woman from AL and the furthest from New York (Buffalo).
Dinner was acceptable…great gazpacho, good vinaigrette dressing for the salad, filet was tender. And the fruit plate at dessert was certainly more than on the last two cruises.
After dinner, I visited the shops but didn’t buy (other than the embarkation picture) and went to the internet café and signed up for access. The girl there remembered me, and Essie. I checked email, but while I was on Invincible, the internet kept stalling, so I logged off so as not to waste time and money. And with nothing left to do for the day, I came back to the cabin and was in bed by 9pm. Which is why I am up at 3am, typing this!
We don’t get into Freeport until noon, so I suppose I can sleep in…Tonight is formal night, awkward, as we sail at 7pm, but Nassau is a 10pm sailing, and the last day is a sea day, but they never do formal the last night.
Later. I managed to sleep in, stand 30 min in line for breakfast at the buffet (why, oh why do they not give the omelet station an independent location so the rest are not forced to stand and wait?). Then it was time to find a place forward to watch the arrival in Freeport. Not terribly impressive. They have built up a tourist area at the dock, similar to what has been done in Grand Turk. And chain link fence with security check. In 1999, it was just walk off the ship and visit the vendors who had tents or other shelters set up.
I was about to go back to the cabin when I saw another ship coming in. Knowing that few ships call here, I wondered…But it was Discovery Sun, day tripper from Miami or FLL.
Essie and I went ashore - mostly so we could get our pictures taken (three times). I bought three t-shirts, and a fan. Total $25. Then it was back onto the ship, get some lemonade from the Lido and retire to the cabin for naps.
Shower and dress for formal night: Essie and I are again in red and black. Dinner was the lobster/prime rib that is standard for formal night. I had the prime rib, way too much food. Greek salad was wonderful, too. I passed on dessert. After dinner it was time for the Captain’s Cocktail Party. Interesting that with the late departure from Freeport (we actually pulled out 15 min early) they do the party between dinner sittings. One whiskey sour, the captain was not present when I entered, just after they opened the doors.
Then it was back to the cabin to deposit Essie to get acquainted with the towel animal dog (we didn’t get an animal last night…nor chocolates…). Packed up the computer and headed first to the photo shop to get the pictures from going ashore…They were all three good. Now is computer time.
29 Mar 2008. Nassau. It seems like it has been a long day. I was up by 0630 to see the ships into Nassau. When I got up on deck, Sensation had already passed us leaving. Fascination was ahead of us, so we idled along until she was in and we could enter. Darned if she didn’t get the best parking spot…Right next to the Festival welcome center. And…we backed into the worst spot, at the far end. Ohhh…the long walk back and forth! I had eaten breakfast before our entry, so I waited until the first rush was over and left the ship with Essie, getting only one picture taken, with the lady pirate we first encountered in Key West.
I walked down nearly all the way to the straw market, taking pictures of Logos II. Couldn’t get the best shot I wanted because an excursion boat was in the way, I suspected it would be quite some time before it left! I then strolled through a couple of shops and made my way back through the welcome center, first making sure I knew how to get in later to board Logos II.
Back on board, I lay down for half and hour, then put moleskin on a blister and ventured up on deck to see the next arrivals. Sovereign of the Seas was pretty much on time, and did not turn around and back in. Jewel of the Seas was idling behind, waiting for Sovereign to get settled. Then she entered, and did the 180 and backed in. Costa Fortuna was not due in until 1pm, but I walked over to the starboard side of the bridge, and there she was, idling along waiting for her pilot. She came in, twirled, and was docked by 12:30pm.
I came back to the cabin, gathered my gear, and headed out again for Logos II. The ship has never considered handicap accessibility…Steep and narrow gangways to climb to get aboard. It cost fifty cents to enter, and I talked a while with the fellow at the gangway who was collecting the tariff. I asked him what would happen with the ship when her job was assumed by Logos Hope. I couldn’t totally understand what he said, as he had an accent, possibly eastern European. He said they thought someone wanted to buy her and use her as a missionary training ship in Africa. But she wouldn’t sail again, she is too old. I mentioned she is not nearly so old as Doulos, and he said she wouldn’t sail again either. When she is finished with her current tour, but he didn’t know when that was. I wondered if they were going to keep only one ship, and he said no, they were looking to buy another ship, same size as Logos Hope (12,000 tons).
I went on up the gangway and again chatted with the fellow there. He said most of the books come from the States, but the ship cannot go there, they are not allowed. He said it had something to do with immigration, because they have so many nationalities aboard. That didn’t sound right, as I am sure every cruise ship (except NCLA) has a greater variety of nationalities. And people who volunteer to work on her probably aren’t refugees or undesirable aliens. I think it might have more to do with Coast Guard inspections, SOLAS regulations…He also suggested maybe the US just didn’t want any religion…I have a tendancy to feel we have too much religion in some places…
They have two sales areas on board. Up top, aft, is the main area, separated by type of book. Children’s, self help, religion, language…They price them in ‘Logos units’, which are adjusted with the local currency. For instance, 100 units is equal to $2.40. I bought a mug with Logos Hope logo on it, four pens, two key chains, and five postcards. The lady who cashed me out was talking with the people ahead of me and said her husband was the ship’s doctor. They are retired, he is from UK but she is Canadian.
Downstairs, they have another sales room of used books and donated books, mostly textbooks. I think maybe some publishing houses have to get rid of books when a new editions comes out…They had a logo tote bag that you could buy for $8.00 and get three books from that area free, or five CD’s. I made the donation of $8.00, but didn’t see any books I wanted, or wanted to tote home!
When I left, I chatted again with the man at the gangway, and he invited me to come back and have supper with he and his wife later, but I didn’t think I could face the walk again.
Back on the ship, I took a nap, then showered and dressed for dinner. Another good meal…But I had been contemplating the verandas on Fortuna and suddenly, they were gone…as was Jewel! They certainly had short visits. And another ship was backing into the dock: Celebrity Century! She wasn’t on the CruiseCal list! If I had known she was coming, I would have skipped dessert to be up on deck!
After dinner, it is time for a trip to the internet café. The attendant there likes me, she is going to be on the Fantasy for a month after Celebration leaves, and then will be on vacation. Doesn’t know where she will be next. She is Rumanian. She gave me another free 15 minutes internet time. She said she would probably give me some more free time tomorrow.
It is 9:45, and I feel the ship moving. We must have everyone back on board…This morning, when I was watching us dock, I noticed a fellow waiting on the pier with a suitcase. Either a passenger who missed the ship in JAX, or an entertainer joining us here?
30 Mar 08. At Sea. I was in bed early last night, not up early. I have been to the stern to take a wake picture…but there is not much wake. Guess we do not need to speed to get back to JAX. Weather is nice, has been all trip except for a brief shower yesterday morning when we were heading into Nassau. Can’t see the coast of FL off to port yet.
Not much to report. I visited the shops and bought more clearance t-shirts, and the last two photos, formal night and the Nassau picture. People are out getting the last rays, having their last buckets of beer…
Another meal…I opted not to have a regular entrée but one of the appetizers as entrée, following the fruit and salad. Beef four nights in a row is just too much. I am mostly packed…
Had an odd afternoon…There was some more obvious motion of the ship, but I don’t usually notice. However, I was sitting on my bed playing my CD of the La Traviata choruses and trying to read the score and sing along, and suddenly I realized I felt a little nauseated. Hmmm…I finished up, and went up on deck, where I found a seat facing forward, instead of to the side. I find that sometimes when there is motion, sitting sideways is unpleasant. That was true on the Royal Princess. I had not trouble with supper, but when it came time for bed, I still felt a little uneasy, and a Benadryl took a long time to get me to sleep.
31 Mar 08. Jacksonville. I didn’t really sleep in, but I knew we would be docking by 7am, and it wouldn’t be light enough for good pictures. And there was a 30% chance of rain. Well, When I got up on deck, it was wet and misty, and the fog obscured the bridge. So I didn’t miss anything.
I was doing self assist disembarkation, but my tag still had me in the last zone to leave…20. I put it on the suitcase so that the number wasn’t showing…and kept the one on from the last cruise, which gave me number 9. So I was able to skip off ahead of my group, although it still was not early, around 8:30, I think. Another cruise over, and only $100 to declare.
Taking on the pilot for Freeport. CJ
Success!
And many thanks to Yevgen, our cabin steward, who probably had no understanding of why I asked him to pose holding a doll. CJ (and Essie)