I met up with my roommates at the airport in San Diego, California. I flew Delta and they flew Southwest. Nikki's friend recently moved to San Diego and didn't have a job so we recruited her as our taxi service to and from the airport and cruise port. Thank you Ellie!
My roommates-Nikki, Jenni, and TonyaWe boarded Carnival's ship Elation. This was my first (and will be my last) cruise on Carnival. Our first stop was lunch at the buffet. We ate as if we had never eaten before and would never eat again! Why?? Who knows??
The iconic Carnival Cruise Fin from the Lido Deck
Our first item of business was the Muster Drill. Our station to meet at was at the Jekyll and Hyde Disco. We got there early because we wanted a seat. After they got done talking to us at the station, we walked up a few flights of stairs to the lifeboats. It was like a field trip. One guy apparently didn't want to go on the field trip and ducked into a bathroom. Smart man! We all passed the drill so we were free to do whatever we wanted.
Jenni and Nikki waiting for the Muster Drill
Tonya and I hoping the ship doesn't go down.After we watched the ship (finally) leave San Diego, we headed back to the room. The girls' luggage showed up so they could do some unpacking.
Nikki and Tonya had an unpacking party. Looks like fun!After the Muster Drill and unpacking, we attended (late) the first Singles Cruise activity which was a meeting that gave the overview of what was planned for the five days. It was very lame and I left before it finished. When some guy got on the stage wearing a shirt that told girls to kiss him because it was his birthday and multiple girls ran on the stage to do the honors, I got out of there. No thanks!
Here is how a Singles Cruise group works. Two thirds of the group are girls. Therefore, one third is guys. Half of the two thirds of girls are the really fat variety that go around in packs. Whenever you saw them, they were eating. Ice cream cones, pizza, five plates of food on their tray. Poor things are trying to use food to stop the hurt. (Apparently Carnival was warned and they ordered extra food for the week's cruise because they didn't run out.) Now for the guys. The guys were either 22 years old and newly returned missionaries. Or they were in their late forties and fifties looking for the third or fourth wives! No thanks on both counts!
We met our table-mates for the cruise in the Dining Room at dinner. I have to admit I was disappointed that all eight people at our table were of the female gender. What's the point of a Singles Cruise?? They turned out to be pretty fun and I enjoyed getting to know them. It turned out all right in the end.
Our first full day was a day at sea. If you read my previous post, you will know that is my favorite day. This was not my favorite day of this cruise. You will have to read to the end to get that. This day was pretty close. I spent the day laying out in the sun perfecting the tan I had started a few weeks before. I did some more exploration of the small ship which didn't take long. I spent most of the day with Tonya because the other two enjoyed spending A LOT of time in the dungeon (or our cabin). The dungeon (our cabin) was in the lowest possible deck in the middle of the ship. When we were in our room it was pitch dark without the lights on. Plus you could hear the gears and machinery working underneath us that made the ship go. Oh it was so pleasant! The other two girls enjoyed sleeping and watching TV so it was perfect for them.
While Tonya and I were exploring, we came across a very interesting woman. We were introducing ourselves to her and all of a sudden she bursts out, "You're a Little Person!" What do you reply to that? "No duh!" "I didn't know that!" "Oh you caught me!" I was nice to her face and said, "Yup." Then I quickly moved on. Oh the people you meet....
Tonya posing for a picture on one of our explorations.That night was formal night. It was interesting for all four of us to get ready with one electrical outlet between us. One outlet, not one outlet that had two plugs. Good thing we didn't blow a fuse!
Tonya and me at dinner
Lobster night is my favorite night!After dinner was a dance for the people in the singles group. It was like a stake dance for teenagers! This guy who was obviously mentally handicapped started talking to me. I felt bad for him so I talked to him and danced with him once. Then I made my escape which really wasn't that difficult. I saw him a few days later and effectively blew him off. Phew! That will teach me to be nice!
Another story that happened at the dance. I was dancing with the girls and this lady comes up to me and Jenni and asks Jenni if I am hers. We looked at her as if she was the craziest person we had met because she was. We just ignored her and continued dancing. The lady was stupid enough to ask Jenni again. Once again we gave her a look as if she were crazy and stupid because she was. We just ignored her again and she finally gave up. Now if there had been alcohol served at this dance, we could just give her the excuse she was drunk. But this was an alcohol free event so she was just STUPID! No other excuse for her.
The next day we woke up and we were at Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The girls got up early because they had dates with some dolphins. :) They had a fabulous time swimming with the dolphins. They have many pictures that they paid a pretty price for. I enjoyed my peace and quiet by exercising in the Fitness Center, having a leisurely breakfast, and then laying out. They found me (dang it!) soon after they returned so we had lunch together. They told me all about their fun morning.
Another story that happened at the dance. I was dancing with the girls and this lady comes up to me and Jenni and asks Jenni if I am hers. We looked at her as if she was the craziest person we had met because she was. We just ignored her and continued dancing. The lady was stupid enough to ask Jenni again. Once again we gave her a look as if she were crazy and stupid because she was. We just ignored her again and she finally gave up. Now if there had been alcohol served at this dance, we could just give her the excuse she was drunk. But this was an alcohol free event so she was just STUPID! No other excuse for her.
The next day we woke up and we were at Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The girls got up early because they had dates with some dolphins. :) They had a fabulous time swimming with the dolphins. They have many pictures that they paid a pretty price for. I enjoyed my peace and quiet by exercising in the Fitness Center, having a leisurely breakfast, and then laying out. They found me (dang it!) soon after they returned so we had lunch together. They told me all about their fun morning.
Cabo San LucasI didn't get off the ship that day. I have been to Cabo San Lucas years ago and didn't find it particularly worth the effort to get to shore. The ship was parked out in the bay and if I wanted to go to shore, I would have to ride the tender. Too much work! The ship left Cabo San Lucas around 5:30 PM and parked it farther out for the night so they could open their shops and the casino.
We went to karaoke a few nights. It reminded me why I don't go to karaoke. Most of the people that sung karaoke were HORRIBLE!! I'm adding this to the list of what they should do to prisoners in jail! Have karaoke night every night and make everyone participate! I kept asking the girls around me, "Do you think they think they sound good?! Because they don't!" It was pure torture! After the second night, I swore off karaoke...for the rest of my life!
The following day we woke up back in Cabo. I decided to make the journey to go to shore. Tonya and I just caught the tender and headed to land. We did some shopping at the pier. The locals enjoyed touching my head. (Luckily I was wearing a hat!) After a few of these experiences and about an hour of time had gone by, I decided I had had enough of Cabo. I got back on the tender and headed back to the cruise ship. On the way back, our tender stopped for a little while so we could watch a sea lion play in the bay. It was cute!
The Sea Lion
Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the SeasRoyal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas was in port the second day we were in Cabo. (I went on the Mariner a few years ago. It's an amazing ship!) I wanted so badly to get in their line and take the tender to the Mariner. I wanted to jump ship! Too bad my Fun Pass wouldn't work for Royal Caribbean. :(
Carnival's ElationOur last day was a day at sea. That was my favorite day on the cruise. I got up early before the other girls got up. I exercised in the Fitness Center. The ship was really rocking and rolling that day. I felt like I was climbing up and down hills the whole time on the treadmill. When I returned to the room, the girls had left for breakfast. I quickly got what I needed and made myself scarce the rest of the day. It was really windy on the Lido Deck which made it too cold to lay out. I found the Adults Only area in the back of the ship. It was shielded from the wind so I laid out there most of the day. When I went back to the room to shower and change into some real clothes, the girls were not there! I quickly took care of that, grabbed my book, and found a nice hidden place to read. It was a perfect day! It was all about me! I met up with the girls at dinner and asked them about their day. I really like just doing my own thing!
The next day we got off the ship and traveled home. I got everything I wanted out of the trip which was to just be lazy and enjoy some warm weather. It was well worth the $350 I paid. As for Carnival, I just kept reminding myself I get what I paid for. I am such a Royal Caribbean snob!
Tonya and Jenni waiting to get off the ship. Cruising is so tiring!
I have no idea who this woman is. I came across her path a few times during the cruise. I just thought her hairstyle was worthy of a picture (I actually took two each on different days) and a mention in my blog. Her hair is all short and then on the right side she has this weird little ponytail sticking out. Very Interesting! I wonder how she came up with the concept of this hairstyle and what her hairstylist thinks about it.
This picture was taken in the Fitness Center. The sign on the mirror says, "Please do not use handrail for stretching". Then what do you use it for?! Why did they waste money on installing a handrail if you are not allowed to touch it?! I don't get it!