December 2021: Carnival Mardi Gras

December 11, 2021 

We finally got to sail on the Carnival Mardi Gras! We had been booked on the European Inaugural and the Port Canaveral inaugural. Then, everything changed and changed again. It was very exciting to finally board. 

We had an easy drive to the port. We arrived around 10:30 a.m. getting through checking and security was super easy. We were on board by 11:10 a.m. . We tried big chicken for lunch. The chicken sandwiches were really good. We toured around the ship trying the different bars. Our favorite was a bar that reminds us of New Orleans: Brass Magnolia. 

We had a terrific dinner at Rudy's Sea grill. Chef Rudy is known for faces with his food. 

December 12, 2021 - Angie's Birthday 

Glenn arranged to have the cabin decorated and a cake delivered so I had cake for breakfast. YAY! 

Then we headed down to Sea Day brunch. I love the Super Food salad which is not a salad at all, but rather a nice piece of salmon and some vegetables. We also had great  Bloody Marys. 

We lost at name that tune Disco and headed to our Sushi class. The sushi class was great. It was really well organized and we learned how to make sushi rolls.

 After sushi, we lost at Movie Quotes trivia. Glenn sang karaoke and then we headed back to the cabin. We had dinner at Cucina del Capitano and it was great. The arancini and farfalle was great. After dinner, we watched a terrible show in the new atrium.  

Luckily, the show after was a set of songs from Pippen and Greatest Showman with a good live band. We went to see the jazzy band and then headed to bed. We were surprised when we got back to the cabin. I had a note from the hotel team. Our steward drew a Happy Birthday message on our mirror and I had a happy birthday voicemail from guest services. 

December 13, 2021 Paradise Beach in Cozumel, Mexico 

We had a great day yesterday at Paradise Beach Club in Cozumel. I worked in the morning and we headed off as soon as the ship docked at 10:00 am. It was easy to get a taxi. I had pre-booked Paradise Beach. It has a nice beach and pool area. We arrived and got a lovely day bed. The waiter thought a birthday is best celebrated with a yard long margarita.

We had great waiters bringing drinks and food as we relaxed. The coconut shrimp, steak and cheese burrito, and shrimp tacos were delicious. I got a massage. They had free wifi. It was a really nice day. We had a big laugh when we ordered two Sol beers thinking we'd get two cans. Nope. We got two 40OZ glass bottles. We easily got a taxi back. 

We headed to Brass Monkey for a happy hour. The washboard band was playing. They were pretty good. We had a nice dinner at Chibang - It's a Mexican menu and an Asian menu in one place. I had a really good fried snapper. After dinner, we got a seat for the violin show. It was okay. Then we went to Family Feud which was a lot of fun. It was a great production. We are learning that on this ship you have to show at least 30 minutes before the show starts to get a seat. 

December 14, 2021 

I worked until noon. Glenn found a great spot on deck so we relaxed in the shade for most of the afternoon. We headed to the Brass Magnolia for a happy hour and the Pig and Anchor for a bbq dinner. It was a pick 3 meats / 3 side platter. It was really good. The show in the Atrium / Center Stage was a Christmas show. 

We've never seen one on s a ship before. The violin trio played Christmas songs, then the Playlist performers sang Christmas songs and then they had an ugly sweater contest. Glenn entered. 

He lost to a lady wearing a shirt that looking like she had on a Santa bikini. He was robbed! The theater show as a magic act that was decent. Then we headed up to the Tiki deck party. They had some line dancing and cute game. It ended up being a nice night. 

December 15, 2021 

Yesterday we docked in Roatan. It poured rain all day.  We had our favorite huevos rancheros from Blue Iguana for breakfast and just couldn't resort the Big Chicken chicken and biscuit breakfast sandwich. They dip the chicken in a spicy honey. It's so good. 

We lost a couple rounds of trivia. Rumors are circulating that the team that keeps winning was on last week and the trivia may not be different. It's quite the scandal. We relaxed in the Center Stage area and had a nice with a woman who lives near Tampa. 

Glenn tried the Schwarma from the buffet for lunch. I had a BLT. We both liked the Street Eats dumplings and stir fry beef. I had a Fire and Ice pedicure. Then we headed to Brass Magnolia. A couple we met the first night - Andy and Lisa were there. They are traveling nurses who live in Clearwater. They are so fun. We had dinner with them at Cucina del Capitano. We got to sit outside. It was great. 

Then we went to hear Travis the guitar player and ended the night at the 80s deck party.

December 16, 2021 

We had a nice Sea Day yesterday. I worked in the morning. Glenn discovered breakfast sandwiches at the coffee shop. We watched the Morning Show and the King and Queen of Mardi Gras competition. We lost at lyrical trivia.  Then, we headed up to Serenity for the salad bar. It was so windy all the toppings were flying everywhere. 

We can back to the balcony to eat. We lost at Movie trivia. They had a very fun "Backyard Bash". The DJ and band played country songs and they played a game. For dinner, we went to Bonsai sushi and had chef's choice dinner. It was pretty good and fun that it was a surprise. 

We got our Center Stage seats for the Mardi Gras / New Orleans celebration. 

It was really fun. The band and singers were great. It was followed by a weird Voodoo show. Then we headed to bed.

 December 17, 2021 

We had a great last Sea Day doing all the things we hadn't done yet. We watched the morning show. We had Bloody Marys at Pig and Anchor - the Sea Day brunch ones were better. Glenn got his vegetarian lasagna from the buffet. We had our Guy's burgers and some Street Eats. We had one last drink at Brass Magolia. Dinner was at Emeril's where the jambalaya was the best thing we ate. 

Then, we watched Free Guy at Dive In Movies. It was a great day. 

December 18, 2021 

Disembarkation was so easy. We were told to show at 8 am at the theater for our Group #3. We put our bag out the night before. At 8:08 am, they called Group 3. We were in the car and leaving the port by 8:40 am. 

Angie Lusk, Chief Vacation Officer