the Journey In Focus

Being a VIP!

Tonight was Elegant Night ... AKA Formal Night ... AKA Get Spiffed Up Night ... AND we were looking good! We shine up really well!

First stop, the Atrium Bar where we noticed our piano player, Geza, was all dressed up for Elegant Night, too. I love the live music Carnival has in the Atrium, it really helps set the mood and creates a nice atmosphere.

We stopped long enough to taste-test some of Carnivals' tropical drink concoctions ... mmmmm!

The ship photographer’s were all around the Promenade offering various backgrounds and props for formal portraits ... scenes from the bow, ship’s railing, a piano and even the grand staircase from Titanic (yikes!). We were dressed and on the Promenade pretty early, around 6 p.m., and noticed there weren’t any lines at that time. Later it would get a lot busier.

We had portraits taken in about four different spots. For the most part the Photographer’s were fun as they ‘molded’ us into position. This is the one we liked best.

After all the fun taking photos, it was time to go to dinner.

Want to feel like a VIP?

It’s simple, really ... just sign up for Chef’s Table. While our Chef’s Table dinner wouldn’t be until Thursday evening (more on that later) tonight we were graced at our dining table with a visit from Chef Jorg Schneider, himself.

He came from the galley. I had a direct line of sight to the galley doors and saw him approaching our table. Wow, was I impressed when he stopped there wearing his full-on Chef jacket and hat. Chef Jorg introduced himself to us, telling us he looked forward to our Chef's Table and inquired about any food allergies we might have. Now, I don’t have any food allergies (neither does Rod) but I don’t care for seafood ... at all. I didn’t really want to be a bother, but as Chef Jorg pressed further I found myself admitting my dislike for fish. He was very accommodating and proceeded to conjure up a menu that would be to my satisfaction.

How did he even know we were there? I mean it wasn’t like we had a Traditional dining time with a set table. We had Your Time Dining and could come as we pleased. I’m convinced Carnival is just magical. Really, that is the only explanation.

Oh, and the people dining all around us ... envious stares of curiosity being directed towards us the rest of the evening, yes us the VIPs! LOL!

Well, another end to another great day ... and we were greeted in our room this night by my new favorite towel animal, the Elephant!

Tomorrow is Ensenada and our Shore Excursion!

Water Sports & Flight of the Sea Gulls

Once back on the ship from our day in Catalina we headed up to the Lido Buffet for lunch then off to see what was happening on deck. Boy, there was a lot going on both on the ship and off!

On the ship, the water slide was in full use and the kids looked like they were having a great time.

The hot tubs were filled to the brim with sun-worshipping cruisers.

Security was working overtime enforcing the 'no kids in this hot tub ... they can only be in that hot tub' rule.

Onlookers were enjoying the show ... hey, that's me!

We were still anchored and Catalina proved to be a luscious backdrop for all of the afternoon's activities.

Off the ship, we watched parasailers being pulled by like kites on a string. They look pretty high!

The tenders were also moving at full pace back and forth to the Island.

Oh, what’s this I see? The Catalina Express! Like I’ve said before, we’ve traveled to Catalina quite a bit (we love it there). So I was really excited to go to Catalina on the cruise ship ... I feel like I’m somehow beating the system and getting a free ride. I didn’t have to pay for the Catalina Express! Woo hoo!

I saw this boat heading towards us and at first couldn’t figure out what they were pulling. It wasn’t until they got closer to the ship that I realized it was their kids on an innertube being pulled behind. I guess that’s one way to have some peace and quiet on their boat!

(Okay, don’t hate me for the joke ... remember, we have five kids ourselves!)

Yes, everyone was having a great time.

But, what came next can only be explained with a soundtrack. Key *dramatic music from JAWS* da-dum, da-dum, da da da da ......

Flight of the Sea Gulls

High overhead above the boat, the water sliders, the sunbathers and the delinquent hot tubbers was where most of the action was happening as dozens of sea gulls performed flybys over the deck and all it held. I think they were trying to partake in a little vacation of their own.

The cruisers look so innocent and unaware of the dangers lurking above ...

We spent the rest of the afternoon photographing the birds ... we thought it would be good practice for our Alaska cruise next year when all the Bald Eagles start flying by! LOL!

Welcome to Santa Catalina Island!

The ship dropped anchor at Santa Catalina Island sometime before 7:30 a.m. I know this for a fact because from where we were it sounded like we had run into something. I really don’t mind noises on the ship, in fact I actually like all the different sounds you hear. Besides, dropping anchor makes for a great wake-up call.

So does ordering breakfast from room service the night before.

Right around 8 a.m. we received a much-welcomed knock on the door and lo and behold *key the grand music* there was breakfast. A word of caution - every number you place by a food item on the room service order form produces a covered plate. We had seven covered plates ... most of which was fruit! I wish I had taken a photo of the breakfast tower because it was quite impressive how it filled our little room.

I then took what will now and forever be known as the ‘Best Shower Ever.’ *key more dramatic music here*

The steady and powerful stream of water just couldn’t be beat. I don’t remember having such a memorable shower experience on any of my other cruises. Maybe it’s just the showers on the Paradise. Or maybe it had to do with being the very front cabin, and I was simply taking all the water pressure from the rest of the ship. Whatever it was ... that shower rocked!

Time to head off the ship! Catalina is a tender port and we were all advised to not leave between 10 and 11 a.m. because the tenders would be the busiest. So, what time did we leave? Yes, we left at 10:20! So, of course there was a line. But, really it wasn’t all that bad and it did keep moving.

Before we knew it we were on our tender and speeding away from the Carnival Paradise.

Bye, Paradise!

Hello, Catalina!

We didn’t have an excursion planned for Catalina. We have been there quite a few times and just wanted to venture off on our own. It’s an easy port to do that, though I will say Carnival had some interesting shore excursions offered. Once you get off the tender there are also plenty of options for tours available. There are also plenty of shops and restaurants. It’s a pretty cool port.

Golf Carts and a Casino

The most common mode of transportation on Catalina would have to be the Golf Carts. There are really no cars (maybe a handful) and everyone who lives here travels by golf cart. How fun is that? You can also rent a golf cart to tool around the island by the hour. So what happens when you put a family of tourists in a golf cart?

Who’s watching the road?

We didn’t rent a golf cart this time around, but we have in the past and they are a lot of fun. It’s amazing how much land you can cover in an hour. Though Rod says I have a lead foot and that I’m a crazy golf cart driver ... maybe that explains it.

Instead, we opted to walk along the water towards the Casino. The Casino is the most recognizable landmark in Catalina, for sure. And for those who have never been there before - it isn’t the type of Casino you are probably thinking of. There is no gambling there.

The Casino was built by Wrigley (yes, the gum guy) in the late 1920s as a place for the locals to gather. The building houses both a large ballroom as well as a movie theater. There is also a museum inside.

The Art Deco styling of the 20s and 30a can be seen in all the details of the Casino.

The details are really pretty. The tiling was intricate and had murals portraying underwater scenes.

They show movies in the theater late afternoon and evening. One day, we’d like to be able to see a movie there. The theater is quite large and ornate. Watching a movie in there would be an event.

We stepped behind the Casino to have a look at the harbor. Yes, there goes those golf carts again! These guys kept going back and forth behind DH. I’m not sure if they ever made it out of there. Now, that we are here ... what's that Rod's working on?