Tony Marino

Nystyle709

Shale

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Shale Taking a Short Cruise

Shale

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Post n°1

Shale Taking a Short Cruise

by Shale Mon Nov 14, 2011 12:29 pm

Today I embark on the Carnival Imagination for a cruise to Key West and Cozumel.

This is my fourth trip to Key West, never taking the 4-hour drive down from Miami but all by cruise ship (a 13-hour trip)

Shale Taking a Short Cruise 321114_10150402909500480_744025479_8323885_1261206418_n

Shale Taking a Short Cruise 321114_10150402909500480_744025479_8323885_1261206418_n

I did this exact Western Caribbean Cruise on April 2-6, 2009 and at that time called it the "Been There - Done That" Cruise. So Doing it again.

The only thing different is that yesterday I woke up with a cold. I am not feeling my regular healthy self today, but plan to go on the ship anyhow. It was planned for relaxation and I can nurse a head cold there as well as here at home.

This is the first time I have been ill when time came for a trip that had been planned in advance. But, I traveled overland thru the middle east with head colds and dysentery, so this should not be so difficult - I hope.

Shale Taking a Short Cruise 382902_10150402909695480_744025479_8323887_917762220_n

Shale Taking a Short Cruise 382902_10150402909695480_744025479_8323887_917762220_n

Here is a recap of this same cruise as taken in April 2009.

http://home.earthlink.net/~robandkevintrek2/id21.html

Last edited by Opa Shale on Sun Nov 20, 2011 4:38 pm; edited 2 times in total (Reason for editing : Pics)

Nystyle709

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Post n°2

Re: Shale Taking a Short Cruise

by Nystyle709 Mon Nov 14, 2011 12:53 pm

How much was it?

Tony Marino

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Post n°3

Re: Shale Taking a Short Cruise

by Tony Marino Mon Nov 14, 2011 1:37 pm

Hope you feel better Shale and have a good time. It looks fun!

Bluesmama

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Post n°4

Re: Shale Taking a Short Cruise

by Bluesmama Mon Nov 14, 2011 2:18 pm

Bon Voyage, dude! Here's wishing you a marvelous time.

CeCe

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Post n°5

Re: Shale Taking a Short Cruise

by CeCe Mon Nov 14, 2011 2:57 pm

Have a wonderful time & hope you feel better soon!

Shale

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Post n°6

Re: Shale Taking a Short Cruise

by Shale Mon Nov 14, 2011 10:39 pm

Nystyle709 wrote:How much was it?

About $480.

Well, my first day out has been OK. Sometimes a sneeze or congestion reminds me that I have a cold, but it hasn't stopped me enjoying being at sea.

Shale Taking a Short Cruise 392174_10150402910765480_744025479_8323892_534763428_n

Shale Taking a Short Cruise 392174_10150402910765480_744025479_8323892_534763428_n

I spent too much time in the hot tub talking with a variety of ppl, something I enjoy doing on cruises. It actually seemed to diminish cold symptoms.

Not much of a vegetarian spread, but it's better that I survive on salads today, with bean sprouts, garbanzo, cheeses, tomatoes and all sorts of raw veggies, just the thing for what ails me.

Oh, and of course you forget something. I was on the bus going to the Port of Miami when I realized I didn't bring sunglasses. Mission in Key West tomorrow - find some, reasonably priced. I will be attending an art auction tonight. Like I will buy art. Smile

Oh, I did buy a David Vance print - so guess I am an art collector after all.

Will check back later.

Last edited by Opa Shale on Sun Nov 20, 2011 4:22 pm; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : Pics)

RedBedroom

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Post n°7

Re: Shale Taking a Short Cruise

by RedBedroom Mon Nov 14, 2011 10:50 pm

Shale, glad you are having fun and the cold is not getting the best of you! Enjoy!

Shale

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Post n°8

Re: Shale Taking a Short Cruise

by Shale Tue Nov 15, 2011 11:33 am

Do I feel stupid this morning. Woke up at 7 a.m. and felt the ship still moving. I have taken this trip a couple times before and know we alway dock at Key West at daybreak. Looked at todays itenerary and it said "At Sea." Crap. I didn't even look at the real itenerary when I bought the ticket - we're going to Cozumel first on this trip, not Key West.

So, my plan was to get sunglasses in Key West - I'll sunbath with my cap over my face like I do at Haulover because I ain't payin' $30 for a pair of sunglasses I can get for less than $10.

Shale Taking a Short Cruise 380303_10150402910500480_744025479_8323890_1005992122_n

Shale Taking a Short Cruise 380303_10150402910500480_744025479_8323890_1005992122_n

It is a beautiful calm day at sea; a few white caps but smooth water. Few white clouds in a blue sky. Will hang out on the sun deck today. Cold is still low key in the background but not too distracting. IDK if I will do my favorite activities in the gym and running the track. The sign on the track gives a mile in feet and track distance in yards. Had to do actual math without a calculater but figure 10 or 11 laps more or less a mile.

So, going to explore the ship some more.

Last edited by Opa Shale on Sun Nov 20, 2011 4:23 pm; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : Pics)

Chris

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Post n°9

Re: Shale Taking a Short Cruise

by Chris Tue Nov 15, 2011 11:36 am

Have a good trip and feel better!

Shale

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Post n°10

Tuesday Nov. 15

by Shale Tue Nov 15, 2011 10:09 pm

It turned out to be a really good day at sea. Spent a lot of time on the sundeck. Unlike other cruises I haven't seen any other guys in Bikini style suits. (well, one HUGE guy I think was wearing a Bikini by what I could see)

I was walking along the Sundeck and this black woman smiled at me, told me I looked good and asked if I was single. She wanted my pic. I asked if my daughter put her up to that and she said no. So, I got a pic of us together just to mess with my daughter. (Her name is Angie, Roz)

Shale Taking a Short Cruise 390493_10150402911345480_744025479_8323893_2072944154_n

Shale Taking a Short Cruise 390493_10150402911345480_744025479_8323893_2072944154_n

The cold goes away in the daylight and I ventured to the gym and did upper body, cycling then ran a few laps, Then I scheduled a massage.

Denell Fernandez, this little Phillipina really worked me over. She managed to hurt me but it felt soo good. Who would known someone so small could do that to a guy. Anyhow the serotonin is still flowing.

Well, this is turning out to be a fun cruise - the head cold is cooperating - I give it a Benadryl at nite and it leaves me alone during the day.

Til later,

Last edited by Opa Shale on Sun Nov 20, 2011 4:24 pm; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : Pics)

RedBedroom

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Post n°11

Re: Shale Taking a Short Cruise

by RedBedroom Tue Nov 15, 2011 10:17 pm

Sounds like you are really enjoying yourself! I'm jealous! But happy for you.

Shale

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Post n°12

Re: Shale Taking a Short Cruise

by Shale Wed Nov 16, 2011 3:35 pm

We arrived at Cozumel Mexico this morning. Most ppl left so those of us who have been here and done that have the sundecks to ourselves. I did go ashore for a while, looking for a couple of items I woulda bought but they didn't have it. Gonna try Del Sol in Key West tomorrow to see if they have this same cut of shorts - shows off my gorgeous legs. (Oh yeah, well just last nite as I got out of the hot tub, some woman who I don't think was that drunk commented on my good legs)

Shale Taking a Short Cruise 312507_10150402912765480_744025479_8323900_2083667759_n

Shale Taking a Short Cruise 312507_10150402912765480_744025479_8323900_2083667759_n

So, came back and just chilled on board. Cold is all but gone - an occasional kof.

We get to Key West tomorrow at noon. All the other times we were much earlier and I know Key West doesn't wake up until afternoon.

More later.

Last edited by Opa Shale on Sun Nov 20, 2011 4:24 pm; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : Pics)

Shale

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Post n°13

Headin' Back

by Shale Wed Nov 16, 2011 10:30 pm

We left Cozumel a little after 3 pm. Always someone late getting back to the ship - Spring Break is the worse as all these teens get drunk in Mexico.

I spent the day in intermittent sun & clouds on the sundeck with a pleasant stiff breeze blowing - very comfortable. Then went down to the pool and swam (actully paddled around all the ppl in the little pool). Lots of music, games & young ppl to watch - fun afternoon to evening.
Shale Taking a Short Cruise 382751_10150402911710480_744025479_8323894_600042764_n

Shale Taking a Short Cruise 382751_10150402911710480_744025479_8323894_600042764_n

On my after supper walk came across a break dancing performance in the promenade. Amazing what these kids can do. When I saw it in the movie I thot it was wirework, but it's real. Have they yet made this an Olympic event? It should be an extension of gymnastics.

Oh, that wonderful stiff breeze I had on the sundeck - not so fun out at sea. The ship has been rolling a bit. I haven't gotten sea sick yet on my cruises - this may be a test.

Until Later

Last edited by Opa Shale on Sun Nov 20, 2011 4:25 pm; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : Pics)

Shale

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Post n°14

On the Way to Miami

by Shale Thu Nov 17, 2011 10:42 pm

Well, the last 'Blog from sea - we just left Key West and are on our 12-hour trip to Miami. My 4th time visiting Key West and have yet to take the 4-hour road trip down. It's not the destination but the journey really applies to this.

As usual I walked all thru Key West. Got my fourth pic at the Southernmost Point marker - but this time had to wait in line. We all switched cameras and took each others' tourist pics.

Shale Taking a Short Cruise 387700_10150402915095480_744025479_8323911_734873571_n

Shale Taking a Short Cruise 387700_10150402915095480_744025479_8323911_734873571_n

Met a real local - standing on Duval St. with a sign for Legalizing Marijuana. We talked a while - he lives on a boat with his family and suggested that's how I could afford to live there. IDK. There was a time I woulda tried it.

Shale Taking a Short Cruise 314625_10150402915265480_744025479_8323912_1295063303_n

Shale Taking a Short Cruise 314625_10150402915265480_744025479_8323912_1295063303_n

I will work on my pics maybe tomorrow. But the new Twilight movie opens tomorrow, so I might be occupied with that. But ya know the pics will be coming soon.

Til Miami,

Shale

Last edited by Opa Shale on Sun Nov 20, 2011 4:26 pm; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : Pics)

Shale

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Post n°15

Re: Shale Taking a Short Cruise

by Shale Sun Nov 20, 2011 4:36 pm

Just added some pics to my Blog posted from the ship at sea. Scroll up if you wanna see 'em.

Additionally, were some pics of a Mayan model that was at the other ship in Cozumel, whom I thot was kinda cute and woulda paid to have a pic with, except - wrong ship.

Shale Taking a Short Cruise 380773_10150402913750480_744025479_8323906_1768716322_n

Shale Taking a Short Cruise 380773_10150402913750480_744025479_8323906_1768716322_n

ayan Model
Shale Taking a Short Cruise 393586_10150402913935480_744025479_8323907_1997578450_n

Also, there was a sign that just seemed strange to me. I think they meant GRIPS, but coulda been a place on deck to vent ur gripes.

Shale Taking a Short Cruise 303856_10150402912645480_744025479_8323899_1531191343_n

Shale Taking a Short Cruise 303856_10150402912645480_744025479_8323899_1531191343_n

Also, wanted to mention an observation that for three days with a couple thousand ppl there was no one with their hand up to their ear or totally absorbed in a cell phone texting. But we got to Key West and all of a sudden the addicts were getting a fix.

Cell Phone Fix - Key West Nov 17
Shale Taking a Short Cruise 391286_10150402914895480_744025479_8323910_1317391918_n

Shale Taking a Short Cruise 391286_10150402914895480_744025479_8323910_1317391918_n

A co-worker wanted me to pick him up a carton of Marlboro at the Duty Free store. I refused, mostly because you see how lite I travel and also because I am an avid non-smoker. Go get your own dope and pay the prevailing rip off price for it - or kick the addiction.

But I did see carton upon carton of cigarettes in the store which we had to pass thru in Cozumel.
Shale Taking a Short Cruise 389904_10150402912955480_744025479_8323902_606165553_n