We found out first hand what it takes to empty and refill the pool today on this Carnival Cruise boat ‘Elation’.
Anastasia decided to christen the pool with her puking in it. She, of course, didn’t mean to. She must have been playing hard and just got herself a little too worked up.
As soon as it happened, security closed the pool untill housekeeping came and cleaned it. Then they emptied the pool into the ocean and refilled it. We found out they do this every night. They fill the pool with ocean water, so it’s not like we have to wait for them to add chemicals or anything.
Funny that my daughter cleared the pool. Leave it to her. ;)
Another fun filled day on the boat. What I’m trying to figure out is what they use all the money I paid for?
They clearly don’t use my money to teach their staff manners. Twice I have whitnessed workers being rude to my daughter. She didn’t hear it, although I did.
They clearly don’t use the money to fix the arcade games. I took Anastasia to the arcade today for a little father daughter fun and every single game had something wrong with it. The linked multiplayer games weren’t linked or one of the sides didn’t work. The shooting games targeting was way off, I had to practically point the gun at the floor to target the bottom of the screen.
I don’t want to make this all sound like I am just complaining. The purpose of a cruise is to detach yourself from your life and unwind. This cruise is clearly doing that. I am so creative right now, if I puked it would be vibrant colors in some awesome design. ;)
Our waiter in our main dining room every night is great! He has Anastasia and her cousins believing that his mother works in the kitchen and makes them a very special desert every night.
The guy in charge of cleaning our rooms is great. He knows me and other guests by our first names and he is definitely busy from morning to night and has a great attitude about it all.
My mother and father are the only reference I have to base this cruise on and I think my dad said it best, “You get what you pay for.” He’s right, we chose Carnival over the other cruise lines because they were at least $300 per person cheaper than any other company.
Either way, I am thankful for the chance to get away with my family. And especially spend more time with my little princess.
We stopped in Cabo today. The seas were very rough and the wave swells where we anchored were supposedly 8 to 10 feet.
I thought it was weird that with all this technology we were still waiting until the little ‘tender’ boats were level enough with the stairs to get on or off at the ship.
Cabo was nothing like I expected. It was nothing but a tourist trap, the street vendors were out in swarms and the place was generally just not clean.
I guess I expected something beautiful. Instead I was worried were Anastasia was every second and more so than usual.
We walked a good way away from the tourist area, trying to see the place from a different point of view. The street vendors went away but the place was still not beautiful and no where did it feel ‘not’ dirty.
Some people were very helpful. My brother in law and his mother are Spanish, so at least we could ask for directions and information with ease.
We found the Harley store. :) I needed a shirt from Cabo. Anastasia found the coolest design in the store and that was the shirt I bought.
Anastasia wanted anything that was colorful or being sold, so that was a little rough, although in the end she just wanted a little guitar. So we looked and looked although we couldn’t find one she liked. I told her Ensenada should have plenty so we will get one there. She was happy with that.
Anastasia is having a good time overall. I am trying to give her freedom and letting her go off on her own sometimes. It’s a boat in the middle if the ocean, it’s not like she can get lost.
I am thrilled Anastasia is able to spend time with her cousins. They seem to all get along and have fun together. Even my niece and nephew that I haven’t seen in about three years seem to have just all fit back in.
It’s nice to all do something we have never done as a family. I realize how my older sister and I are so much alike in many ways. And my brother is exactly as I remembered him.
We have been at sea all day. We are supposed to arrive in Cabo tomorrow and then Wednesday is another day at sea.
Carnival has done an ok job. Having never been on a cruise before, I am not sure what expect. Some of the workers are very rude. Anastasia and my room was disgusting when we arrived, although the guy in charge of all the rooms on my floor is exceptionally good. Very friendly and quick to help.
I am enjoying this time away. It’s a nice break. And definitely nice to be with family.
More updates to come!
As I sit out at the pool on this Carnival Cruise ship there are so many things that run through my mind.
My brother, his two children and his new girlfriend, my older sister, her husband, their two kids, my mom and dad and my daughter. Even my little sister and her husband that are back in Arizona. The cruise ship and the dirty rooms when I got on. The swaying of the ocean, the crowds of people, the multinational workers (crewmembers) and all the things I am experiencing on this vacation. All having part of my mind and my thoughts.
We are in the middle of the ocean right now, no land as far as the eyes can see in any direction, yet we have every convinience known to man on this boat with us.
What is a vacation? Well the actual definition says something about being away from your normal life, time away, time off from work, etc..
Vacation. What about a vacation from responsibilites? I have never really been on a vacation with just Anastasia and I. Yes, my family is here, although it really is just her and I when responsibility comes into play. I realized on this trip, that we are only one and a half days into, responsibilty is my needing to let go and let Anastasia have fun too. I need to be there when she needs me, although I have taught her well enough that I need to let her test her wings a little and test my teachings.
So, I am trying, not easy, I am trying though.
