Once again, the cruise was fantastic!

This time, sailing out of Tampa, FL aboard the Carnival Paradise, we were allowed to enter the terminal as early as 10:30 AM to await embarkation (boarding the ship) which began at 12:00 Noon.

Entering the ship is always exciting! A wonderful lunch is prepared and waiting for all, and the fun of finding and reconnecting with great friends begins.

Before sailing, we are required to take part in the safety briefing where we are all introduced to our specific muster stations and lifeboat information.

That first evening, James performed for us at the
Private Concert/Welcome Aboard Party. As always...he was awesome...and we had a wonderful time! After that show we all dined together in the Elation Dining Room (as we did each evening).

Sunday was a Fun Day At Sea as we made our way to
Grand Cayman Island. Days at sea are good times to familiarize ourselves with the ship, take part in various Carnival planned activities and games, or leisurly enjoy an endless supply of snacks and delicious lunches while catching up on all the news with friends.

Monday morning, our arrival at Grand Cayman was around 8 AM, where many of us had scheduled excursions, and other fun activities...while others enjoyed work-outs in the gym, relaxing in the sun, pools, hot tubs, or just roaming the gigantic ship, running into friends and making plans to get together for yet another "bite to eat."
( Did I mention that we EAT a lot on these cruises...!?)
(needless to say, the GYMS are a great amenity to have aboard)

Those of us going ashore were taken from, and back to the ship, via tender boats. Last tender back to the ship from ashore was at 2:15 pm
...you don't want to miss that one!

3 PM...and time to sail off into the sunset again for another great day.
This time we're headed to
!

Tuesday, 11 AM, we docked at the pier in Cozumel Mexico, where there were more great shore excursions and shopping to do!

Everyone is back onboard by 7:30 PM for some "sail away" music!

Wednesday was another great Fun Day At Sea as we made our way back to Tampa for the last few hours of our fun filled vacation and these wonderful five days.

If you didn't get to go on this cruise, you will have another chance to take part in one of these great times of fun with James Rogers and the gang. We have a cruise planned for 2013, to visit awesome ALASKA!
(I'll post more info on that later, so keep checking back)