Cruise 2013 - Days 5&6 - Embarkation and Sea Day

The four of us excitedly headed into Tampa, where we would meet up with John and Julie, before the six of us boarded the Norwegian Dawn for seven days at sea. So began the Day of Chaos(TM). In spite of the clear skies above us, we were informed that the Port of Tampa was closed due to heavy fog, meaning all ship traffic was anchored up outside the Skyway Bridge and four-hour harbour approach. A lengthy delay was the order of the day.

The cruise line decided to bus folks en masse to the Southshore Mall, some distance away from the Port, to kill time in air conditioned retail splendor. This became logistically....questionable, especially the return trips from the mall to the Port. I won't go into all the sordid details. Luckily at least we had checked our luggage at the terminal, so we weren't dragging that around all day.

The folks on the previous cruise were supposed to be off the ship at 8am, but did not finally disembark until 5pm after the fog lifted and Port re-opened. By the time we cleared the Customs and boarding backlog, we were on the ship at 8pm, only eight hours later than planned. Still, we were ON the ship. Apparently we just left in time, shoving away from the dock before the fog moved in to close the Port once again!

The entire following day was spent at sea, travelling due south across the Gulf. With the hammer down to make up lost time, the ride was a little rougher than usual amid wind and significant waves, but nothing a bucket of beer didn't fix. Otherwise we spent the day exploring the ship, celebrating Jane's birthday at the new Brazilian churrascaria, and checking out some of the on-board entertainment. Nothing drives away the skewer-induced meat sweats like a giant can of Foster's and a late night walk on the deck!

Interstate 75 approaching Tampa

Downtown Tampa

Norwegian Dawn at the Port of Tampa

Interior Room 10165 - home sweet home!

Tampa Skyline by Night

Deck 12 - The Party Deck! (eventually)

The Atrium on Deck 7

First of many visits to the Pearly King's Pub on Deck 7

The morning after - coffee and Heinz ketchup!

Soothing lull of the Caribbean by moonlight

Avast ye, Bucket o' Beerrrrr. Arrrrr.

Cruise 2013 - Days 3&4 - Gulf Coast and Florida

We fled New Orleans in the early morning quiet, and began the trek around the Gulf Coast. Much of the day was spent enduring heavy rains, as we traversed Interstate 10 east through Louisiana, small pieces of Mississippi and Alabama, and then the long panhandle of northern Florida.

As we passed through Mobile, Alabama, two large ships dominated the skyline - the battleship U.S.S. Alabama, and the ill-fated Carnival Triumph. The latter had recently been the subject of widescale media coverage when it lost power after an engine fire and floated adrift for days in the Gulf of Mexico. Her nearly 3,200 passengers were stranded at sea for days and required food to be airlifted in as they awaited rescue. Without power, there was no active sewage system on board, resulting in some reportedly, um, crappy living conditions. She was eventually towed to Mobile, not her usual port, for extensive repairs.

Interesting omen on the way to our own Caribbean cruise....

Late that same night, we arrived Chez Cox in their Florida retirement villa. The following day was spent relaxing, exploring local area flea markets and fresh strawberries, and preparing for the cruise.

Causeway on Interstate 10 East along the Gulf

Carnival Triumph in drydock for repairs to the Poop Deck

U.S.S. Alabama

Sweet Home Florida

Cruise 2013 - Days 1&2 - The Big Easy

Our trip to Florida and Jane's 40th birthday cruise began with a slight "detour" - to New Orleans! Day One saw the Juke carry us from home all the way to Birmingham, Alabama after a long day of driving, capped off with some local southern BBQ at Full Moon.

Day Two led us on to New Orleans, arriving around lunchtime amid light drizzle. We parked the car and the party began with an interesting bus tour of the city, followed by further exploration of the French Quarter's food and atmosphere on foot.

We had already booked a room at the Andrew Jackson hotel in the heart of the French Quarter, also allegedly quite haunted. This led to two unexpected additions to our evening - an upgrade to a gallery (balcony) suite due to overbooking, and haunted hike tour groups stopping in front of the aforementioned balcony every 15 minutes to explain all about the haunted hotel!

Enjoyed a great afternoon and evening in this vibrant city.....and a sound sleep in a beautiful room, uninterrupted by anything paranormal.

Nearing the Big Easy

Canal Street from the open-top bus

Saint Louis #1 cemetery

Decatur Street nearing Jackson Square

Remnants of recent Mardi Gras festivities!

The mighty muddy Mississippi

The view from our gallery along Royal Street

Dinner - shrimp gumbo, chicken & sausage jambalaya, crawfish etoufee, and Abita Amber

Our hotel and street gallery

Impromptu live jazz

Nightlife on Bourbon Street

New Orleans old and new

Pleased to Mead You

Thank you, fine folks at Trafalgar Ales and Meads of Oakville.

Thy will be done, thy golden elixir be quaff-ed.

 The silver maple receptacle was procured at the Renaissance Faire in Holly, Michigan.

Backdoor Bandits

Not sure they're really stealing, since the outdoor cat food was fair game. At any rate, some entertaining shenanigans on the back porch.

Winterlude

Just in case we give the impression that we don't actually get winter here....the white stuff has found us at long last. Kinda beautiful though, no?

Now that I've got pictures of our winter wonderland....it is free to go.

Piss Jugs

I now have a deeper appreciation for the Trailer Park Boys trucker "piss jugs" mentality. Way of the Road, bud...Way of the Road.

Or in the current context, Way of the Kidney Stone, bud.

Simply put, they require two 24-hour urine accumulations to try to figure out what is causing the stones. Just shut up and fill these jugs.

FYI - the jugs pictured are both empty and sterile. For now.