First Cruise of the Year (44-1 Annual)

Historically, wife and I have not been big proponents of Cruises, but I'm slowly changing/adapting. Our first was way back in '04 and not a great experience. If fact , it's what got me looking into All Inclusive Resorts at destinations. Then we did one ages ago out of Galveston and had a good time. Third was out of Ft Lauderdale and we actually brought our motorcycle (!!!) (Link HERE) ... that was a good time overall (but had some drama I blogged about). Then this past October did the High Seas Rally Cruise out of Tampa and had a great time (Link HERE). Well, I came upon a cruise being pushed by CVMA Chapter 44-1 out of Gulfport MS, departing from NOLA that caught my attention. Soon, we were booked. Then, I advertised it to Friends , Family and my local CVMA Chapter. When the smoke cleared, our group was larger than all others attending which surprised me. In fact, a notch disappointed in that area, but overall we had a great time. And that, is all that matters!

From a CVMA perspective, we had our Chapter Commander, XO, Treas, PRO, QM, AuxCC, AuxXO and AuxSEC all on board along with another 1/2 dozen members. WOW! Everyone brought their Cuts for a Photo Op which had a cool factor (learned that one from the HSR last year). Except for a Veteran Get Together put on by Carnival, that was about the extent for us as a CVMA event. Eric (44-1) whom pushed this all from the get go, tried to get all to go to a common Beach on Cozumel (most didn't for various reasons) but otherwise, all were pretty much on their own.

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Okay ... Pros and Cons.

This was a Carnival Cruise which tends to be more of a party boat than a High End event. Works for me. The cruise was out of NOLA during Mardi Gras which gave all an opportunity to kick it up before/after the cruise; we did the night before on Bourbon Street.

Few us headed to Long Beach MS and stayed at our home few days before and after the cruise. That put us about 60 miles from NOLA. Score!

Night before few of us stayed at Caesars/Harrah's' casino. Kennedy's had free rooms and got one for Lucy and I. Score!

Parking worked out perfect at the dedicated Carnival garage since they give disabled vets FREE Parking... .score!

Temps were low, dropping, and below freeze point at home. We were headed to the tropics. Few days were a notch chilly, but 60s vs freezing? Score!

Most everyone had a drink package. Basically, throw them back and don't worry since you already paid. On two of the days, I hit my max (15) but I was done for the night anyways ... Score!

We found a central meeting point that most of us showed up to every day and did a lil' planning on 'what to do that day.' The RedFrog Pub also had some great bartenders (namely .. .Orlando!) Hell, we took over a corner of it almost every day. Along the way, some good music by singers and bands churned out of there. Score!

Dining was hit/miss. Some had the 6pm Dining at tables 506/507, some had anytime dining. This was a tough one for me. I liked being in the group for dining, but I didn't like being locked in. So, Lucy and I only sat there for two of the nights. There were lots of options around the ship and contrary to what many probably think, I wasn't all about the food, though I love a good meal. So, this worked out well. If I do this next year, I'll do "anytime dining" though.

On a cruise, if someone says they are bored, they are full of shit. From the time you wake up until the time you crawl into bed, there is something going on, somewhere. Shows, Bands, you name it .. .is going on. I never do enough. Trying to hit every big show, comedy show, band, etc., etc. is impossible. Yet, I need to try harder. Everyday I'm always thinking "damned... we missed that last night.".

State Room. Our first cruise; cheap inside room. Since then, balcony! Actually, every cruise since '04 has been a Balcony Suite for us. It's double the cost normally of a balcony room, but lots of space. Is that needed? Nope. Most say they don't spend that much time in their room. Well, I like the space. Is a balcony needed? Nope. But, we spend time on the balcony EVERY morning and evening. So for me, it's a requirement. So for this trip as true with the last few ... Score!

Communication. Carnival has a 'HUB" app that is via WIFI that costs each user $5 for the cruise. Makes sense, right? Well maybe ... if everyone would do it .. and if it actually worked all the time. So, this was hit and miss. So we went old school. If you see someone, pass the word on what info you knew (excursions, dinner, shows, etc.). It worked for us. Still seemed a lil disconnected and weird.

Docked Days/Ports. This cruise had two ports, Cozumel and Progresso. Cozumel I know like back of my hand. I'd offered to lead up pack on a booze cruise/pub crawl so about 8 of us headed out in a Taxi/Van and hit a few spots. Was worth it to me. We paid $40 each to the driver to get us around the island and back to the port. He was great and it was well worth it. Was it too much? Hmmmmmmm.... I'm guessing in a perfect world we could have found one for $20 each.. .but, this was a no brainer. Would I do it again? Sure. But, if I do this next year, I'll follow the other CVMA folks over to Mr Santos all inclusive Beach ..... just because.

Progresso: Man .. this was a tough one. Windy and partly cloudy, and was sprinkling in the morning. I've never been here. Haven't' heard a lot of good about it. So, Lucy and I (as well as a few others) stayed on the boat and relaxed. Found some sun, drinks and .. relaxed. Would I do this port again? Lets just say .... I don't care.. .lol

So, overall had a great time. Would I do it again? Sure. The biggest complaint my folks had was ... not in Feb , too chilly. BUT, I've done cruises in Jan with zero issues. I've been to Mexico between Nov and Feb, zero issues. We had that damned artic front come down at this same time and that was the twist. Still, was better than being at home and freezing our asses off. So would I do it again? Yes. BUT ....

I'd advertise it better. Reason I jumped on it? 44-1 is down the street from our MS home. I'd hoped to meet a lot of them. Then I saw it advertised on the National CVMA group and thought this will be 'huge!'. But, wasn't (from our angle). I believe their mistake was putting their chapter number on it. If I was in charge (I'm not), I'd make it sound like a National CVMA event (not sanctioned) and it push it that way, with all $ raised (via the Group Code they used) back to the CVMA (hell, to the chapter that pushed it). But, putting a chapter number on it, makes it look like it's for the chapter only , or chapter focused. I'd make a big ass poster/pdf and push it to the National Forum. Push it at the Region and State Level. Put some hype behind it with pictures from past cruises that had lots of participants. But, I'm just behind a keyboard dreaming shit up. LOL. Will we go again next year? Probably :)