CruiseMan3000

I may be all smiles in this pic, but there is a side of me that comes out from time to time that includes arms-folded, inverted eyebrows and an attitude ready to usher you into the ocean . I wear a smile with every out-fit I put on - especially when a cruise ship is involved (who wouldn't?)! But there is a point when not even a cruise ship can keep a smile on my face and it has to do with people. After 30 cruises, I still am amazed that I am blessed to enjoy a traveling luxury - such as a cruise ship - as often as I do. You know I thank God every time I board a ship because I could have easily been the unfortunate man on the sidewalk asking for money or a meal. I just stand amazed! I went from not having a lot to now being able to be spoiled like a prince. I remembered my first cruise like it was yesterday. I just about couldn't hold myself together. The food, the cool people and most importantly the beautiful, sacred connection I was able to find with The Lord.
I soon hit this weird phase in my cruising history. You start talking about the paint job the ship needs, the color of the carpet and even how slow the cabin stewards are at getting you a fresh towel. You begin reaching a point where you become a ship snob and boy did I used to be one! You complain out this... and that. Then you start comparing this ship to another ship and wish it was bigger, or not as many people or pray for more activities to do. Well if you were like me, a few years ago, I have two words for you: SHUT UP! Your negative attitude is poisoning the fun that's supposed to be experienced onboard! Take it from a guy who used to RUN HIS TRAP about everything wrong... it doesn't help anything.
Honestly, you're traveling in style complaining about some food when there's a kid in Haiti who is wondering the streets right now trying to find food, shelter and protection from predators. Like really? But that hamburger could be less burnt though? Right... If it could, go get another one. Gosh, you act like you haven't paid for the food. You have world class crew members working for YOUR amusement. They leave their family and friends behind for months at a time to hear you complain because they didn't turn down your bed twice in a day? They do not get paid enough to feel both a Caribbean breeze and your hot breath. One is enough and it ain't the latter. Do you even turn down your own bed down at home twice a day? Oh and you must use like a million towels at home too right, because the cabin stewards needs to change them everyday? Put yourself in the shoes of those who are less fortunate than you. The people work non-stop around the clock, for YOU. It would be nice to give them a break every now and then you know?
I started meeting with my cabin steward the day I get on and tell them straight up - I don't need turn down service, in fact, I don't need day time service. Just give me the daily activities agenda and and high-five every time I see ya! I am tired of hearing about the things YOU hate about a ship. What is there to hate? You have literally 5 star everything compared to the girl who was just captured and forced into female prostitution. The mouths of complaining and nit-picky cruisers is THE thing I hate about cruising! Please, if you're going to complain, just run back to your cabin and tell someone who will actually care (they'll be looking at you in the mirror). Now I'm not saying you should not rightfully speak up when something like theft of your belongings or something fatal happens and the cruise line is at fault. By all means, please speak up when necessary, but know that you not getting chocolate on your pillow at night is no excuse to just hear yourself bark. Save your breath for all the screaming you'll do at the sailaway deck party!
Give it a go. Be a global citizen who understands and tries to help those who've been working for 14 hours straight feeling exhausted and still wears that smile like nothing's even wrong. Stop complaining. Shut up because nobody gives a cup... of coffee! Until we talk ship again, keep cruising and grooving. You know you're cruisetacular for reading and I have nothing but love for ya!

So I'm at that stage in the cruising game where I am in between cruises. You know that point where you remember the last and get pumped for the next? Yeah, that feeling... that's what I'm loving right now! So many of you may remember the cruise I took back in February aboard Norwegian Jewel. I took one of my BFFs - TMT - with me for her first high seas adventure. In fact, that's her in this pic as well as another friend we met onboard, our girl Pat Montano!
Back in February we did a cruise to nowhere (CTN) and guess what I'm doing in just about 2 weeks from Norfolk, VA? Yup! You've guessed it! A cruise to nowhere... but aboard Carnival Glory. This time around TMT won't be with me, unfortunately, BUT my crazy, loud and hot mess of a family and friends WILL (pray for me... no seriously pray for me now)! I love these types of cruises and some people ask me what a CTN is. The convo tends to go a little like this...
My Neighbor: "So Shon, you're going on another cruise?"
Me: "Yup! And I'm so excited!"
My Neighbor: "Where ya headed this time?"
Shon: "Oh just out to sea for the weekend - nowhere basically!"
My Neighbor: "Um what? What kind of cruise is that?"
Well let a brotha school ya... It's the kind of cruise where you cram everything in, eat whatever you want, get a good workout in at the gym and sleep as little as possible (at least if you're sailing with me - as TMT is testament to). You just have a great time for a few days at sea. Seriously, I walk on THESE cruises in particular not knowing a soul and within the first 20 hours, new friends are joining me at karaoke, in the nightclub and even for a late night bite aboard. What are YOU waiting for? Try a cruise to nowhere today! PLUS you'll have the BEST bragging rights at the office on Monday. Everyone will ask how your weekend was and guess what you can tell them? YOU WENT ON A CRUISE! Bam! In their faces... I mean, oops, forgot to invite ya? And they're very inexpensive!
You know, I HIGHLY recommend these special and rare voyages for individuals who want to try cruising, but may still have some reservations (yes, pun is intended). Go sail for 3 days and 2 nights, come back and then book a world cruise! Okay, maybe not a world cruise but these sailings will help you enjoy longer cruises if you're a newbie trying to get into the cruising game! Try a CT today and maybe our paths will even cross on the high seas! Have you ever sailed a CTN? If so, what was you're favorite part about it? If not, what's your excuse? Keep cruisin' and groovin' until we talk ship again next Monday--Shon!

So I'm at that stage in the cruising game where I am in between cruises. You know that point where you remember the last and get pumped for the next? Yeah, that feeling... that's what I'm loving right now! So many of you may remember the cruise I took back in February aboard Norwegian Jewel. I took one of my BFFs - TMT - with me for her first high seas adventure. In fact, that's her in this pic as well as another friend we met onboard, our girl Pat Montano!
Back in February we did a cruise to nowhere (CTN) and guess what I'm doing in just about 2 weeks from Norfolk, VA? Yup! You've guessed it! A cruise to nowhere... but aboard Carnival Glory. This time around TMT won't be with me, unfortunately, BUT my crazy, loud and hot mess of a family and friends WILL (pray for me... no seriously pray for me now)! I love these types of cruises and some people ask me what a CTN is. The convo tends to go a little like this...
My Neighbor: "So Shon, you're going on another cruise?"
Me: "Yup! And I'm so excited!"
My Neighbor: "Where ya headed this time?"
Shon: "Oh just out to sea for the weekend - nowhere basically!"
My Neighbor: "Um what? What kind of cruise is that?"
Well let a brotha school ya... It's the kind of cruise where you cram everything in, eat whatever you want, get a good workout in at the gym and sleep as little as possible (at least if you're sailing with me - as TMT is testament to). You just have a great time for a few days at sea. Seriously, I walk on THESE cruises in particular not knowing a soul and within the first 20 hours, new friends are joining me at karaoke, in the nightclub and even for a late night bite aboard. What are YOU waiting for? Try a cruise to nowhere today! PLUS you'll have the BEST bragging rights at the office on Monday. Everyone will ask how your weekend was and guess what you can tell them? YOU WENT ON A CRUISE! Bam! In their faces... I mean, oops, forgot to invite ya? And they're very inexpensive!
You know, I HIGHLY recommend these special and rare voyages for individuals who want to try cruising, but may still have some reservations (yes, pun is intended). Go sail for 3 days and 2 nights, come back and then book a world cruise! Okay, maybe not a world cruise but these sailings will help you enjoy longer cruises if you're a newbie trying to get into the cruising game! Try a CT today and maybe our paths will even cross on the high seas! Have you ever sailed a CTN? If so, what was you're favorite part about it? If not, what's your excuse? Keep cruisin' and groovin' until we talk ship again next Monday--Shon!

And it's a great day to be cruising from the Port of Baltimore! Hello, everyone! It feels great being back after a nearly 2 month hiatus. I missed you all and hope everyone has been in nothing but cruisetacular spirits! Never have I been more proud to be a resident of the great state of Maryland! We're home to the Superbowl Champions, the best crabs in the world and the recently refurbished Grandeur of the Seas!
This past Friday - May 03, 2013 - MD's Governor Martin O'Malley (D) proclaimed the day to be state-wide Royal Caribbean Cruise Day! How cool is that? It was with great enthusiasm I accepted an invitation from Royal Caribbean International to join in for the festivities that would be taking place at the Port of Baltimore (which is conveniently only 15 minutes from my driveway)! Here in Baltimore, we have seen tremendous growth in our annual cruise passenger numbers! We began with seasonal service back in 2004 with about 30 cruises a year that took 60,000 passengers on high seas adventures.
Today, the Port of Baltimore sees approximately 100 cruises a year (96 slated for 2013) with 240,000 passengers sailing through the number one cruise port in the Mid-Atlantic. The Port of Baltimore is the 11th biggest cruise port in the United States and 20th in the world! In addition to that, the Port generates about 90 million dollars in revenue for the State of Maryland and 200 direct jobs. And if any of you have been here, you know the port literally sits right on I-95 - making it the best free advertisement around! Now that's what I call cruisetacular!
In her 48 million dollar face-lift, Grandeur of the Seas was given new dining options to bring her food offering to eight - something unheard of for a ship her size (which is great)! She also was given a new pool-side big screen for your viewing pleasure as well as upgraded areas for toddlers, kids and teens! The Solarium onboard, which is adult only and also saw an enhancement, truly helps the mature cruisers find the perfect escape while on the ship.The highlight of the improved Grandeur of the Seas is the Centrum Wow show which takes place in the ships centrum (some of you may call it the atrium). Oh, and did I mention RCI have her all new carpet and furniture? She's truly a new ship with enhancements that'll truly fit everyone who sails aboard - including YOU!
Grandeur of the Seas sailed from the Port of Baltimore seasonally from 2004-2009 prior to her return in 2013. Friday, May 03 marked her first cruise from Baltimore in about four years - the voyage was a seven night cruise to Bermuda; featuring 3 days and 2 nights docked at Kings Wharf. Today, she currently offers the most diverse list of sailings from the Mid-Atlantic with a port of call line-up to include Bermuda, the Bahamas, Florida, the Eastern Caribbean, Canada and New England. With new features, amazing voyages and plenty of room for you and your family, this ship has enough splendor and charm to share with all those who walk up her gangway.
For more information on Grandeur of the Seas or the itineraries she will sail, cruise on over to her very own webpage on Royal Caribbean's website. And if you want to see more pictures I captured from RCI Day here in MD, I've posted them all to Cruise Man 3000's Facebook Fan Page! I've also added exclusive behind the scenes videos on my YouTube Channel, too! Until we talk ship again next Monday, keep cruisin' and groovin'! You're cruisetacular for reading!

Hey, everyone! How have you all been? I have missed you guys IMMENSELY! Wow, it's been nearly 2 months of no blogging (I almost forgot my password and login, haha).
I'll have new content for you all on Monday since that's my normal posting day! BUT if you're on Twitter, I invite you to follow along with me (@CruiseMan3000) tomorrow, Friday, May 03, 2013! I have a HUGE surprise to share with you all!
No spoilers. No secrets. Just join me for a cruisetacular time! See ya then!
-CM3K

Hey, everyone! I hope you all are doing well and have been enjoying life! I haven't blogged in about a month and I want to just get on and give a cruisetacular hello! I am okay and all is well - I promise!
I'm currently on a personal break from all things cruise, but promise to return hopefully sometime in late May. Be sure to enjoy all the content that's currently out there and I'll be back with more new cruisetastic stuff FYA (for your amusement)!
Keep smiling, let your laughter erupt the sky and always do things BIGG! Much love--Shon.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. There's the media doing what they do best and that's stirring the pot. Alright, so if y'all have been following our trusted media sources here in the States, then you've been well aware that Carnival Cruise Line is back in the spotlight yet again. Here's the spark notes version:
Carnival Dream, Carnival Legend and Carnival Elation were all reported to have somewhat similar issues with propulsion systems on their respective ships. This comes to light after the fiasco with Carnival Triumph last month where thousands were stranded at sea for about 4 days. So, now we all want to know the same question: What's going on with the ship in Carnival's fleet?
THEN before I closed my eyes for bed last night, guess what? Yet another cruise ship was reported having issues, P&O Cruises' Ventura. Then this morning I saw a report stating Regent's Seven Seas Voyager is also experiencing some propulsion problems. And so what? Seriously people, there comes a point in our lives we have to decide if we're going to cower and live in fear or step out and travel the world we've dreamed about and seen on Google Images. What's the worse that can happen? You get a free cruise out of the deal? Hmm... sounds like a bargain to me, right?
If you are a fan of my Facebook Fan Page, you may have seen me post this picture from when I sailed Carnival Pride last November. Instantly, the comments began pouring in and you can see many cruise fans like you and me are still sailing and not allowing any of this to set us back from enjoying high seas adventures - including on Carnival Cruise Line vessels. In fact, I'm still sailing Carnival Glory with my hot mess of a family for what's going to be THE family cruise of the year coming up in May. Past, present and future cruise ship incidents will not stop me... ever! I know who holds tomorrow and He'll never let go of my hand. So SHOULD something happen to one of the ships I'm currently booked on, know I'll be alright. In fact, I'll be the Black guy running around on the deck praising God and shouting (be sure to get some good stills of me)!
Like I said in My Thoughts on Carnival Triumph, I am no stranger to cruise ship incidents. In fact, I remember back in 2006 when I tried my second attempt at a cruise to Grand Cayman, Carnival Imagination was docked in Miami with a propulsion system that wasn't at 100%. They told us we would sail to Nassau and Freeport, Bahamas instead - staying oversight in each port (where they were going to work on the ship while we were having fun, LOL). We got to pick if we still wanted to sail or go back home. What do you think I did? Yup! Sure did, and had a blast! Carnival took real good care of us: gave us on-board credit and money back on pre-booked shore excursions. It's not stopping me, it hasn't stopped me and it never will. That's my piece and I'm sticking to it!
LONG LIVE CRUISE VACATIONS!
As always, you're cruisetacular for reading! Until we talk ship next Monday--Shon!
P.S. Please keep the two passengers who were sailing P&O Cruises' Adonia in your prayers. The husband and wife duo were injured with gun shot as they were walking en route back to their vessel in Bridgetown, Barbados. They have been taken to the Queen Elizabeth hospital in Barbados and are being treated for their respective wounds according to Cruise Law News. Get the full story here.

Just in case you missed it last week, here is Part 1 to this segmented blog post. Okay, now that everyone is caught up, let me share what else I'd like to see on a cruise ship! Y'all ready? Here we go...
#5: A Skydiving Simulator!
Nothing like flying while sailing 15 knots, right?
Photo Credit: The Sims Zone, UK
Now this would be freaking cool, right? Why can I see Royal Caribbean hoping all over this one? But I give Disney and NCL room for this as well because a character could easily go with this - Buzz Lightyear (Disney Cruise Line), Fairy Odd Parents (Norwegian Cruise Line) or even The Penguins of Madagascar (Royal Caribbean). Anyway, I think a neat feature would be to have the simulator area totally encompassed with glass so you can get great sea views and even see the sun above (whenever he likes to peek his head out for a visit). This one by far I think would be the one thing I'd do all cruise long. And if you're not into this one, just stand on the uppermost deck of your ship and try not getting blown away... same thrills! ?
#6: A Comic Book Revolution!
Talk about high seas action - these comic book characters
would DEFINITELY know how to bring it!
Photo Credit: Comic Book Movie
This one has Carnival written all over it and let me tell you why. Royal Caribbean, you've got Dreamworks on lock with Shrek and Donkey; NCL, you're swimming in slime with Dora and Diego with Nick at Sea; and Disney well... you've got all the favorites in the world. But which cruise line isn't known for a character agreement? BINGO! Carnival, y'all should try bringing some comic book characters to your ships. Don't get me wrong, we love Fun Ship Freddy, but we think this would be an awesome addition to your brand and Freddy... well at least I think so. ?
I remember growing up I wanted to be Spiderman... then I wanted to me Cyclops... then I was Green Lantern... then I was married Wonder Woman. Oh wait... that was just a dream. Anyway I think with y'all having that IMAX-like 4-D theater on Carnival Breeze and the other new ships, movies of these characters would be a huge hit! How about even designing themed rooms for eager comic book fans? Wouldn't that be cool? Having a Green Lantern room where everything glows in green? Plus I think Captain America and Fun Ship Freddy would be the best of friends, don't you?
#7: Inflatables Galore - Inside and Out!
Remember these from the '90s?
Oh yeah, let's get 'em on a ship!
Photo Credit: Children of the 90s
Am I the only one who remembers the Sock'em Boppers commercial and went out and bought a pair so I could knock out... I mean gently tag people? Wouldn't this be loads of fun for the family? And I'm not saying just have inflatable TKO gear, but also an indoor inflatable course - like a moon bounce or something. Who's in? P.S. If you wear Vaseline on your face, it'll help the dings smooth off your face and your won't feel the impact as much. ? Not that I'm speaking from personal experience or anything...
#8: Indoor Paintball!
Ever dream of getting that
person back for stealing your deck chair?
Two words: Paint Ball!
Photo Credit: War Pig
Now this would be taking cruise ship revenge to a whole new level. You know that person that walked in front of the stage while you were singing at karaoke, stole your deck chair when they knew you eyed it from the upper deck or even to that person who grabbed the last cinnamon bun in the serving dish... you could get 'em back with some paint ball! I'd even take a few shots at the people who do nothing but complained about everything the whole cruise (only inside the area of course)! What about even getting your younger siblings on the family reunion cruise? I know paintball isn't everyone's fancy, but I think it would be a draw for many... CMK included!
So that's it. My 8 amenities I'd add to a cruise ship! Which one is your favorite? Do you have something you'd like to see on the high seas I didn't mention? Be sure to tell me!Tweet me, post it on Facebook or simply comment below! I've gotten a few suggestions already and I'm going to post them all in a "Cruise Fans Edition" post next week! The deadline to share your cruising amenity wish-list is Saturday, March 16, 2013 to be considered for next week's post, but feel free to still share your thoughts beyond them - I'd love to hear! Until we talk ship again next Monday--Shon!

Yeah, yeah, yeah. There's the media doing what they do best and that's stirring the pot. Alright, so if y'all have been following our trusted media sources here in the States, then you've been well aware that Carnival Cruise Line is back in the spotlight yet again. Here's the spark notes version:
Carnival Dream, Carnival Legend and Carnival Elation were all reported to have somewhat similar issues with propulsion systems on their respective ships. This comes to light after the fiasco with Carnival Triumph last month where thousands were stranded at sea for about 4 days. So, now we all want to know the same question: What's going on with the ship in Carnival's fleet?
THEN before I closed my eyes for bed last night, guess what? Yet another cruise ship was reported having issues, P&O Cruises' Ventura. Then this morning I saw a report stating Regent's Seven Seas Voyager is also experiencing some propulsion problems. And so what? Seriously people, there comes a point in our lives we have to decide if we're going to cower and live in fear or step out and travel the world we've dreamed about and seen on Google Images. What's the worse that can happen? You get a free cruise out of the deal? Hmm... sounds like a bargain to me, right?
If you are a fan of my Facebook Fan Page, you may have seen me post this picture from when I sailed Carnival Pride last November. Instantly, the comments began pouring in and you can see many cruise fans like you and me are still sailing and not allowing any of this to set us back from enjoying high seas adventures - including on Carnival Cruise Line vessels. In fact, I'm still sailing Carnival Glory with my hot mess of a family for what's going to be THE family cruise of the year coming up in May. Past, present and future cruise ship incidents will not stop me... ever! I know who holds tomorrow and He'll never let go of my hand. So SHOULD something happen to one of the ships I'm currently booked on, know I'll be alright. In fact, I'll be the Black guy running around on the deck praising God and shouting (be sure to get some good stills of me)!
Like I said in My Thoughts on Carnival Triumph, I am no stranger to cruise ship incidents. In fact, I remember back in 2006 when I tried my second attempt at a cruise to Grand Cayman, Carnival Imagination was docked in Miami with a propulsion system that wasn't at 100%. They told us we would sail to Nassau and Freeport, Bahamas instead - staying oversight in each port (where they were going to work on the ship while we were having fun, LOL). We got to pick if we still wanted to sail or go back home. What do you think I did? Yup! Sure did, and had a blast! Carnival took real good care of us: gave us on-board credit and money back on pre-booked shore excursions. It's not stopping me, it hasn't stopped me and it never will. That's my piece and I'm sticking to it!
LONG LIVE CRUISE VACATIONS!
As always, you're cruisetacular for reading! Until we talk ship next Monday--Shon!
P.S. Please keep the two passengers who were sailing P&O Cruises' Adonia in your prayers. The husband and wife duo were injured with gun shot as they were walking en route back to their vessel in Bridgetown, Barbados. They have been taken to the Queen Elizabeth hospital in Barbados and are being treated for their respective wounds according to Cruise Law News. Get the full story here.

Hey, y'all! Sorry I missed posting part 2 on Monday. Over the weekend I had a host of events happen. My lovely mother celebrated her birthday but I also lost my pal Zoe. She was truly the sweetest thing walking on four legs and I'll always love and miss her! She was my partner in crime on a few blog posts and she always be!
I mean what can a single guy say? Zoe was THE best chick-grabbing magnet... I mean woman meeting pal ever! Now what is a guy to do? We had some great times and I'll always remember the great memories we shared! I wish I could have taken you on some cruises with me because I know you would have LOVED it! Thanks for being a sure thing for this crazy, loud and MJ-lovin' dude! Not many women would put up with me like you did! Thanks for also being a fan of Mandisa... and hearing me try to sing and hit those high notes (sorry for making you do that thing with your ears, LOL). Zoe, this blog post is for you!
Just wanted to let y'all know I didn't forget about you all, but I hope to get that new post up to y'all by next Monday!
Thanks for following along! You're cruisetacular for reading... as always!

Carnival Triumph re-entering U.S. waters in Mobile, Alabama.
Photo Credit: gCaptain
What happened was truly unfortunate. The conditions on-board I can't even begin to fathom -- from having no air conditioning, to the exposure many had to bodily waste, and having to use bags as lavatories truly could evoke testing times... but let's look put things in perspective. This was an incident that falls back on Carnival Cruise Line 100%, no doubting that. But Carnival handled this like the crisis management pros they are.Carnival Conquest, Carnival Elation and Carnival Legend --who also sail Western Caribbean waters-- were dispatched to aid Carnival Triumph with food, supplies and even transportation of passengers with pre-existing medical conditions that needed assistance. They gave everyone their money back, transportation back home and post-cruise hotel arrangements, motor-coach bus service and even additional monetary compensation for this disaster. Did I mention Carnival's CEO Gerry Cahill flew to Mobile, Alabama, boarded Carnival Triumph and personally apologized to the passengers and crew in person, can you say cruise hero? Truly amazing!
Now Here's My 2 Cents...
One report I read stated there were about 45 people on-board who had Bible Study and said the encouragement they had in their time with the Lord while stranded at sea, gave them hope that they would return back home just fine. I was so elated to hear of this because as a cruiser who has also been on ships where catastrophes have happened and being a follower of Jesus Christ, I know there's is something special and incomparable that happens between people and God while on the high seas. I've been on ships where engines have stalled, ocean waves have turned violent, passengers have died and had medical emergencies and hurricanes have shown their ugly side. But the one thing I know works and has helped me in my time of peril while at sea, is prayer to and worship of the Lord.

It may sound crazy to some, but to me it's an innate reaction. Whenever I'd hear that "unknown" noise on a ship, see waves come closer than I was planning, or hear the Captain come over the PA system with a late night announcement, I do just what I was taught growing up -- stop, drop and pray! I've learned in my life that unexpected problems is not the issue, but WE are. Stop hoping for your problems to change and YOU change -- change your perspective, outlook and decide to speak encouraging and positive words over your situation. God set the Isrealites free from Pharaoh and wanted to take them into the promise land He had for them... then they wandered in the wilderness for a whole 40 years. Why? Because their attitude and mindset put them there! God knew their mindset wasn't ready to take on the enemies they'd have to battle for full possession of the Promised Land so instead of leading them the way of 11 days, they kept making donuts in the desert for 40 whole years.
Now I am in no way saying that the mindset and attitudes of the persons on-board Carnival Triumph caused this incident to happen, but I do think had an optimistic and positive atmosphere been birthed, both on land and at sea, their deliverance could have come sooner than it played out. I'm not negating the harsh conditions aboard the passengers experienced, I'm not suggesting that this cruise was a good one, nor am I saying these people shouldn't be mad with Carnival about what happened. But what if the 45 people who gathered for worship turned into 450 or even all 4,000 people on the ship, standing together in praise and worship; making the best of their conditions and keeping a positive mindset awaiting a miraculous happening. And on the contrary, what if all the sources bad-mouthing Carnival and this cruise turned their hot air into prayer (yes, this includes the media). What could have happened? Could you imagine? Millions gathering in prayer and not pointing their fingers? I could keep going on with this BUT, I'm glad to say it's over, see everyone disembark fine and get back to living life as they know it.

They're all back safe and sound -- with Triumphant bath robes!
Photo Credit: NY Daily News
Some of y'all think what I just said is crazy, "off the deep end" or even unreal. But I do believe that when we band together in courage and faith, hoping for the impossible, God will honor that act. So next time all hell breaks lose instead of getting worked up and looking for someone to blame, begin to pray and trust God to make the impossible possible. For with man, things may look grim, but with God ALL THINGS are possible! Next time you hear of a high seas tragedy, stop bad-mouthing and being a negative Nancey, but start believing the best -- your negativity won't help anything, but your positive thoughts will be infectious and be more beneficial than you'd know. That's my piece and I'm sticking by it. Until we talk ship again--Shon!

In a recent interview I did with CruiseLine.com, I was asked if there were some features I'd like to put on a cruise ship in the near future. Not only did I have one or two things, but four came to mind. Since my interview with them last month a few others have come to mind and I thought I'd share them with ya to see if you'd like to join my demand team in hopes that one cruise line out there will hear our cry and supply the innovative goods! I mean it seems 'impossible' is no longer a word for cruise lines these days. Let's see, we have Imax/4D theaters, ropes courses (Carnival Cruise Line); decks that walk over the water (Princess Cruises); bowling allies, rappelling walls, salt rooms and ice bars (Norwegian Cruise Line); rock walls, surfing simulators, zip lines and skating rinks (Royal Caribbean International); and even water slides that go off the sides of cruise ships (Disney Cruise Line)! So what's next? I think a few of my suggestions! Now to all the cruise lines in the world, grab your pens and paper! On your mark, get set, call your designers!
CM3K's Cruise Ship Amenity Wish List
  #1: A Non-Water Based Roller Coaster
    I have the biggest passion for heights, speed and a good shake along the way. So what better combination could there be to satisfy these loves than having a roller coaster on a cruise ship. If a cruise line were able to configure a way to do this, I would easily sail them with no questions asked. Now here's my 2 cents on this: I think it should be taken to a whole new level on a cruise ship! They should make it an indoor roller coaster with black lights everywhere making it a glowing, thrilling time! This way, it could still run should the weather not permit for it to function outside; plus it would be another cool thing for passengers to experience while at sea!
#2: Laser Tag
Speaking of things glowing in the dark, lets get a laser tag facility aboard a cruise ship. My question is, why hasn't this already happened? Don't y'all think this would have been birthed on a ship around the bowling alley and rock wall era? I think this would be cool to be on two decks or so that may or may not have some kind of character theme (hint hint, NCL, RCI and DCL). Also, I think having some sort of inflatable, portable scene could also be to the cruise line's advantage. That way, you can play laser tag under the stars! This would be super cool on ships that have nice open-air deck space like Norwegian Epicor Oasis and Allure of the Seas! I'd really think Disney Cruise Line could capitalize on this with Toy Story characters Zurg and Buzz Lightyear. But for some reason, idk why...I could definitely see Royal Caribbean hop all over this one! What do y'all think?
#3: Bumper Cars
Keeping with things that could be enjoyed regardless of the weather... BUMPER CARS! Doesn't everyone love these things? If you don't, I'm sorry... you just weren't raised right. Don't be caught in front of me while driving one of these bad boys -- Bump Man 3000 will getcha LOL! Again, a character affiliated cruise line such as Disney, Royal Caribbean or Norwegian (hint hint) could really run with this idea. And with RCI running this new "Built for Wow" campaign, I again wouldn't put this pass them for one of the Sunshine class vessels coming to us in 2014 and 2015, respectively. BUT who knows, NCL may get dibs first? And to my cruise lines who already have vessels with ice rinks on them (RCI, hint hint), y'all can take this to a whole new level. BUMPER CARS ON ICE! Now that's really a "WOW" moment!
#4: Bungee Jumping...off the Ship
Now take a deep breath. I know what you're thinking. Some of you may think I'm a little crazy for this suggestion, but I think it would be super cool! In fact, this would be a cool shore excursion for those who aren't interested in doing something in port or for those who've been to their ship's current call before. I think they--whichever cruise line(s) do this--should somehow build a ledge that would go off the ship, sort of like a retractable portion of the deck that is sturdy and can withstand strong winds the top of the vessel experiences and have bungee jumping available for passengers only while the ship is in port, on the side of the vessel opposite to the dock. So who's with me? Huh? Huh? Huh? Any takers willing to sign "those papers" should a cruise line yield a vessel with the human rubber bands? For some reason, my gut says NCL would so be into this one!
So those are my suggestions for now. I've got 4 more cool ones coming your way next week in part 2's post! Be sure to tell me what you think of my suggestions and check back for more things I'd like to see on the high seas! You're cruisetacular for reading! Until we talk ship next Monday--Shon!

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An engine fire ... a cruise ship dead in the sea without the power to provide the basic of needs. A pleasant ocean escape to the Caribbean becomes a bad cruise to nowhere. Such was the picture on board the Carnival Triumph on its 4-day sailing last week.
The unpleasant details of life on board that cruise need not be repeated here. We've all seen the video footage and heard the news reports. When the disabled ship finally reached the dock in Mobile, Alabama, greeted by 200 Carnival personnel who would assist in getting the tired passengers home, TV cameras were on hand to fill us in with more images and interviews of anyone willing to talk, providing sensationalized news coverage at its best - playing off other people's misery. The sorry thing is that the general public sitting at home on their couch eats this stuff up, only encouraging more of this. Such is journalism, I guess.
Who do I feel sorry for the most? The first-time cruiser. Imagine you're embarking on your first cruise. You've been on the fence for a long time about cruise travel, but you decide to make the leap, choosing a nice, short 4-day Caribbean cruise to get your feet wet, so to speak. You're all relaxed, you've found your way around the ship, having a great time, thinking - yeah- this is pretty nice. Suddenly, you learn that a small fire has broken out in the ship's engine room. Although it has been quickly contained, the fire has knocked out most of the electrical power to the ship. The vessel has crawled to a halt, aimlessly adrift, and you soon discover that there is no air conditioning, no running water, no working toilets, and no hot food. The ship is slowly being towed to dock in Mobile. It's an agonizingly slow process, with wind, sea currents and a busted tow line impeding the way. You are told it will take days to reach land. Gone is your dream cruise vacation. Instead, you find yourself on a floating sewage barge. Some first cruise. You tell yourself you should have trusted your instincts and picked that all-inclusive resort. Here, on this ship, there's no escape.
Despite what some passengers have said to the contrary, Carnival seems to have fairly and adequately compensated its passengers. Each passenger was given a full refund, paid transportation home, and a future cruise credit. I don't know what else they could have done to satisfy their passengers, short of giving them a fully-paid cruise - on Carnival or any other line the customer chooses.
The real shining stars of this cruise are the crew of Triumph. Stories abound of crew members who never ceased to smile, offered words of comfort, remained professional, and otherwise made the best of a bad situation. They are to be commended and, I hope, appropriately compensated for their efforts.
The same cannot be said for Carnival. Assuring the safety and comfort of its paying customers is, or should be, the cruise line's #1 priority. Regrettably, Carnival dropped the ball on this one. It was unnecessary and inexcusable for cruise passengers to be exposed to the foul conditions caused by the power failure. It was reported at one point that there were five working toilets for 4,000 souls on board - far from comfortable.
What could Carnival have done to better assist its passengers during this unfortunate journey, and what steps could the line take to prevent another incident like this in the future? Dare I say that some of the following suggestions may seem elementary and overly simplistic, but I can't help myself.
Perhaps the cruise line should have reconsidered evacuation of passengers, even if some risk was involved. Surely, somewhere a ship could be found to make the transfer, at least giving passengers the option of getting away.
Portable toilets. It sounds like a ridiculous idea onboard a mega ship, but I have to ask. Why don't cruise ships have a supply of porta potties stored away on board for emergencies such as this? Not possible? Drop 'em in by helicopter.
Portable generators - huge ones. I don't pretend to know the inner workings of getting electrical power to all areas of the ship. I only know that when average Joe Homeowner has a power outage, he powers up his portable generator. There must be a large-scale way to do the same on a super-sized cruise ship.
Lifeboats. Why are they there, if not for evacuation of cruise ship passengers. Bobbing at sea in a lifeboat at sea might be preferable to conditions on the ship - at least to some folks - no matter how risky it might be.
Above all, an emergency back-up plan. With each new ship comes bigger sights, bigger sounds, bigger everything - requiring big power. It would seem that cruise lines would have in place adequate back-up power relative to the size of the ship it is selling to its customers.
In the meantime, while the potential for litigation brews, investigation of Triumph's engines are under way. Reports of past engine problems have prompted discussions of whether or not the ship should have sailed in the first place. Time will tell. Just as the Costa Concordia forced changes to safety and security all throughout the cruise industry, so may Carnival re-examine its response to shipboard emergencies as relates to passenger safety and comfort. At least I would hope so.
What about that first-time cruiser? Will he choose to cruise again, or has this hellish five-day cruise to nowhere turned him off to cruise vacations forever? If you were to pole the veteran cruisers on board that cruise, asking if they would continue to cruise, I would bet the majority would say "hell, yeah!" Hundreds of ships sail every year without a single major incident. Nevertheless, just like any other form of travel, incidents and accidents sometimes occur. Some of them may be simple annoyances, some may be terrible ordeals, and every now and then one may even result in fatality. Each one can be a learning experience for all involved. For the cruise line, it is a way to change, improve and correct that which is faulty.
Just as the old hippy expression says: ***t happens. There is an abundance of seaworthy ships, and there are fascinating places to explore. Opportunities for new discoveries are as endless as the sea. So get back out there, trump the Triumph travesty, and choose to cruise!
To read more of my personal cruise and travel stories, visit my blog: Seven Sea Journeys at CruiseCrazies.com

Carnival Triumph re-entering U.S. waters in Mobile, Alabama.
Photo Credit: gCaptain
What happened was truly unfortunate. The conditions on-board I can't even begin to fathom -- from having no air conditioning, to the exposure many had to bodily waste, and having to use bags as lavatories truly could evoke testing times... but let's look put things in perspective. This was an incident that falls back on Carnival Cruise Line 100%, no doubting that. But Carnival handled this like the crisis management pros they are.Carnival Conquest, Carnival Elation and Carnival Legend --who also sail Western Caribbean waters-- were dispatched to aid Carnival Triumph with food, supplies and even transportation of passengers with pre-existing medical conditions that needed assistance. They gave everyone their money back, transportation back home and post-cruise hotel arrangements, motor-coach bus service and even additional monetary compensation for this disaster. Did I mention Carnival's CEO Gerry Cahill flew to Mobile, Alabama, boarded Carnival Triumph and personally apologized to the passengers and crew in person, can you say cruise hero? Truly amazing!
Now Here's My 2 Cents...
One report I read stated there were about 45 people on-board who had Bible Study and said the encouragement they had in their time with the Lord while stranded at sea, gave them hope that they would return back home just fine. I was so elated to hear of this because as a cruiser who has also been on ships where catastrophes have happened and being a follower of Jesus Christ, I know there's is something special and incomparable that happens between people and God while on the high seas. I've been on ships where engines have stalled, ocean waves have turned violent, passengers have died and had medical emergencies and hurricanes have shown their ugly side. But the one thing I know works and has helped me in my time of peril while at sea, is prayer to and worship of the Lord.

It may sound crazy to some, but to me it's an innate reaction. Whenever I'd hear that "unknown" noise on a ship, see waves come closer than I was planning, or hear the Captain come over the PA system with a late night announcement, I do just what I was taught growing up -- stop, drop and pray! I've learned in my life that unexpected problems is not the issue, but WE are. Stop hoping for your problems to change and YOU change -- change your perspective, outlook and decide to speak encouraging and positive words over your situation. God set the Isrealites free from Pharaoh and wanted to take them into the promise land He had for them... then they wandered in the wilderness for a whole 40 years. Why? Because their attitude and mindset put them there! God knew their mindset wasn't ready to take on the enemies they'd have to battle for full possession of the Promised Land so instead of leading them the way of 11 days, they kept making donuts in the desert for 40 whole years.
Now I am in no way saying that the mindset and attitudes of the persons on-board Carnival Triumph caused this incident to happen, but I do think had an optimistic and positive atmosphere been birthed, both on land and at sea, their deliverance could have come sooner than it played out. I'm not negating the harsh conditions aboard the passengers experienced, I'm not suggesting that this cruise was a good one, nor am I saying these people shouldn't be mad with Carnival about what happened. But what if the 45 people who gathered for worship turned into 450 or even all 4,000 people on the ship, standing together in praise and worship; making the best of their conditions and keeping a positive mindset awaiting a miraculous happening. And on the contrary, what if all the sources bad-mouthing Carnival and this cruise turned their hot air into prayer (yes, this includes the media). What could have happened? Could you imagine? Millions gathering in prayer and not pointing their fingers? I could keep going on with this BUT, I'm glad to say it's over, see everyone disembark fine and get back to living life as they know it.

They're all back safe and sound -- with Triumphant bath robes!
Photo Credit: NY Daily News
Some of y'all think what I just said is crazy, "off the deep end" or even unreal. But I do believe that when we band together in courage and faith, hoping for the impossible, God will honor that act. So next time all hell breaks lose instead of getting worked up and looking for someone to blame, begin to pray and trust God to make the impossible possible. For with man, things may look grim, but with God ALL THINGS are possible! Next time you hear of a high seas tragedy, stop bad-mouthing and being a negative Nancey, but start believing the best -- your negativity won't help anything, but your positive thoughts will be infectious and be more beneficial than you'd know. That's my piece and I'm sticking by it. Until we talk ship again--Shon!

Carnival Triumph re-entering U.S. waters in Mobile, Alabama.
Photo Credit: gCaptain
What happened was truly unfortunate. The conditions on-board I can't even begin to fathom -- from having no air conditioning, to the exposure many had to bodily waste, and having to use bags as lavatories truly could evoke testing times... but let's look put things in perspective. This was an incident that falls back on Carnival Cruise Line 100%, no doubting that. But Carnival handled this like the crisis management pros they are.Carnival Conquest, Carnival Elation and Carnival Legend --who also sail Western Caribbean waters-- were dispatched to aid Carnival Triumph with food, supplies and even transportation of passengers with pre-existing medical conditions that needed assistance. They gave everyone their money back, transportation back home and post-cruise hotel arrangements, motor-coach bus service and even additional monetary compensation for this disaster. Did I mention Carnival's CEO Gerry Cahill flew to Mobile, Alabama, boarded Carnival Triumph and personally apologized to the passengers and crew in person, can you say cruise hero? Truly amazing!
Now Here's My 2 Cents...
One report I read stated there were about 45 people on-board who had Bible Study and said the encouragement they had in their time with the Lord while stranded at sea, gave them hope that they would return back home just fine. I was so elated to hear of this because as a cruiser who has also been on ships where catastrophes have happened and being a follower of Jesus Christ, I know there's is something special and incomparable that happens between people and God while on the high seas. I've been on ships where engines have stalled, ocean waves have turned violent, passengers have died and had medical emergencies and hurricanes have shown their ugly side. But the one thing I know works and has helped me in my time of peril while at sea, is prayer to and worship of the Lord.

It may sound crazy to some, but to me it's an innate reaction. Whenever I'd hear that "unknown" noise on a ship, see waves come closer than I was planning, or hear the Captain come over the PA system with a late night announcement, I do just what I was taught growing up -- stop, drop and pray! I've learned in my life that unexpected problems is not the issue, but WE are. Stop hoping for your problems to change and YOU change -- change your perspective, outlook and decide to speak encouraging and positive words over your situation. God set the Isrealites free from Pharaoh and wanted to take them into the promise land He had for them... then they wandered in the wilderness for a whole 40 years. Why? Because their attitude and mindset put them there! God knew their mindset wasn't ready to take on the enemies they'd have to battle for full possession of the Promised Land so instead of leading them the way of 11 days, they kept making donuts in the desert for 40 whole years.
Now I am in no way saying that the mindset and attitudes of the persons on-board Carnival Triumph caused this incident to happen, but I do think had an optimistic and positive atmosphere been birthed, both on land and at sea, their deliverance could have come sooner than it played out. I'm not negating the harsh conditions aboard the passengers experienced, I'm not suggesting that this cruise was a good one, nor am I saying these people shouldn't be mad with Carnival about what happened. But what if the 45 people who gathered for worship turned into 450 or even all 4,000 people on the ship, standing together in praise and worship; making the best of their conditions and keeping a positive mindset awaiting a miraculous happening. And on the contrary, what if all the sources bad-mouthing Carnival and this cruise turned their hot air into prayer (yes, this includes the media). What could have happened? Could you imagine? Millions gathering in prayer and not pointing their fingers? I could keep going on with this BUT, I'm glad to say it's over, see everyone disembark fine and get back to living life as they know it.

They're all back safe and sound -- with Triumphant bath robes!
Photo Credit: NY Daily News
Some of y'all think what I just said is crazy, "off the deep end" or even unreal. But I do believe that when we band together in courage and faith, hoping for the impossible, God will honor that act. So next time all hell breaks lose instead of getting worked up and looking for someone to blame, begin to pray and trust God to make the impossible possible. For with man, things may look grim, but with God ALL THINGS are possible! Next time you hear of a high seas tragedy, stop bad-mouthing and being a negative Nancey, but start believing the best -- your negativity won't help anything, but your positive thoughts will be infectious and be more beneficial than you'd know. That's my piece and I'm sticking by it. Until we talk ship again--Shon!

The Carnival Triumph safely returned to port after an ordeal at sea. I’m happy to say that, during the intense media coverage on CNN and other networks—which I was corralled into—passengers unanimously praised the tireless hard work and positive attitude of the crew. There were many horror stories about poor sanitation on the crippled ship. Alas, these are not always relegated to disaster. Allow me to share a particularly gross ship I worked on for months. We crew endure this for you, dear passenger.
Gross things are common on cruise ships. No, not the gastronomic atrocities occurring nonstop at the buffets—horrifying as that may be to quantify—but what lies below the waterline. Not the slimy, oil-tainted waters of the bilge, either. I’m talking about what life is like on the crew decks.
Carnival Triumph recently made the news when a fire left it without propulsion, little running water, less electricity, and utterly bereft of sanitation. One passenger reported “sewage running down the walls and floors” and said travelers were being asked to defecate in bags and urinate in showers because toilets weren’t functioning. Understandably shocking, considering how rarely passengers endure such privations. The crew deal with it every day. It should be noted they bring it on themselves.
Crew are generally denied food in their cabins because it invariably ends up in the toilets in a most nonbiological manner. Hiding evidence of a smuggled, late night snack is always the same: flush it. After all, there are no portholes twenty feet below the sea. But ship toilets are very, very sensitive. The crew? Not so much. When working on RCI’s Majesty of the Seas, fish bones backed up the sewage system so often that the entire aft crew deck smelled like feces. Literally. And this was where the crew kitchen and dining room were located!
Oddly enough, this disposing of contraband was the only time many flushed the toilets at all. This can be partly explained by the wide variety of nationalities that compose the crew. Hygiene standards vary radically from nation to nation, but are all but absent in some developing nations. Such is the resource pool from which the cruise industry hires its labor. When first indoctrinated into crew, on day one, everyone is educated on what is required for first-world hygienic standards. They are ordered to wash daily and to use deodorant, whether they ‘need’ it or not. Many even comply. But when working a minimum of eighty hours a week without a day off for ten months straight, focus flags.
On Majesty of the Seas, these men—for they were invariably so—lived in tiny, shared cabins along the main corridor leading to the crew mess. Tucked between were communal showers and toilets. Everything was crowded, everything stank. And it was stiflingly hot. Because the cooling system was also spotty, all doors were always open. Three times a day, on the way to every meal, I passed dozens of overworked zombies brushing their teeth beside toilets filled to the brim, lids wide open. A perfect appetizer for a enjoying a meal in a latrine.
I learned about such things in dramatic fashion upon signing onto Majesty as a junior officer. After returning to my cabin, I discovered a man wearing officers’ whites bent over my desk, examining the contents. While there was no pretext of privacy on a cruise ship, having my own cabin had given me delusions of it. Upon hearing me enter, the man shoved the drawer shut and irritably snapped, “Cabin inspection. I have reports that you routinely order room service. This is highly improper and will not continue. We have a cockroach problem in the stern deck, and I will not have it spread into this section of the ship.”
I didn’t have time to explain that I had just arrived because he brushed me aside to search my shower. Because cabin inspections were conducted by each department head and, since I was a department head, I suddenly realized the man searching my toilet was the most powerful officer beside the captain himself! He dropped the toilet lid with a slam, trying to hide his disdain behind a professional countenance. His grimace worked through.
“No fish bones,” I said cheerily. He glared at me and replied, “I am seeking a shoe.”
“Um… shoes?” I asked, confused. He corrected me sharply, “A shoe! The entire sewage system is backed up ship-wide because a crewman flushed a shoe down the toilet this morning.”
Brian David Bruns is the best-selling author of Cruise Confidential and Ship for Brains, the latter from which the above story is taken.

My first cruise of 2013 is nearly 72 hours away! I can smell the sea water, see the ship in my head and envision the cruisetacular adventure that awaits me this weekend aboard Norwegian Jewel! The gitty feelings and excitement seem to never leave me. Ever since my first cruise nearly a decade ago, I still get that pre-cruise rush and words can't describe the euphoria I feel at moment, but I suspect it will only become greater as Friday gets closer and closer.
This will be my 29th cruise, 12th with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and 2nd on Norwegian Jewel and I believe this time around Norwegian Jewel will even be sweeter. I was blessed to enjoy sailing her inaugural voyage from Miami, Florida in 2005. But I feel this time around, it will be more rewarding. I'm bringing along my best friend from my college years who has never been on a cruise. What better way to break in my 2013 cruising streak than with NCL and my BFF? I think she is a little more excited than I am and you know what... that truly makes my heart leap for joy! It's such a good feeling to be able to bless someone who's never cruised before with what I'm dubbing as one of the most cruisetastic weekends ever!
I already handed her the run down, "Bring your white for the NCL-famous White Hot Party; have your mouth ready to eat at some amazing restaurants; and don't be shy when it comes to dancing (because you know I'm ready to shake my groove thing)!" Y'all know I love to get my dance on when on the high seas and it's great to have a pal tag along who also shares a love for cuttin' a rug, deck and then some! So the cruise is completely sold out, but I've got a little room for you to tag along! Follow me on Twitter (@CruiseMan3000) for updates live from the ship! I can't wait to share the awesome adventures in store for us this weekend and come back with many more funny high seas stories I know y'all will join me in with many laughs!
Do you still get excited about your upcoming cruises like it was the first time? Have you brought along cruising-novice friends to sail with you? Did they like it? Are they more addicted to cruising over you? What are your thoughts on sailing a ship more than once? Let's talk ship until I sail-away this weekend! For more coverage on this cruise and my previous voyages, check out my updates on The Ocean Escape by CM3K! See y'all next Monday with my post cruise recap!

Let's go back a few years when I sailed Norwegian Sun from Miami. Great ship. Amazing cruise. It was the morning I was supposed to disembark the vessel and I was a little sad. You know how after you have such a great time on a cruise, you don't want to leave? Yeah, that feeling was hovering over me like a cloud. In fact, another cruise was awaiting me that afternoon.This was the first time I decided to do a back-to-back cruise. You see, as soon as I disembarked Norwegian Sun, I was jumping in my rental car, driving north and boarding Regal Empress for a cruise to the Bahamas from Port Everglades. Very rarely do I remember my hunger pains (because I don't miss a single meal) but I vividly remember this day -- I was incredibly hungry!
I got up, showered, dressed and made a b-line for the breakfast buffet. Things were going great. I got a table on the patio area, aft of the ship, had a nice a Miami breeze caressing my bald head and Mr. Sun (the real guy, not the ship) was having fun coloring me because I could sense the blackness of my skin getting darker with each minute -- but it was greatly welcomed! So I had my food there, enjoying everything from fruit to pancakes and even a piece of smoked salmon, but I still longed for something "extra." Then I remembered I got a glance of something on the buffet I have been eating ever since I was a child: cinnamon buns. Cinnamon buns are my guilty pleasure and since I was on vacation, I thought I'd indulge in one... or two. Plus, the sun was having too much fun with my skin (I thought I'd give him a break).
So I got in line at the double-sided buffet, keeping my eyes on the pan that had the cinnamon buns in it. Mentally, I was already downing like two. As I got closer and closer to the pan, I realized the number of cinnamon buns started becoming less and less. I began praying, "Lord, please let me just get one. I just want one." My turn was next! Finally, I'll get to have one! And guess what? There was exactly one cinnamon bun left in the pan! So I grabbed the tongs, situated my plate and then... then... another pair of tongs comes into view. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. From out of nowhere, this older gentlemen, reached across two pans of food and placed his tongs RIGHT ON TOP OF THE ONLY CINNAMON BUN LEFT! Was this really happening?
I had a decision to make: I could be the good Christian guy my mom raised me to be, or I could be the hungry Black man getting what he wanted at any cost. Well, since my mom wasn't around, and since my stomach started singing loudly, I decided to go for it. I looked at him. He looked at me, then he opened his tongs and clasped them around the cinnamon bun. I thought, "This guy CAN'T be serious, can he?" So I got my tongs and clasped it from the other direction... and began pulling it back. Next thing I know, the cinnamon bun is back in the pan and we keep pushing each other's tongs back. The people in line were laughing and I uttered, "This ain't funny! You don't know the code? Well let me break it down for you: S-T-O-P! You never come between a hungry Black man and his food! Didn't your momma teach you?" After saying that, the laughs reached new heights and I notice a crowd spectating this happening like it was the SuperBowl. Needless to say, I won the tongs battle and the man was so angry, he threw his tongs on the ground. Yeah! Who was hungry now? It wasn't me! But he should have known better not to challenge "Hungry Black Man 3000!"
So I enjoyed my cinnamon bun, cleaned up my dining area and headed off the ship knowing if another person ever decides to challenge me with tongs on another cruise ship, they'll meet their match... and they better pray I'm not ravenous! So bring it! But seriously, don't you think that guy was rude? Reaching over those pans to get into the cinammon bun pan, then putting HIS tongs on [what was about to be] MY food! The nerve of some people! Good thing I did the Christian thing. Well, until next Monday's post, y'all have a cruisetacular week!

When you cruise, do you normally bring your best friend along? Sometimes? If you can tolerate sharing a cabin with them for the whole cruise? Well, I'm not sure what kind of bff's y'all have, but I've got the world's ultimate best friend... a few of them actually. Yeah, we actually met on the high seas some years ago when I sailed Carnival Miracle from Ft. Lauderdale.
So, how'd we meet? I'm glad you asked! I was walking around the buffet getting my grub on for a few days, paying nobody any mind. Then, I walked to my room one day to change my clothes after yet another feasting I had on Lido. I roamed through my suitcase to see what I was "in the mood" to wear and came across the perfect outfit for the evening... or so I thought. I go to put it on and um... yeah, it wasn't working. I looked like Cedric the Entertainer trying to squeeze into a Michael Jackson get-up. Translation: I looked a hot funky mess! So I ruffled some more through my clothes and voila! My new cruising bff and I were officially linked by the hip... literally.
Since my clothing options were getting fewer and fewer, the one sure thing I knew I could put on besides my sun-block was my blue and white pair of swimming trunks! Oh yeah, not only were they my saving grace, but they have these things called elastic waistbands that are perfect for any man having a food bulge in their mid-section. And yes, I spent an entire two days on Carnival Miracle proudly wearing my swimming trunks... my cruising bff!
Since then, I have become more healthy as many of you may know. I've lost 60 pounds, workout daily (even on cruises), but I still have my cruising bff on standby in my suitcase just in case I need a little more grace while on vacation, hehe. Do you purposely pack elastic clothes while on cruise vacations? If you do, are swimming trunks your #1 choice? Feel free to share your thoughts below! Be sure to check back next week as I share another funny story with you from my high seas adventures!
Also, let's not forget to remember the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as we nationally observe his birthday today. He is the biggest rock-star in my book and truly one of the greatest American ever produced! He lived a life undaunted and had a dream that I'm proud to be a part of. Check out my personal tribute to him on The Ocean Escape.

So how'd you get started cruising? Do you remember the ship, line and ports of call you visited? I know I do... just like it was yesterday! I can't believe it has been nearly ten years ago, but I sailed Carnival Imagination to Belize and Key West from Miami, Florida. Oh, and what a cruise it was! The food, people and did I say the food? I was a wee little lad when I first cruised and Imagination would have never been around if my mom didn't take her first cruise the year before. She went with a bunch of her girlfriends and had a blast! But I noticed the strangest thing when she returned.
Besides the sun burn, loads of sovuneirs for her one and only (yeah, that's me) and the amazing pics she shared, her stories were so mezmorizing. She told me everything! "Shon! They had this... and that. Oh, and one night they did this... and that. You would have really loved it!" I hung onto every word like a good, attentive child (because I never did any wrong, hehe). Then she started going in-depth about the kids programs and I really started having a fit! I was at a lost. I thought she went with a bunch of adults? How did she know so much about Camp Carnival? Was this a set-up? Nonetheless, she REALLY got me going then and I begged and pleaded and prayed and hoped and begged some more until she finally gave in and took me on my first cruise!
So, mom and I sat down and narrowed our cruise selection to three ships--Carnival Fascination, Carnival Imagination or Carnival Triumph--and she let ME make the final call (how nice of her, right?)! Well, the rest is history. Now nearly 30 cruises later, I'm still sailing the high seas! From Costa Cruises to NCL and even MSC, I have found that momma truly does know best. So if your mom tells you that a cruise is something you'll love, you better listen because you never know. You may go from vacation lover, to passion sharer, to enjoying an addiction worth living for! Until we talk ship next week--Shon!
Can't wait a week until my next blog post? Cruise on over to The Ocean Escape which is the other blog I author with cruisetacular goodness! Your ships await!

The dream Alaska cruise is booked, air fare reserved and pre and post-cruise hotel stays arranged. Now comes the hard part - deciding what to see and do when we get to the Last American Frontier. With only a day in Skagway, Ketchikan and Juneau, the choices won't be easy.
While I enjoy touring famous cities and landmarks from the comfort and safety of a vehicle, as I grow older and cruise more, I find myself wanting to experience sightseeing in a more active and thrilling way. This is a big leap for an indoor girl with a fairly sedentary lifestyle. Since my travel bucket list has grown longer than my life expectancy, I want to make certain each tour is special and an event to remember. It must be the kind of activity that rises above and beyond my comfort zone, which currently sits on a pretty low threshold. Just as I fear being in the limelight (see my previous post "No, I don't want to be a volunteer ..."), I am a huge whimp when it comes to trying new things - especially when they invite potential injury. However, with the encouragement of my husband David, who is not at all afraid to venture into new territory, I am learning to spread my wings.
 
I could plan a cruise excursion the easy way, by simply viewing the line's glossy tour booklet, choosing and booking a pre-planned excursion. All neatly packaged, wrapped and available for every cruise passenger, they are the ultimate in convenience. But what fun is that? After all, last year I planned a small private group tour of the Scottish Highlands with 14 fellow passengers, and it turned out to be the highlight of our cruise. So you see, I have discovered alternative ways, albeit involving many hours of research and, in my case, obsessive rumination over very detail of the tour.
This is not to belittle cruise lines for providing a valuable service. I have taken advantage of several cruiseline excursions, and they have more than satisfied my growing thirst for adventure. The first such cruise excursion we took part in was Swimming with Stingrays in Grand Cayman over 10 years ago. This sounded like just the adventure David and I were looking for, so I promptly reserved the boat to Stingray City the minute it opened for booking on the web. The booking process was simple alright, but it still left me with lots of questions about stingrays, in general. I spent every spare moment for months reading everything I could get my hands on to find the answers to my most pressing questions: "What if I step on one? Will it bite me? Will it stab me to death with that stinger?". Keep in mind, this was before the famous Steve Irwin a/k/a Crocodile Hunter incident. As a result, I spent months perfecting the "stingray shuffle" in my living room.

If that weren't enough, to fully appreciate these mysterious, graceful aquatic creatures, I needed to learn how to snorkel. All summer long, I practiced in our backyard pool until I could breathe through that tube without drowning myself, a hurdle I am proud to say I soon overcame. All my anxiety over stingrays, I am happy to say, was for naught. The experience was very cool and I survived unharmed. On a second trip to Stingray City with my daughters on a later cruise, I even did the obligatory stingray-kissing photo op - how touristy!

The second must-do-before-I-die adventure would be horseback riding. Not that I knew how to ride a horse. Everything I knew about horses I learned from TV's "Mr. Ed." Oh, I had been on small ponies as a child - you know, the country fair type ride, where someone leads you and your little pony around a circle the size of a hula hoop. I always wanted a horse (didn't every little girl?) and remember begging my dad to dig up his prize vegetable garden to build a horse barn. Of, course he didn't, but I could dream! I was overjoyed to see the excursion listed as available through the ship while docked in St. Maarten. However, I was not feeling the love when I read of disappointing experiences through the ship. I decided that this was one I was going to plan on my own for myself and two daughters. So, once again, I was on a mission to find the best stables on the island with the grandest of horses and the friendliest of guides - one with a lot of patience for a novice like myself.
After months of research, I found a highly recommended stable outfit on the French side of the island. Our family rented a minivan and headed off to the stables. My husband who is highly allergic to most animals watched from a distance as we were fitted for head gear and a horse suited to our weight and size. My horse was huge! Funny how they don't look that big in the movies. How do those guys in the westerns leap on and off their horse with so little effort? I couldn't even reach my foot high enough for the stirrup - my arthritic knees don't bend that way! "Ummm ... Excuse me," I timidly said. "I am going to need some help here." After some initial shock, the young stable hand lead my gallant animal and I over to the big stepladder, and I climbed up to the saddle. I felt more than a little foolish while the other few people in our party simply saddled up with very little assistance. Even my girls, who had never been within a mile of a horse in their lives, made it look so easy. With some brief instruction on how to maneuver the animal, off we went on our equine adventure. The horse was very gentle and knew the trail well, so thankfully I didn't have to do much with the reins. Slowly riding along wooded trails and gorgeous beaches - nudist beaches, I might add - it turned out to be one of the most thrilling things I had ever done!

This brings me to our third planned outdoorsy thing on the list: Bears - or observing them in their natural habitat as they fish for salmon in Alaska water. And because the only way to get to the rainforest creek to see the bears is by air, we will need to fly in a floatplane to get there! A double feature - two brand new exciting and thrilling experiences in one shot! Are you sensing a theme here? Yes, animals and wilderness. This indoor girl is getting off the couch and into the wide open world!
... And now the search for bear and flight begins! Stay tuned ...

Let's go back a few years when I sailed Norwegian Sun from Miami. Great ship. Amazing cruise. It was the morning I was supposed to disembark the vessel and I was a little sad. You know how after you have such a great time on a cruise, you don't want to leave? Yeah, that feeling was hovering over me like a cloud. In fact, another cruise was awaiting me that afternoon.This was the first time I decided to do a back-to-back cruise. You see, as soon as I disembarked Norwegian Sun, I was jumping in my rental car, driving north and boarding Regal Empress for a cruise to the Bahamas from Port Everglades. Very rarely do I remember my hunger pains (because I don't miss a single meal) but I vividly remember this day -- I was incredibly hungry!
I got up, showered, dressed and made a b-line for the breakfast buffet. Things were going great. I got a table on the patio area, aft of the ship, had a nice a Miami breeze caressing my bald head and Mr. Sun (the real guy, not the ship) was having fun coloring me because I could sense the blackness of my skin getting darker with each minute -- but it was greatly welcomed! So I had my food there, enjoying everything from fruit to pancakes and even a piece of smoked salmon, but I still longed for something "extra." Then I remembered I got a glance of something on the buffet I have been eating ever since I was a child: cinnamon buns. Cinnamon buns are my guilty pleasure and since I was on vacation, I thought I'd indulge in one... or two. Plus, the sun was having too much fun with my skin (I thought I'd give him a break).
So I got in line at the double-sided buffet, keeping my eyes on the pan that had the cinnamon buns in it. Mentally, I was already downing like two. As I got closer and closer to the pan, I realized the number of cinnamon buns started becoming less and less. I began praying, "Lord, please let me just get one. I just want one." My turn was next! Finally, I'll get to have one! And guess what? There was exactly one cinnamon bun left in the pan! So I grabbed the tongs, situated my plate and then... then... another pair of tongs comes into view. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. From out of nowhere, this older gentlemen, reached across two pans of food and placed his tongs RIGHT ON TOP OF THE ONLY CINNAMON BUN LEFT! Was this really happening?
I had a decision to make: I could be the good Christian guy my mom raised me to be, or I could be the hungry Black man getting what he wanted at any cost. Well, since my mom wasn't around, and since my stomach started singing loudly, I decided to go for it. I looked at him. He looked at me, then he opened his tongs and clasped them around the cinnamon bun. I thought, "This guy CAN'T be serious, can he?" So I got my tongs and clasped it from the other direction... and began pulling it back. Next thing I know, the cinnamon bun is back in the pan and we keep pushing each other's tongs back. The people in line were laughing and I uttered, "This ain't funny! You don't know the code? Well let me break it down for you: S-T-O-P! You never come between a hungry Black man and his food! Didn't your momma teach you?" After saying that, the laughs reached new heights and I notice a crowd spectating this happening like it was the SuperBowl. Needless to say, I won the tongs battle and the man was so angry, he threw his tongs on the ground. Yeah! Who was hungry now? It wasn't me! But he should have known better not to challenge "Hungry Black Man 3000!"
So I enjoyed my cinnamon bun, cleaned up my dining area and headed off the ship knowing if another person ever decides to challenge me with tongs on another cruise ship, they'll meet their match... and they better pray I'm not ravenous! So bring it! But seriously, don't you think that guy was rude? Reaching over those pans to get into the cinammon bun pan, then putting HIS tongs on [what was about to be] MY food! The nerve of some people! Good thing I did the Christian thing. Well, until next Monday's post, y'all have a cruisetacular week!

So how'd you get started cruising? Do you remember the ship, line and ports of call you visited? I know I do... just like it was yesterday! I can't believe it has been nearly ten years ago, but I sailed Carnival Imagination to Belize and Key West from Miami, Florida. Oh, and what a cruise it was! The food, people and did I say the food? I was a wee little lad when I first cruised and Imagination would have never been around if my mom didn't take her first cruise the year before. She went with a bunch of her girlfriends and had a blast! But I noticed the strangest thing when she returned.
Besides the sun burn, loads of sovuneirs for her one and only (yeah, that's me) and the amazing pics she shared, her stories were so mezmorizing. She told me everything! "Shon! They had this... and that. Oh, and one night they did this... and that. You would have really loved it!" I hung onto every word like a good, attentive child (because I never did any wrong, hehe). Then she started going in-depth about the kids programs and I really started having a fit! I was at a lost. I thought she went with a bunch of adults? How did she know so much about Camp Carnival? Was this a set-up? Nonetheless, she REALLY got me going then and I begged and pleaded and prayed and hoped and begged some more until she finally gave in and took me on my first cruise!
So, mom and I sat down and narrowed our cruise selection to three ships--Carnival Fascination, Carnival Imagination or Carnival Triumph--and she let ME make the final call (how nice of her, right?)! Well, the rest is history. Now nearly 30 cruises later, I'm still sailing the high seas! From Costa Cruises to NCL and even MSC, I have found that momma truly does know best. So if your mom tells you that a cruise is something you'll love, you better listen because you never know. You may go from vacation lover, to passion sharer, to enjoying an addiction worth living for! Until we talk ship next week--Shon!
Can't wait a week until my next blog post? Cruise on over to The Ocean Escape which is the other blog I author with cruisetacular goodness! Your ships await!

So how'd you get started cruising? Do you remember the ship, line and ports of call you visited? I know I do... just like it was yesterday! I can't believe it has been nearly ten years ago, but I sailed Carnival Imagination to Belize and Key West from Miami, Florida. Oh, and what a cruise it was! The food, people and did I say the food? I was a wee little lad when I first cruised and Imagination would have never been around if my mom didn't take her first cruise the year before. She went with a bunch of her girlfriends and had a blast! But I noticed the strangest thing when she returned.
Besides the sun burn, loads of sovuneirs for her one and only (yeah, that's me) and the amazing pics she shared, her stories were so mezmorizing. She told me everything! "Shon! They had this... and that. Oh, and one night they did this... and that. You would have really loved it!" I hung onto every word like a good, attentive child (because I never did any wrong, hehe). Then she started going in-depth about the kids programs and I really started having a fit! I was at a lost. I thought she went with a bunch of adults? How did she know so much about Camp Carnival? Was this a set-up? Nonetheless, she REALLY got me going then and I begged and pleaded and prayed and hoped and begged some more until she finally gave in and took me on my first cruise!
So, mom and I sat down and narrowed our cruise selection to three ships--Carnival Fascination, Carnival Imagination or Carnival Triumph--and she let ME make the final call (how nice of her, right?)! Well, the rest is history. Now nearly 30 cruises later, I'm still sailing the high seas! From Costa Cruises to NCL and even MSC, I have found that momma truly does know best. So if your mom tells you that a cruise is something you'll love, you better listen because you never know. You may go from vacation lover, to passion sharer, to enjoying an addiction worth living for! Until we talk ship next week--Shon!
Can't wait a week until my next blog post? Cruise on over to The Ocean Escape which is the other blog I author with cruisetacular goodness! Your ships await!